journey vocabulary

Travel Vocabulary for English-Language Learners

With a follow-up quiz for extra practice

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The travel-related words below are the most important terms to know when talking about travel or taking vacations . Words are categorized into different sections depending on the type of travel. You'll find example sentences for each word to help provide context for learning, as well as a short quiz at the end to test your knowledge.

Air Travel Vocabulary and Sample Sentences

Airport : I went to the airport to catch a flight to San Francisco. Check in : Make sure to get to the airport two hours early to check in. Fly : I like to fly on the same airline to get mileage points. Land : The airplane will land in two hours. Landing : The landing took place during a storm. It was very scary! Plane : The plane is packed with 300 passengers. Take off : The airplane is scheduled to take off at 3:30 p.m.

Vacation Travel Vocabulary and Sample Sentences

Camp : Do you like to camp in the woods? Destination : What is your final destination? Excursion : I'd like to take an excursion to the wine country while we're in Tuscany. Go camping : Let's go to the beach and go camping next weekend. Go sightseeing : Did you go sightseeing while you were in France? Hostel : Staying in a youth hostel is a great way to save money on vacation. Hotel : I'll book a hotel for two nights. Journey : The journey will take four weeks and we'll visit four countries. Luggage : Can you carry the luggage upstairs? Motel : We stayed in a convenient motel on our way to Chicago. Package holiday : I prefer to buy package holidays , so I don't have to worry about anything. Passenger : The passenger felt ill during the voyage. Route : Our route will take us through Germany and on to Poland. Sightseeing : The sightseeing in this town is rather boring. Let's go shopping . Suitcase : Let me unpack my suitcase and then we can go swimming. Tour : Peter went on a tour of the vineyard. Tourism : Tourism is becoming an important industry in almost every country. Tourist : Every May, many tourists from around the world come to see the flower festival. Travel : Travel is one of his favorite free time activities. Travel agent : The travel agent found us a great deal. Trip : The trip to New York was lovely and interesting. Vacation : I'd love to take a nice long vacation on the beach.

Overland Travel Vocabulary and Sample Sentences

Bicycle : One of the best ways to see the countryside is to ride a bicycle. Bike : We rode a bike from shop to shop. Bus : You can catch a bus for Seattle at the bus station. Bus station : The bus station is three blocks from here. Car : You might want to rent a car when you go on vacation. Lane : Make sure to get into the left lane when you want to pass. Motorcycle : Riding a motorcycle can be fun and exciting, but it's also dangerous. Freeway : We'll have to take the freeway to Los Angeles. Highway : The highway between the two cities is quite lovely. Rail : Have you ever traveled by rail? Go by rail : Going by rail offers the opportunity to get up and walk around as you travel. Railway : The railway station is down this street. Road: There are three roads to Denver. Main road : Take the main road into town and turn left at 5th Street. Taxi : I got in a taxi and went to the train station. Traffic : There's a lot of traffic today on the road! Train : I like riding on trains. It's a very relaxing way to travel. Tube : You can take the tube in London. Underground : You can take the underground in many cities throughout Europe. Subway : You can take the subway in New York.

Sea / Ocean Travel Vocabulary and Sample Sentences

Boat: Have you ever piloted a boat? Cruise: We will stop at three destinations during our cruise through the Mediterranean. Cruise ship: It's the most elegant cruise ship in the world! Ferry: Ferries allow passengers to take their cars with them to their destination. Ocean: The Atlantic Ocean takes four days to cross. Port: There are all kinds of commercial ships in the port. Sailboat: The sailboat requires nothing but the wind. Sea: The sea is very calm today. Set sail: We set sail for the exotic island. Ship: Have you ever been a passenger on a ship? Voyage: The voyage to the Bahamas took three days.

Travel Vocabulary Quiz

Test your knowledge by taking this short quiz.

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40 Basic Vocabulary Words and Common Phrases for Travel in English

Embarking on a journey to a foreign country can be both exciting and a bit daunting, especially when language barriers come into play. But fear not, we’ve got you covered! This page is dedicated to all the globetrotters out there who are keen on enhancing their English language skills specifically for travel.

We’ve curated a list of 40 essential English words and phrases that will prove to be your best companions on your travels.

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or planning your first overseas trip, mastering these words and phrases will not only boost your confidence but also enrich your travel experiences. So, let’s dive in and start preparing for your next adventure with our comprehensive travel vocabulary guide. Happy learning and safe travels!

