Travelling — Unit 16, Beginner English
Ways to travel, travel verbs, airport and train vocabulary, travel problems, and talking about a journey.
Reading: A Journey to London
Last month, I travelled to London with my family. We went by train. We arrived at the train station early in the morning. The station was very busy. There were many people waiting for trains. We bought our tickets at the ticket office. I wanted a window seat. I like to look outside during the journey. We waited on platform 3. The train arrived on time. It was a direct train. We didn't have to change trains. The journey took two hours. The train was fast and comfortable. I looked out of the window. I saw green fields, small villages, and rivers. When we arrived in London, we took the underground to our hotel. The underground was very crowded. I was tired but happy. London is an amazing city. I want to visit it again next year.
We booked our tickets online three weeks before the trip. My father says it is much cheaper that way. We bought return tickets, because a single ticket and then another single ticket costs more.
My mother checked the timetable the night before. We left home at six o'clock in the morning, so we did not travel in the rush hour. There was no traffic jam and we arrived at the station early.
We took two big bags and some hand luggage. My little sister carried her own small bag, and she was very proud of it.
In London we did not take taxis. We walked. We went everywhere on foot or by bus, and on the last day we hired bikes and rode along the river. It was the best day of the trip.
Next year we want to travel to Scotland by train.
Vocabulary from this unit
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| travel | /ˈtrævəl/ | go from one place to another | I love to travel. |
| journey | /ˈdʒɜːni/ | one trip from A to B | The journey takes two hours. |
| trip | /trɪp/ | a short journey | We went on a day trip to the beach. |
| flight | /flaɪt/ | a journey by plane | The flight to Paris is three hours. |
| by car | /baɪ kɑː/ | using a car | We travelled by car. |
| by bus | /baɪ bʌs/ | using a bus | I go to work by bus. |
| by train | /baɪ treɪn/ | using a train | We went to London by train. |
| by plane | /baɪ pleɪn/ | using a plane | She travels by plane a lot. |
| by bike | /baɪ baɪk/ | using a bicycle | He goes to school by bike. |
| on foot | /ɒn fʊt/ | walking | We explored the city on foot. |
| Verb | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| go | /ɡəʊ/ | move from one place to another | We go to Spain every summer. |
| take | /teɪk/ | use a form of transport | I take the train to work. |
| get | /ɡet/ | arrive or obtain | We got to London at 8pm. |
| leave | /liːv/ | go away from a place | The train leaves at 9am. |
| arrive | /əˈraɪv/ | reach a place | We arrived at the airport. |
| fly | /flaɪ/ | travel by plane | We flew to Italy. |
| drive | /draɪv/ | operate a car | She drives to work. |
| walk | /wɔːk/ | travel on foot | I walk to the station. |
| ride | /raɪd/ | sit on a bike or horse | He rides his bike to school. |
| catch | /kætʃ/ | get on a bus or train | We caught the 8am train. |
| miss | /mɪs/ | fail to catch | I missed the bus this morning. |
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| airport | /ˈeəpɔːt/ | place where planes take off and land | We went to the airport early. |
| passport | /ˈpɑːspɔːt/ | travel document with your photo | Don't forget your passport! |
| ticket | /ˈtɪkɪt/ | paper or card for travel | I bought my ticket online. |
| boarding card | /ˈbɔːdɪŋ kɑːd/ | card you need to get on the plane | Show your boarding card at the gate. |
| check in | /tʃek ɪn/ | register at the airport | We checked in two hours before the flight. |
| baggage | /ˈbæɡɪdʒ/ | bags and suitcases (synonym: luggage) | You can take two pieces of baggage. |
| hand luggage | /hænd ˈlʌɡɪdʒ/ | small bag you take on the plane | I only have hand luggage. |
| depart | /dɪˈpɑːt/ | leave (for planes) | The plane departs at 10am. |
| land | /lænd/ | come down to the ground | The plane landed safely. |
| take off | /teɪk ɒf/ | leave the ground | The plane took off on time. |
| gate | /ɡeɪt/ | the place where you get on the plane | Go to gate 15. |
| delay | /dɪˈleɪ/ | be late | The flight was delayed. |
3 more vocabulary sections in the full unit.
This is the free sample from this unit. The full unit adds 1 more reading passage, comprehension questions with an answer key, the listening exercises, flashcards for the vocabulary above, and a speaking task — with your progress tracked so the next unit unlocks when you are ready for it.
Common questions
What level is this unit?
Beginner — roughly CEFR A0–A1. If you are not sure of your level, the course places you with a short diagnostic before you start rather than making you guess.
Do I need to pay to use this?
The reading passage and vocabulary on this page are free to read. The rest of the unit — the remaining passages, the exercises, the listening, the answer key and the progress tracking — is part of the paid General English course.
Is this British or American English?
British English spelling and vocabulary, which is what most learners in Azerbaijan are taught and what IELTS expects, though both are accepted in the exam.