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.