Tourism Vocabulary IELTS: Tourism Vocabulary IELTS is created with the objective of assessing the candidate’s knowledge of words related to tourism, their meaning and their uses in sentences. If you are planning to score a higher band on the IELTS test, you must have a strong hold over IELTS Vocabulary. To improve your vocabulary skills you need to work on improving your fluency.
The IELTS Vocabulary consists of words related to various topics. Some of these are Climate Change, Social Media, Entertainment, Population, Animals, Health, Environment, Education, etc. The IELTS Vocabulary words include a total of 100+families, which are divided into travel topics. Read this article to know more about the Tourism Vocabulary IELTS.
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Tourism Vocabulary IELTS
The IELTS Vocabulary is one of the most scoring sections of the IELTS test. Candidates preparing for their IELTS test must practice efficiently to score a higher band on the test. The best way to improve your tourism vocabulary in IELTS is to practice all the words related to tourism and their meaning. The table below highlights some of the most popular and frequently used words related to tourism.
Word | Meaning | Sentence |
Adventure Tourism | Tourism involving activities with an element of risk. | Many young travellers are drawn to the thrill of adventure tourism. |
Agritourism | Tourism focused on agricultural activities and rural life. | Agritourism offers a chance to experience farming firsthand. |
Business Travel | Travel undertaken for work or professional purposes. | Her business travel schedule often takes her to international conferences. |
Cultural Tourism | Tourism is focused on experiencing the history and culture of a place. | Cultural tourism helps preserve local traditions and heritage. |
Dark Tourism | Tourism involving sites associated with death and tragedy. | Dark tourism, while controversial, can offer insights into history. |
Ecotourism | Tourism focused on responsible travel to natural areas. | Ecotourism aims to minimise environmental impact. |
Educational Tourism | Travel with the primary purpose of learning. | The school organised an educational tourism trip to the museum. |
Gastronomic Tourism | Tourism focused on experiencing local food and drink. | Gastronomic tourism is a delicious way to explore a new culture. |
Heritage Tourism | Tourism focused on historical and cultural heritage sites. | Heritage tourism plays a vital role in understanding our past. |
Independent Travel | Travel planned and undertaken by the individual. | Independent travel allows for greater flexibility in your itinerary. |
Leisure Travel | Travel undertaken for relaxation and enjoyment. | After a long week, she looked forward to some leisure travel. |
Medical Tourism | Travel to another country for medical treatment. | Medical tourism is becoming increasingly common for specialized procedures. |
Nature Tourism | Tourism focused on natural attractions and wildlife. | Nature tourism provides opportunities for hiking and birdwatching. |
Pilgrimage | A journey undertaken for religious reasons. | Many people undertake an annual pilgrimage to holy sites. |
Rural Tourism | Tourism focused on countryside areas and villages. | Rural tourism offers a peaceful escape from city life. |
Scientific Tourism | Travel with the primary goal of conducting research. | The research team embarked on a scientific tourism expedition. |
Senior Tourism | Tourism catering specifically to older travellers. | Senior tourism often includes more relaxed itineraries. |
Space Tourism | Tourism involving travel into outer space. | While still in its infancy, space tourism is a future possibility. |
Sports Tourism | Travel to participate in or watch sporting events. | The city benefited greatly from the influx of fans for sports tourism. |
Sustainable Tourism | Tourism that minimises negative environmental and social impacts. | Sustainable tourism is crucial for preserving destinations for future generations. |
Urban Tourism | Tourism focused on cities and their attractions. | Urban tourism offers a vibrant mix of culture and entertainment. |
Volunteer Tourism | Tourism that includes volunteering for a cause. | Volunteer tourism allows you to give back while travelling. |
Wellness Tourism | Tourism focused on health and well-being activities. | Wellness tourism often involves spa treatments and yoga retreats. |
Wildlife Tourism | Tourism focused on observing animals in their natural habitat. | Wildlife tourism requires responsible practices to protect animals. |
Tourism Idioms and Phrases
A lot of times, the IELTS Vocabulary section includes idioms and phrases, where you have to answer their meaning or their use in sentences. Candidates must have a proper understanding of the tourism idioms and phrases to come out with flying colours in this section. The table below highlights some of the most common tourism idioms and phrases.