40 essential English words and phrases for travel

• Passport – “Don’t forget to bring your passport to the airport.”
• Luggage – “Please make sure your luggage is not left unattended.”
• Reservation – “I have a reservation under the name Smith.”
• Itinerary – “Our itinerary includes stops in Rome, Paris, and London.”
• Destination – “Our final destination is Sydney.”
• Accommodation – “I’ve booked accommodation for three nights in the city center.”
• Sightseeing – “We’re going sightseeing in the old town tomorrow.”
• Currency – “What’s the local currency in Japan?”
• Boarding Pass – “Please have your boarding pass and identification ready.”
• Departure – “Our departure time is 6:00 PM.”
• Arrival – “Our estimated arrival time is 8:00 PM.”
• Customs – “You’ll need to declare any items at customs.”
• Visa – “Do I need a visa to travel to the United States?”
• Tourist – “As a tourist, I love exploring new places.”
• Landmark – “The Eiffel Tower is a famous landmark in Paris.”
• Guidebook – “I bought a guidebook to learn more about the city’s history.”
• Souvenir – “I bought a souvenir from each city we visited.”
• Jet Lag – “I’m feeling a bit of jet lag after the long flight.”
• Travel Agency – “The travel agency arranged all of our accommodations.”
• Backpack – “I prefer to travel with a backpack instead of a suitcase.”
• Could you help me, please? – When you need assistance.
• How much does this cost? – When you want to know the price of something.
• Where is the nearest…? – When you’re looking for something specific, like a bathroom or a subway station.
• I would like to book… – When you want to make a reservation.
• Do you speak English? – When you need to find someone who speaks English.
• I’m lost. Can you help me? – When you need directions.
• Can I have the menu, please? – When you’re at a restaurant and want to see the menu.
• I’m allergic to… – When you need to inform someone of your allergies.
• Can I have the bill, please? – When you’re ready to pay at a restaurant.
• What time does it open/close? – When you want to know the operating hours of a place.
• Can I have a ticket to…, please? – When you’re buying a ticket.
• Where can I catch the bus/train? – When you need to find the bus or train station.
• Is it far from here? – When you want to know the distance to a place.
• Can you recommend a good…? – When you’re looking for recommendations.
• Do you accept credit cards? – When you want to know if you can pay with a credit card.
• What’s the Wi-Fi password? – When you need to connect to the internet.
• I’d like to go to… – When you’re telling a taxi driver your destination.
• Is there a pharmacy nearby? – When you need to find a pharmacy.
• Can I try this on? – When you’re shopping for clothes and want to try something on.
• Could you take a picture of us, please? – When you want someone to take a photo of you and your group.

Wrapping Up Our English Travel Vocabulary Journey

And there you have it! We’ve journeyed through 40 essential English words and phrases that will help make your travels smoother and more enjoyable. Remember, language is a powerful tool that can open doors to understanding new cultures, making new friends, and creating unforgettable experiences.

Don’t worry if you can’t memorize all the words and phrases at once. The beauty of language learning is that it’s a continuous process. Keep practicing, and soon these words will become second nature to you.

But why stop at 40? If you’re eager to expand your travel vocabulary even further, we have an exciting offer for you. Follow us on Instagram and send us a direct message to get your hands on our comprehensive eBook (write “Travel eBook”), which features 200 essential English words and phrases for travel, plus 2 special bonuses!

We hope this guide will be a valuable resource for your travel adventures. Whether you’re exploring bustling cities, tranquil countryside, or exotic beaches, these phrases will help you navigate your way with confidence.

Thank you for joining us on this linguistic journey. We wish you all the best in your English learning and your future travels. Remember, every journey begins with a single step, or in this case, a single word. Happy travels and happy learning!

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Short English Travel Vocabulary

• Post author: Harry
• Post last modified: 06/07/2021
• Post category: English Vocabulary
• Reading time: 9 mins read

Learn important English travel vocabulary words and phrases that will help you feel comfortable on your next adventure.

English for travelling. Travel phrasal verbs.

Share and help other students to improve English vocabulary

Summer is a great time to travel. If you are planning to travel abroad this summer, our short English travel vocabulary can come in handy.

Scroll down to watch a video lesson on Travel Phrasal Verbs .

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First things first, let’s find out what is the difference between travel, trip, journey and tourism. 

is usually used as a verb.

We had been travelling all day and were exhausted.

We can also use TRAVEL as a noun, but only with a general meaning of moving from place to place .

Foreign travel is very popular with students.

is a noun. It is used when you talk about going from one particular place to another. It may be long or short.

The journey from New York to Los Angeles took several days.

I have a short journey to work each day.

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is used if you talk about the whole visit – the journey there and back, the place you stayed and so on.

I’m going on a business trip next month. Did you have a good trip?

