Phrasal Verbs for Holidays and Vacations

Planning a trip? Talking about holidays in English becomes so much easier when you know the right phrasal verbs. Native speakers often use them to describe everything from setting off on a journey to checking out of a hotel. These little verb + preposition combinations might seem tricky at first, but they’re actually the secret to sounding more natural and fluent. In this post, we’ll look at some of the most common phrasal verbs for vacations so you can talk about your travel plans, adventures, and memories fluently.

​Don’t forget—there’s a fun quiz at the end to help these phrasal verbs stick!

1. To set off – to begin a journey or trip

1. We set off early in the morning to avoid the heavy traffic on the way to the beach.
2. They set off for their road trip with snacks, music, and a lot of excitement.

2. To check in – to register at a hotel or airport

1. We checked in at the airport two hours before our flight.
2. After arriving at the resort, we checked in and went straight to the pool.

3. To check out – to leave a hotel after settling the bill

1. We checked out of the hotel at noon and caught our train.
2. Don’t forget to return the room key when you check out tomorrow.

4. To pack up – to put things into a suitcase or bags for a trip

1. I packed up my clothes the night before our vacation so I wouldn’t be rushed.
2. We quickly packed up our things when the taxi arrived to take us to the airport.

5. To get away – go on a holiday or vacation

1. She wanted to get away for a few days to relax after her exams.
2. They finally got away to the countryside after months of working nonstop.

• NOTE: This phrasal verb is two separate words, while the related noun 'getaway' meaning a holiday, short trip, or brief escape, is one word. 
• Useful tip: If you’re talking about the action of going somewhere, use get away. If you’re talking about the trip itself, use [a] getaway.

​6. To take off – to depart on a flight

1. Our plane took off on time despite the bad weather.
2. I got really nervous when the plane took off roughly and the plane rattled a bit.

7. To explore around – to wander and discover a new place

1. We spent the afternoon exploring around the old town.
2. She loves to explore around little shops and hidden streets while on vacation.

8. To hang out – to spend time relaxing or socializing in a particular place

1. We hung out at the beach café all evening, watching the sunset.
2. They hung out by the pool instead of going sightseeing.

9. To drop off (something) – to leave someone or something at a specific place

1. The taxi driver dropped us off right in front of the hotel.
2. Can you drop me off at the train station before you head to the airport?

10. To wind down – to relax and rest at the end of a day or vacation

1. The spa was the perfect place to wind down before flying home.
2. We wound down with a quiet dinner after a busy day of sightseeing.

11. To catch up on – use the holiday to do something you haven't had time for

1. She used the long weekend to catch up on sleep.
2. During the holiday, I finally caught up on reading my favorite books.

​12. To break away – to take a short holiday or escape from routine (similar to 'get away')

1. We broke away from the city for a relaxing weekend by the lake.
2. He managed to break away from work for a quick trip to the mountains.

13. Get back (from) – to return from a trip or vacation

1. We got back from our holiday last night and are still unpacking.
2. I’ll call you when I get back from my trip to Italy.

14. To look forward to – to be excited and anticipate something enjoyable in the future

1. I’m really looking forward to our family holiday next month.
2. She’s looking forward to lying on the beach and doing nothing.

15. To splash out (on something) – to spend a lot of money on something luxurious during the holiday

1. They splashed out on a five-star hotel for their honeymoon.
2. We decided to splash out on a fancy dinner for our last night in Paris.

Travel isn’t just about the places you go—it’s also about how you share the experience. By using some of these phrasal verbs, you can describe your adventures in a way that feels natural and engaging. Whether you’re setting off on a new adventure or winding down at the end of a trip, these expressions will help you bring your travel stories to life.

One last thing to keep in mind: phrasal verbs change their meaning depending on the preposition or particle that follows the verb. For example, check in and check out mean opposite things, even though both start with check. That’s why it’s important to pay close attention and practice them as full expressions, not just single words. Try them out by taking the quiz below!

Holiday Phrasal Verbs Quiz
Choose the correct phrasal verb to complete each sentence.

1. ​She wanted to ______ for a few days to escape the stress of her job.
a) catch up on
b) splash out 
c) get away
d) check out

2. Passengers should stay in their seats with seatbelts fastened while the plane ______ .
a) gets away 
b) takes off
c) packs up
d) winds down

3. To ______  at the airport, follow signs to your airline's check-in area in the departures terminal.
a) look forward to
b) wind down
c) check in
d) splash out

4. After a relaxing weekend in the countryside, they finally ______ to the city last night.
a) got back
b) broke away
c) set off
d) hung out

5. We woke up early so we could ______ before the traffic got heavy.
a) check in
b) drop off
c) catch up on
d) set off

6. We decided to ______  a fancy dinner to celebrate our anniversary.
a) splash out on
b) pack up
c) hang out
d) look forward to

7. If travelling internationally, you need to ______ your bags a few days to a week before your trip.
a) splash out on
b) check in
c) pack up  
d) set off

8. During the holiday, I finally had time to ______ my reading.
a) hang out
b) catch up on
c) wind down
d) break away

9. They spent the afternoon ______ in little cafés and watching people go by.
a) exploring around
b) setting off
c) hanging out
d) dropping off

10. Tomorrow we’ll need to ______ of the hotel by noon or they’ll charge us extra.
a) get back
b) check in
c) pack up
d) check out

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Answers: 1. c  ♥  2. b  ♥  3. c  ♥  4. a  ♥  5. d  ♥  6. a  ♥  7. c  ♥  8. b  ♥  9. c   ♥  ​ 10. d