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136 Useful German Travel Phrases, Expressions and Vocabulary Words

Planning your big trip to Germany is so exciting—but you’re not done until you’ve brushed up on common German phrases for travel.

In this post, you’ll find a handy phrasebook of German travel phrases and vocabulary , conveniently organized by group.

Print it out or keep it on your phone for smooth travels and the trip of a lifetime.

German Greetings, Introductions and Goodbyes

German expressions for shopping, german travel phrases for the restaurant, german words and phrases for directions, german travel phrases for public transportation, german travel phrases for the hotel, german phrases for getting around the city, german words and expressions for emergencies, german expressions for language help, german guides for traveling, german apps for travelers, why you should learn german travel phrases, and one more thing....

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Please note that most of these German sentences are in the formal Sie conjugation. For your travel purposes, this form should be just fine, although native speakers may opt to use different pronoun forms with you depending on the context.

german travel phrases

A trusty guide fits in your backpack or purse, and it serves as a way to look up unfamiliar words and phrases or brush up on vocab while traveling from one place to another. Here are some recommendations:

“Rick Steves’ German Phrase Book and Dictionary”

Rick Steves' German Phrase Book and Dictionary

You can’t go wrong with Rick Steves, since the man has traveled all over Europe (numerous times), hosted his own travel show and written dozens of bestselling guides for European travel.

From meeting new people to ordering a bratwurst, this guide outlines the most common everyday phrases to further improve your travel lingo. It also comes with phonetic spellings , currency information, rail transportation guides and a cheat sheet that you can tear out and slide in your pocket.

“German Survival Guide”

German Survival Guide: The Language and Culture You Need to Travel with Confidence in Germany and Austria

This guide can give you the confidence to speak with people while traveling through Germany and Austria. It touches on cultural points and shows you how to interact with German speakers a various spots such as the Autobahn, grocery stores, ice cream parlors and more.

It includes vocabulary and basic German instruction , with travel and study tips scattered throughout the entire guide. It’s a rather helpful book for your travels if staying in Germany or Austria for quite some time.

Lonely Planet German Phrasebook and Dictionary

German-phrasebook-and-dictionary

This German phrasebook has a huge section for decoding restaurant menus and ordering food properly, plus a 3,500-word two-way German-English dictionary.

The cultural manners section can prevent you from embarrassing yourself or making others feel uncomfortable and help you feel at ease while traveling.

Lonely Planet at large has tons of German phrasebook and travel guide options available on their site.  Read these ahead of time to know what to expect wherever you go, then bring them on your trip to whip out at a moment’s notice. 

Perfect-phrases-in-German-for-Confident-Travel

“Perfect Phrases in German for Confident Travel”

Context and manners are extremely important when going to Germany, just like they are in every country. If you insult a person’s language, why would they talk to you in return?

The “Perfect Phrases” book details the proper words and phrases to use while traveling, while also discussing faux pas and how they can hurt your conversation.

“Point it: Traveller’s Language Kit”

point-it-travellers-language-kit

This guide may not help you much with your pronunciation, but it’s an essential tool to bring with you while traveling in German-speaking countries.

The “Point It” book has 1,300 images and words, so you can point at the images when your speaking abilities fail. For example, point to the picture of a chicken when ordering at a restaurant.

A good app can serve as a viable replacement for a travel and language guide that doesn’t add any weight to your pack. Plus, the apps generally offer audio to hear how to pronounce certain words and phrases. Here are some great options:

Learn German Phrases & Words: Phrases for Travel in Germany

german for travelers

The Learn German Phrases & Words app is designed to boost your speaking capabilities while traveling. It can be used without an internet connection, so you can always depend on it.

The visual guide has carefully categorized sections like greetings, eating, romance and health. The app has over 800 common German phrases, and the German-speaking parrot pronounces everything for you.

Learn German – Phrasebook

german for travelers

This phrasebook is free, but you can upgrade to receive all of the phrases and words for your travels. The app works as a quick reference perfect for tourists visiting Germany. 

The main page shows categories like numbers, general conversation and transportation. Once you select a category and phrase, it gives you the option to hear a spoken version and slow down the audio for better understanding.

Wie Geht ‘s German

german for travelers

The Wie Geht ‘s app provides a few lessons with audio tracks that are useful while moving around the world. It has a travel section filled with options like directions, meeting people, weather, shopping, money and more.

Membership is required to get most of the content. The app is formatted like a class, but feel free to skip around and use the examples when you come across a moment when they are needed.

Germany Travel Guide Offline

german for travelers

The German Travel Guide app is not going to help you much with your German learning, but it may prevent you from getting lost.

The app works online and offline, with detailed maps for navigating cities like Berlin, Munich and Hamburg. Check out weather, time and fun suggestions while moving around the cities.

With this app, you can immerse yourself in the German language and culture before stepping foot in Germany.

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  • Even if you can’t have a fluent conversation, native German speakers always appreciate when foreigners put the effort into learning a bit of their language . It shows respect and demonstrates that you truly want to reach out and connect with people while abroad. 
  • You won’t be totally reliant on your German phrasebook. Yes, your German phrasebook has glossy pages and you love getting the chance to use it—but you want to be able to respond quickly when people speak to you, at a moment’s notice. 
  • If you can express yourself with some basic German phrases , you are less likely to be taken advantage of by taxi drivers, souvenir shops and waiters!
  • The perception that all German speakers speak English is simply not true. Even in big German cities you’ll find loads of people that know very little English. You don’t want to have to track down other English speakers every time you have a question or want to make a friend.

Try practicing some of these phrases out loud to get your pronunciation right before leaving on your travels. 

Before we part ways, there’s one final German travel phrase you need to know: Gute Reise!   (Have a good trip!)

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50 Essential German Phrases for Tourists: English Translations and Pronunciations

50 Essential German Phrases for Tourists - English Translations and Pronunciations

If you’re planning a trip to Germany, it’s always helpful to know a few basic phrases in German to help you navigate your way around the country. This guide provides 50 essential German phrases for tourists, along with their English translations and pronunciations. From ordering food in a restaurant to asking for directions, these phrases will come in handy during your visit to Germany.

Table of Contents

Here are 50 essential german phrases for tourists traveling in germany, with their english translations and german pronunciations:.

Read also: Offensive German Vocabulary: 50 Words You Should Avoid Using

  • Hello – Hallo (hah-loh)
  • Goodbye – Tschüss (chooss)
  • Please – Bitte (bit-teh)
  • Thank you – Danke (dahn-keh)
  • You’re welcome – Bitte (bit-teh)
  • Excuse me – Entschuldigung (ent-shool-dee-goong)
  • Do you speak English? – Sprechen Sie Englisch? (shpre-chen zee eng-lish?)
  • I don’t understand – Ich verstehe nicht (eekh fer-shtay-eh nikht)
  • How much does it cost? – Wie viel kostet es? (vee feel kohs-tet ess?)
  • Where is the bathroom? – Wo ist die Toilette? (vo ist dee toh-let-teh?)
  • Can you help me? – Können Sie mir helfen? (kern-nen zee meer hell-fen?)
  • I would like… – Ich möchte… (eekh merkh-teh…)
  • Do you have…? – Haben Sie…? (hah-ben zee…?)
  • Yes – Ja (yah)
  • No – Nein (nine)
  • Excuse me, is this seat taken? – Entschuldigung, ist dieser Platz besetzt? (ent-shool-dee-goong, ist dee-zer platz beh-zetst?)
  • What is your name? – Wie heißen Sie? (vee hi-sen zee?)
  • Nice to meet you – Freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen (froit mikh, zee ken-nen-tsuh-lern-en)
  • Can you recommend a good restaurant? – Können Sie ein gutes Restaurant empfehlen? (kern-nen zee ighn goot-es rest-o-rahnt em-pfeh-len?)
  • I’m allergic to… – Ich bin allergisch gegen… (eekh bin ah-ler-gish geh-gen…)
  • Is there a pharmacy nearby? – Gibt es eine Apotheke in der Nähe? (gibt ess igh-nuh ah-po-teh-keh in dare neh-eh?)
  • Could you call me a taxi, please? – Könnten Sie mir bitte ein Taxi rufen? (kern-nen zee meer bit-teh ighn tahk-see roo-fen?)
  • Where can I find a map? – Wo finde ich eine Karte? (vo fin-deh eekh igh-nuh kahr-teh?)
  • Can you show me on the map? – Können Sie es mir auf der Karte zeigen? (kern-nen zee ess meer auf dare kahr-teh tsigh-gen?)
  • I need a doctor – Ich brauche einen Arzt (eekh brow-khe igh-nen ahrtst)
  • I’m lost – Ich habe mich verlaufen (eekh hah-beh meekh fer-lah-fohn)
  • Is it safe here? – Ist es hier sicher? (ist ess heer zee-cher?)
  • Is there Wi-Fi here? – Gibt es hier Wi-Fi? (gibt ess heer wee-fie?)
  • How do I get to…? – Wie komme ich nach…? (vee kohm-meh eekh nahkh…?)
  • What time is it? – Wie spät ist es? (vee shpayt ist ess?)

