20 Spanish Sentences for Asking Directions in a City

Published Aug 11, 2026·Updated Aug 11, 2026

Transcript

Read along, Spanish & English, side by side

Have you ever asked where the subway is and gotten a funny look?

It happens a lot, to be honest.

Today you’re going to learn 20 clear phrases to ask for directions on the street, at A2 level,

for when you're traveling and don’t know where to go.

Yes, exactly that, real situation, new city, no data on your phone and you need help.

You’ll learn short, super useful phrases and basic pronunciation so they understand you.

Let’s get straight to it, okay?

Hi, I’m Carlos, and this is María.

By the way, the entire lesson is on Vocabli to practice.

Okay, let’s start with the essentials, using “estar,” not “ser,” when asking for a place.

We say “where is it,” not “where is,” because we’re talking about location, right?

Totally.

And we’ll start with the first phrase, super polite.

Excuse me, can you help me?

If you want to be formal, you say, excuse me, can you help me?

Smile a bit and it changes everything.

Second phrase, basic, where is?

For example, where is the station?

Third, how do I get to...?

And name the place, how do I get to the museum?

And one more that sounds very natural, can you tell me how to get there?

That’s formal, with “you.”

Like, excuse me, can you tell me how to get to the square?

It sounds polite and clear.

Add this one, which I love when you’re already walking, am I going the right way to...?

It’s to confirm the route, am I going the right way to the center?

And if you’re a bit lost, say, I’m a little lost, or I’m a bit lost if you’re a woman.

Perfect.

Let’s do a mini role play, okay?

I’ll be the person on the street and you ask.

Use the short phrases like in real life.

Okay, I’m going.

Excuse me, can you help me?

I’m a bit lost, where is the art museum?

It’s nearby.

Go straight for two blocks and then turn right.

Wait, I’ll pause here to explain, go and turn are formal, with “you” it would be go and turn.

And straight means “straight ahead,” like, all the way straight.

Continuing.

Is it the first or second street?

And also, should I turn left or right?

That way there’s no confusion.

I respond, it’s the second one, and yes, turn right.

And if it’s very close, I can say, it’s just around the corner.

Very useful phrase.

Awesome.

I’ll quickly repeat the phrases we covered, so you have them: excuse me, can you help me?, where is?

How do I get to...?

Can you tell me how to get to...? Am I going the right way to..., I’m a bit lost.

Is it the first or second street?

Turn left?

Turn right?

And it's just around the corner?

We're already getting many.

Yes, we’re adding two more for distance and time; is it near or far?

And how long does it take to walk?

Walking is on foot, strolling.

Use them when you're unsure if walking is worth it.

A little pronunciation tip that helps a lot when you say these phrases.

Many people mix up L and Y.

Arrive and arrive sound the same in many countries, but in Argentina, L sometimes sounds like H, sort of like, segó?

It's fine, just listen and repeat.

And one more thing, don’t use “I” all the time.

In Spanish, we almost always drop it.

Say “I’m looking for the subway” or “looking for the subway” sounds more natural.

Small detail, big change.

Let’s do another mini practice with a map; everyone checks maps today, right?

Useful phrase, can you show it on the map?

And if you don’t understand well, just ask, can you write it down for me, please?

That saves lives.

Before the break, we'll cover transport, which also involves directions.

Say, there’s a bus to...

In Mexico, they say camión, and in Buenos Aires, colectivo, but bus is understood everywhere.

And then, which line do I take?

Very handy for subway or bus.

And once you’re on the bus, ask, at which stop do I get off?

Or if you want to confirm the route, am I going the right way to downtown?

Repeating isn’t bothersome; it helps.

Time for a review, let’s see if you're awake.

Quick round, what does “go straight” mean?

It means continue straight without turning.

How do you ask for a route very formally?

Excuse me, can you tell me how to get there?

Ready, let’s continue.

I'll tell you a short story so it doesn’t happen to you.

A friend went to Argentina and mixed up left and right.

She asked correctly, but misunderstood and walked the opposite way.

In the end, they laughed with her and accompanied her back, but she learned to repeat, to the left, right?

And to point with your hand.

Pointing is great.

And since we’re talking about Argentina, if you hear "vos," don’t be alarmed.

You can say, can you tell me how to get to...

It's the same as saying, just changes the way.

You can stick with “tú” or “usted,” and it’s all good.

Let’s do a second roleplay, but in a subway station, okay?

I’ll ask, you respond.

I’ll try to use transport phrases.

Ready, I’m listening.

Excuse me, do you know where the subway station is?

Is there a bus to downtown or is there a better way?

How long does it take to walk?

The station is at the end of this street.

Better to take the subway.

Take the blue line.

And it’s about a 20-minute walk.

If you’re with you, take the blue line.

And you could add, “which stop do I get off at?” to wrap it up nicely.

Exactly, “which stop do I get off at?”

And if I'm already walking, do I go straight?

Another quick option when in doubt is “is it nearby?”

Sorry, this is extra, but it sounds natural to confirm if the place is close.

Yes, even with “is it close or far,” you’re doing great.

Ah, and one more that works when someone is very kind, “could you accompany me for a moment?”

With you, it sounds polite; with friends, it would be “will you come with me for a moment?”

Only if the person has time, of course.

Let’s put it all together and count, because we promised 20 phrases.

I’ll say it and you mark it down, okay?

Excuse me, could you help me? Sorry, could you help me? Where is it?

How do I get there?

Can you tell me how to get there?

Am I going the right way? I’m a bit lost, is it the first or second street?

Should I turn left?

Should I turn right?

I'll continue, it's around the corner, is it close or far, how long does it take to walk, can you show it on the map?, can you write it down for me, please?, is there a bus to..., which line do I take?, which stop do I get off at?, I go straight and, could you accompany me for a moment?

There are the 20 clear ones.

Great.

Two final tricks to sound more natural.

One, do shadowing, meaning repeat softly and at the same time when you hear natives say these phrases.

Two, practice with gestures, like pointing left or right; it helps a lot.

And keep a friendly tone.

Start with “excuse me” or “sorry,” say “please” and end with “thank you.”

That attitude opens doors in any city.

Question for you who are listening, have you ever been lost and a phrase saved you?

Tell us which one you used or what you’d like to say better when asking for directions.

That way we all learn.

And as we said at the beginning, if you want to practice more calmly, the complete interactive lesson with transcription, vocabulary cards, and exercises is free on Vocabli.

You have the link in the description.

See you in the next episode and hopefully you won't get lost as much anymore.