We had a very successful trip although the journey back was terrible.

is the industry of business providing accommodation, transport and other services.

Example: Tourism developed in Central America more slowly than in the nearby regions of the Caribbean and southern Mexico.

useful vocabulary words and phrases related to travel

Most of the times we BOOK our train or plane tickets in advance. We pay for a seat, a couchette, or berth in advance.

BERTH – bed in a boat

COUCHETTE – bed on a train.

For example, there are couchette coaches in Nightjet train which travels across Europe.

COMPARTMENT – a room on a train

FARE – money paid for a journey

I personally like to TRAVEL LIGHT – to travel with a very small amount of luggage

I always travel light. I only take hand luggage.

LUGGAGE –  baggage (suitcases, bags, etc)

A RESERVATION  is when you have paid for something in advance. You can have a reservation for a hotel room, a flight, a train and so on.

💂‍♂️  Sorry, Sir. This hotel is full. 🤴 This is ridiculous. I have a reservation.

In a hotel, you may be offered a SINGLE ROOM (for one person)

or a DOUBLE ROOM (with a bed for two people).

I’m on my own, so a single room will be fine.

My husband is meeting me later so I’d like a double room, please.

If the room is EN-SUITE it means that there is a private bathroom and toilet that other guest cannot use.

The rooms at the Palace Hotel are all en-suite so you can relax in your own bath.

If your hotel reservation is FULL BOARD it means that all your meals will be included. If it is HALF BOARD it includes your evening meal and breakfast, but not lunch.

Peter had all his meals included in the cost of the hotel. It was full board.

Some hotels offer a COMPLIMENTARY (free, costing nothing) breakfast in the morning or free drinks and snacks in the lobby.

Our guests receive welcome drinks and a complimentary fruit basket on arrival. 

SUPPLEMENTARY – costing extra money

Breakfast is supplementary and costs £15.

Travel Phrasal Verbs - Video Lesson

English travel phrasal verbs (video lesson).

When you arrive at the hotel you must CHECK IN and when you leave you CHECK OUT .

On the day of your arrival at the hotel, please check in by 18.00.

On the day of your departure, please check out by 10.00.

You also check in when you are getting a flight at an airport. After that, you may wait in the DEPARTURE LOUNGE , where only people who are getting on flights are allowed.

Our flight was delayed so we had to wait in the departure lounge for a few hours.

A STOPOVER is when you are flying to one place but have a short break in your journey in another place.

The flight to Sydney isn’t direct, there is a stopover in Singapore.

A BACKPACK is a big bag that you carry on your back.

TO BACKPACK means to travel for quite a long time, and very cheaply.

If we don’t have much money perhaps we could backpack around Europe for a couple of months.

More Information

For more information on English Expressions, English phrasal verbs and English Grammar, check out the following links:

English vocabulary related to driving

English adjectives to describe places

Free materials for intermediate and advanced English are always available at learning English with the BBC .

Difference between Enough and Too

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Travel and Transport

Travel vocabulary: using english for travel.

Travel vocabulary is one of the most useful areas of language learning today, as more people than ever are travelling far and wide for business and pleasure. There are many useful words and phrases we use when travelling and dealing with transport.

Although our travel plans have been put on hold for a while due to the Coronavirus pandemic , the world is slowly starting to open up again. This means we need to be ready with our travel language and vocabulary for when we can get a flight, a bus or a train!

For non-native speakers , travel vocabulary is a particularly useful topic of study and always a popular subject, allowing you to enjoy organising your travels without worrying about language issues.

Explore travel  vocabulary  here and learn useful  vocabulary related to travelling and using public transport. We have included useful words related to using trains, buses, cars, taxis, planes and boats, so you can have your travel phrases covered, whatever your mode of transport.  

General English Travel Vocabulary:

to arrive , to depart, to leave, to stay,

to cancel, cancellation, cancelled, delay, delayed

to book, to reserve, reservation, to cancel a reservation

holiday, business trip

suitcase, bag, luggage

trip, journey, to travel, map

travel agent, brochure

ticket office, fare, price, single/return ticket

by foot, on foot

travelling by plane, by train, by taxi, by car, by boat

roundabout, road, traffic lights, speed limit, junction, cross roads, road signs

Image source

Transport Vocabulary and Useful Phrases:

Wheels, steering wheel, dash board, indicators, headlights, roof, bonnet, boot, engine, battery, windscreen wipers, garage, car mechanic, petrol station, service (a ‘check up’ for a car)

Double decker, single decker, passengers, bus driver, bus stop, bus station, bus conductor, coach, luggage hold, bus lane