Tourism Idiom/Phrase | Meaning | Sentence |
Off the beaten track | A place that is not frequently visited or explored by tourists. | We decided to travel to a small village, far off the beaten track, for a peaceful retreat. |
Wanderlust | A strong desire or impulse to travel and explore the world. | Her wanderlust led her to backpack across Europe for the summer. |
Travel light | To pack or travel with very few belongings. | We are going to a beach resort, so let’s travel light and avoid carrying too much luggage. |
Catch the travel bug | To endure a difficult or unpleasant situation while travelling. | After her first international trip, she really caught the travel bug. |
Hit the road | To start a journey or travel, usually by car. | It’s time to hit the road and explore the countryside this weekend. |
Take the scenic route | To choose a path or route that offers beautiful views, often longer than usual. | We took the scenic route through the mountains to enjoy the view during our road trip. |
In the middle of nowhere | He chose the road less travelled and trekked through remote villages in the Himalayas. | The hotel was located in the middle of nowhere, but the view was worth the long drive. |
Pack your bags | To prepare for a trip or travel. | I’m so excited! It’s time to pack your bags; we leave for the airport tomorrow. |
A trip of a lifetime | An unforgettable journey or travel experience. | Visiting the Great Wall of China was truly a trip of a lifetime. |
Get away from it all | To leave one’s daily routine or busy life to relax or take a break. | I need to get away from it all and spend a few days at a quiet beach resort. |
A very remote, isolated place far from civilisation. | An unconventional or less common path or journey. | We hit the jackpot when we found a hidden gem of a restaurant in the city centre. |
Hit the jackpot | To have an unexpectedly great travel experience | We hit the jackpot when our flight got upgraded to business class for free! |
Take a breather | To take a short break or rest during a trip. | After hiking for hours, it was time to take a breather and enjoy the view. |
Live out of a suitcase | To travel for a long time without settling in one place. | He had been living out of a suitcase for the past month on his business tour. |
On the go | Constantly traveling or moving from place to place. | She’s always on the go, visiting a new city almost every week for her work. |
A smooth ride | A pleasant and easy journey or trip. | The flight to Paris was a smooth ride with no delays or turbulence. |
A window of opportunity | A short period during which something can be achieved. | Our trip to the Maldives is our window of opportunity to relax and recharge. |
The world is your oyster | The world is full of opportunities to explore and experience. | Once you have a passport, the world is your oyster—endless destinations await! |
Off the grid | To disconnect from technology or modern life, often while travelling. | We went off the grid for a week, camping in the wilderness without any electronics. |
A world of difference | A significant contrast or distinction between two things. | Staying at the luxury resort made a world of difference compared to budget backpacking. |
Get the show on the road | To begin a journey or event. | Let’s get the show on the road and head to the airport for our vacation. |
At the end of the road | To reach the final point or conclusion of something, like a journey. | After a long journey through Asia, we reached the end of the road in Bangkok. |
Throw in the towel | To give up or quit, often when traveling or attempting something difficult. | After several failed attempts to find a hotel room, we threw in the towel and camped outside. |
A rough road ahead | A difficult or challenging journey or experience. | The trek up the mountain was tough, and we knew there was a rough road ahead. |
On the road to recovery | To make progress after a setback, often used metaphorically in travel. | After missing my flight, I was on the road to recovery once I rescheduled my journey. |
Bite the bullet | We had to bite the bullet and spend the night at the airport after our flight was cancelled. | To give up or quit, often when travelling or attempting something difficult. |
Hit the ground running | To begin a journey or task with great enthusiasm and energy. | We hit the ground running when we arrived in Japan, exploring the city immediately. |
Make tracks | To leave quickly or begin a journey. | It’s getting late; we should make tracks if we want to reach the campsite before dark. |
A long haul | A long and difficult journey. | The flight from New York to Tokyo was a long haul, but we finally arrived safely. |
Cross that bridge when you come to it | To deal with a problem or situation when it arises, not before. | Don’t worry about the potential flight delay. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. |
Under the weather | Feeling sick or unwell while travelling. | I was feeling a bit under the weather during our trip to Paris, so I stayed in the hotel. |
Make a pit stop | To take a short break or rest during a journey. | Let’s make a pit stop at the next gas station and grab some snacks for the road. |
Take the plunge | To take a risk or make a big decision, such as booking a trip. | To have a highly successful or fortunate experience while travelling. |
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100+ Entertainment Vocabulary For IELTS | Describe a Time When You Were Stuck in a |
Accommodation Vocabulary
The vocabulary related to accommodations covers various types of lodging available to travellers, from budget options to luxury stays, along with associated services.
