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German travel phrases: 25 words for trains, airports, hotels and directions

🇩🇪 GermanA1–A225 words

Travel is where a few words make the biggest difference. This list covers stations, platforms, tickets, delays, hotels, asking the way and getting help — the words you see on Deutsche Bahn boards and hear in announcements, from Gleis and umsteigen to Verspätung.

Where you will use it: Trains, airports, hotels, directions and emergencies in Germany.

German phrases for travel — The word list

Meanings and translations are in English.

GermanMeaning and example
der Bahnhofthe train station“Der Bahnhof ist zehn Minuten zu Fuß entfernt.”The station is a ten-minute walk away.
der Zugthe train“Der Zug nach Berlin fährt um 9:15 Uhr.”The train to Berlin leaves at 9:15.
das Gleisthe platform; track“Der Zug fährt heute von Gleis 7 ab.”The train leaves from platform 7 today.
die Fahrkartethe ticket“Ich kaufe die Fahrkarte am Automaten.”I'm buying the ticket at the machine.
umsteigento change (trains, buses)“In Frankfurt müssen wir umsteigen.”We have to change in Frankfurt.
die Verspätungthe delay“Der Zug hat zwanzig Minuten Verspätung.”The train is twenty minutes late.
abfahrento depart“Wann fährt der nächste Bus ab?”When does the next bus leave?
die Haltestellethe stop (bus, tram)“Die Haltestelle ist direkt vor dem Hotel.”The stop is right in front of the hotel.
die U-Bahnthe underground; subway“Mit der U-Bahn bist du schneller.”You'll be quicker on the underground.
der Flughafenthe airport“Wie komme ich am besten zum Flughafen?”What's the best way to get to the airport?
der Flugthe flight“Unser Flug wurde gestrichen.”Our flight was cancelled.
das Gepäckthe luggage“Wo kann ich mein Gepäck abholen?”Where can I collect my luggage?
der Kofferthe suitcase“Mein Koffer ist zu schwer.”My suitcase is too heavy.
der Reisepassthe passport“Ich habe meinen Reisepass im Hotel vergessen.”I left my passport at the hotel.
das Zimmerthe room“Haben Sie noch ein Zimmer frei?”Do you have a room available?
die Unterkunftthe accommodation“Wir suchen eine günstige Unterkunft.”We're looking for cheap accommodation.
linksleft; on the left“Gehen Sie hier links.”Turn left here.
rechtsright; on the right“Das Museum ist rechts neben der Kirche.”The museum is on the right next to the church.
geradeausstraight ahead“Gehen Sie immer geradeaus.”Keep going straight ahead.
Wo ist ...?Where is ...?“Wo ist die nächste Apotheke?”Where is the nearest pharmacy?
Wie komme ich zum ...?How do I get to ...?“Wie komme ich zum Rathaus?”How do I get to the town hall?
der Ausgangthe exit“Der Ausgang ist am Ende des Bahnsteigs.”The exit is at the end of the platform.
die Toilettethe toilet“Entschuldigung, wo ist die Toilette?”Excuse me, where is the toilet?
der Stadtplanthe city map“Haben Sie einen Stadtplan für mich?”Do you have a city map for me?
Hilfe!Help!“Hilfe, rufen Sie bitte einen Krankenwagen!”Help, please call an ambulance!

Tips for learning German words

  • Learn der, die or das with every nounThe article is part of the word: der Zug, die Fahrkarte, das Gleis. It decides the case endings and adjectives, so learn it from day one.
  • Type the umlauts and ßWrite ä, ö, ü and ß, not a, o, u or ss: schon means "already" but schön means "beautiful". Getting them right in WordNest trains your spelling.
  • Watch the verb positionIn a German main clause the verb comes second, and separable verbs split: "Ich rufe dich morgen an." Read each example aloud to feel the word order.

Standard German as used in Germany

German is spoken in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and a few everyday words differ between them: a tomato is a Tomate in Germany and a Paradeiser in Austria, a bicycle is a Fahrrad rather than a Velo. These lists follow Standard German (Hochdeutsch) as used in Germany, and WordNest's examples, audio and AI corrections use the same standard. You will be understood in every German-speaking country.

Add five or six of these words a day rather than the whole list at once, keep the example sentence on the card, and review them when they come due. WordNest schedules each word across seven growing intervals — same day, then 1, 3, 7, 14, 30 and 60 days — so the list is still with you months later. Read how spaced repetition works if you want the reasoning behind those numbers.

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Questions about this list

Is this German from Germany, Austria or Switzerland?

Standard German (Hochdeutsch) as used in Germany. Where Austria or Switzerland usually use a different word, the list gives the one used in Germany, but every word is understood across the German-speaking world.

How do I practise German phrases for travel?

Start with five words, listen and say each example aloud. Then recall the German word, with its article, from its English meaning and review it over several days.

How many words are in this list?

This list contains 25 words and phrases with English meanings and example sentences. It is a starting set, not a complete course.

Study these words with spaced repetition

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