Heading abroad but don’t speak the local language? Don’t sweat it! While it can sometimes be stressful traveling to new far-off places, especially if you don’t know the language, having a plan can make all the difference. All of us need help with speaking foreign languages from time to time, so don’t let the language barrier keep you from getting to the destination of your dreams. Whether you know a few words or none at all, just follow these simple steps, and your next trip will be smooth sailing.

Plan it out

Prepping is key to getting off on the right foot for your next trip abroad. Once you find some cheap flights and get that next trip booked, you’ll want to map out your route from the airport to where you’ll be staying in detail. And if the local signs don’t happen to be in English, this can be quite a challenge to take care of on the fly. So make sure to figure out your local travel plans ahead of time…and not when you’re sitting helpless on the sidewalk outside the airport, surrounded by your luggage.

Be sure to have the address of your accommodations entered into the calendar on your phone. Then use the map function to figure out where you’re going, as well as where you are once you arrive. Some people like to print a map out ahead of time in case their phone runs out of juice. And don’t forget that most cities these days have either Uber or Lyft or both. The great thing about ride-hailing apps is you know the cost before you get into the vehicle. So the local cabbies won’t be able to take you for a joyride to run up the bill on the meter.

Ask for help

Chances are you’ll be headed someplace where there are plenty of other tourists, many of which will speak English. So make some friends! Also, if you’ll be staying in a hotel, the front desk staff will usually have maps and travel brochures handy and will be more than happy to help you find your way around. It might be a good idea to have some photos on hand of the places you want to visit so that you can show them to locals who may not speak very good English. Also, you can always walk into a local shop or restaurant. Odds are, the staff working there are used to helping many tourists and may be able to lend a helping hand. We know, it can feel awkward to use hand gestures to convey what you’re trying to say but doing this can still help you communicate and save you time and a lot of stress.

Invest in language apps

Downloading apps like Babbel, Google Translate or Duolingo can help you get that quick crash course in the language you’ll need, as well as help you get by when you arrive. With Google Translate, you simply point your camera at a sign or menu, and it will automatically translate it into almost any language and dialect. How cool is that? You can also use it to communicate with others: Just speak into the app’s mic, and it will translate the words for you. ¡Muy fácil! Duolingo features fun, educational games for those trying to get some of the basics of the language down.

Other helpful apps to consider are restaurant reservation apps like OpenTable, where people can also post reviews and pictures as well as rate different items on your restaurant’s menu. That way, you won’t have to cross your fingers and hope you like the food that you picked. Additionally, Like a Local features reviews by local people of the local hotspots around town.

Learn key phrases

It can be overwhelming to decide which phrases or words to learn as you’re about to go on your trip. You don’t have to go crazy trying to learn an entire language in a short amount of time. To make things easier, it’s better to focus on five to ten key phrases that are likely to come up the most, such as those used when asking for directions or when ordering food at restaurants. Other important words or phrases to learn include your basic polite greetings and phrases you can use to ask for directions.

Of course, finding somebody speaks English can go a long way in making your international trip go a lot more smoothly. In many countries, English is the official or unofficial second language, and many locals will speak English…perhaps even better than you do. And why not have some fun and make a few game attempts at using the local lingo. And even if you mess up — it’s okay, we’ve all been there — just showing that you were willing to put in a little extra effort will encourage people to help you out.

Know any more tips on how to get around when you don’t speak the local language? Let us know in the comments below!