Word | Meaning | Sentence |
Amenities | Features that offer comfort, convenience, or pleasure. | The hotel boasted excellent amenities, including a pool and gym. |
Bed and Breakfast | A small lodging establishment offering overnight accommodation and breakfast. | We decided to stay in a charming bed and breakfast in the countryside. |
Boutique Hotel | A small, stylish hotel with a unique design and personalised service. | The boutique hotel offered a luxurious and intimate atmosphere. |
Cabin | A small wooden shelter or house in a rural or wild setting. | They rented a cozy cabin by the lake for their vacation. |
Campsite | A place where people can pitch tents or park caravans. | The campsite was located near a beautiful hiking trail. |
Check-in | The process of registering as a guest upon arrival at a hotel. | Check-in at the hotel was quick and efficient. |
Check-out | The process of settling one’s account and leaving a hotel. | We completed check-out before noon. |
Concierge | A hotel employee who assists guests with various tasks. | The concierge helped us book tickets for a local show. |
Condominium | An individually owned apartment in a building containing other such units. | They purchased a condominium as their vacation home. |
Dormitory | A large room containing several beds, often in a hostel or school. | Backpackers often choose dormitory rooms to save on accommodation costs. |
Facilities | Spaces or equipment provided for a particular purpose. | The hotel’s facilities included a spa and several restaurants. |
Full Board | Accommodation at a hotel including all meals. | We opted for full board at the resort so all our meals were included. |
Guesthouse | A private house offering accommodation to paying guests. | The friendly owner of the guesthouse provided helpful local tips. |
Half Board | Accommodation at a hotel including breakfast and one other meal. | The half board option suited us as we wanted to explore local restaurants. |
Hotel | Many young travellers prefer staying in a hostel for its social atmosphere. | We booked a room in a five-star hotel for our anniversary trip. |
Hostel | An establishment providing inexpensive accommodation, typically with shared facilities. | Many young travelers prefer staying in a hostel for its social atmosphere. |
Inn | A public house providing food, drink, and lodging. | The old inn by the roadside had a warm and welcoming fireplace. |
Lodge | A house or cabin used for temporary accommodation, especially by hunters or skiers. | The ski lodge was fully booked during the winter season. |
Motel | A roadside hotel designed primarily for motorists. | We stopped at a motel for the night during our long road trip. |
Penthouse | A luxurious apartment at the top of a tall building. | The celebrity stayed in the hotel’s exclusive penthouse. |
Resort | A place providing accommodation, entertainment, and recreational facilities for holidaymakers. | The family enjoyed their stay at the beach resort. |
Room Service | The service in a hotel by which meals and drinks are supplied to guests in their rooms. | We ordered breakfast through room service the morning after our arrival. |
Self-catering Apartment | An apartment equipped with cooking facilities for guests to prepare their own meals. | A self-catering apartment is ideal for families who prefer to cook. |
Suite | A set of connected rooms in a hotel, typically including a sitting room. | They booked a spacious suite with a beautiful view of the city. |
Tent | A shelter made of canvas or other flexible material, supported by poles and ropes. | We pitched our tent in the designated camping area. |
Timeshare | The arrangement whereby several joint owners have the right to use a property as a holiday home under a time-sharing scheme. | They invested in a timeshare at a popular vacation destination. |
Trailer Park | An area where mobile homes or trailers are parked. | Some retirees choose to live in trailer parks year-round. |
Vacancy | An available room or space. | The “No Vacancy” sign was lit up outside the hotel. |
Villa | A large and luxurious house in the countryside or at a resort. | They rented a beautiful villa in Tuscany for their summer vacation. |
Transportation Vocabulary on Transportation
In the transportation vocabulary section, you will find terms related to the different modes of transportation, from air travel to land and water transport, that people use while travelling.