Read also: 45 Ways to Save Money During Your Trip to Europe

  • Can you tell me the way to…? – Können Sie mir den Weg nach… erklären? (kern-nen zee meer den vayg nahkh…er-kla-ren?)
  • I would like to book a room – Ich möchte ein Zimmer reservieren (eekh merkh-teh ighn tsim-mer reh-zer-vee-ren)
  • Is breakfast included? – Ist Frühstück inklusive? (ist frooh-shtook in-kloo-see-veh?)
  • What time is breakfast served? – Wann gibt es Frühstück? (vahn gibt ess frooh-shtook?)
  • Can I pay with a credit card? – Kann ich mit Kreditkarte zahlen? (kahn eekh mit kreh-dit-kahr-teh tsah-len?)
  • What is the exchange rate? – Wie ist der Wechselkurs? (vee ist dare vek-sel-kurs?)
  • Can I get a discount? – Kann ich einen Rabatt bekommen? (kahn eekh igh-nen rah-baht geh-kom-men?)
  • I need a wake-up call – Ich brauche einen Weckruf (eekh brow-khe igh-nen vehk-roof)
  • Is there a safe in the room? – Gibt es einen Safe im Zimmer? (gibt ess igh-nen zahf-eh im tsim-mer?)
  • Can I have some more…? – Kann ich noch etwas…haben? (kahn eekh nokh ess-tas…hah-ben?)
  • How far is it to…? – Wie weit ist es bis…? (vee vight ist ess bis…?)
  • What is the best way to get to…? – Wie komme ich am besten nach…? (vee kohm-meh eekh am bes-ten nahkh…?)
  • I’m sorry – Es tut mir leid (ess toot meer liyt)
  • What is the weather like today? – Wie ist das Wetter heute? (vee ist dahs vet-ter hoy-teh?)
  • Do you have a menu in English? – Haben Sie eine Speisekarte auf Englisch? (hah-ben zee igh-nuh shpy-suh-kahr-teh owf eng-lish?)
  • Could you please bring me the bill? – Könnten Sie mir bitte die Rechnung bringen? (kern-nen zee meer bit-teh dee rek-noong bren-gen?)
  • Is there a tourist information center nearby? – Gibt es ein Touristeninformationszentrum in der Nähe? (gibt ess ighn too-ris-ten-in-fohr-ma-tsee-ons-tsent-room in dare neh-eh?)
  • How do I get to the train/bus station? – Wie komme ich zum Zug/Busbahnhof? (vee kohm-meh eekh tsuhm tsug/boos-bahn-hof?)
  • Can I have a glass of water, please? – Kann ich bitte ein Glas Wasser haben? (kahn eekh bit-teh ighn glahs vah-ser hah-ben?)
  • Have a nice day – Einen schönen Tag noch (igh-nen shern-en tahg nokh)

With this guide, you now have a handy resource to help you communicate with locals during your trip to Germany. Don’t be afraid to practice these German Phrases for Tourists and immerse yourself in the local culture. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, these essential German phrases will help you make the most of your trip

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Ultimate German Vocabulary List: 100 German Phrases for Travel

Are you planning a trip to a German-speaking country? Then you will need to learn some key vocab before you go. In this ultimate German vocabulary guide, we’ve compiled 100 essential phrases and basic German vocabulary list to help you navigate various situations during your travels.

From greetings and introductions to ordering food, asking for directions, and handling emergencies, this comprehensive list has got you covered. Whether you’re a beginner or have some prior knowledge of German, these phrases will enhance your travel experience and make communication easier.

Read on to equip yourself with the necessary tools to explore and connect with locals in Germany with confidence.

Greetings in German

Let’s start with the most common German words and phrases for greetings .

  • Hallo – Hello Hallo is a commonly used German greeting that is equivalent to “hello” in English. It is a versatile and informal greeting suitable for both casual and formal settings.
  • Guten Morgen – Good morning Guten Morgen is used to greet someone in the early hours of the day. It is a polite and friendly way to start the day.
  • Guten Tag – Good day This is a standard greeting used throughout the day.
  • Guten Abend – Good evening This is used to greet someone in the evening or late afternoon.
  • Servus – Hi/Bye Servus can be used to say both “hi” and “bye” and is commonly used among friends and acquaintances.
  • Grüß Gott – Greetings to God Grüß Gott is a regional greeting predominantly used in Southern Germany and Austria. It is a respectful way of saying hello.
  • Moin – Hi Moin is a common greeting used in Northern Germany, particularly in Hamburg and the surrounding regions. It is an informal way of saying “hi” and is used throughout the day.
  • Wie geht es Ihnen? – How are you? This is a formal way of inquiring about someone’s well-being. It is a polite and considerate way to start a conversation.
  • Auf Wiedersehen – Goodbye This phrase is a standard farewell used in German. It is a formal and respectful way to part with someone.
  • Tschüss – Bye Tschüss is suitable for both informal and formal settings and is widely recognized across Germany.

Introductions in German

When meeting new people , it’s standard to introduce yourself. Below are common words and phrases to use when introducing yourself, especially when trying to make friends in a German-speaking country.

  • Mein Name ist… – My name is…
  • Wie heißt du? – What is your name?
  • Schön dich kennenzulernen – Nice to meet you
  • Woher kommst du? – Where are you from?
  • Ich komme aus.. . – I come from…
  • Wie geht es dir? – How are you?
  • Es freut mich, dich kennenzulernen – I’m pleased to meet you
  • Darf ich mich vorstellen? – May I introduce myself?
  • Schön, dich wiederzusehen – Nice to see you again

These phrases are all pretty self-explanatory and used much as they would be in English – the more comfortable you are with greetings and introductions, the easier it will be to navigate social situations in Germany.

Basic Phrases in German

Now, let’s move on to some more basic phrases with real-life usage . These phrases will come in handy in various situations during your travels.

  • Danke – Thank you
  • Bitte – Please This word has multiple meanings, including “please” and “you’re welcome,” depending on the context.
  • Entschuldigung – Excuse me This can be used to apologize or to get someone’s attention politely, as with the English “excuse me.”
  • Wie geht es Ihnen? – How are you?
  • Ja – Yes
  • Nein – No
  • Ich verstehe nicht – I don’t understand This phrase is useful when you need to clarify the meaning of a German word or phrase, or ask the speaker to repeat or rephrase something.
  • Wo ist…? – Where is…?
  • Wie viel kostet das? – How much does it cost?
  • Ich möchte… – I would like…
  • Ich liebe dich – I love you This phrase is particularly good to know if you have a partner or loved ones that speak German.

Ordering Food and Drinks in German

Exploring local cuisine is an essential part of any travel experience. Here are some phrases to help you order food and drinks in a German-speaking establishment.

  • Speisekarte – Menu
  • Bestellung – To order
  • Vorspeise – Appetizer
  • Hauptgericht – Main course
  • Getränk – Drink
  • Kellner/Kellnerin – Waiter/Waitress
  • Dessert – Dessert
  • Rechnung – Bill

Asking for Directions in German

When exploring a new city, it’s common to ask for directions . These phrases will help you navigate your way.

  • Wie komme ich zu…? – How do I get to…?
  • Straße – Street
  • Links – Left
  • Rechts – Right
  • Geradeaus – Straight ahead
  • Kreuzung – Intersection
  • Ampel – Traffic light

Shopping in German

If you plan to do some shopping during your trip, these phrases will be useful.

  • Einkaufen – Shopping
  • Geschäft – Store
  • Einkaufszentrum – Shopping center
  • Kleidung – Clothing
  • Schuhe – Shoes
  • Lebensmittel – Groceries
  • Kasse – Cashier/checkout
  • Rabatt – Discount
  • Umtausch – Exchange

Emergencies in German

While we hope you won’t encounter any emergencies, it’s always good to be prepared. Here are some phrases to use in case of emergencies .

  • Notfall – Emergency
  • Hilfe – Help
  • Feuer – Fire
  • Unfall – Accident
  • Krankenwagen – Ambulance
  • Polizei – Police
  • Krankenhaus – Hospital
  • Verletzung – Injury
  • Gefahr – Danger
  • Rettung – Rescue

18 Common German Nouns

Nouns are an important part of speech of every language and German is no different. Below are coming German nouns that could come in handy.

  • Haus – House
  • Auto – Car
  • Stadt – City
  • Schule – School
  • Buch – Book
  • Katze – Cat
  • Hund – Dog
  • Wasser – Water
  • Essen – Food
  • Kind – Child
  • Familie – Family
  • Zeitung – Newspaper
  • Apfel – Apple
  • Baum – Tree
  • Arzt – Doctor
  • Tisch – Table
  • Bett – Bed
  • Kaffee – Coffee

18 Useful German Verbs

Another important part of speech is verbs. Here are 20 German verbs that are useful for constructing sentences.

  • Sein – to be
  • Haben – to have
  • Gehen – to go
  • Kommen – to come
  • Machen – to do/make
  • Sehen – to see
  • Wollen – to want
  • Können – to be able to
  • Müssen – to have to/must
  • Sagen – to say
  • Geben – to give
  • Nehmen – to take
  • Wissen – to know
  • Finden – to find
  • Denken – to think
  • Fühlen – to feel
  • Sprechen – to speak
  • Leben – to live

Why Learn German

There are numerous reasons why learning German is beneficial. Firstly, German is the most widely spoken language in Europe and is an official language in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. Learning German opens up opportunities for work, travel, and cultural immersion in these countries.

Additionally, Germany is a global economic powerhouse with a strong job market, making German language skills highly valuable for career prospects. Moreover, German is a gateway to learning other Germanic languages such as Dutch and Swedish.

Overall, learning German is a gateway to new experiences, improved career prospects, and a deeper understanding of European culture.

FAQs About German Words and Phrases to Learn for Travel

Now that you have learned 100 new German words and phrases, let’s look at some of the most frequently asked questions about German words and phrases to learn for travel.

What is some German vocabulary?

Some common German vocabulary includes greetings like Guten Tag (“Good day”) and Auf Wiedersehen (“Goodbye”), common German phrases such as Bitte (“Please”) and Danke (“Thank you”), and practical expressions like Wo ist die Toilette? (“Where is the restroom?”). These are some of the most common German words and phrases that tourists will learn so they can navigate life in Germany.

How can I master German vocabulary?

To master German vocabulary, adopt effective learning strategies. Start by creating a structured study plan and allocating regular time for practice. Utilize flashcards or vocabulary apps for learning German words and review them regularly. Engage in immersive activities such as watching German movies, listening to podcasts, and conversing with native speakers.

