TOPICAL VOCABULARY 'TRAVELLING'

I. Most people enjoy travelling. Some travel for pleasure, and some - on business; some travel light, and some take a lot of luggage on their travels, journeys, voyages or trips. They may choose various means of travelling (transport) and go:

- by air   - by land   - by sea   - by (air)plane   - by train   - by boat

- by car   - by coach (bus)   - on horseback   - on a bike   - on foot

II. Every journey has to be arranged beforehand. There's a number of things one must take care of if they want to make their journey comfortable:

a) choose the most convenient way of getting at your destination:

- a sea (ocean) liner   - a through train   - a direct flight   - a fast coach (train)

- a local or a long-distance train   - a sleeper (sleeping car)   - a smoker or non-smoker   - a train with a dining car or a buffet car

b) book/reserve/buy a ticket:

- a train ticket   - a coach ticket   - a first-class, second-class, economy (tourist)-class ticket   - business-class ticket   - a single ticket   - a return ticket   - a ticket to a place (e. g. to London)

c) find out the time of departure and the time of arrival, pack your luggage neatly and come to the railway station, coach station or airport well in advance;
d) allow yourself enough time for:
  - finding the right platform, carriage and compartment, cabin or the right gate at the airport;
  - checking in for the flight or voyage;
  - going through the customs formalities and passport control;
  - filling in a declaration;
  - taking your heavy or bulky luggage to the luggage van;
  - weighing your luggage and paying excess luggage charges if necessary;
  - doing some last-minute shopping at the station, airport or duty-free;
  - boarding the train, ship or plane on time.

III. These things can make your journey easier or more rewarding:
  - a season ticket or a travel card cost you less than a regular ticket;
  - a nice book or an interesting magazine help you to while away the time on the journey;
  - a hearty talk with your fellow passengers may be very pleasant;
  - you can look through the window and admire the picturesque views.

IV. These things can spoil the impression of your journey:
  - travel sickness (but you can take a medicine for it);
  - heavy luggage (but you can hire a porter or use a trolley);
  - talkative fellow passengers (but you can always pretend that you're reading or that you are deaf);
  - missing your transport (this won't happen if you're well-organized);
  - bad food (but you can always pack a couple of sandwiches just in case);
  - delays and cancellations of trains, flights etc. (but it may be nice to have some time to yourself);
  - bad weather (but suitable clothes can help you).

V. When you come to another city you are likely to stay in/at:

- a hotel   - a motel   - a hostel

- a boarding house   - a guest house   - bed and breakfast (B & B)

When you stay in a hotel you:
  - check in (register) at a hotel;
  - ask for a room, suite for a night, two nights etc.

The room you ask for can be:
  - single or double
  - with a shower or a bath
  - with a view of the sea (overlooking the sea)
  - with a twin bed, a double bed

The manager of the hotel can show you the room and the facilities available.

The price of your room can include service (e.g. laundry service), breakfast and some facilities.

Don't forget to check out at the end of your stay.