Word | Meaning | Sentence |
Aeroplane | A powered flying vehicle with fixed wings and one or more engines. | The aeroplane soared through the clear blue sky. |
Airplane | (Alternative spelling of Aeroplane) | The airplane took off on schedule. |
Bicycle | A vehicle with two wheels, propelled by pedals. | Riding a bicycle is a great way to explore a new city. |
Bus | A large motor vehicle carrying passengers by road. | The bus was crowded during the morning rush hour. |
Cable Car | A vehicle that travels up steep slopes by means of a cable. | The cable car offered stunning views of the mountains. |
Car Rental | The business of renting cars for short periods. | We used a car rental service to explore the countryside. |
Charter Flight | A flight operated by an airline or charter company for a specific group or purpose. | The tour group booked a charter flight to their destination. |
Commute | Travel some distance between one’s home and place of work on a regular basis. | His daily commute to the city takes about an hour. |
Cruise Ship | A large passenger ship used for pleasure voyages. | They enjoyed a luxurious vacation on a cruise ship in the Caribbean. |
Ferry | A boat or ship for conveying passengers and vehicles across a river, lake, or other body of water. | The ferry transported us to the small island. |
Helicopter | A type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by horizontally spinning rotors. | The helicopter provided a breathtaking aerial view of the coastline. |
High-speed Rail | A type of passenger railway that operates at significantly higher speeds than conventional rail traffic. | A large boat used for travelling long distances by sea. |
Hot Air Balloon | A large bag filled with heated air or gas, used for travel or recreation. | They took a romantic hot air balloon ride at sunrise. |
Jet | An aircraft propelled by jet engines. | The private jet landed smoothly on the runway. |
Limousine | A large, luxurious car driven by a chauffeur. | They arrived at the gala in a sleek black limousine. |
Metro | An underground railway system in a city. | The metro is a convenient way to navigate the city. |
Motorcycle | A two-wheeled motor vehicle. | He enjoys the freedom of riding his motorcycle on open roads. |
Public Transport | A light, two-wheeled open motor vehicle on which the rider stands. | Using public transport is often more environmentally friendly. |
Scooter | A light two-wheeled open motor vehicle on which the rider stands. | The scooter is a popular mode of transport in many Asian cities. |
Ship | The tram glided smoothly through the city centre. | The cargo ship sailed across the vast ocean. |
Shuttle | A vehicle that travels regularly between two places. | The airport shuttle runs every half hour. |
Subway | An underground electric railway system, typically in a large city. | The subway system in New York is extensive. |
Taxi | A vehicle licensed to transport passengers in return for payment. | We hailed a taxi to get to the restaurant on time. |
Tram | A passenger vehicle powered by electricity and running on rails laid along the streets. | Systems of buses, trains, subways, etc., are available for public use. |
Train | A series of connected railway carriages moved by a locomotive or by integral motors. | The train journey through the Swiss Alps was spectacular. |
IELTS Speaking Hometown Vocabulary: List of Words and Exercises
Idioms on Travel
Find below the collection of idiomatic expressions related to travel. The idioms convey deeper meanings, which is often used to describe travel experiences and challenges.