Lastly, practice active recall and apply new words in real-life situations to solidify your understanding and retention of the German vocabulary. Consistency, dedication, and exposure are key to achieving proficiency in German vocabulary.

How many words are in A1 German?

The number of words in A1 German language level may vary, but it generally encompasses a basic vocabulary range of approximately 500 to 800 words. This level focuses on fundamental language skills and commonly used everyday expressions. A1 German aims to provide learners with a solid foundation in vocabulary, enabling them to handle simple conversations and navigate basic communication scenarios.

How can I memorize German words fast?

To memorize German words quickly, employ effective techniques. Create flashcards with German words on one side and their English translations on the other, reviewing them frequently. Practice active recall by covering the translations and trying to recall the German word from memory. Utilize mnemonic devices, such as creating memorable associations or visualizations for each word. By consistently using these strategies and engaging in regular practice, you can enhance your ability to memorize German words rapidly.

Summary: German Words and Phrases to Learn for Travel

Congratulations. You’ve now acquired a solid foundation of German words and phrases to elevate your travel experience.

Armed with basic German vocabulary words and common German words for greetings, introductions, ordering food, asking for directions, and handling emergencies, you’ll feel more confident engaging with native German speakers during your trip.

So, pack your bags, venture into the German-speaking world, and embark on an unforgettable journey filled with new encounters, delicious food, and fascinating discoveries.

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60 Essential German Travel Phrases

Are you planning a trip to a German-speaking country? There are so many reasons for learning basic German travel phrases before you jump on that plane. And we invite you to try out Drops to learn more than 2500 useful German words and phrases !

The locals will appreciate any effort you make to speak the local language. You’ll make traveling far easier on yourself as you’ll be able to communicate more clearly. You can get to know people who don’t speak English and experience a different culture.

Despite the common belief, not everyone speaks English. Even if you are planning a city break, it will be appreciated if you make an effort to speak a bit of German. It’s a sign of respect for the people in the country you are visiting.

If you want to venture away from the cities, you’ll likely encounter a lot of people who hardly speak any English at all. So it’s worth being prepared!

So let’s dive right in and take a look at my favorite tried and tested German travel phrases.

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German Greetings & German Basics

Hallo - “hello”

Tschüss - “bye”

Auf wiedersehen - “goodbye”

Tschau - “ciao”

Guten Morgen - "good morning”

Guten Tag - "good day”

Guten Abend - "good evening”

Gute Nacht - "good night”

Danke / Vielen Dank / Dankeschön - " thanks” and “many thanks”

There are a few ways to say thank you in German. Just use danke for now but expect to hear the other versions as well.

Bitte - "please”

Sorry - "sorry”

Entschuldigen Sie bitte - "excuse me” or “sorry”

Ja - "yes”

Nein - "no”

Learn German Travel Phrases

German Phrases You Might Hear

You might also hear the following German expressions:

Gerne - "gladly” or “my pleasure”

Bitte schön - "there you go” or “you’re welcome”

Both of these are often used in restaurants and cafes, when the waiting staff bring your food or drinks over, and also in shops. More on that later!

German Phrases in the Hotel

One of the first things you’ll do when you arrive in a German-speaking country is check into your hotel. There are a few standard phrases which you can use, and the checking in procedure usually follows the same pattern. 

The receptionist will ask if you have a reservation (listen for ‘Reservierung’ ), they’ll ask your name (listen for ‘Name’ [Nahmeh] ) and they’ll give you your key (listen for ‘Schüssel’ ).

Checking in to the Hotel in German

Kann ich bitte einchecken? - “Can I check in please?”

Ich habe eine Reservierung - “I have a reservation”

Mein Name ist (...) - “My name is (...)”

Ich bleibe bis Montag hier / bis zum vierundzwanzigsten (24th) Juni hier - “I’m staying here until Monday / until the 24th June”

Wann / wo gibt es Frühstück? - ”When is breakfast?”

Gibt es hier WLAN [vee-lan]? - “ Is there wifi here?”

Wie lautet das WLAN-Passwort? - “What is the wifi password?”

Um wie viel Uhr muss man auschecken? - “By what time must I check out?”

Kann ich bitte auschecken? - “ Can I check out, please?”

What You May Hear in German at the Hotel

Haben Sie eine Reservierung? - “Do you have a reservation?”

Wie ist Ihre Name? - “What is your name?”

Bleiben Sie hier für drei (3) Nächte / eine (1) Woche / zwei (2) Wochen? - “Are you staying here for 3 nights / 1 week / 2 weeks?”

Frühstück ist bis sieben (7) Uhr bis zehn (10) Uhr - “Breakfast is from 7am until 10am”

Ihre Zimmernummer ist… - “Your room number is…”

Shopping in German

If you’re out exploring the city, you’ll probably want to do a bit of shopping for souvenirs. The first phrase (ich schaue mich nur um) in this section was pretty essential for me in the early days when I was too nervous to speak much German. If a shop assistant comes up to help and you’re just having a look around or you’re too nervous to speak, this phrase can come in handy.

What You Can Say When Shopping in German

Ich schaue mich nur um - “I’m just looking around”

Ich suche nach… - “I’m looking for…”

Wie viel kostet das? - “How much does that cost?”

Kann ich mit Bargeld / Kreditkarte bezahlen? - “Can I pay with cash / credit card?”

Könnte ich eine Tüte haben? - “Could I have a bag?”

What You May Hear While Shopping in German

Kann ich Ihnen helfen? - “Can I help you?”

Möchten Sie es probieren? - “Would you like to try it?”

Eating Out in German

When it comes to eating out, this is a really great way to practice a bit of basic German. You only need a few phrases to get by. Your power phrase in this section is ich hätte gern… which you can use for any food or drink order. It’s very polite and the serving staff will appreciate it.

Like when checking into the hotel, there is usually a set pattern to look out for when in a cafe or restaurant:

The waiter will ask for your drinks order (listen for trinken ), they will then ask for your food order (listen for essen ) and later they will ask if you’d like a dessert (listen for Nachtisch ).

What You Can Say in German When Dining Out

Haben Sie ein Tisch für ein (1) / zwei (2) / drei (3) Person(en)? - “Do you have a table for 1 / 2 / 3 person / people?”

Ich hätte gern (…) bitte - “I would like (...) please”

  • einen schwarzen Tee (mit Milch) - “a black tea (with milk)”
  • einen Kaffee - “a coffee”
  • ein Mineralwasser - “a mineral water”
  • ein Glas Rotwein - “a glass of red wine”
  • ein Glas Weißwein - “a glass of white wine”
  • ein Bier - “a beer”

Könnte ich ein stück Kuchen haben? - “Could I have a piece of cake?”

Was empfehlen Sie? - “What do you recommend?”

Kann ich bitte bezahlen? - “Can I pay please?”

What You Might Hear in German at a Restaurant

Was möchten Sie? - “What would you like?”

Ich empfehle (...) - “I recommend (...)”

Was möchten Sie trinken? - “What would you like to drink?”

Was möchten Sie essen? - “What would you like to eat?”

Möchten Sie die Nachtischkarte? - “Would you like the dessert menu?”

Essential travel phrases in German

Sightseeing in German

When you’re out sightseeing, you’ll probably be able to find an English language tour guide. But there are a lot of situations where you might be on your own and need to ask where something is. The simple phrase wo ist… is very useful and easy to remember.

Entschuldigen Sie bitte - “excuse me please”

Wo ist (…)? - “Where is (...)?”

  • die Touristeninformation - “the tourist information”
  • das Stadtzentrum - “the city centre”
  • das Museum - “the museum”
  • der Dom - “the cathedral”
  • das Rathaus - “the town hall”
  • der Bahnhof - “the train station”

When You Struggle to Understand German

If all else fails, here are some phrases to memorize to help you if you have trouble understanding German. Trust me, I used these a lot when I first started visiting Germany. If you’re a bit nervous about your German, committing a few of these phrases to memory can help you get out of tricky situations.

Ich verstehe nicht - “I don’t understand”

Ich spreche kein Deutsch - “I don’t speak German”

Mein Deutsch ist nicht so gut - “my German is not so good”

Sprechen Sie Englisch? - “Do you speak English?”

Langsamer bitte - “slower please”

Können Sie das bitte wiederholen? - “Can you repeat that, please?”

Was bedeutet (…)? - “What does (...) mean?”

Bitte haben Sie Geduld mit mir - “please be patient with me”

So now you know all my essential German travel phrases! These helped me out a lot, and I hope you find them useful on your travels, too! 

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About the Author: Emma Jackman is the founder of Emma Loves German an all-round resource for German learners. You’ll find articles on speaking, reading, writing, and listening in German as well as grammar tips, frequently used phrases, and other language learning tips.

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47 Survival German Travel Phrases [You Need To Know]

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Are you dreaming about your next trip to Germany? Maybe this is your first visit and you’re keen to blend in. Or perhaps you’ve visited German speaking countries a few times but always resorted to using English.

In this post you will discover 47 tried and tested German travel phrases that have worked well for me on my many trips to Germany. You’ll also hear audio of each of the phrases.

After reading this post you will:

  • Know how to say 47 essential German travel phrases
  • Hear how each of the phrases sound
  • Be able to mix and match which ever phrases you want to try out on German speakers

Why Learn German Travel Phrases?

Before we get started I want to give you a quick pep talk.

If you’re travelling to a German speaking country any time soon, you may head there with the idea that ‘everyone speaks English’.

If you’re heading for a city break, you’ll probably meet people in the tourist industry that do speak a bit of English. But once you step off the tourist path, you’ll realise that many people don’t speak much English at all.

