First Phrases

Train and bus phrases · Deutsch

Train and bus phrases in German: 15 phrases

Buy a ticket, ask which platform or stop, check the next departure, ask about delays and changes, pay by card, find your seat, get off at your stop, find the exit or taxi rank, deal with a missed train and say thank you. Short, polite phrases for trains and buses in a new country. Pair them with Meet & Mint once you are settled.

Phrases, not advice. These cards only help you say what you need. They give no medical, legal, tax or financial advice. For any decision, ask the pharmacist, doctor, bank or the official office.

Register: Polite (formal is safer). With ticket staff, drivers and strangers, "Sie" and "bitte" are the default in Germany and Austria; "Entschuldigung" gets attention. Ticket rules differ between long-distance trains, regional trains and local transport, and by city, so check your operator's rules (for example in the DB Navigator app) before you travel. Phrases only: this card gives no safety or medical advice.

How to read the sounds: kh = the ch of Scottish 'loch' (after a, o, u) or a soft hiss like 'h' in 'huge' (after i, e). ue = ü (say 'ee' with rounded lips), oe = ö. z = ts, v = f, w = v. Stress is in CAPITALS.

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15 phrases you will need

  1. 01Polite
    Eine Fahrkarte nach ..., bitte.
    Say it like: Y-neh FAR-kar-teh nakh ..., BIT-teh
    One ticket to [place], please.
    Register: Put the place name where the dots are. "Ticket" is also understood.
  2. 02Polite
    Eine Rückfahrkarte, bitte.
    Say it like: Y-neh RUEK-far-kar-teh, BIT-teh
    A return ticket, please.
    Register: Also "Hin und zurück, bitte."
  3. 03Polite
    Von welchem Gleis fährt er ab?
    Say it like: fon VEL-khem glyss fairt air ap
    Which platform does it leave from?
    Register: "Gleis" = platform / track. Use "sie" for a train line, "er" for a train.
  4. 04Polite
    Ist das der Zug nach ...?
    Say it like: ist dass dair tsook nakh ...
    Is this the train to ...?
    Register: Say the destination after "nach".
  5. 05Polite
    Hält dieser Bus in ...?
    Say it like: helt DEE-zer booss in ...
    Does this bus stop at ...?
    Register: "Halten" = to stop.
  6. 06Polite
    Wann kommt der nächste?
    Say it like: van komt dair NAYKH-steh
    When is the next one?
    Register: Works for a train or a bus.
  7. 07Polite
    Der Zug hat Verspätung. Wie lange?
    Say it like: dair tsook hat fer-SHPAY-toong. vee LANG-eh
    The train is delayed. How long?
    Register: "Verspätung" = a delay.
  8. 08Polite
    Wo muss ich meine Fahrkarte entwerten?
    Say it like: voh muss ikh MY-neh FAR-kar-teh ent-VAIR-ten
    Where do I validate my ticket?
    Register: "Entwerten" = to stamp a ticket; not every ticket needs it, so ask if unsure.
  9. 09Polite
    Kann ich mit Karte bezahlen?
    Say it like: kan ikh mit KAR-teh beh-TSAH-len
    Can I pay by card?
    Register: Useful at ticket desks and with drivers.
  10. 10Polite
    Ist dieser Platz frei?
    Say it like: ist DEE-zer plats fry
    Is this seat free?
    Register: Asked before you sit next to someone.
  11. 11Polite
    Entschuldigung, ich muss hier aussteigen.
    Say it like: ent-SHUL-dee-goong, ikh muss heer OWSS-shty-gen
    Excuse me, I need to get off here (this is my stop).
    Register: "Aussteigen" = to get off.
  12. 12Polite
    Muss ich umsteigen?
    Say it like: muss ikh OOM-shty-gen
    Do I need to change trains?
    Register: "Umsteigen" = to change.
  13. 13Polite
    Wo ist der Ausgang / der Taxistand?
    Say it like: voh ist dair OWSS-gang / dair TAK-see-shtant
    Where is the exit / the taxi rank?
    Register: Choose one: "der Ausgang" or "der Taxistand".
  14. 14Polite
    Ich habe meinen Zug verpasst. Was kann ich tun?
    Say it like: ikh HAH-beh MY-nen tsook fer-PASST. vass kan ikh toon
    I missed my train. What can I do?
    Register: Say it at the ticket desk or to staff.
  15. 15Polite
    Danke, gute Reise.
    Say it like: DAN-keh, GOO-teh RY-zeh
    Thank you, have a good trip.
    Register: "Gute Fahrt" and "Gute Reise" are both used.

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Quick answers

How do you ask for a train ticket in German?

Say: "Eine Fahrkarte nach ..., bitte." (One ticket to [place], please.)

Should I use formal or informal German with ticket staff and drivers?

With ticket staff, drivers and strangers, "Sie" and "bitte" are the default in Germany and Austria; "Entschuldigung" gets attention. Ticket rules differ between long-distance trains, regional trains and local transport, and by city, so check your operator's rules (for example in the DB Navigator app) before you travel. Phrases only: this card gives no safety or medical advice.

How do I ask which platform a train leaves from in German?

Say: "Von welchem Gleis fährt er ab?" (Which platform does it leave from?)

How do I say I missed my train in German?

Say: "Ich habe meinen Zug verpasst. Was kann ich tun?" (I missed my train. What can I do?)

Train and bus phrases in another language

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How it works

  1. Pick the language of the country you live in.
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  3. Print the card or keep it open on your phone. Native-speaker review is still pending.
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