Best IELTS Vocabulary: Tourism and Travel

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.

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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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

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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 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.