Even if you’re opting for a city break, it shows a great deal of respect to the local people to at least learn how to say ‘hello’, ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ in German. If you expand your knowledge and learn how to say more German tourist phrases such as ‘I would like’ or ‘can I check in?’ the person you’re speaking to will be really impressed.

In my many trips to Germany, I’ve learned to never be afraid of speaking German with the locals. Even during my earlier visits when I tried and butchered that poor language, the German speakers I spoke to were so happy that I was even trying.

Don’t let the fear of making mistakes stop you from trying. Even if you mostly speak English, then throw in one of these German travel phrases somewhere, you’ll make progress.

german travel phrases

Common German Words

Let’s make a start with the most common German travel phrases and words you’ll encounter as a tourist. These are simple pleasantries that will be appreciated by the locals. So make sure you learn some of these even if you don’t learn anything else.

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useful german phrases for travel

Asking For Help / Not Understanding

Whenever you’re in a country where you don’t speak a lot of the language, it’s always helpful to learn a few ’emergency phrases’.

For example, one time when I was in Germany, but didn’t know much German at that point, another guest in a hotel started chatting to me in German. My go-to phrase to politely end a conversation was sorry, mein Deutsch ist nicht so gut (sorry, my German isn’t very good).

And just so you know, in a real emergency, the emergency number in Germany is 112.

Whether you’re stopping for a quick coffee or a full on meal, there are loads of chances to practice some German travel phrases with the waiting staff when you order food and drink in German . At the very least, memorise ich hätte gern … (I would like…) and then add your drink or meal of choice. It’s really polite and shows a lot of respect to the person serving you to order in this way.

Some key words to listen out for are trinken (drink) and essen (eat). These are great words to train yourself to listen for so you can get a feel for what is being asked.

german travel phrases

In a hotel you’re most likely to meet English speakers, but if you want to practice some German, the receptionists are usually very happy to speak to you. Why not try some of these essential phrases out?

Getting Around & Directions

Thanks to Google Maps, you probably won’t need to ask a local for directions, but it’s always helpful to know how to ask the way to the toilet / bathroom if you’re in a café.

One thing to keep in mind when shopping in Germany, is that you’ll encounter shops, cafés and restaurants that only accept cash. So it’s a good idea to check before you order.

German has 3+ words for receipt, and in my experience they seem to be interchangeable. One way of saying receipt isn’t limited to the area you’re in, so you might hear Quittung, Bon and Beleg being used all in the same city. Keep your ears alert for these tricky words!

So there you go, 47 essential German travel phrases, all tried and tested and ready for you to use on your next trip.

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Top 50 German Phrases for Tourism and Travel

Discover the top 50 german phrases for tourism and travel. learn essential german expressions for your next trip. useful phrases for tourists in german., introduction.

If you're planning a trip to Germany, knowing a few basic German phrases can go a long way in enhancing your travel experience. While many Germans speak English, making an effort to communicate in their language shows respect and can lead to more meaningful interactions. In this article, we have compiled the top 50 German phrases that will help you navigate through popular tourist destinations, interact with locals, and make the most out of your trip.

Greetings and Basic Phrases

These phrases will help you in everyday interactions and create a positive impression:

  • Hallo! - Hello!
  • Guten Tag! - Good day!
  • Guten Morgen! - Good morning!
  • Guten Abend! - Good evening!
  • Bitte - Please
  • Danke - Thank you
  • Entschuldigung - Excuse me
  • Wie geht es Ihnen? - How are you?

Transportation

These phrases will assist you in navigating public transportation and getting around:

  • Wo ist der Bahnhof? - Where is the train station?
  • Wie komme ich zum Flughafen? - How do I get to the airport?
  • Ist der Bus pünktlich? - Is the bus on time?
  • Eine Fahrkarte, bitte. - One ticket, please.
  • Wann fährt der Zug ab? - When does the train depart?
  • Kann ich hier ein Taxi finden? - Can I find a taxi here?
  • Welche Linie fährt zum Stadtzentrum? - Which line goes to the city center?
  • Wie weit ist es zum nächsten Bahnhof? - How far is it to the nearest train station?
  • Wie viel kostet eine Tageskarte? - How much does a day pass cost?
  • Wie lange dauert die Fahrt? - How long does the journey take?

Accommodation

These phrases will come in handy when dealing with hotel reservations and accommodations:

  • Haben Sie ein Zimmer frei? - Do you have any rooms available?
  • Ich habe eine Reservierung auf den Namen... - I have a reservation under the name...
  • Ist das Hotel in der Nähe? - Is the hotel nearby?
  • Gibt es einen Aufzug? - Is there an elevator?
  • Wie spät ist das Frühstück? - What time is breakfast?
  • Die Rechnung, bitte. - The bill, please.
  • Kann ich hier rauchen? - Can I smoke here?
  • Wo ist die nächste Bank? - Where is the nearest bank?
  • Gibt es eine Gepäckaufbewahrung? - Is there luggage storage?
  • Wie lange bleibt das Museum geöffnet? - How long does the museum stay open?

Dining and Food

These phrases will help you navigate menus and order food:

  • Guten Appetit! - Enjoy your meal!
  • Ich möchte bestellen - I would like to order.
  • Haben Sie eine Speisekarte? - Do you have a menu?
  • Was ist die Empfehlung des Tages? - What is the recommendation of the day?
  • Ist dieses Gericht vegetarisch? - Is this dish vegetarian?
  • Können Sie das bitte anpassen? - Can you please customize that?
  • Ich bin allergisch gegen... - I am allergic to...
  • Können Sie mir etwas empfehlen? - Can you recommend something to me?
  • Könnten Sie bitte nachfüllen? - Could you please refill?
  • Die Rechnung, bitte - The bill, please.

Sightseeing and Shopping

These phrases will assist you during sightseeing and shopping:

  • Wo kann ich eine Stadtrundfahrt machen? - Where can I take a city tour?
  • Gibt es eine geführte Tour durch die Sehenswürdigkeiten? - Is there a guided tour of the attractions?
  • Wie komme ich zur nächsten U-Bahn-Station? - How do I get to the nearest subway station?
  • Wo ist das berühmte Denkmal? - Where is the famous monument?
  • Können Sie mir den Weg zum Museum zeigen? - Can you show me the way to the museum?
  • Haben Sie diese Sehenswürdigkeit auf einer Karte? - Do you have this attraction on a map?
  • Wie viel kostet der Eintritt? - How much does the admission cost?
  • Wo ist das Einkaufszentrum? - Where is the shopping mall?
  • Gibt es hier gute Einkaufsmöglichkeiten? - Are there good shopping opportunities here?
  • Wo kann ich Souvenirs kaufen? - Where can I buy souvenirs?

Equipping yourself with these top 50 German phrases will enable you to navigate Germany confidently and interact with locals in a friendly manner. Remember to practice these phrases before your trip and don't be afraid to use them. Germans will appreciate your efforts to speak their language, making your travel experience even more enjoyable and rewarding. Have a fantastic trip!

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German for Travelers: The Basic Travel Phrasebook

  • History & Culture
  • Pronunciation & Conversation

You hear it all the time. Don't worry, everybody in Germany (Austria/Switzerland) speaks English. You'll get along just fine without any German.

Well, since you're here at the German Language site, you know better. First of all, not everyone in German Europe does speak English. And even if they did, how rude of anyone going there not to bother learning at least the basics of the language.

If you're going to be in a German-speaking country for a long period of time, it's obvious you'll need to know some German. But often travelers or tourists going for a brief visit forget one of the most important elements in planning their trip:  Deutsch.  If you're going to Mexico, you want to know at least " un poquito de español ." If you're headed for Paris, " un peu de français " would be nice. Germany-bound travelers need "ein bisschen Deutsch" (a little German). So what's the minimum for a traveler bound for Austria, Germany, or German Switzerland?

Well, courtesy and politeness are a valuable asset in any language. The basics should include "please," "excuse me," " sorry ," "thank you," and "you're welcome." But that's not all. Below, we have prepared a short phrasebook with the most important basic German phrases for a traveler or tourist. They are listed in approximate order of importance, but that is somewhat subjective. You might think that "Wo ist die Toilette?" is more important than "Ich heisse..."

In parentheses (pah-REN-thuh-cees) you'll find a rudimentary pronunciation guide for each expression. 

Travel Deutsch: Basic German for Travelers

Mixing any of the above phrases-for example, "Haben Sie..." plus "ein Zimmer?" (Do you have a room?) may work, but requires a bit more grammar knowledge than a real beginner is likely to possess. For instance, if you wanted to say, "Do you have a rental car?" you would have to add an -en to "ein" ("Haben Sie einen Mietwagen?"). But leaving it off would not prevent you from being understood-assuming you are pronouncing the basic German correctly.

You won't find too many questions in our guide. Questions require answers. If you ask a question in fairly decent German, the next thing you're about to hear is a torrent of German in the answer. On the other hand, if the restroom is left, right, upstairs, or downstairs, you can usually figure that out-especially with a few hand signals.

Of course, it's a good idea to go beyond the bare minimum if you can. Several important areas of vocabulary are relatively easy to learn:  colors, days, months, numbers, time, food and drink, question words, and basic descriptive words  (narrow, tall, small, round, etc.). All of these topics are covered in our free  German for Beginners  course.

You'll need to set your own priorities, but don't forget to learn at least some essential German before your trip. You'll have "eine bessere Reise" (a better trip) if you do.  Gute Reise!  (Have a good trip!)

Related Pages

German Audio Lab Learn the sounds of German.

German for Beginners Our free online German course.

Travel Resources and Links A collection of information and links for travel to and in German Europe.

Wo spricht man Deutsch? Where in the world is German spoken? Can you name the seven countries where German is the dominant language or has official status?

