German phrases for travel

96 phrases you’ll actually use, grouped by situation. Tap ▶ to hear it, ☆ to save it.

German is pronounced very regularly: w sounds like English v, v like f, and ei like “eye” while ie is “ee”. Use Sie (always capitalised) with adults you don’t know, and du with friends, children and on most informal apps. Germans value directness, so a simple “Entschuldigung” before a question is enough.

Greetings & basics

  • Hello

    Hallo

    Pronunciation: HAH-loh

    Casual and polite

  • Good morning

    Guten Morgen

    Pronunciation: GOO-ten MOR-gen

  • Good evening

    Guten Abend

    Pronunciation: GOO-ten AH-bent

  • Goodbye

    Auf Wiedersehen

    Pronunciation: owf VEE-der-zayn

    Formal farewell

  • Please

    Bitte

    Pronunciation: BIT-uh

    Also means 'you're welcome'

  • Thank you

    Danke

    Pronunciation: DAHN-kuh

  • Yes

    Ja

    Pronunciation: yah

  • No

    Nein

    Pronunciation: nine

  • Excuse me / Sorry

    Entschuldigung

    Pronunciation: ent-SHOOL-dee-gung

    Use to get attention or apologize

  • How are you?

    Wie geht es Ihnen?

    Pronunciation: vee gayt es EE-nen

    Polite form

  • My name is...

    Ich heiße...

    Pronunciation: ikh HY-suh

  • Do you speak English?

    Sprechen Sie Englisch?

    Pronunciation: SHPREH-khen zee ENG-lish

    Polite form

Getting around

  • Where is the train station?

    Wo ist der Bahnhof?

    Pronunciation: voh ist dair BAHN-hohf

  • How do I get to the city center?

    Wie komme ich zum Stadtzentrum?

    Pronunciation: vee KOM-uh ikh tsoom SHTAHT-tsen-troom

  • A ticket to Berlin, please.

    Eine Fahrkarte nach Berlin, bitte.

    Pronunciation: EYE-nuh FAHR-kar-tuh nakh ber-LEEN BIT-uh

  • Which platform does the train leave from?

    Von welchem Gleis fährt der Zug ab?

    Pronunciation: fon VEL-khem GLYSS fairt dair tsook ap

  • Does this bus go to the airport?

    Fährt dieser Bus zum Flughafen?

    Pronunciation: fairt DEE-zer boos tsoom FLOOK-hah-fen

  • I would like a taxi, please.

    Ich hätte gerne ein Taxi, bitte.

    Pronunciation: ikh HET-uh GAIR-nuh eyn TAK-see BIT-uh

    polite request form

  • Can you take me to this address?

    Können Sie mich zu dieser Adresse bringen?

    Pronunciation: KUR-nen zee mikh tsoo DEE-zer ah-DRES-uh BRING-en

  • Is this seat free?

    Ist dieser Platz frei?

    Pronunciation: ist DEE-zer plats fry

  • Where can I rent a car?

    Wo kann ich ein Auto mieten?

    Pronunciation: voh kan ikh eyn OW-toh MEE-ten

  • How much does a ticket cost?

    Wie viel kostet eine Fahrkarte?

    Pronunciation: vee feel KOS-tet EYE-nuh FAHR-kar-tuh

  • Is it within walking distance?

    Ist es zu Fuß erreichbar?

    Pronunciation: ist es tsoo foos air-RYKH-bar

  • Please stop here.

    Halten Sie hier bitte an.

    Pronunciation: HAL-ten zee heer BIT-uh an

    for taxis/buses

Hotel & accommodation

  • I have a reservation.

    Ich habe eine Reservierung.

    Pronunciation: ikh HAH-buh EYE-nuh reh-zair-VEER-oong

    Say this first at check-in

  • Do you have any rooms available?

    Haben Sie noch Zimmer frei?

    Pronunciation: HAH-ben zee nokh TSIM-mer fry

  • How much does a room cost per night?

    Was kostet ein Zimmer pro Nacht?

    Pronunciation: vas KOS-tet ine TSIM-mer proh nakht

  • Is breakfast included?

    Ist das Frühstück inklusive?

    Pronunciation: ist das FROO-shtük in-kloo-ZEE-vuh

  • What time is check-out?

    Wann muss ich auschecken?

    Pronunciation: van moos ikh OWS-check-en

  • Could I have a wake-up call, please?

    Könnte ich bitte einen Weckruf bekommen?

    Pronunciation: KURN-tuh ikh BIT-tuh EYE-nen VECK-roof buh-KOM-en

  • Is there Wi-Fi in the room?

    Gibt es WLAN im Zimmer?

    Pronunciation: gipt es VEH-lahn im TSIM-mer

    WLAN pronounced 'vay-lahn'

  • Could you recommend a nearby restaurant?

    Können Sie ein Restaurant in der Nähe empfehlen?

