Are you traveling to France or a French-speaking country?  You will of course want to learn French, but even if you don't, or you're in the process of learning, it's important to arm yourself with a number of French phrases to ease your travels.  Here is a list we've put together based on various discussion forums on the web.

Politeness:

Remember, the French are famous for being polite.  Here are some phrases to help you establish diplomatic relations.  Remember to address people you don't know with Madame (women), Monsieur (men) and Mademoiselle (young women).

• Merci (beaucoup) = Thank you (very much)
  
• S'il vous plaît = Please
  
• Pardon / Je suis désolé = Sorry (if you don't hear something) / I'm sorry (if you make a mistake)
  
• Salut = Hi or hello
• Bonjour = Good morning or afternoon
• Bonsoir = Good evening
• Comment vas-tu? / Comment allez-vous? = How are you?
• Bonne Nuit = Good night
• A plus tard / A bien tot = See you later
• Félicitations = Congratulations
• Comment vas tu? = How are you?
• Je vais bien, merci = I'm fine, thank you.
• Et toi? / Et vous? = And you?
• Bien / Comme-ci, comme-ça. = Good / So-so 

Asking For Help:

Here are a few phrases that can get you out of trouble.

• Pourriez-vous répéter? = Can you say it again?
• Pourriez-vous parler un peu moins vite ? = Can you speak slowly?
• Est-ce que vous pourriez l'écrire? = Write it down please
• Je parle anglais = I speak English
• Parlez vous anglais? = Do you speak English?
• Je ne comprends pas = I don't understand
• Je ne sais pas = I don't know
• Je n'en sais rien = I have no idea

Other Useful Phrases 

• Comment dit-on cela en français? = What's that called in French?
• Comment dit-on "(insert word)" en anglais? = What does "(insert word)" mean in English?
• Qu'est-ce que c'est? = What is this?
• Mon français est mauvais.= My french is bad.
  
• Ne t'inquiètes pas. Ne vous inquiétez pas. = Don't worry
• Je voudrais... = I would like... (Try this in combination with pointing to something)
• Ou est...? = Where is...?
• Ou sont les toilettes? = Where are the toilets?
• A gauche / A droit = Left / Right