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useful german phrases for travel

Home » 29 Common German phrases you’ll need on your travels

29 Common German phrases you'll need on your travels

Pack your socks and sandals, and hold on to your Bretzel. We’re going to Germany – the land of beer and sausages! 

Whether you’ve booked a trip to go to the Oktoberfest in Munich, the carnival in Cologne, or just a nice, relaxing hiking trip around the Black Forest, knowing how to get by in Germany will make your stay much more enjoyable.

We’ve gathered the most essential, basic German words and phrases that’ll help you get by on your travels.

From saying hi to ordering Bratwurst – here are 29 common German travel phrases for your travels

10 common german phrases.

From basic German greetings to pleas for help when you get stuck, we’ve got you covered.

  • Hallo (Hello)
  • Tschüss (Bye)
  • Bitte (Please)
  • Danke (Thanks)
  • Entschuldigung (Excuse me)
  • Sorry (Sorry)
  • Formal: Können Sie mir helfen?; informal: Kannst du mir helfen? (Can you help me?)
  • Formal: Sprechen Sie English?; informal: In Sprichst du Englisch? (Do you speak English?)
  • Einen Moment, bitte. (One moment, please.)
  • Das ist alles, danke. (That’s all, thank you.)

Want to learn more German phrases?

Enrich your German vocabulary and unlock a world of phrases beyond “Hallo!” with Busuu’s free expert-designed online courses. Join our 120 million+ native speaker community, and access a treasure trove of language learning resources.

useful german phrases for travel

Danke, I will

6 phrases for getting around .

Try these phrases out when Google Maps (or the paper version, if you’re that retro!) lets you down.

  • Wo finde ich… (Where do I find… ) … den Bahnhof? (… the train station?) … einen Geldautomaten? (… a cash machine?) … die Touristeninformation? (… the tourist information?) … ein Taxi? (… a cab?) … eine Toilette? (… a toilet?)
  • Darf ich bitte vorbei? (Could you let me pass please?)
  • Wie viel kostet das? (How much does this cost?)
  • Wann fährt…  (When’s… ) … der nächste Bus? (… the next bus?) … die nächste Bahn? (… the next train?)
  • Ich habe mich verlaufen. (I’m lost.)
  • Wie komme ich zu… (How do I get to… )

7 Common German phrases for eating out

Wining and dining out on the town? Whip out this list to hold your own in any German restaurant.

  • Ich habe eine Reservierung auf den Namen… (I’ve got a reservation under… )
  • Ich möchte bitte… (I would like… ) … einen Tisch reservieren. (… to book a table, please.) … ein Glas Wein. (… a glass of wine, please.) … die Speisekarte. (… the menu.) … zahlen.(… to pay, please.)
  • Kann ich mit EC-Karte / Kreditkarte zahlen? (Do you take debit cards / credit cards?) 
  • Zum Wohl! / Prost! (Cheers!)
  • Guten Appetit. (Enjoy your meal.)
  • Die Rechnung, bitte. (The bill, please.)
  • Stimmt so. (Keep the change.)

Top tip: The service at restaurants or cafes usually isn’t included in the bill. Tipping is welcomed and should reflect how happy you were with food and service – 10% of the bill is the norm.

@busuu Do you know any more? 🇩🇪 #german #germanlesson #learngerman #germanwords #edutok #languagelearning #busuu ♬ Reason – XO TEAM

6 German sentences for talking about your travels

You never know who you might meet on your travels… open yourself up to meeting new people with these basic German conversation-starters.

  • Ich heiße… (My name is… )
  • Ich komme aus… (I’m from… ) … Großbritannien (… the UK.) … den Staaten (… the States.) … Australien. (… Australia.)
  • Ich habe… (I have…) … ein Zimmer reserviert. (… booked a room.)
  • Ich bin zum ersten Mal hier. (This is my first time here.)
  • Ich bleibe für… (I’m staying for… ) … das Wochenende (… the weekend.) … ein paar Tage. (… a few days.) … eine Woche. (… a week.)
  • Ich fahre weiter nach… (I’m travelling on to… ) 

Did you know this? Besides hip places like urban Berlin, it’s still most common to approach people you don’t know with the polite Sie instead of the personal du , which we use with friends, family or children. Though if you’ve been chatting with someone for a while, they might ask if you want to use the informal du – especially after you’ve been trying all these new phrases out on them. They might ask: Wollen wir uns duzen? (Should we use “du”?) Of course, you’ll want to say: Ja!

That’s all from us! Just one last thing: remember that being able to communicate always also means being able to connect. 

Knowing the local lingo is not only useful for navigating around unfamiliar places. Speaking German will also open many cultural doors for you. Even if it’s just a friendly danke (thanks), you’ll have shown you’ve made an effort. 

And who knows? You might even make a German smile!

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useful german phrases for travel

German Travel Phrases With Pronunciation

Before heading off on a holiday, perhaps to a land filled with pretzels and techno clubs, it may come in handy to download some useful German travel phrases onto your brain, along with the “Hot Girl Summer” song you may have already downloaded onto your phone.

German travel phrases are useful for tourists and can help you show a little respect for local German culture. In this post, we're going to look at useful German words & expressions you can use on your holiday here.

Basic German Travel Phrases

We're going to start out with very common German travel phrases and later in the post look at some more advanced expressions you might want to use on your trip. All travel phrases come with audio recordings, so just click on the play button to listen to the pronunciation. 😊

Common German Travel Phrases

Let's start with the absolute basics of German. If you don't have much time left and want to make sure you can at least say Hello , Goodbye and yes in German, have an intense stare at this list:

Introducing Yourself

If you want to introduce yourself in German or have a little bit of small talk , whether it be at a café or at the airport, you might like the following phrases. When using these phrases, make sure that your name is Tom.

If you would like to learn how to talk about yourself more, the first lesson of our free online German lessons is about how to introduce yourself in German .

Locations in German

Phrases for the airport, ordering at restaurants & cafés, travel phrases for the hotel, getting around in german, advanced german travel phrases & idioms.

Now, if you are an intermediate learner, you might not have to learn simple phrases like “Ein Bier bitte” and “Guten Tag” anymore. The phrases in the following list will provide you with helpful building blocks you may use to form more advanced, eloquent sentences about your trip, in German, whilst you tuck into your Spaghettieis.

1. Der Geheimtipp

Have you ever been on holiday and found a restaurant or a sight that is little known, but absolutely amazing? If so, you found a Geheimtipp.

A Geheimtipp is a quality place that has a certain charm in part because it isn’t filled with tourists. The reason for this is because it isn’t so well known; as if the locals have been keeping it a secret from the crowds of tourists.

2. Die Touristenfalle

When on holiday, you may come across certain low-quality tourist attractions and services that are meant to entice those looking for a quick and easy-to-find place to go, in order to pass the time. They may be mediocre and tacky, and are often overpriced.

When you go to such a place, you may even leave feeling like you were given a superficial impression of the culture, and may have noticed that the place was full of tourists, with no locals in sight. Some people enjoy the convenience of such places, but for those who don’t, they can be referred to as: tourist traps.

So, next time you’re on holiday, you might find it useful to remember this term.

PS: Das Beispiel ist ein echter Tipp. Die haben sehr leckere Baumstriezel.

3. In der Umgebung

Sometimes it can be useful to ask around for Geheimtipps in the area you are staying. Die Umgebung is the Kreis district or Bereich area in which one is staying. If you know the whereabouts of some hidden gems in the area, you can kill two birds with one stone by visiting interesting, quality places, without having to travel around the city all day. Or, perhaps for those who do love to explore all the far corners of a given travel destination, it may be enough to just know which little cafe in the area one may visit every morning, for a reliable cup of coffee.

Either way, it may come in handy to remember the phrase: In der Umgebung .

4. sich nach etw. erkundigen

It’s always a good idea to plan ahead of your holiday ☝️; to seek any information that may be useful to you on your trip. Sich nach etw. erkundigen means just this - to seek information / to ask about something, looking for helpful information.

For example, you may have booked a dinner on the beach during your holiday, but would like to ask for more information regarding the exact location. Or, you may have booked your hotel but would like to ask if they offer specific food at the breakfast buffet. To ask for this information, you could say:

5. keine Sekunde vergeuden

Some people love to make the most out of the time they have on holiday. They wake up early, maybe as early as the sun rises, to double check their plan for the day, packed with a number of activities to do and sights to see.

First there’ll be a morning hike through the mountains, before a tour of the city, then a quick train ride to a cheese tasting in the countryside, then back to the city for a dinner that was booked weeks in advance, and a night of dancing at an edgy fetish party held in a medieval castle.

Do you know someone like this? In any case, not a minute should be wasted!

6. etw. durchplanen / etw. bis ins letzte Detail planen

For those who love to plan every detail of their holiday, the phrase “etw. bis ins letzte Detail planen” may come in handy.

There are some holiday destinations that are full of fascinating things to explore and experience. For example, Berlin has an abundance of quality clubs, spas and museums to offer. So, in order to fit in as much as you can in a short amount of time, one might like to plan ahead and get organized.

7. es sich gut gehen lassen

Whilst some people love to make the most out of their holiday by filling it with activities, others are perfectly content with lots of relaxation and restoration.

This may be done by booking a relaxing holiday by the sea, or retreating into nature by spending your trip in a cabin in the woods. What’s important here is the idea of just letting go, or to: sich gut gehen lassen .

8. auf gut Glück

Sometimes, some people enjoy keeping holiday planning to a bare minimum, as in not planning much at all and letting each day bring new, spontaneous adventures.

For example, you may book a flight to a remote destination you’ve never visited before, just like that. No plan. No wishlist. Just your passport and, hopefully, the eyes of god watching over you. Whether it’s a whole holiday left unplanned, or perhaps just a day to see where your mood takes you, a helpful expression to describe this intentional spontaneity is: auf gut Glück .

