The next time someone you know is traveling somewhere or going on a trip, you might want to wish them a safe journey without any problems. But, what is the correct expression for this? Is it “safe travels” or safe travel”?
Let’s take a look at the correct way to wish someone a safe journey.
Safe travels or safe travel?
Both safe travels and safe travel are correct ways of wishing someone a safe journey. However, “safe travels” is much more commonly used.
Safe travels
The meaning of safe travels is to wish someone a safe journey and good fortune on their trip.
Safe travels implies that the person being spoken to is involved in some sort of extended traveling where there will be more than one “travel”. For example, they could be about to go traveling around South America or Asia. Alternatively, it implies that several travels or journeys will occur within a singular trip. Therefore, safe travels uses the countable form of the noun, because there is more than one travel.
Safe travel
Safe travel uses the uncountable form of the noun. It refers to all of the travels the person being spoken to might collectively make on a particular trip. Although you’ll rarely hear this used.
Travel safe, on the other hand, is a lot more common. This is a polite way of wishing someone a safe journey. It is a friendly imperative that is often used when seeing off friends or family before a trip and expresses that you hope they have a pleasant, uneventful journey.
When is the correct time to wish someone safe travels?
You can wish someone safe travels when you want to wish them a good, safe journey. This might be before they are going to teach English abroad, going on holiday, or if they’re embarking on a long trip home.
Other ways to say safe travels
There are also other ways to express safe travels, such as:
- Travel safely.
- Have a good trip.
- Have a safe trip.
- Have a safe journey.
- Drive safe.
- Bon voyage.
You can also say safe trip and safe journey, but we usually add “Have a..” in front of this.
What about bon voyage?
Yes, I know what you’re thinking, doesn’t Bon Voyage sound French? Well, yes, it is French and it literally means “safe journey” or “have a good trip”. It is one of a number of foreign words that are used in the English language.
Conclusion: Safe travels
So, until next time, I wish you safe travels! Best wishes for your onward journey through the English language.
James has been helping people teach English abroad for over twelve years. He’s traveled to over 30 countries, lived in 3, and taught English in Chile and online.
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