Travel Hindi: Essential Phrases for Exploring India

How to ask for directions, buy tickets, and talk to locals

Traveling in India is an adventure—every city, village, and street has something new to discover. Knowing a few basic Hindi phrases will help you buy tickets, find your way, and connect with people (even if they speak English, using Hindi always brings a smile!). Here’s your quick guide with practical examples.

1. Greetings & Small Talk

English	Hindi (Devanagari)	Romanized
Hello	नमस्ते	Namaste
How are you?	कैसे हो? (informal)	Kaise ho?
	कैसे हैं? (formal/plural)	Kaise hain?
I’m good	मैं ठीक हूँ	Main theek hoon
Thank you	धन्यवाद	Dhanyavaad
Excuse me	माफ कीजिए / सुनिए	Maaf kijiye / Suniye

Tip: “नमस्ते” (Namaste) works everywhere, anytime!

2. Getting Around & Asking for Directions

Most useful phrases you’ll actually hear and use:

English	Hindi (Devanagari)	Romanized
Where is ...?	... कहाँ है?	... kahaan hai?
Where is the station?	स्टेशन कहाँ है?	Station kahaan hai?
Where is the bathroom?	बाथरूम कहाँ है?	Bathroom kahaan hai?
How do I get to ...?	... कैसे पहुँचूँ?	... kaise pahunchun?
Left / Right	बायें / दायें	Baayein / Daayein
Straight	सीधा	Seedha
Stop here, please (taxi/auto)	यहाँ रोकिए	Yahan rokiye
Is it far?	क्या ये दूर है?	Kya yeh door hai?
Near	पास	Paas
Turn left/right	बायें/दायें मुड़िए	Baayein/Daayein mudiyé

Examples:

• स्टेशन कहाँ है?Station kahaan hai?(Where is the station?)

• क्या ये पास है या दूर?Kya yeh paas hai ya door?(Is it near or far?)

• मुझे यहाँ उतरना है।Mujhe yahan utarna hai.(I want to get down here.)

3. Buying Tickets & Transport

English	Hindi (Devanagari)	Romanized
Ticket, please	टिकट दीजिए	Ticket dijiye
One ticket to Delhi	दिल्ली का एक टिकट दीजिए	Dilli ka ek ticket dijiye
How much is the ticket?	टिकट कितने का है?	Ticket kitne ka hai?
What time does it leave?	यह कब चलेगा?	Yeh kab chalega?
Platform number	प्लेटफार्म नंबर	Platform number
Window seat, please	विंडो सीट चाहिए	Window seat chahiye
Where is the bus stand?	बस स्टैंड कहाँ है?	Bus stand kahaan hai?

Examples:

• आगरा का टिकट चाहिए।Agra ka ticket chahiye.(I want a ticket to Agra.)

• यह ट्रेन कब आएगी?Yeh train kab aayegi?(When will this train come?)

4. In Hotels or Guesthouses

English	Hindi (Devanagari)	Romanized
Do you have a room?	कमरा है?	Kamra hai?
How much per night?	एक रात का कितना है?	Ek raat ka kitna hai?
I want to see the room	कमरा दिखाइए	Kamra dikhaiye
Is there Wi-Fi?	वाई-फाई है?	Wi-Fi hai?
Hot water	गरम पानी	Garam paani
Clean bed	साफ़ बिस्तर	Saaf bistar
I’ll stay for two nights	दो रात रुकूँगा/रुकूँगी	Do raat rukoonga/rukoongi (m/f)
Thank you	धन्यवाद	Dhanyavaad

Examples:

• दो लोग हैं।Do log hain.(There are two people.)

• एक रात के लिए कमरा चाहिए।Ek raat ke liye kamra chahiye.(I want a room for one night.)

5. At Restaurants & Eating Out

English	Hindi (Devanagari)	Romanized
Menu, please	मेन्यू दीजिए	Menu dijiye
Water, please	पानी दीजिए	Pani dijiye
Not spicy	कम मसालेदार	Kam masaledaar
Vegetarian food	शाकाहारी खाना	Shaakahari khana
Bill, please	बिल दीजिए	Bill dijiye
This is tasty!	बहुत स्वादिष्ट है!	Bahut swaadisht hai!
What do you recommend?	क्या अच्छा है यहाँ?	Kya accha hai yahan?

Examples:

• एक समोसा दीजिए।Ek samosa dijiye.(One samosa, please.)

• बिल दीजिए।Bill dijiye.(Bill, please.)

6. General Conversation & Emergencies

English	Hindi (Devanagari)	Romanized
I don’t understand	समझ नहीं आया	Samajh nahi aaya
Please speak slowly	धीरे बोलिए	Dheere boliye
Can you help me?	मदद कर सकते हैं?	Madad kar sakte hain?
Call the police!	पुलिस को बुलाइए!	Police ko bulaiye!
I am lost	मैं खो गया/गई हूँ	Main kho gaya/gayi hoon (m/f)

7. Other Super Useful Words & Phrases

English	Hindi (Devanagari)	Romanized
Yes	हाँ	Haan
No	नहीं	Nahin
Little	थोड़ा	Thoda
More	और	Aur
Enough	बस	Bas
Now	अभी	Abhi
Today	आज	Aaj
Tomorrow	कल	Kal

8. Indian English That Locals Use

Don’t be surprised—some English words have become “Indianized” and everyone uses them:

• “Hotel” = any place to eat, not just for sleeping.

• “Prepaid” (as in taxis)

• “Luggage” (same meaning)

• “Toilet” or “bathroom” (not “restroom”)

• “Parcel” (for take-away food)

Quick Survival Tips for Hindi Travel Phrases

• Smile and try! Even a little Hindi goes a long way.

• Use “please” and “thank you”—“प्लीज़” (Please) and “धन्यवाद” (Dhanyavaad) are always appreciated.

• Gesture if you get stuck—pointing and smiling can solve most problems!

• Don’t stress about mistakes—locals love to help and will encourage you.

Ready to Explore?

Even if you only use a handful of these phrases, you’ll have a more authentic, fun, and friendly travel experience.

Try these out on your next trip—India is waiting to welcome you!