Bus travelling phrases:

the next stop, the last stop, to get on/off the bus, to buy a ticket

Train station, platform, track, level crossing, locomotive, underground, cross-country, local, return, single, ticket, carriage, first/second class, train driver, ticket inspector, waiting room, seat, timetable, guard, season ticket, fare, travel card, buffet car

Train travel phrases:

to catch a train, to check the timetable, on the platform, to travel cross-country

to get on the train, to embark, to set off (on a journey)

to get off the train, to disembark, to alight

ticket machine – a machine where you can buy your train tickets

ticket gate – a mechanical gate blocking access, where you need to insert your ticket to pass through

the buffet car – a carriage on a train where you can buy drinks and snacks

Grand Central Station , New York City – image source

Cab, black cab (official English taxi), fare, taxi rank, taxi driver, tip ( noun and verb )

Taxi travel phrases:

to hail a taxi / to flag down a taxi (when you raise your arm to get a taxi driver’s attention to encourage it to stop in the street)

to pay the fare (the fare is the fee for the journey)

to tip the driver (verb) / to give the driver a tip (noun)

Aeroplane, airport, airline, wing, runway, pilot, gate, passport, excess baggage charge, cabin crew, flight attendant, air steward/stewardess, security, turbulence, seatbelt

take off, landing

turbulence (uncomfortable, sudden movements of a plane due to air pressure/temperature changes)

hand luggage (luggage you take into the cabin with you)

hold luggage/checked luggage (luggage you check in for stowage under the aircraft)

over-head locker (where you can put your hand luggage)

boarding card, customs, departures, arrivals, lounge, aisle seat, window seat, check-in, in-flight movie, in-flight entertainment

terminal 1, terminal 2 / T1, T2 (a terminal is where passengers go to buy tickets, check in luggage, go to their boarding gate etc.)

boarding gate – where passenger go to board the plane (i.e. to get on the plane), located inside the terminal building

A plane takes off – image source

Plane travel phrases:

to put luggage/bags in the hold

to board the plane

prepare for take off, the plane will be taking off in 30 minutes

prepare for landing, the plane will be landing in 20 minutes

to fasten your seatbelt, to buckle up (‘buckle up’ is slang for ‘fasten your seatbelt’)

the flight was quite turbulent, to experience some  turbulence,  there was some light/heavy turbulence

“How was your flight?”

“It was good, thanks, except there was some turbulence during the descent that made me spill my drink!”

“Great – it was a smooth flight and I slept most of the time.”

Ferry, cruise ship, harbour, deck, port, sea, ocean, cabin, captain, sail, sea sickness , crossing, on board, life belt/jacket, foot passenger, buffet, port side, starboard

• The difference between a boat and a ship: boats are small to mid-sized vessels, often used for pleasure trips. Boat is also a generic term for water vessels. Ships are normally larger and are used to carry cargo, passengers or smaller boats.

Boat travelling phrases:

to embark  (to get on the boat) / to disembark (to get off the boat)

‘choppy’ seas / rough seas / strong waves

Calm waters will provide a peaceful cruise for this ship  –  image source

calm waters / still waters

to sail, to have a good crossing (a ‘crossing’ is when you go from one place to another on a boat/ship) – e.g.  “Did you have a good crossing?”

to go out on deck (to go outside on the ship)

welcome aboard/on board (you might hear this when you embark for the first time)

the captain’s table (where the captain sits at dinner – sometimes passengers might get an invitation to site at the captain’s table at some point during their cruise)

• ‘Plain sailing’ is an idiom that means an event that goes smoothly: ‘It’s all plain sailing from here’

It’s a great day to be ‘out on deck’ – image source

English at the Train Station

Useful travelling vocabulary for using the train, including phrases you may want to say, phrases you may hear and comments you might want to make about travelling by train:

• Train times on timetables are always given in the twenty-four hour clock format. So, 5.15 pm would be 17.15 and 9.05 am would be 09.05.

A busy airport – image source

“How was the journey?”

“It was fine, the train arrived on time and I managed to buy a coffee from the buffet car.”

“Terrible, the first two trains were cancelled and then I had to stand up for the entire journey.”

“My train was delayed, so I passed the time by browsing in the station bookshop”

English vocabulary at the airport

Travelling vocabulary for using planes and visiting the airport, including phrases you might hear at the airport and sentences you might need to say when travelling by plane:

Click here to explore more essential English vocabulary and phrases for everyday situations.

When travelling and using transport, you might also need to ask for directions. Check out how to ask for directions in English when travelling around a city with our directions page. Our article includes possible questions you might want to ask and answers you could receive when navigating your way around a new town.

Let us know your thoughts on travel vocabulary

What do you find most difficult about using English when travelling?

