Table of Content
Introduction
Planning a trip to Germany, Austria, or Switzerland? Fantastic choice!
While many people in larger cities speak English, knowing some basic German phrases for travel will transform your holiday. It makes daily life easier, shows respect for the culture, and opens the door to more genuine encounters with locals.
This guide is packed with essential German for tourists, pronunciation tips, and cultural insights to help you navigate everything from ordering a coffee to catching a train with confidence.
Essential German Greetings and Courtesies
Before diving into specific scenarios, let’s cover the absolute essentials. These simple words will be your most-used tools.
Bitte – (Please / You’re welcome)
Danke – (Thank you)
Entschuldigung – (Excuse me / Sorry)
Guten Tag – (Good day / Hello – a formal greeting)
Hallo – (Hello – more informal)
Auf Wiedersehen – (Goodbye – formal)
Tschüss – (Bye – informal)
Sprechen Sie Englisch? – (Do you speak English?)
Ich spreche nur ein wenig Deutsch. – (I only speak a little German.)
Basic German Phrases for Navigating Transport
Getting around is a key part of any trip. Whether you’re at the airport or the train station (Bahnhof), these travel phrases are invaluable.
At the Train Station – Tickets, Platforms, and Delays
Wo ist der Fahrkartenautomat? – (Where is the ticket machine?)
Ein Ticket nach Berlin, bitte. – (A ticket to Berlin, please.)
Einfach oder hin und zurück? – (One-way or return?)
Welches Gleis? – (Which platform?)
Entschuldigung, fährt dieser Zug nach München? – (Excuse me, does this train go to Munich?)
- Der Zug hat Verspätung. – (The train is delayed.)
Travel Tip: Pay close attention to announcements. Key words like Verspätung (delay) and Gleis (platform) are crucial, especially as German trains can be unpredictable!
At the Airport – Check-in and Finding Your Way
- Wo ist der Check-in für [Airline Company Name]? – (Where is the check-in for [Airline Company Name]?)
- Ich möchte meinen Koffer aufgeben. – (I would like to check in my suitcase.)
- Auf welchem Band kommt Gepäck an? – (On which belt does luggage arrive?)
- Wo ist die Passkontrolle? – (Where is passport control?)
- Entschuldigung, wo finde ich ein Taxi? – (Excuse me, where can I find a taxi?)
German Travel Phrases for Accommodation
From checking in to asking for essentials, here’s how to handle your hotel stay in Germany.
At the Hotel – Check-in and Key Questions
Guten Tag, ich habe eine Reservierung auf den Namen [Name]. – (Good day, I have a reservation under the name [Name].)
Gibt es WLAN? – (Is there Wi-Fi?)
Wie lange ist das Frühstück? – (What are the breakfast hours?)
Könnte ich ein späteres Check-out bekommen? – (Could I have a late check-out?)
Travel Tip: A simple and polite phrase like „Können Sie mir helfen, bitte?“ (Can you help me, please?) works wonders in almost any situation at the hotel.
Ordering Food and Drink with Basic German
One of the best parts of travelling is the food!
These basic German phrases for travel will help you order everything from a quick snack to a multi-course meal.
At the Döner Kebab Shop – A German Institution
Einen Döner zum Mitnehmen, bitte. – (A döner to take away, please.)
Welche Soße möchten Sie? – (Which sauce would you like?) – Garlic (Knoblauch), herb (Kräuter), and spicy (scharf) are common.
Kann ich bitte mit Karte zahlen? – (Can I pay by card, please?) – Be warned: many small shops are cash-only!
Guten Appetit! – (Enjoy your meal!)
At the Bar or Restaurant
Die Speisekarte, bitte. – (The menu, please.)
Hallo, ein Bier vom Fass, bitte. – (Hello, a draught beer, please.)
Ich bin allergisch gegen Nüsse. – (I am allergic to nuts.)
Ich hätte gern vegetarisch. – (I would like vegetarian.)
Zahlen, bitte. / Die Rechnung bitte. – (The bill, please.)
Zusammen oder getrennt? – (Together or separately?) – A common question when you go to pay.
Cultural Tip: Tipping is customary. Rounding up the bill or adding 5-10% is standard practice for good service.
More Useful German Phrases for Tourists
Here are a few more categories to round out your knowledge.
Asking for Directions
Entschuldigung, wo ist die nächste U-Bahn-Station? – (Excuse me, where is the nearest underground station?)
Wie komme ich zum Dom? – (How do I get to the cathedral?)
Ist es weit? – (Is it far?)
Gehen Sie geradeaus und dann links. – (Go straight ahead and then turn left.)
Phrases for Small Talk
Hallo, ich heiße [Name]. Und du? – (Hello, I’m [Name]. And you?)
Woher kommst du? – (Where are you from?)
Freut mich, dich kennenzulernen. – (Nice to meet you.)
Was machst du hier? – (What are you doing here?)
In an Emergency
Hilfe! – (Help!)
Rufen Sie bitte die Polizei. – (Please call the police.)
Ich brauche einen Arzt. – (I need a doctor.)
Wo ist die nächste Apotheke? – (Where is the nearest pharmacy?)
Notrufnummer: 112 (Emergency number for fire and ambulance services).
Travel with Confidence: Practise Before Your Trip
Reading a list of basic German phrases for travel is a great first step, but practising them is what builds real confidence.
At the Tobian Language School, our native-speaking teachers focus on practical, real-world conversations perfect for travellers.
In our small online groups (max. 3 students) or intensive 1-to-1 lessons, you can master ordering a kebab, checking into your hotel, or asking for directions before you even pack your suitcase.
We make learning effective, flexible, and fun.
Ready to turn these phrases into fluent conversation?