9. jdn. auf die Folter spannen

Have you ever booked a holiday for your partner or friend, but didn’t tell them the destination until the day you took your flight?

Or have you ever planned a special day, or activity during a trip abroad, that your partner or friend knew about except for some really important details, like where the event is being held, or what type of food to expect?

If you have, then you have kept someone waiting in suspense , or you intend to excite somebody by purposefully hiding details about your plan. There is a phrase in German that expresses this: jdn. auf die Folter spannen .

10. Urlaub auf Balkonien machen

This phrase is for those of us who, once in a while, enjoy a good holiday spent in the comfort of our own home… or, yes, balconies.

As this phrase quite literally suggests, “Urlaub auf Balkonien machen”, means to relax and enjoy what one has to offer at home already, rather than to travel somewhere else.

So, for example, many people, perhaps against their wishes, would have spent their recent holidays in "Balkonien", due to the Corona restrictions. Many people living in Berlin also enjoy their holidays in "Balkonien" over the summer, as the city is arguably most alive during this season.

useful german phrases for travel

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Basic German Words For Travelers

Most Germans speak English, especially younger people in the bigger cities, so you probably won't have any difficulties getting around this diverse country. Still, a little German can go a long way. The language has a rich history and is the third most widely taught foreign language in the USA, as well as one of the major languages of the world. In short, it is a useful language to know in general.

Try it when dining out or traveling by train, or even at the colorful vocabulary involved in Oktoberfest. Start your first lesson of Deutsch here, and learn common German greetings and basic vocabulary that will be helpful for you in any situation. (You'll find the pronunciation in parentheses. Just read it out loud, the capitalized part of the word should be emphasized.)

Basic German Words Every Traveler Should Know

  • Yes – Ja (yah)
  • No – Nein (nine)
  • Thank you – Danke ( DAHN-kuh - not like the very popular Wayne Newton song)
  • Please and You're welcome - Bitte (BITT-uh)
  • Excuse me - Entschuldigen Sie (ent-SHOOL-degen see)
  • I'm sorry - Es tut mir leid (ehs toot meer lite)
  • Where? - Wo? (Vo?)
  • Where's the restroom? - Wo ist die Toilette? (vo ist dee toy-LET-uh)
  • Left / Right - Links / Rechts (linx / rechts)
  • Do you have.... - Haben Sie... Rechts (Haaben ze...)
  • Entrance and Exit - Eingang and Ausgang (Eyen-Gong and Ow-S-Gang)
  • Men and Women - Herren/Männer and Damen/Frauen (Hair-en/Menner and Dom-en/FR-ow-en)

Dialects in Germany

For a mid-size country, Germany has a very diverse set of dialects. Linguists say there are as many as 250 distinct German dialects.

These get even more pronounced in places like Austria and German-speaking Switzerland. Vocabulary, accent and phrases vary wildly and some native German speakers can't even understand people from different regions. However, everyone learns Hochdeutsch (high German) and should be able to communicate by using these uniform words and pronunciation. 

For example, the pronunciation of "Ich" ("I") depends on dialect. In general, the sound is harder like "Ikh" in the south , while it is softer like "Ish" in the north, particularly in Berlin. However, there are many exceptions. We have used the softer "Ish" pronunciation in this guide.

German Greetings

  • Hello/Good day - Guten Tag (GOOT-en tahk)
  • Good morning - Guten Morgen (GOO-ten MOR-gen)
  • Good evening – Guten Abend (GOO-ten AH-bent)
  • Good night - Gute Nacht (GOO-tuh nahdt)
  • Good bye – Auf Wiedersehen (Ouf VEE-der-zane)
  • See you later - Bis später (Biss Sch-PAY-ter)
  • Informal Good-Bye - Tschüß (t-ch-uice)

German Small Talk

  • My name is - Mein Name ist.... (Mine NAH-muh ist...)
  • What's your name? (formal) - Wie heißen Sie? (vee hie-ssen zee)
  • Nice to meet you – Es freut mich. (As froit mish)
  • How are you? (formal) -  Wie geht es Ihnen? (vee gayt es ee-nen)
  • How are you? (informal) - Wie geht`s? (wee gates)
  • (Very) Good - ( Sehr ) Gut  ( zair goot ) / Bad -  Schlecht (shlekht)
  • I’m doing well. - Mir geht’s gut. (MIR gates GOOt)
  • Do you speak English? (informal) - Sprichst du englisch? (shprikhst doo eng-lish)
  • I would like… - Ich hätte gern… (Ish het-a Gar-en)
  • I am from…[the USA/Canada/Australia/UK]. - Ich komme aus…(den USA/Kanada/Australien/Großbritannien)
  • Do you speak English? - Sprechen Sie Englisch? (SPRA-shun see ANG-lish)
  • I don't understand - Ich verstehe nicht (Ish VARE-stahe nisht)
  • I can't speak German – Ich kann kein Deutsch. (Ish kun kine doitsh)
  • How much does that cost? - Wieviel kostet das? (Vee-veal cost-it DAs?)
  • Cheers! - Prost! (PRO-st)
  • Have a good trip! - Gute Reise! ( GOOta Rise-a)

Regional German

Northern germany.

  • Hi (informal) - Moin (Moi’n) Can also be used to ask if someone is good? ( Moin ?), and answered with good! good! ( Moin ! Moin !)
  • Good - Jut (YOU-t)

Southern Germany

  • Hello/Good-bye - Servus! (Sir-VUS)
  • Hello (formal) - Grüß Gott or S'Gott (GRu-S GOT)
  • May god protect you (informal good-bye) - Behüte dich/euch ( Gott ) (Ba-Hewta DICK)
  • Yes! (strong) - Jawohl (Yeah VULL)

German Numbers

  • Three - Drei
  • Four - Vier
  • Five - Fünf
  • Six - Sechs
  • Seven - Sieben
  • Eight - Acht
  • Nine - Neun
  • Eleven - Elf
  • Twelve - Zwölf

Days of the Week in German

  • Monday - Montag
  • Tuesday - Dienstag
  • Wednesday - Mittwoch
  • Thursday - Donnertag
  • Friday - Freitag
  • Saturday - Samstag
  • Sunday - Sonntag

Months in German

  • January - Januar
  • February - Februar
  • March - März
  • April - April
  • June - Juni
  • July - Juli
  • August - August
  • September - September
  • October - Oktober
  • November - November
  • December - Dezember

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My Germanized Life

Wilkommen zusammen! Welcome everyone! Today you’re going to learn some useful German travel phrases that are essential for your trip to Germany. I assume you’ve already learned some basic words like Guten Tag and Danke Schön, so we’re going to dive right into some new German phrases .

German Phrases for Transportation and Directions

Entschuldigung, wo ist das WC? – Excuse me, where is the restroom?

Es ist um die Ecke – It’s around the corner

In welcher Richtung ist der Bahnhof? – Which direction is the station?

Nach links/rechts – To the left/right

Sie müssen links/rechts/geradeaus laufen/fahren – You have to walk/drive left/right/straight

Wann fährt der nächste Bus? – When is the next bus?

Können Sie mir bitte zeigen wie der Fahrkartenautomat funktioniert? – Can you please show me how the ticket machine works?

Wie weit ist es bis zur Stadtmitte? – How far is it to the city center?

Es ist etwa 500 meter entfernt – It’s about 500 meters away

Wo ist der Eingang/Ausgang? – Where is the entrance/exit?

Sie müssen mit dem Aufzug ins Erdgeschoss – You have to take the elevator to the ground floor

Wo kann man hier parken? – Where can I park here?

Ich habe mich verlaufen/verfahren – I’m lost (by foot or by vehicle)

Es gibt ein Parkhaus in der Lindenstraβe – There’s a parking garage in the Linden street

German Travel Phrases for Checking in to Your Hotel

Haben Sie eine Reservierung? – Do you have a reservation?

Ich habe eine Reservierung – I have a reservation

Haben Sie ein Zimmer frei? – Do you have a room available?

Ich möchte zwei Nächte bleiben – I want to stay for two nights.

Um wie viel Uhr darf ich einchecken? – At what time can I check in?

Um wie viel Uhr muss ich auschecken? – When do I have to check out?

Wie ist Ihre Name? – What is your name?

Mein Name ist – My name is

Haben Sie WLAN? – Do you have WIFI?

Wie lautet das WLAN-Passwort? – What is the wifi password?

Um wie viel Uhr gibt es Frühstück? – What time is breakfast?

Frühstück ist von sieben (7) Uhr bis elf (11) Uhr – Breakfast is from 7am until 11am

German Travel Phrases for Shopping at the Store

Kann ich Ihnen helfen? – Can I help you?

Suchen Sie etwas bestimmtes? – Are you looking for anything in particular?

Ich schaue mich nur um – I’m just looking around

Wie viel kostet das? – How much does this cost?

Es kostet 9.99 – It costs 9.99

Wo finde ich Lederhosen? – Where can I find Lederhosen?

Im Gang vier – In aisle four

Haben Sie die Schuhe in Gröβe 39? – Do you have the shoes in size 39?

Um wie viel Uhr machen Sie zu? – What time do you close?

Um wie viel Uhr machen Sie auf? – What time do you open?

Kann ich mit Kreditkarte bezahlen? – Can I pay by credit card?

Ich bräuchte eine Tüte bitte – I’m going to need a bag please

German Travel Phrases for Friendly Conversation

Es freut mich dich/Sie kennenzulernen – It’s nice to meet you

Woher kommen Sie? Woher kommst du? – Where are you from

Ich komme aus Bayern – I come from Bavaria

Sollen wir uns hinsetzen? – Should we sit down?

Sind Sie zum ersten mal in Deutschland? – Is it your first time in Germany?

Wie gefällt es Ihnen? – How do you like it?

