Directions in English: How to Find Your Way While Traveling

Asking For Directions

Approaching strangers to ask for directions could be intimidating. You’re not sure that they will understand you. Also, everyone seems to hide their nose in their phones or wear headphones when they walk through the streets.

Don’t worry. We’ll give you some phrases to add to your travel vocabulary that’ll get someone’s attention. These polite expressions are a great way to start a conversation and get the help you need.

Polite Expressions and Useful Phrases

Excuse me

This phrase is used frequently. You hear it all the time on the street or in a shop. People say “Excuse me” before asking another person to do something (like showing you the way to the theater!).

When using it, pronounce “me” with a longer vowel and a higher pitch to indicate the question to come.

Excuse me? Where is the nearest souvenir shop?

Sorry to bother you…

It’s another way to let a stranger know that you’re asking something from them and you appreciate their help.

Sorry to bother you, but would you mind showing me the way to post office?

May I ask…?

You can use this expression to start a question in a courteous manner. Remember that you don’t have to reverse the word order when you continue with the “where…” part. In grammar rules, it’s the issue of embedded questions or indirect questions.

May I ask where the Marriott hotel is?

Could you please…?

You follow this expression with a verb such as “show,” “point,” “help” etc.

Could you please point me in the direction of the main square?

I am (I’m) lost.

Excuse me? I’m lost. Could you please help me find 5th Avenue?

I can’t seem to read this map.

Sorry to bother you. I can’t seem to read this map.

This is my first time in the city.

May I ask you a question? This is my first time in the city.

Question Phrases

Now it’s time to ask about where you need to go. Follow “Excuse me” or “Sorry to bother you” with one of these questions:

How do I get to…?

Excuse me? How do I get to Times Square?

Which way to…?

Sorry to bother you, but which way to Main Street?

Can you help me find…?

Excuse me? Can you help me find Hotel Pennsylvania? This is my first time in the city.

Now you know how to ask for directions. If you still have concerns about how to break into a conversation or how to pronounce certain words, there are tons of videos on YouTube about this topic and even some that allow you to practice with a map! You can also check out FluentU’s real-world videos to practice your fluency and build your confidence.

Giving Directions

If you’re in a big tourist destination like New York City, chances are someone will come up to you to ask for help. It’s important to give the right directions because you don’t want other people to get (more) lost, do you?

That means you’ll need to use the right spatial prepositions (which describe where things are) and not get confused between “right” and “left.” Make sure to use imperative sentences (like this one) to sound confident when telling someone where to go.

You start with a simple verb to give clear instructions and add in spatial prepositions. Use landmarks like churches or parks so that people know they’re headed in the right direction. (In other words, learn nouns.)

Let’s crack open each topic one at a time, so that we can give better directions.

Verbs

Walk along/walk straight down

Walk along 6th Avenue until you find the Rockefeller Center Station.

Turn left/right

Turn left at the intersection and the building is on the right.

Go around/over/under

Go over the bridge and turn left at the next stoplight.

Make a left/right turn

Make a left turn when you see the Hard Rock Cafe.

Head to

Head to Hudson Theatre and you’ll see the restaurant on the right.

Take the first/second left/right turn

Take the second right turn and the museum will be on the left.

Continue down/Follow

Continue down West 45th Street until you get to the bus stop.

Follow this street for 10 minutes before turning left at West 41st Street.

Spatial Prepositions

Spatial prepositions tell where a thing is located in relation to something else.

Beside

Meaning: on the side of something else

The Imperial Theatre is beside the New York Marriott Marquis hotel.

Next to

Meaning: to the side of, similar to “beside” but can be used if there’s nothing in between

The New York Marriott Marquis hotel is next to the Richard Rodgers Theatre.

Near

Meaning: close, not far

The Rockefeller Center Station is near West 46th Street.

To the left/right of

Meaning: as long as you don’t get confused between left or right (or get political) this one is straightforward. If you stand in the middle of an avenue facing north, buildings to the east are on the right and the buildings to the west are on the left.

The post office is to the right of the corner store.

Between

Meaning: to have someone or something on each side

The Broadhurst Theatre is between the PlayStation Theater and the Majestic Theatre.

Behind

Meaning: being at someone or something’s back

The restaurant is just behind the metro station.

In front of

Meaning: if something is in front of you, it’s in a position where you can see it if you look forwards (see the example with “around the corner”)

When you turn a corner, you’ll find yourself in front of the church.

Across from

Meaning: on the other side of a road, river, etc.

The New York Marriott Marquis hotel is across from the Disney Store.

Around the corner

Meaning: you’ll find something when you turn a corner (a place where two streets meet)

If you’re in front of the Disney Store on 7th Avenue, then the Saint Mary The Virgin Church is around the corner.

On the…street/avenue

Meaning: to be situated (located)

The Disney Store and the New York Marriott Marquis are both on 7th Avenue.

At the crossroads/intersection

Meaning: a place where two roads meet (especially when one is a major street)

You’ll see a big mall at the intersection of 6th Avenue and West 51st Street.

Nouns

Using landmarks when giving directions makes it easier for an inquirer to find what he or she is looking for.

Bridges

Cross the bridge and the hotel is on the first street on the left.

Parks

Walk past the park, and keep going straight until you see the sign for the museum.

Churches

McDonald’s is past the church on West 51st Street.

Squares

Times Square begins at the intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue.

It’s also useful to know the names of more common things you find in most big cities, like blocks, malls, coffee shops (e.g. Starbucks).

If you’re giving directions in the countryside or on a walking trail, you’ll probably need nouns like big trees, a fast-running river, hills, etc.

Now you have some vocabulary to start giving directions!

Asking and giving directions are important components of basic conversational language. We hope the structure and words in this article will enlarge your travel vocabulary and make you comfortable enough to ask and give directions.

Knowing these words will make you feel more confident to go places and start talking with the locals. Who knows what’s awaiting you!

Happy travels!