These words may be confusing for some Spanish students. Travel is a verb (‘viajar’), but we can also use it as a noun in some fixed expressions: travel agency, foreign travel, air travel, on my travels or when we mean ‘travelling in general’: My interests are music and travel.
Generally speaking the Spanish noun ‘viaje’ is translated as journey or trip into English. Journey emphasizes the distance or time travelling takes (a twenty-minute bus journey, a train journey) whereas trip dwells on everything -distance, purpose, return (a two-day business trip). Trip can also mean ‘excursión’ (a school trip).
Voyage is a long journey on a ship or spaceship.
We always use the verb make with journey, trip and voyage and the preposition on: She’s away on a business trip; I never make a journey without my ID.
Self-study activity:
Complete the gaps with travel, journey, trip, or voyage.
1. Our parents wished us a safe … as we drove away.
2. My parents are planning their first … abroad.
3. The whole family went on a (…) to Florida.
4. The ship sank on its first (…).
5. Before a holiday it’s convenient to make all (…) arrangements.
Key:
1. journey 2. trip 3. trip 4. voyage 5. travel