Es ist wunderschön – It’s wonderful

Wie lange bleiben Sie? – How long are you staying?

Ich bleibe zwei Wochen – I’m staying for two weeks

German Phrases for When You Don’t Understand

Mein Deutsch ist nicht sehr gut – My German is not very good

Könnten Sie bitte langsamer sprechen? – Could you speak slower please

Können Sie das bitte wiederholen? – Can you repeat that please

Was bedeutet diese Wort? – What does this word mean?

Ich habe leider nicht verstanden – I’m afraid I didn’t understand

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100+ Useful Basic German Phrases for Travel

Basic German phrases

Are you planning a trip to Germany or a German speaking country? Or have you always wanted to learn German?

We have put together a guide to the most useful basic German words and phrases that will allow you pick up the basics on the language and really help you to survive visiting a German speaking country.

Do I Need to Speak German in Germany?

In the major cities and tourist destinations in Germany you will find a lot of local people can speak English, especially younger people, so visiting the country can be done without knowing any German. But not everyone does speak or understand English, especially in non-touristy locations so it is important to at least learn the basics. Also local people will appreciate if you put the effort into learning a bit of their language, even if just hello, please and thank you.

Is German a Difficult Language to Learn?

German is considered a one of the most difficult European languages to learn especially compared to French , Spanish and Portuguese. German is regarded as hard due to the long words, pronunciation, four noun case endings and three grammatical genders. But it is still a lot easier than a lot of other worldwide languages like Chinese, Japanese and Korean. Like with any language, practise really helps to improve your fluency.

Greetings in German

Here are some of the word you will probably use the most and the good news is they. are very easy to pick up.

Hello – Hallo ( learn how to say hello in other languages ) Good morning – Guten Morge Good day – Guten Tag Good evening – Guten Abend Goodbye – Auf Wiedersehen Good night – Gute Nacht See you later – Bis später

These are some of the most common words and phrases you are likely to use.

Please / You’re welcome – Bitte Thank you – Danke (here’s how to say thanks in other languages ) Yes – Ja (yah) No – Nein (nine) Excuse me – Entschuldigen Sie I’m sorry – Es tut mir leid What does that mean? – Was bedeutet das? I’m sorry – Es tut mir leid I do not know – Ich weiß nicht

Conversational Phrases in German

These are some basic German phrases when meeting people for the first time.

How are you? (formal) – Wie geht es Ihnen? How are you? (informal) – Wie geht`s? Nice to meet you – Es freut mich What’s your name? – Wie ist dein Name? My name is… – Ich heiße… I am fine – Mir geht es gut Do you speak English? – Sprechen Sie Englisch? Could you please repeat that again? – Können Sie das bitte nochmal wiederholen? I don’t speak German – Ich spreche kein Deutsch What did you say? – Was hast du gesagt? I don’t understand you – Ich verstehe Sie nicht What’s your name? (formal) – Wie heißen Sie? I’m doing well. – Mir geht’s gut Very good – Sehr gut Bad – Schlecht Where are you from? – Wo kommst du her? I am from … – Ich komme aus … USA / Canada / Australia / UK – USA / Kanada / Australien / Großbritannien Do you speak English? – Sprechen Sie Englisch? I don’t understand – Ich verstehe nicht I can’t speak German – Ich kann kein Deutsch I do not speak German very well – Ich spreche nicht gut Deutsch I’m sorry, but I do not understand – Es tut mir leid, aber ich verstehe nicht Could you say that again please? – Können Sie das bitte wiederholen? Could you say that more slowly please? – Können Sie bitte langsamer sprechen? Please write that down for me – Schreiben Sie das bitte für mich auf How old are you? – Wie alt bist du? What’s your phone number? – Wie lautet deine Telefonnumer? My phone number is… – Meine Telefonnumer lautet… Where do you work? – Wo arbeitest du? I work at… – Ich arbeite bei…

These phrases are good for when you are out and about buying things.

Supermarket – Supermarkt City center – Stadtzentrum Bank – Bank How much does that cost? – Wieviel kostet das? I would like… – Ich hätte gern… Do you have…. – Haben Sie… Rechts Excuse me, where is the – Entschuldigung, wo ist die Is it far from here? – Ist es noch weit von hier

Food & Drink

These phrases are perfect for visiting restaurants and ordering food.

A table for two, bitte – Einen Tisch für zwei, please We have a reservation – Wir haben eine Reservierung The menu, please – Die Speisekarte, bitte Can you recommend something? – Können Sie etwas empfehlen? What is this? – Was ist das? I would like – Ich hätte gerne Steak with fries – Steak mit Pommes Do you have a vegan meal? – Haben Sie ein veganes Gericht? Another glass of water, please – Noch ein Glas Wasser, bitte Enjoy your meal – Guten Appetit What is your favorite food? – Was ist dein Lieblingsessen? My favorite food is… – Ich esse am liebsten… The check, please – Die Rechnung, bitte Cheers! – Prost! Where is the bathroom? – Wo ist die Toilette

Hotels & Accommodation

We have a reservation – Wir haben eine Reservierung Do you have free rooms available? – Haben Sie noch freie Zimmer? How much is a room per night? – Wie viel kostet ein Zimmer pro Nacht? I would like to reserve a room – Ich möchte ein Zimmer reservieren Is the breakfast inclusive? – Ist das Frühstück inklusive? Room service – Zimmerservice What time is the check out? – Wie viel uhr ist check-out?

Transport & Directions

These are the most common German travel phrases related to getting around, These are some of the most important words and phrases to have:

Where? – Wo? Left / Right – Links / Rechts Entrance and Exit – Eingang and Ausgang In which direction can I find … ? – In welcher Richtung finde ich … ? Bus – Bus Subway – Metro Gas station – Tankstelle Train station – Bahnhof The airport – Flughafen North / South / West / East – Norden / Süden / Westen / Osten Upstairs / Downstairs – Oben / Unte Can I get there on foot? – Kann ich dorthin zu Fuß laufen? You have to turn left / right. Which underground or bus do I have to take? – Welche Straßenbahn, Metro oder Bus muss ich nehmen? Airport – Flughafen Train station, please – Bahnhof, bitte Is it close to … ? – Ist es in der Nähe von … ? Around the corner – Um die Ecke Where is the exit / entrance? – Wo ist der Ausgang / Eingang? Stop here, please – Halten Sie hier an, bitte. Where is the station? – Wo ist die Haltestelle? Where can I buy a ticket? – Wo kann ich eine Fahrkarte kaufen? Is this train / bus going to … ? – Fährt dieser Zug / Bus nach … ? Can you show me on the map? – Können Sie es mir auf der Karte zeigen? Do I have to change? – Muss ich umsteigen?

Emergencies

Here are some useful phrases to use if you find yourself in a difficult situation:

Could you please translate this for me? – Können Sie das bitte übersetzen? Help! – Hilfe! Police – Polizei Ambulance – Ambulanz Hospital – Krankenhaus

German Numbers

One – Eins Two – Zwei Three – Drei Four – Vier Five – Fünf Six – Sechs Seven – Sieben Eight – Acht Nine – Neun Ten – Zehn Eleven – Elf Twelve – Zwölf Thirteen – Dreizehn Fourteen – Vierzehn Fifteen – Fünfzehn – Sixteen – Sechzehn Seventeen – Siebzehn Eighteen – Achtzehn Nineteen – Neunzehn Twenty – Zwanzig Thirty – Dreißig Forty – Vierzig Fifty – Fünfzig Sixty – Sechzig Seventy – Siebzig Eighty – Achtzig Ninety – Neunzig One hundred – Hundert Two hundred and fifty – Zweihundertfünfzig Five hundred – Fünfhundert One thousand – Tausend

Days of the Week in German

Monday – Montag Tuesday – Dienstag Wednesday – Mittwoch Thursday – Donnertag Friday – Freitag Saturday – Samstag Sunday – Sonntag

Months of the Year in German

January – Januar February – Februar March – März April – April May – Mai June – Juni July – Juli August – August September – September October – Oktober November – November December – Dezember

We hope our list of the best German travel phrases for tourists and travelers has been useful to you. You could download the article as a PDF and print it out, or write down some of the most important ones.

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11 essential German phrases to memorise for your trip

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Recently updated on July 6th, 2023 at 09:40 am

Exploring the fairy-tale Neuschwanstein Castle. Walking along the remnants of the graffiti-covered Berlin Wall. Sipping Bavaria’s rich beer-brewing heritage. Admiring beautiful Baroque architecture in Dresden. No matter where you are travelling in Germany, knowing some essential German phrases can help your trip run smoother – and make a good impression on the locals too. 

Savvy travellers will probably already know basic German words, and they’re pretty easy to pick up if you don’t. Try hallo (hello), guten tag (good day), auf wiedersehen (goodbye), danke (thank you), bitte (please), ja (yes) and nein (no). And having a few numbers under your belt – eins (one), zwei (two), drei (three) – should come in handy when buying tickets. Or beer, of course.

German town crossing

Taking you (a little) beyond the basic German words you need to know, we’ve pulled together some essential German phrases that are incredibly useful for travellers to have in their back pocket. Best of all, if you learn these you’ll be all set for trips to Austria and Switzerland too. Win, win, win. GET INSPIRED BY: Best of Germany

Wie geht’s? 

Few things immerse you in a destination quite like striking up a conversation with locals. Asking “how are you?” is a brilliant way to start. If they ask back, you can reply “ mir geht’s gut ”, meaning “I am fine”. And if the conversation’s going really well, why not introduce yourself? Simply say “ Ich heiße… ” (I am called…) before your name, and ask “ Wie heißt du? ” to find out someone else’s. 

Remember: when you come across the ß (called an eszett, a character unique to the German language), simply pronounce it like “s”, as you would in the English “see”. 