Idiom | Meaning | Sentence |
A flying visit | A very short visit | We made a flying visit to the Eiffel Tower. |
A stone’s throw | Very close distance | The hotel is just a stone’s throw from the beach. |
At the wheel | Driving a vehicle | She was at the wheel when the car broke down. |
Break the journey | Stop somewhere before continuing | We decided to break the journey in Jaipur. |
Call it a day | End the day’s activity or journey | After eight hours of driving, we called it a day. |
Carry coals to Newcastle | Do something redundant | Bringing bottled water to a water park is like carrying coals to Newcastle. |
Catch the travel bug | Develop a strong desire to travel | He caught the travel bug after his first trip abroad. |
Drive a hard bargain | Negotiate strongly | She drove a hard bargain at the souvenir shop. |
Get itchy feet | Desire to travel or move | I get itchy feet every few months. |
Hit the road | Begin a journey | Let’s hit the road early tomorrow. |
In the same boat | In the same situation | We’re in the same boat—both of us missed the train. |
Jet lag | Tiredness from long flights across time zones | I’m still recovering from jet lag. |
Jump on the bandwagon | Follow a trend | Everyone’s jumping on the solo travel bandwagon. |
Live out of a suitcase | Travel constantly without settling down | I’ve been living out of a suitcase for months. |
Make your way | Travel toward a place | We made our way through the crowded station. |
Miss the boat | Miss an opportunity | We missed the boat on booking cheap tickets. |
Off the beaten track | Away from common tourist places | We explored a village off the beaten track. |
On a shoestring | With very little money | We traveled around Europe on a shoestring. |
On cloud nine | Extremely happy | She was on cloud nine during her island vacation. |
On the road | Traveling | I’ve been on the road for two weeks now. |
Packed like sardines | Very crowded | The bus was packed like sardines. |
Put (something) on the map | Make a place famous | The film festival put the town on the map. |
Red-eye flight | Overnight flight | I took the red-eye flight to save on hotel costs. |
The road less travelled | An unconventional path or choice | I chose the road less travelled and visited a hidden beach. |
Rock the boat | Cause trouble or disrupt things | Don’t rock the boat; just follow the travel plan. |
Take the scenic route | Choose a longer, more beautiful path | We took the scenic route through the hills. |
The tip of the iceberg | A small visible part of a much larger issue | Flight delays were just the tip of the iceberg. |
Travel broadens the mind | We travelled around Europe on a shoestring. | I believe travel broadens the mind. |
When in Rome | Follow the customs of the place you’re in | When in Rome, do as the Romans do. |
Your mileage may vary | Results or experience may differ | Travelling increases knowledge and perspective |
Phrasal Verbs on Travel
This section includes common phrasal verbs that travellers often use, focusing on action phrases like leaving, arriving, and moving around.
Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Sentence |
Back up | Move a vehicle backwards | Please back up so I can park. |
Book in | Register or check in at a hotel | We booked in at 3 p.m. |
Break down | Stop functioning (vehicle) | Our car broke down on the highway. |
Check in | Register at a hotel or airport | We checked in online for our flight. |
Check out | Leave a hotel | We checked out early to catch the bus. |
Come across | Discover by chance | I came across a hidden waterfall during a hike. |
Drop off | Leave someone or something at a location | He dropped us off at the airport. |
Fill up | Put fuel into a vehicle | We need to fill up before we reach the mountains. |
Get away | Escape or go on vacation | I need to get away for the weekend. |
Get in | Arrive (vehicle) | The train got in late. |
Get on | Board a vehicle | We got on the bus at the last minute. |
Get off | Leave a vehicle | We got off at the next stop. |
Go away | Leave for a trip | We’re going away for the holidays. |
Go back | Return to a place | We went back to the resort after dinner. |
Go out | Leave for social purposes | We went out to explore the city. |
Head back | Return | We headed back to the hotel after the hike. |
Look around | Explore or tour a place | We looked around the museum. |
Pick up | Collect someone or something | She picked us up from the train station. |
Pull over | Stop a vehicle at the side of the road | The police asked him to pull over. |
Run out of | Use all of something | We ran out of fuel halfway there. |
See off | Say goodbye to someone departing | They came to see us off at the airport. |
Set off | Start a journey | We set off early to avoid traffic. |
Slow down | Reduce speed | The driver slowed down near the town. |
Speed up | Increase speed | We sped up to catch the ferry. |
Stop over | Stay somewhere temporarily on the way to your destination | We stopped over in Dubai for one night. |
Take off | Aircraft leaves the ground | The plane took off on time. |
Touch down | Aircraft lands | The plane touched down smoothly. |
Turn back | Return the way you came | We turned back due to heavy snow. |
Wait around | Stay in one place doing little | We had to wait around for the delayed train. |
Walk around | Explore by walking | We walked around the old city center. |
Travel Collocations
Travel Collections includes words that often appear together with travel-related terms, giving an understanding of common combinations used in the context of tourism and travel.