Do you find any of these phrases related to travel and transport confusing?

Can you think of other useful English travel vocabulary for using different modes of transport?

TEFL teachers, how do you incorporate travelling vocabulary into your English lessons?

2 thoughts on “ Travel and Transport ”

Thank you for the provided phrases and words. I would also like to see a short dialogue or common phrases when someone got lost in a city or trying to get somewhere, so that there should be various options for speaking about traveling ina city

Hi Tatyana, thanks for your comment. A dialogue like this is a great suggestion. We will looks to add something like this to the travel and transport page soon. In the meantime, you might find our directions page useful, as this contains phrases for asking for directions when travelling in a city.

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Here are some English terms related to travel.

Means of transport

Making travel arrangements, making a journey.

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TRAVEL - TRIP - JOURNEY - TOUR - VOYAGE

Meaning and use of the words 'trip', 'travel', 'journey', 'tour', and 'voyage'..

The explanation below should help clarify the meaning and use of vocabulary related to travel.

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IELTS Travel, Tourism & Adventure Vocabulary : Useful Phrases & Expressions in IELTS Speaking

Updated On Sep 13, 2023

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A good vocabulary is a big part of gaining fluency in a second language. To do so you must familiarize yourself with common phrases, metaphors and sayings in any given niche field or topic that you may have to speak on. Today we will share with you a wide range of travel and tourism vocabulary words for IELTS to help you boost your IELTS score on any  IELTS Speaking or writing question that has to do with travel & adventure.

Useful Collocation and Expressions for IELTS Speaking – Topic:Travel

To get away : To escape, to go somewhere that is not your home. You can also use the noun “a getaway.”

Example: Last week, I had a great chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city to visit an ancient village in the countryside.

A thirst for adventure : strong desire for travelling/adventure

Get itchy feet: have a strong desire to travel

Example: I’ve always had a thirst for adventure and often get itchy feet so I decided to set out to a journey from the North to the South of Australia next month.

To find a gem: When you find a place where only locals go and other tourists don’t visit.

Example: Try to find a local guide when you visit a foreign country to successfully find a gem during your trip.

Arduous journey: difficult & tiring journey

Break the journey: stop for a short time during journey

Example: I had a arduous journey to the South of Vietnam last year. I thought I would break the journey somewhere but I finally did it all in one go.

Adventurous explorer:  a traveler who is willing to do or try new and daring things

Have a stopover: Have a brief overnight stay in a place when on a long journey to somewhere else, usually by air

Example: I had a stopover in China on the way to Thailand, had a bit of a rest, and did the sights there before travelling on.

Low-cost airline: discount or budget airline

Put somebody on standby: make me wait to see if a seat become available

Example: Last week I got a flight on a low-cost airline to Paris. I then tried to get a flight to the UK but they were all full, so they put me on standby.

To take a red eye: To take a late night airline flight

Example: I had to take a red eye and now I’m exhausted.

Intrepid explorer: brave, with no fear of dangerous situations

Example: In the course of a long and proud career, an  intrepid   explorer turned herself into a perfect lady.

Off the beaten track:  An unusual route or destination

Example: My best friend is a intrepid traveler who has a real sense of adventure. He always love to set out on a journey off the beaten track

Unexplored wilderness:  not looked into or investigated; something that you have not done or experienced before

Example: I’m thirsty for a journey into unexplored wilderness and getting right off the beaten track.

To take the road less traveled: To do things differently and to think outside of the box.

Example: Adventurous travelers like to take the road less traveled when visiting a new country.

A real sense of adventure: the urge to explore beyond your daily surroundings and open yourself up to the adventure

To have wanderlust: To want to move around and see a lot of things around the world. To not want to stay in one place.

Example: I had a incurable case of wanderlust.

The first leg of the journey:   the first segment of a journey; the first flight of a multi-flight trip.

Example: The first leg of the journey got me to the UK but it just gave me very little indication of what lay ahead.

Off the beaten track (path): in a place where few people go; unusual route/destination

Example: Most young travelers make the effort to get off the tourist trail and look for off the beaten path destinations to experience the raw beauty of the country.

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Part 1 Sample Questions

• Do you like to travel?
• What kind of places have you visited in your life?
• Which place would you really like to visit? Why?
• What’s the best place you’ve ever visited?
• Which form(s) of transport do you usually use?
• What is the easiest way to get around your town/city?
• Do people use public transport where you live?
• Are there any problems with the public transport system in your town/city?
• How do you prefer to travel on long journeys?
• What is the most unusual method of transport you’ve ever used?

