“Live life with no excuses, travel with no regret.”
– Oscar Wilde
In this blog, you will learn 15 practical phrasal verbs in English with useful examples that you can use this summer while travelling on your trip.
Download a handy pdf with these phrasal verbs right here.
Before the trip
Here are 4 phrasal verbs that can be used before the trip:
- Set off – to begin a journey
We set off early to avoid traffic. - See off – to say goodbye at the airport, station, etc.
My grandmother came to see me off at the airport. - Check in – to register at a hotel or airport
We checked in at the hotel around 3 p.m. - Check out – to leave and pay the bill at a hotel
Don’t forget we have to check out by noon.
During the Journey
Here are 4 phrasal verbs to use during the trip:
- Get in – to enter a car, taxi
We got in the taxi and headed to the hotel. - Get on / Get off – to board / leave buses, trains, planes
We got on the bus just in time.
We got off the train at the wrong station! - Take off – when a plane leaves the ground
The plane took off an hour late. - Touch down – when a plane lands
We touched down safely despite the storm.
Exploring the destination
To talk about exploring your destination, you can use these 5 phrasal verbs:
- Look around – to explore or visit a place casually
We spent the afternoon looking around the old town. - Stop over – to have a short stay somewhere en route
We stopped over in Dubai on our way to Australia. - Get away – to escape from daily routine, to go on holiday
We’re hoping to get away for a few days next month. - Take in – to absorb or enjoy a view, place, or experience
We took in the stunning views from the top of the hill. - Head for – to go in the direction of
We’re heading for the coast this weekend.
Returning
Sadly all trips must come to an end. You can use these 2 phrasal verbs that are essential to learn:
- Get back – to return from somewhere
What time did you get back from Italy? - Come back – similar to “get back”, often emotional or personal
I can’t wait to come back to this beautiful island.
The best way to learn phrasal verbs is to think of your own personal examples and use them regularly so that they become as instinctive for you as they are for native speakers.
Be sure to check out my Ask Us Anything video on these phrasal verbs, and don’t forget to download our free cheat sheet that you can learn from.
Are you preparing to travel this year? You’ll love our English for Travelling course! Intrepid English Members can access the course right here to test your learning with interactive quizzes, and continue learning essential vocabulary and phrases for arriving at baggage reclaim, how to handle any missing luggage, navigating customs and transportation, booking and arriving at your accommodation, and much more beyond!
Not an Intrepid English Member yet? Check out our membership options right here. All memberships include access to our extensive online library of self-study courses on English grammar, pronunciation, idioms, business English, IELTS preparation, and much more.