Collocation | Meaning | Sentence |
Apply for a visa | Submit application for permission to travel | She applied for a visa last week. |
Book a flight | Reserve a seat on a flight | I booked a flight to Japan yesterday. |
Book accommodation | Reserve a place to stay | Don’t forget to book accommodation early. |
Catch a bus/train | Board a bus or train | We caught the last bus to the city. |
Check flight status | Look for updates about your flight | I checked the flight status before leaving home. |
Collect luggage | Retrieve baggage after a flight | We collected our luggage from the carousel. |
Confirm a booking | Finalize a travel reservation | Please confirm your hotel booking. |
Enjoy the scenery | Admire the view | We enjoyed the scenery along the coastal route. |
Explore a city | Discover new places in a city | I love to explore a city on foot. |
Extend a stay | Stay longer than planned | We decided to extend our stay by two days. |
Follow a travel itinerary | Stick to a planned schedule | We followed our travel itinerary strictly. |
Get travel insurance | Purchase insurance for your trip | Always get travel insurance before going abroad. |
Go backpacking | Travel carrying your belongings in a backpack | He went backpacking across Southeast Asia. |
Go on an excursion | Take a short journey or trip | We went on an excursion to a nearby island. |
Go on a guided tour | Travel with a tour guide | We went on a guided tour of the palace. |
Go sightseeing | Visit popular tourist attractions | We spent the day sightseeing in Rome. |
Have a safe journey | A polite way to wish someone safe travels | Have a safe journey and enjoy your trip! |
Hire a car | Rent a car | We hired a car to explore the countryside. |
Lose your passport | Misplace your passport | Don’t lose your passport while travelling. |
Make travel arrangements | Plan transportation and accommodation | She made all the travel arrangements in advance. |
Miss a flight | Fail to board a flight | We missed our flight due to traffic. |
Pack your bags | Prepare luggage for a trip | I packed my bags the night before the trip. |
Plan an itinerary | Create a schedule for travel activities | We planned an itinerary that covered five cities. |
Postpone a trip | Delay the travel plans | We postponed the trip due to illness. |
Renew a passport | Extend the validity of a passport | He had to renew his passport before booking tickets. |
Reserve a seat | Book a specific place on transport | I reserved a window seat on the train. |
Set up camp | Establish a temporary shelter | We set up camp by the lake. |
Take a detour | Go off the planned route temporarily | We took a detour to see a hidden waterfall. |
Take a road trip | Travel by car over a long distance | We took a road trip across the country. |
Travel abroad | Visit a foreign country | Finalise a travel reservation |
Check out the IELTS Preparation Kit from here
The International English Language Testing System, abbreviated as the IELTS test, is an English proficiency test, which is conducted to test the candidate’s proficiency in English. The IELTS vocabulary test often contains questions related to food and health. Candidates must prepare for the vocabulary section accordingly.
FAQs
The IELTS test is conducted 4 times a month and 48 times annually.
There is no limit on how many times a person can appear for the IELTS test. As long as you are above 17 years of age, you are eligible to appear for the IELTS test.
IELTS is the abbreviation for the International English Language Testing System. It is one of the language efficiency tests, which is used in eligibility criteria to study abroad or live abroad.
The International English Language Testing System, abbreviated as the IELTS test, is an English efficiency test, which is conducted to test the candidate’s proficiency in English. The IELTS vocabulary test often contains questions related to food and health. Candidates must prepare for the vocabulary section accordingly.
We hope this blog on preparing for the IELTS was helpful and provided useful tips to enhance your speaking skills. Don’t forget to follow the IELTS page on Leverage Edu for more exciting and informative blogs to help you master the IELTS exam.