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If you’re planning a trip to Germany, Austria, or Switzerland, knowing essential German travel phrases can make your journey smoother and more enjoyable. These short, useful expressions will help you order food, buy tickets, ask for directions, and interact politely with locals—even if your German is limited.
Why Learning German Travel Phrases Matters
Many Germans speak English, especially in larger cities. But in rural areas, small towns, or when talking with older people, you might meet someone who speaks little or no English.
Even a few German words can:
- Help you avoid misunderstandings in transport or reservations.
- Show respect for the local culture.
- Keep you safer in emergencies.
- Make your trip more engaging and personal.
Speaking a little German also makes locals more likely to respond warmly and help you.
Basic German Travel Phrases
Learn these core phrases before your trip. They cover greetings, politeness, and simple questions.
| English | German | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Hallo | HAH-loh |
| Good morning | Guten Morgen | GOO-ten MOR-gen |
| Good evening | Guten Abend | GOO-ten AH-bent |
| Goodbye | Auf Wiedersehen | owf VEE-der-zey-en |
| Yes | Ja | yah |
| No | Nein | nine |
| Please | Bitte | BIH-tuh |
| Thank you | Danke | DAHN-kuh |
| You’re welcome | Bitte schön | BIH-tuh shurn |
| Excuse me / Sorry | Entschuldigung | ent-SHOOL-dee-goong |
| Do you speak English? | Sprechen Sie Englisch? | SHPREH-khen zee ENG-lish? |
| I don’t understand | Ich verstehe nicht | ikh fer-SHTAY-uh nikht |
| My name is… | Ich heiße… | ikh HIGH-suh |
| What is your name? | Wie heißen Sie? | vee HIGH-sen zee |
At the Airport
Airports in Germany are generally efficient and well-organized. However, signs and announcements may not always be in English—especially in smaller regional airports. Knowing these phrases will help you with check-in, security, boarding, and asking for help.
| English | German | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Where is the check-in counter? | Wo ist der Check-in-Schalter? | voh ist der check-in SHAL-ter? |
| I have a reservation. | Ich habe eine Reservierung. | ikh HAH-buh eye-nuh re-ser-VEER-oong |
| Where is the gate? | Wo ist das Gate? | voh ist das gate? |
| What time is boarding? | Wann ist das Boarding? | vahn ist das boarding? |
| Where is the baggage claim? | Wo ist die Gepäckausgabe? | voh ist dee geh-PEK-owss-gah-buh |
| My luggage is missing. | Mein Gepäck ist verloren. | mine geh-PEK ist fer-LOH-ren |
| Where is passport control? | Wo ist die Passkontrolle? | voh ist dee pass-kon-TROH-leh |
| I need a customs form. | Ich brauche ein Zollformular. | ikh BROW-khuh ine tsol-FOR-moo-lar |
| Which way to international departures? | Wo geht es zu den internationalen Abflügen? | voh geht es tsoo den inter-nah-tsyo-NAH-len AHP-floo-gen |
| Is there free Wi-Fi here? | Gibt es hier kostenloses WLAN? | gibt es heer KOSS-ten-loh-ses VAY-lahn |
Tip: In German airports, staff at information desks often speak English, but making an effort to ask your first question in German will get you a warmer response.
Transportation: Trains, Buses, and Taxis
Germany’s public transport is one of the best in Europe. These sentences will help you buy tickets and find your way.
| English | German | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Where is the train station? | Wo ist der Bahnhof? | voh ist der BAHN-hof? |
| I need a ticket to Berlin. | Ich brauche ein Ticket nach Berlin. | ikh BROW-khuh ine ticket nahkh Berlin |
| How much is a one-way ticket? | Wie viel kostet ein einfaches Ticket? | vee feel KOSS-tet ine EYE-n-fakh-es ticket? |
| Where is the bus stop? | Wo ist die Bushaltestelle? | voh ist dee BOOS-hal-te-shtel-le? |
| Please take me to this address. | Bitte fahren Sie mich zu dieser Adresse. | BIH-tuh FAR-en zee mikh tsoo DEE-zer ah-DRES-se |
At the Hotel
Hotels in Germany range from cozy family-run inns to sleek modern chains. While many hotel staff speak English, using a few German phrases can make your stay smoother and more pleasant. These expressions will help you during check-in, check-out, and when asking about services.
