Phrases You Can Use To Ask And Give Directions

Asking directions

To ask for directions, use the phrase Could you tell me…? or Do you know …? Make your questions more polite by starting them with Excuse me.

• Excuse me. Could you tell me how to get to the railway station?
• Excuse me. how to get to Minerva Theatre?
• Excuse me. Do you know where the post office is?
• Excuse me. Do you know where the town hall is?

Other phrases you can use are given below.

• I’m looking for the shopping mall. Do you know where it is?
• Am I on the right road for Calicut?
• Is this the right way for Kochi?

Giving directions

Here are a few phrases you can use to give directions.

• It’s this / that way.
• Take this / that road.
• Yes, you are going in the right direction.
• No, you are going the wrong way.
• No, you are going in the wrong direction.
• It is just around the corner.
• It is quite near.
• It is not far from here.
• You can walk there.
• Take the second on the right.
• Take the left at the traffic lights.
• Go past the traffic lights.
• Go past the girls’ high school.
• Go straight ahead for about half a kilometer.
• The fire station will be on your left.
• The library will be on your right.

Asking about distance

Use the following phrases.

• How far is it to the railway station from here?
• Is it far from here?
• Can I walk there?
• Is it a long way from here?
• Yes, it is quite a long way. You will have to hire a taxi.
• No, you can’t walk there. You will need to take the bus.
• It is quite close.
• It is a long way to talk.
• It is about a kilometre from here.