Part 2: Cue Card

Describe an interesting journey you have been on./Describe an adventure you had.

You should say :

• where you went
• how you traveled there
• who you went with

and explain what was so memorable about the journey/adventure.

Part 3 Sample Questions

• How important is it to have adventure in our lives?
• What do people learn about themselves from having adventures?
• How do you think people will travel in the future?
• How easy is it to travel around your country?
• Which method of travel do you consider safest?
• Has travel become safer in recent years?
• What are the pros and cons of low-cost air travel?

Remember, the worst thing you could do on the IELTS is to sound like every other Band 6 student by using typical IELTS vocabulary.

Make sure you are using interesting and native vocabulary throughout the exam like the ones in today’s article.

Check out other IELTS Vocabulary lessons for different topics in the Speaking section (   Environment ,  Accommodation , Education , People (Personality & Appearance) ,  Sports ,  Holiday ,   Relationship  )

If you want to boost your IELTS score by polishing up your vocabulary, figure out the lesson:  How To Boost Your Vocabulary Score In IELTS ?

Explore IELTS Speaking

30 + Difficult IELTS Cue Card Topics with Answer pdf

Nafia Zuhana is an experienced content writer and IELTS Trainer. Currently, she is guiding students who are appearing for IELTS General and Academic exams through ieltsmaterial.com. With an 8.5 score herself, she trains and provides test takers with strategies, tips, and nuances on how to crack the IELTS Exam. She holds a degree in Master of Arts – Creative Writing, Oxford Brookes University, UK. She has worked with The Hindu for over a year as an English language trainer.

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Nehasri Ravishenbagam

Prachi Ramkrishna

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• Cambridge Dictionary +Plus

SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases

The SMART Vocabulary cloud shows the related words and phrases you can find in the Cambridge Dictionary that make up this topic. Click on a word to go to the definition.

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relating to the scientific study of animals, especially their structure

Dead ringers and peas in pods (Talking about similarities, Part 2)

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SOCIAL STUDIES

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Guide young readers to new heights

Learning to read is an excursion into the unknown. It's about meeting challenges head-on and gaining confidence with each victory. Preparing students for this voyage requires a program that lets teachers introduce the right discoveries at the right time. When things begin to line up, you can see confidence start to shine in students' eyes. Journeys is a comprehensive K-6 English language arts program. It provides an instructional system for reading both literature and informational texts, for acquiring foundational reading skills , and for developing mastery of speaking, listening and writing.

Meets new ESSA evidence standards

Promotes deep analysis of authentic texts, reaches 6.7 million students nationwide, a map for students on the path to literacy.

Journeys is built on a deep foundation of scientific research but treats students as young people who need to be encouraged—and to have fun. The result? An engaging learning experience that fits .

Sculpt lesson plans from scaffolded instruction and immerse students in small group sessions that fit like a glove.

Provide opportunities for thoughtful analysis and problem solving using texts that can be read and re-read for multiple purposes.

Prepare students for today’s rigorous standards—and the demands of next-generation assessments—with an approach to instruction that’s based on pioneering academic research.

See what Journeys has in store for your classroom.

Enrich the classroom with tools that foster a love of learning

To build confidence, students need flexible, individualized study. Journeys features complex anchor texts that challenge students, smart lesson plans that let teachers target the needs of all students, and assessments and digital tools that help track classroom progress.

Student Experience

With the right combination of demanding materials and individualized instruction, Journeys offers students the types of challenges needed to mold them into stronger readers. It’s a recipe for the continued growth they’ll need to excel at today’s rigorous assessments, college, and beyond.

Student texts promote deep reading.

Anchor text reading instruction challenges students well beyond their first encounter. A special three-part routine guides students to grasp big ideas, then analyze short passages, and finally undertake independent close reading.

The Student eBook guides students to highlight and make notes about the answers and evidence they are learning to gather.

Trade Books provide a backdrop for project-based learning and give students the opportunity to apply what they have been learning to extended texts.

A wide range of texts meet all students at their level.

Journeys Leveled Readers for Guided Reading, by Irene Fountas, allow students to get individualized practice alongside the core coursework.

Complete solutions for Tier I, II, and III intervention to reinforce skills, scaffold instruction, and teach key foundational skills.

Strategic language support for English learners provides integrated support and scaffolds for every lesson, plus five days of additional instruction to develop language skills, all enabling ELs to engage with core instruction.

Teacher Experience

Students’ confidence grows when the challenges they face are the right size. Teachers should be given the tools to find the right fit. Journeys is designed to be that tool. 

Simple, flexible instruction allows teachers to shine.