    Pronunciation: KUR-nen zee ine res-toh-RAHNG in dair NAY-uh emp-FAY-len

  • My key doesn't work.

    Mein Schlüssel funktioniert nicht.

    Pronunciation: mine SHLÜ-sel foonk-tsee-oh-NEERT nikht

  • Could I get an extra towel?

    Könnte ich noch ein Handtuch bekommen?

    Pronunciation: KURN-tuh ikh nokh ine HAND-tookh buh-KOM-en

  • I'd like to check out, please.

    Ich möchte gerne auschecken.

    Pronunciation: ikh MURKH-tuh GAIR-nuh OWS-check-en

  • Is there parking available?

    Gibt es Parkplätze?

    Pronunciation: gipt es PARK-plet-suh

Eating & drinking

  • A table for two, please.

    Einen Tisch für zwei Personen, bitte.

    Pronunciation: EYE-nen tish fewr tsvai per-ZOH-nen, BIT-uh

  • Could I see the menu, please?

    Könnte ich die Speisekarte haben, bitte?

    Pronunciation: KURN-tuh ikh dee SHPY-zuh-kar-tuh HAH-ben, BIT-uh

  • What do you recommend?

    Was empfehlen Sie?

    Pronunciation: vas emp-FAY-len zee

  • I would like the... please.

    Ich hätte gern das/die/den..., bitte.

    Pronunciation: ikh HET-uh gairn das/dee/dayn... BIT-uh

    Article depends on noun gender

  • I am a vegetarian.

    Ich bin Vegetarier/Vegetarierin.

    Pronunciation: ikh bin veh-geh-TAH-ree-er / veh-geh-TAH-ree-eh-rin

    Use -in ending if female

  • Do you have any vegan options?

    Haben Sie vegane Optionen?

    Pronunciation: HAH-ben zee veh-GAH-nuh op-tsee-OH-nen

  • Cheers!

    Prost!

    Pronunciation: prohst

  • Could I have the bill, please?

    Könnte ich die Rechnung haben, bitte?

    Pronunciation: KURN-tuh ikh dee REKH-nung HAH-ben, BIT-uh

  • Is service included?

    Ist die Bedienung inbegriffen?

    Pronunciation: ist dee buh-DEE-nung IN-buh-grif-en

  • It was delicious.

    Es war lecker.

    Pronunciation: es var LEK-er

  • A glass of water, please.

    Ein Glas Wasser, bitte.

    Pronunciation: ain glahs VAS-er, BIT-uh

    Ask 'still' or 'sparkling'

  • I have an allergy to nuts.

    Ich habe eine Nussallergie.

    Pronunciation: ikh HAH-buh EYE-nuh NUS-a-lair-gee

    Swap 'Nuss' for other allergen

Shopping & money

  • How much does this cost?

    Wie viel kostet das?

    Pronunciation: vee feel KOS-tet dahs

  • Can I pay by card?

    Kann ich mit Karte bezahlen?

    Pronunciation: kahn ikh mit KAR-teh beh-TSAH-len

  • Where is the nearest ATM?

    Wo ist der nächste Geldautomat?

    Pronunciation: voh ist dair NEKS-teh GELT-ow-toh-maht

  • Do you accept credit cards?

    Nehmen Sie Kreditkarten?

    Pronunciation: NAY-men zee kreh-DEET-kar-ten

    Some small shops in Germany are cash-only

  • Can I get a receipt, please?

    Kann ich bitte eine Quittung bekommen?

    Pronunciation: kahn ikh BIT-teh EYE-neh KVIT-toong beh-KOM-men

  • That's too expensive.

    Das ist zu teuer.

    Pronunciation: dahs ist tsoo TOY-er

  • Do you have this in a different size?

    Haben Sie das in einer anderen Größe?

    Pronunciation: HAH-ben zee dahs in EYE-ner AHN-deh-ren GRUR-seh

  • Can I try this on?

    Kann ich das anprobieren?

    Pronunciation: kahn ikh dahs AHN-proh-bee-ren

  • I'm just looking, thanks.

    Ich schaue mich nur um, danke.

    Pronunciation: ikh SHOW-eh mikh noor oom DAHN-keh

    Polite way to decline help from staff

  • Where can I exchange money?

    Wo kann ich Geld wechseln?

    Pronunciation: voh kahn ikh gelt VEK-seln

  • Is there a discount?

    Gibt es einen Rabatt?

    Pronunciation: gipt es EYE-nen rah-BAHT

  • Could I have a bag, please?

    Könnte ich bitte eine Tüte haben?

    Pronunciation: KURN-teh ikh BIT-teh EYE-neh TÜ-teh HAH-ben

    Bags often cost extra in German shops

Emergencies & health

  • Help!

    Hilfe!

    Pronunciation: HIL-fuh

    Shout loudly to attract attention

  • Call an ambulance!

    Rufen Sie einen Krankenwagen!