| English | German | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| I have a reservation. | Ich habe eine Reservierung. | ikh HAH-buh eye-nuh re-ser-VEER-oong |
| I would like to check in. | Ich möchte einchecken. | ikh MURKH-tuh ine-check-en |
| I would like to check out. | Ich möchte auschecken. | ikh MURKH-tuh owss-check-en |
| What time is breakfast? | Wann ist das Frühstück? | vahn ist das FROO-shtook? |
| Is breakfast included? | Ist Frühstück inbegriffen? | ist FROO-shtook IN-beh-grif-fen |
| Can I have the bill, please? | Kann ich bitte die Rechnung haben? | kan ikh BIH-tuh dee REKH-noong HAH-ben? |
| Is Wi-Fi included? | Ist WLAN inklusive? | ist VAY-lahn ink-loo-SEE-vuh? |
| Where is the elevator? | Wo ist der Aufzug? | voh ist der OWF-tsoog |
| Can I have extra towels? | Kann ich zusätzliche Handtücher bekommen? | kan ikh TSOO-zetz-lich-uh HAND-too-cher beh-KOM-men |
| The air conditioning isn’t working. | Die Klimaanlage funktioniert nicht. | dee KLEE-mah-ahn-lah-guh foonk-tsee-oh-NEERT nikht |
| Could I have a room with a view? | Könnte ich ein Zimmer mit Aussicht haben? | KURN-tuh ikh ine TSIM-mer mit OWSS-zikht HAH-ben |
| Is there room service? | Gibt es Zimmerservice? | gibt es TSIM-mer-ser-vis |
| Where is the nearest ATM? | Wo ist der nächste Geldautomat? | voh ist der NAYKH-steh geld-OW-toh-maht |
Tip: In smaller towns, front desk staff may have limited English skills, so keeping a written note of your booking details can help speed up communication.
Dining and Ordering Food
German food is delicious, and ordering in German can make the experience even better.
| English | German | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| A table for two, please. | Einen Tisch für zwei, bitte. | eye-nen tish für tsvy BIH-tuh |
| The menu, please. | Die Speisekarte, bitte. | dee SHPY-zeh-kar-tuh BIH-tuh |
| I am vegetarian. | Ich bin Vegetarier. | ikh bin veh-geh-TAR-ee-er |
| The bill, please. | Die Rechnung, bitte. | dee REKH-noong BIH-tuh |
| That was delicious! | Das war lecker! | das var LEH-ker |
Shopping and Money
Shopping in Germany is straightforward, but these phrases help you ask the right questions.
| English | German | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| How much does this cost? | Wie viel kostet das? | vee feel KOSS-tet das? |
| Can I pay by card? | Kann ich mit Karte bezahlen? | kan ikh mit KAR-te beh-TSAL-en? |
| Where is the nearest ATM? | Wo ist der nächste Geldautomat? | voh ist der NEX-teh GELD-ow-toh-maht? |
| Do you have this in a different size? | Haben Sie das in einer anderen Größe? | HAH-ben zee das in EYE-ner AHN-der-en GRUR-seh? |
Emergency Phrases
In urgent situations, these phrases could be lifesaving.
| English | German | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Help! | Hilfe! | HIL-feh! |
| Call the police! | Rufen Sie die Polizei! | ROO-fen zee dee po-li-TSY! |
| I need a doctor. | Ich brauche einen Arzt. | ikh BROW-khuh eye-nen artst |
| I lost my passport. | Ich habe meinen Pass verloren. | ikh HAH-buh MY-nen pass fer-LOH-ren |
| Where is the hospital? | Wo ist das Krankenhaus? | voh ist das KRANK-en-house? |
Cultural Tips for Using German Travel Phrases
- Be polite – Always add “bitte” (please) and “danke” (thank you).
- Use formal speech – Say “Sie” instead of “du” when talking to strangers.
- Pronounce words clearly – You don’t have to be perfect. Locals will appreciate your effort.
- Stay calm – If you forget a word, use gestures or show what you mean.
Final Thoughts
Learning German travel phrases is one of the best ways to make your trip smoother and more memorable. You’ll be able to navigate transport, order food with ease, handle emergencies, and connect with people on a more personal level.
Even if you only learn a handful of expressions, they can open doors, create smiles, and turn a good trip into a great one.
Keep learning:
Check out our German learning resources to expand your skills beyond travel phrases.