Weekly lesson plans make it easy for teachers to design customized lessons, allowing them to spend more time teaching and less time planning.

A realistic approach to pacing allows teachers to focus on depth and rigor, giving the class more time with each text.

Digital tools, like our Interactive Focus Wall and Teacher eBook, simplify planning and enrich instruction.

Practical, powerful assessments keep teachers informed and students prepared.

A comprehensive assessment system (including weekly tests, benchmark assessments, and unit tests) gives teachers the tools they need to monitor student progress.

The online dashboard gives teachers visibility into the progress of their class, providing the insights they need to develop customized lesson plans.

Tech-enhanced questions like drag-and-drop and multi-select allow students to prepare for high-stakes assessment formats.

Journeys scope and sequences are plans teachers can trust. They provide a pedagogical sequence that’s developmentally appropriate and research-based. That way, as students embark on their literacy journey, a path is being charted for the skills and knowledge they’ll need down the road.

Journeys Scope & Sequence: Grades K-6

Download Now

Vocabulary readers, flashcards and in-the-moment digital tools fill classrooms with ways to build vocabulary along every step of the journey

Informational texts let students gain mastery over core academic vocabulary as well as domain-specific knowledge and words

Weekly grammar skill targets, supplemented with daily lessons, support students’ understanding of how English works  

A spelling scope and sequence designed by Shane Templeton builds students’ spelling skills

Deep-dives into text analysis give students the foundation they need to interpret texts from multiple angles and form insights

Student books and digital tools prompt students to mark up and annotate texts, allowing understanding to blossom into written form 

Team projects and class conversations guide students to develop critical listening skills and mastery of group communication

Presentations and collaborative work put students in a position to develop social awareness and speaking skills

Giving students confidence to write their own stories

Award-winning texts. A research-based method. There’s a reason it’s used everywhere: Journeys works.

HMH Professional Services helps teachers and administrators prepare to transition to a new program. As you implement Journeys , our team can partner with yours to make sure you start off on the right foot.

Research & Results

Designed using the science of literacy development.

Using the latest research on what makes literacy instruction effective, Journeys was designed to be a system that reliably turns students into confident readers and writers. An impressive collection of scientific studies shows how well it works.

Journeys outfits aspiring readers and writers with the skills they need to scale the challenges of today’s rigorous assessment demands. Explore the research that shows just how high those students can climb.

Journeys: A Research-Based Approach

Grades K - 5

With a "strong evidence" rating from evidenceforessa.org, Journeys has been proven to simply work . And when students’ futures are at stake, results are what matter.

ESSA Evidence Criteria for Journeys

Overview of how Journeys meets ESSA “STRONG” evidence criteria.

Journeys RCT Gold Standard Study

Journeys field study, journeys multi-year quasi-experimental study.

Grades 3 and 5

Journeys Full-Year Research Study

2016 - 2017

To build Journeys , HMH ® worked with the brightest minds in literacy. Assembling a team of authors and consultants across every key area in the field of literacy, we put together an English language arts program that anticipates teaching needs and equips students to succeed.

Dr. MaryEllen Vogt

Distinguished Professor Emerita, Education, California State University, Long Beach; Journeys Program Consultant

Dr. Martha C. Hougen

National Consultant, Presenter, Researcher, and Author

HMH Author and Associate Director, California Reading & Literature Project at UCLA

Erik Palmer

Program Consultant, Into Reading and Into Literature

Dr. Shane Templeton

Foundation Professor Emeritus, Literacy Studies, University of Nevada, Reno; Into Reading Program Author

Dr. Sheila W. Valencia

Professor, Language, Literacy, and Culture, University of Washington; Journeys Program Consultant

Irene Fountas

Director, Literacy Collaborative, Lesley University; Language Arts consultant; Journeys Special Consultant

News & Events

The program authors behind Journeys want to continue the conversation about literacy instruction. Read what they’ve been thinking and stay up to date with the latest news and scholarship.

The Bad Habits of Good Readers

Carol Jago, HMH author and program consultant, makes the case for the seemingly bad habits avid readers possess. 

November 30, 2017

Reading Is More Than Fundamental

HMH’s Kristi James shares what ideal literacy engagement in an early childhood classroom would look like and how teachers can realize this goal and promote it outside of their classrooms as well.

Dr. Kristi James

November 20, 2017

A Guide to Engaging, Effective Instruction in Phonics, Spelling, and Vocabulary

In advance of the final fall 2017 Leadership Talk, literacy thought leader Dr. Shane Templeton previews his presentation on differentiating word study instruction.

October 20, 2017

Journey North provides informational texts to help students learn about words in meaningful contexts. Vocabulary is essential to comprehension. Students need to apply strategies before, during, and after reading to understand texts.