    Pronunciation: ROO-fen zee EYE-nen KRAN-ken-vah-gen

  • Call the police!

    Rufen Sie die Polizei!

    Pronunciation: ROO-fen zee dee po-lee-TSY

  • I need a doctor.

    Ich brauche einen Arzt.

    Pronunciation: ikh BROW-khuh EYE-nen artst

  • Where is the nearest hospital?

    Wo ist das nächste Krankenhaus?

    Pronunciation: voh ist das NAYKH-stuh KRAN-ken-hows

  • I am allergic to...

    Ich bin allergisch gegen...

    Pronunciation: ikh bin ah-LER-gish GAY-gen

    Add medicine/food name after

  • I have a pain here.

    Ich habe hier Schmerzen.

    Pronunciation: ikh HAH-buh heer SHMER-tsen

    Point to the area

  • I feel unwell.

    Mir ist schlecht.

    Pronunciation: meer ist shlekht

  • It's an emergency!

    Das ist ein Notfall!

    Pronunciation: das ist eyn NOHT-fal

  • Where is the pharmacy?

    Wo ist die Apotheke?

    Pronunciation: voh ist dee ah-po-TAY-kuh

  • I have lost my passport.

    Ich habe meinen Reisepass verloren.

    Pronunciation: ikh HAH-buh MY-nen RYE-zuh-pas fer-LOH-ren

  • Can you help me, please?

    Können Sie mir bitte helfen?

    Pronunciation: KUR-nen zee meer BIT-tuh HEL-fen

    Polite general request

Small talk

  • How are you?

    Wie geht es Ihnen?

    Pronunciation: vee gayt es EE-nen

    Formal

  • I'm fine, thanks

    Mir geht es gut, danke

    Pronunciation: meer gayt es goot DAHN-keh

  • Where are you from?

    Woher kommen Sie?

    Pronunciation: vo-HAIR KOM-men zee

    Formal

  • I'm from England

    Ich komme aus England

    Pronunciation: ikh KOM-meh ows ENG-lant

    Replace country as needed

  • What's your name?

    Wie heißen Sie?

    Pronunciation: vee HYE-sen zee

    Formal

  • My name is...

    Ich heiße...

    Pronunciation: ikh HYE-seh

  • Nice to meet you

    Freut mich

    Pronunciation: froyt mikh

  • Do you speak English?

    Sprechen Sie Englisch?

    Pronunciation: SHPREH-khen zee ENG-lish

  • What do you do for work?

    Was machen Sie beruflich?

    Pronunciation: vas MA-khen zee beh-ROOF-likh

    Formal

  • I'm on vacation

    Ich mache Urlaub

    Pronunciation: ikh MA-kheh OOR-lowp

  • How long are you staying?

    Wie lange bleiben Sie?

    Pronunciation: vee LAHNG-eh BLYE-ben zee

    Formal

  • Have a nice day

    Schönen Tag noch

    Pronunciation: SHUR-nen tahk nokh

    Casual farewell

Time, dates & numbers

  • What time is it?

    Wie spät ist es?

    Pronunciation: vee shpayt ist es

  • At what time?

    Um wie viel Uhr?

    Pronunciation: oom vee feel oor

    Used to ask about schedules

  • Today

    Heute

    Pronunciation: HOY-teh

  • Tomorrow

    Morgen

    Pronunciation: MOR-gen

  • Yesterday

    Gestern

    Pronunciation: GES-tern

  • What time does it open?

    Wann öffnet es?

    Pronunciation: van ERF-net es

  • What time does it close?

    Wann schließt es?

    Pronunciation: van shleest es

  • How much does it cost?

    Wie viel kostet das?

    Pronunciation: vee feel KOS-tet das

  • What's today's date?

    Der Wievielte ist heute?

    Pronunciation: dair vee-FEEL-teh ist HOY-teh

  • In the morning

    Am Morgen

    Pronunciation: am MOR-gen

  • In the evening

    Am Abend

    Pronunciation: am AH-bent

  • I need five minutes

    Ich brauche fünf Minuten

    Pronunciation: ikh BROW-kheh fewnf mee-NOO-ten

    Swap number as needed

Need a sentence that isn’t here? Try the quick translator. Want to understand the verbs? See German conjugation.

FAQ

What are the most important German phrases for travel?

Start with greetings and politeness (Hallo, Guten Morgen, Guten Abend), then learn how to ask for directions, order food and ask for the bill. Those cover most interactions on a short trip.

How should I pronounce German phrases?

German is pronounced very regularly: w sounds like English v, v like f, and ei like “eye” while ie is “ee”. Use Sie (always capitalised) with adults you don’t know, and du with friends, children and on most informal apps. Germans value directness, so a simple “Entschuldigung” before a question is enough.

Does the audio work offline?

The audio uses your device’s built-in text-to-speech voices, so it works without sending anything to a server. Quality depends on the voices installed on your phone or computer.