English phrasebook

Asking for Directions in English

Practise asking for directions in an English-speaking city. You are looking for the art gallery: ask the way, check the route and thank your helper.

Situation: A street in a city. Goal: Find your way to the art gallery.

The whole conversation, line by line

Tap to hear a line. Passer-by speaks first; the bold lines are what you can say. To see the lines in your own language, choose it in the language menu at the top.

  1. Passer-by

    Hello, are you looking for something? You seem a little lost.

    You

    Yes, please. I'm looking for the art gallery. Is it far from here?

  2. Passer-by

    No, it's about ten minutes on foot. Go straight along this street.

    You

    Thanks. How far do I go straight?

  3. Passer-by

    Go as far as the traffic lights. Turn left there and walk to the square.

    You

    So, to the traffic lights, turn left, and then to the square.

  4. Passer-by

    That's right. In the square you'll see a big church. The gallery is just opposite.

    You

    Great, the big church and the gallery opposite. What time does it close?

  5. Passer-by

    It closes at six in the evening. You still have plenty of time.

    You

    Excellent. Do I have to pay to go in, or is it free?

  6. Passer-by

    On Sundays it's free. Today it costs eight pounds.

    You

    That's fine, thank you. You've been very helpful.

  7. Passer-by

    You're welcome! Enjoy your visit.

    You

    Thank you so much. Goodbye!

Now say it for real.

Play asking for directions as a conversation: passer-by speaks, you pick the right reply, and every wrong one comes with a hint. Free on the web.

Vocabulary for this situation

More English for real situations