Fill-'em-up Sentences Create 3-5 incomplete sentences. Invite students to suggest words that might fill-in-the-blanks. For example, A robin’s ___________, the place where __________ and __________ occurs, is usually less than half an __________. Optional: provide a list of words for students to use to fit-in-the-blanks. Word List: mating, acre, nesting, territory.

Journey North Word Collection Invite students to collect words from Journey North texts and the context-rich sentences in which the words were found. Have students find definitions using dictionaries and other reference materials.

Organize their collection of words in creative ways:

• Reference Book: Invite students to create vocabulary pages for a three-ring binder.
• Word Wall: Display collected words and definitions on a bulletin board.
• Word File: Record words, definitions, and context-rich sentences on index cards. Place them in a recipe box that organizes the words alphabetically.

Word Riddles Use definitions of words to create word riddles. Give students clues about a vocabulary word that has been introduced to them in a news update, article, photo gallery, or other Journey North reading selection. Encourage students to use details from the text to guess the mystery word.

Example for the word HABITAT Scientist: The natural conditions and environment, such as forest, desert, or wetlands, .in which a plant or animal finds what it requires for survival: food, water, space, cover. Judge: Endangered environments, Dwindling dwellings Poet: Peaceful paradise, Home sweet home, Student: Bedroom, My House, My Backyard

Real or Make-Believe? Select 3-5 vocabulary words from an informational text students will be reading. Write the list of words on the board. Add one or two “make-believe” words. Ask students to predict which words from the list are real and which words are fabricated. Encourage students to make predictions about each of the words: What do you think these words mean? How do you think these words will be used in a reading selection entitled _______? After students have read the nonfiction selection, revisit the list of words to confirm or refine students’ predictions.

Repeated Application Use more than one reading selection to ensure that students encounter new words in a variety of contexts. Once students are introduced to words in some context, provide opportunities to use the words in reading, writing, listening, and speaking activities. For example, once students have been introduced to the word metamorphosis, invite them to read or listen to additional texts that provide more information. Have them write about how caterpillars become butterflies. Have students draw pictures that illustrate the concept of metamorphosis. Ask for volunteers to improvise a short, narrated scene of a caterpillar becoming a butterfly.

Word Sorts Give students a list of vocabulary words. Have them sort the words based on similarities and/or differences. Encourage students to describe how they grouped the words.

Variation: Place a group of words in a set. Ask students to describe how the words are related. Invite them to label the set based how the words are related. Introduce additional words and ask students to decide which words belong in the group and which words do not. Encourage them to share their reasoning.

Grouping Games After students have worked with sorting activities, invite them to play games for additional practice. For example, play a variation of the card game, Go Fish. Prepare a deck of word cards in which there are five or more sets with exactly four related words in each set. Duplicate the cards so that each group of two students has a deck for the game. The deck of cards is shuffled. Players One and Two each receive five cards. The rest of the deck is in the Go Fish pile. Players must try to build sets of like words. Player One examines his or her hand of five cards and asks Player Two: Do you have a word related to___? If Player Two has a related word in his hand, he turns the card over to Player One. If Player Two does not have a related card, Player One draws a card from the Go Fish pile. Players take turns until the last card from the Go Fish pile is drawn. The winner is the player with the most sets. The winner reveals each set and states how the words are related. Example of a set of related words for a Hummingbird Study: torpor, temperature, perch, and hypothermia. Challenge proficient students to build sets of four related words for future games.

Think-Aloud Modeling Invite students to listen as you read aloud a text. Reflect aloud about word solving strategies you use before, during, and after reading. Demonstrate pre-reading strategies such as scanning a text for clues, asking questions, and making predictions. As you read aloud the text, talk about how you figure out information about words, pronunciations, and meanings (letter/sound relationships, context clues, and related words). After reading the text, show students how to revisit the text to improve comprehension.

Word Meanings: Denotation and Connotation Denotative meaning refers to the limited explicit definition of a word. Connotation refers to what the word may suggest. Help students discover precisely what collection of meanings a word may convey. Go beyond definitions in the dictionary. Explore ways to describe the associations that cluster around the word. Invite students to collect literal and figurative meanings for vocabulary words.

Word Families Examine words for similarities using the question: What do theses words have in common: Motion, Mobile, Motor? (They are all related to the word move.) What other words are related to the word move? (Migrate, migration, immigrate, emigrate, automobile, snowmobile, motorcycle.) Encourage students to use reference books such as The American Heritage Dictionary, The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, or Skeat’s A Concise Etymological Dictionary of the English Language in order to research words.