Speaking: Travel and Holidays Vocabulary Pack
Learn in one place the core and extended vocabulary that works in all parts of IELTS Speaking for the travel and holiday topic, two model cue card answers and Part 3 question frames.
8 min read · Updated 10/23/2026
Contents
Why Travel Vocabulary Matters
Travel and holidays are possible IELTS Speaking topics: questions like Do you like travelling? in Part 1, Describe a memorable trip cue cards in the second part, and discussions about tourism in Part 3 may come up; none is guaranteed in every session.
Lexical Resource considers range, precision and appropriate meaning; less common lexical items does not simply mean collecting rare words. It was a nice place gives a general positive opinion, while it was a real hidden gem also suggests a wonderful place few people know. Choose the latter only if that added meaning fits; no single expression automatically raises the mark.
This material presents first the six core expressions every learner should know, then the extended phrase bank, two model cue card answers and six question frames for Part 3. Focus on precision and relevance rather than phrase counts. There is no compulsory count per answer; forcing expressions together may make speech sound artificial.
Core Phrases Every Learner Needs
The six expressions below work everywhere, from short Part 1 answers to long cue card talks. Master each by saying it in a sentence of your own.
| Phrase | Meaning | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| get away | to leave your daily life for a rest | I try to get away for a weekend whenever work gets stressful. |
| off the beaten track | in a remote, little-known place away from tourist crowds | We stayed in a mountain village that was completely off the beaten track. |
| package tour | a ready-made trip including transport, hotel and excursions | My parents always choose a package tour because everything is arranged for them. |
| wander around | to walk around without a plan, at an easy pace | We spent the whole afternoon wandering around the old town. |
| soak up the atmosphere | to fully enjoy the feel of a place | I love sitting in a street café and soaking up the atmosphere of a new city. |
| once-in-a-lifetime | happening only once in your life; unique | Watching the sunrise from the summit was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. |
Small notes:
- get away is a verb phrase (to get away); the related noun getaway is written as one word (a relaxing getaway).
- off the beaten track usually comes with the verbs be / stay / go: The island is still off the beaten track.
- once-in-a-lifetime is written with hyphens when it is used before a noun: a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Using Core Phrases in Part 1
Part 1 answers are short — ideally a direct answer, followed by a short reason or example. This answer + reason scheme is a practice option for developing an idea, not an automatic scoring rule. Use target expressions when they fit the question and meaning; there is no phrase-count limit. Some examples below include more than one expression.
Sample dialogues:
Do you like travelling?
Yes, definitely. I try to get away at least twice a year, even if it's just a short trip to the countryside.
What kind of holidays do you usually prefer?
I'm not keen on package tours — I'd rather go somewhere off the beaten track and arrange everything myself.
Do you prefer sightseeing or relaxing on holiday?
A bit of both, to be honest. I enjoy wandering around a new city in the morning, then soaking up the atmosphere in a café in the afternoon.
Notice: the expressions sound like a natural part of the sentence, not like a template. That is exactly the aim in the exam room, too.
Extended Phrase Bank for Bands 7+
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