Entschuldigung

No matter what language you’re speaking, it’s good to have good manners. Just say “ entschuldigung ” (excuse me) to get the attention of hotel receptionists, ticket officers and waiters, or perhaps people who might look like they know the directions you need. Incorporate this into a longer sentence “Entschuldigen sie, ist dies… ?” (excuse me, is this…?) when you’re on public transport and unsure where to get off. 

RELATED CONTENT: Germany Destination Guide

Germany Berlin wall

Where is…? An essential phrase for explorers. Simply add the name of your intended destination to the end. If you’re in Berlin, for instance, that could be the Brandenburger Tor (Brandenburg Gate), Berliner Fernsehturm (Berlin Television Tower) or Museumsinsel (Museum Island). More common places include the “ Bahnhof” (train station), “Flughafen” (airport), “ stadtzentrum ” (city centre) and “ supermarkt ” (supermarket). Helpfully, “taxi” and “bank” are the same in German and English.

In this case, asking “ zeigen sie mir das bitte auf der Karte? ” (can you show me on the map?) can be a more foolproof way of getting where you want to go. RELATED CONTENT: 5 hidden gems of Germany

Einmal nach…  bitte

Germany’s public transport is among the world’s best, and a handful of basic german phrases can help you navigate the various transport systems. To ask for a ticket: “Einmal/ zweimal nach…  bitte”, meaning “one ticket/ two tickets to (your destination) please”. Follow up with “ was kostet das?” (how much is it?) and “ wann fährt er ab?” (when does it leave?) and you’ll get from A to B in no time. (Hopefully.)

Berlin train u-bahn

Ich hätte gerne… 

Tucking into the culinary culture of a country is one of the best ways to get a real taste of your destination. Instead of just smiling and pointing at the menu – ask “ kann ich bitte die Speisekarte haben? (can I have the menu, please?) if you don’t already have one – simply add “ Ich hätte gerne ” (I would like) before the name of your preferred food, be it bratwurst (sausage), spätzle (egg noodles), kartoffelkloesse (potato dumplings) or schweininshaxe , a slow-roasted pork knuckle – best enjoyed with a local beer on the side. Sehr lekker! (Very tasty!)

Can’t decide what to order? Ask: “ Was empfehlen sie? ” (what do you recommend?). GET INSPIRED BY: Imperial Europe

Germany Oktoberfest beer

As the world’s largest beer festival, Oktoberfest is a huge draw for travellers and locals every autumn (usually late Steptember or early October), but beer is a big part of German culture year-round. These are some German words you need to know: “ Prost! ” (cheers!); “ maß ”, a litre glass jug of beer; and “ Eins, Zwei, Drei, G’suffa!” , meaning “one, two, three, drink!”. You’ll probably want a few brezeln (pretzels) to soak up all that beer too. 

This is a time when traditional clothing comes out the wardrobe. Expect to see the dirndl , a peasant-style pinafore, and lederhosen , leather trousers or shorts – or perhaps even get some to wear yourself. RELATED CONTENT: Iconic Germany: 8 of the most incredible German sights

Ich esse kein(e)… 

A less fun entry on this list, but necessary for any traveller with special dietary requirements. “ Ich esse kein(e)…” translates as “I don’t eat… “. Follow up with “ nüsse” (nuts), “ milchproductke” (dairy) or “ fleisch” (meat) as appropriate. “Gluten” is the same as in English, and you can explain that you are “ vegetarier(in)” (vegetarian, adding the ‘in’ for female), “veganerin vegan or have “ die Zöliakie ” (coeliac disease).

Die Rechnung, bitte

The bill, please. An essential ending to any meal. “Kann ich zahlen ?” (can I pay?) is a less formal way of asking. And “ Entschldigung, wo ist die Toilette ” (Excuse me, where is the toilet?) might also come in handy after all those beers.  GET INSPIRED BY: Best of Germany and Austria

Germany Christmas Market

Was kostet das? 

It’s inevitable you’ll end up parting with a few euros in shops, whether that’s on travel basics or souvenirs for yourself, and friends and family back home – especially if you visit a “ weihnachtsmarkt ” (Christmas market). “ Nur schauen ” (just looking); “ darf ich mit Bargeld bezahlen? ” (may I pay with cash?); “ darf ich mit Kreditkarte bezahlen? ” (may I pay with credit card?); and the aforementioned “ was kostet das? ” (how much is it?) should all be useful here. 

GET INSPIRED BY: Christmas Markets of Austria, Germany and Switzerland

RELATED CONTENT: The best Christmas markets in Germany

Ich brauche einen Arzt

We sincerely hope you don’t have to use them, but if anything goes awry, “ ich brauche einen Arzt ” (I need to see a doctor) or “ fahren sie mich bitte zum Krankenhaus ” (take me to the hospital) are handy for the linguistic arsenal. Simply “ Krankenhaus” should do the job in an emergency. Consider it the word equivalent of the traveller’s first aid kit.

Sprechen sie English?

Unless you’re fluent, there will, of course, be times when you reach the limits of your German language skills. In that case, ask “ sprechen sie English?” (do you speak English?). There’s a good chance the answer will be yes; more than half of the people in Germany speak English, and more still in areas popular with travellers, such as Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt and Munich. 

In this conversation, it might be worth adding “ Ich verstehe nicht” , meaning I don’t understand, or “ Ich spreche nicht gut Deutsch” (I do not speak German very well).

What words have you found useful when travelling in Germany? Anything other phrases you’d like to know? Let us know in the comments.

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German for Travelers: 101 Useful Phrases Every Backpacker Should Know

  • 13 min read
  • July 7, 2022
  • [addtoany] test

Renán L. Cuervo

Renán L. Cuervo

Content Writer

Passport? Check. Bags? Packed. Tickets? Booked. How’s your Deutsch? Get ready for your upcoming trip to Germany with this handy list of German phrases for travelers to cover every situation!

Why you should learn these German phrases for travelers

Are you getting ready to visit Germany? Or is it Austria? Switzerland? Whatever the country, these German travel phrases will make your trip that much more enjoyable. So, print them out or keep them on your phone!

Even if you’re not looking to become fluent in German, these common German phrases for travel are a great way to connect with native speakers and immerse yourself in the country during your journey. But, in case you need more convincing, here are a few other reasons why you should pick up some basic German for travelers :

Travel better : First, it’ll be easier to move around, ask for directions, and communicate with locals. Besides, you’ll score points with native speakers!

More independence : Second, you’ll rely less on expensive phrase books, awkward translations from your phone, and complicated hand gesturing. Additionally, we promise you’ll feel great after successfully ordering a beer in German all on your own. 

Not everyone speaks English : Third, the idea that every single European speaks English is not true. So, avoid the hassle of tracking down an English speaker every time you need help.

Easier to meet new people : Fourth, meeting people and making friends will be easier. Who knows, maybe you’ll meet your new best friend or someone special thanks to a smooth Hallo, wie geht es dir?

Make learning German easier : Lastly, if you’re interested in fully learning this European language, good news! Learning phrases in your target language is one of the best ways to learn German .

German phrases for travelers: a note on pronunciation

Before we get to our list of German phrases for travelers , here’s a quick, helpful note on German pronunciation. 

Generally, German is a highly phonetic language: its words tend to sound exactly like they’re written. It’s also a close linguistic relative to English and uses the Latin alphabet, so its pronunciation is not that difficult to grasp. That being said, there are a few tricky letters and sounds to consider. Here’s a quick rundown:

To help you out even more, we’re adding the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) of each phrase so you know exactly how to pronounce it. 

Remember: the Fluent Forever app is chock-full of even more useful German travel phrases you can learn.

Various papers with German words printed on them

Keep these phrases handy! Photo by Skylar Kang

The top 101 German phrases for travelers

Greetings, introductions, and farewells.

From “hello” to “goodbye,” these first group of German phrases for travelers will help you pick the right salutation for the right context. 

Basic questions and answers

These aren’t life’s most pressing questions, but they’re certainly some of its most common ones. This next list has some great questions you’ll need, along with their answers.

You’ll need to eat during your trip, right? Well, these phrases will help you navigate your first time ordering a Bratwurst.

At the hotel

Be it at a hostel or a five-star hotel, the following phrases will come in handy when you’re looking for a place to spend the night.

Locations & asking for directions

You’ll also need to know how to get to places. So here’s a list of phrases you can use to find your way through Berlin’s lively downtown. 

Most German-speaking countries have efficient public transport. Make sure you keep these next phrases handy for when you need to use the metro.

Your friends and family will probably expect souvenirs. Don’t let them down and get them something nice at the gift shop! Here’s how:

Emergency phrases 

Emergency? Fret not, these last group of phrases are sure to help you out in your moments of need!

Learn German phrases for travelers with these online resources

If you’re looking to learn even more German, there are different resources you can tap into online. As we’ve already mentioned, even if you’re not looking to become fluent, locals will appreciate the effort you make to speak their language. 

First, you can learn with a language exchange partner. It’s a fun way to practice any language and meet someone at the same time. Additionally, if they’re from the place you plan to visit, they can give you useful information and travel tips. My Language Exchange is a great place to start your search.

Second, YouTube is a fantastic platform for online language tutors. There are a lot of people who upload free courses and provide tips in simple and straightforward videos. Here’s a list of some well-known German language YouTubers: 

  • German with Anja
  • Fröhlich Deutsch
  • EasyDeutsch
  • Get Germanized

Third, you can take a free German course before you step on the plane. Here’s a neatly compiled list of free online courses you can check out. 

Lastly, what better way to learn German online than with Fluent Forever? You can download our app and learn through our unique, science-backed method that’ll get you speaking in no time. Plus, you can sign up for our Live Coaching program to get 1-on-1 sessions from a native speaker who’s certified in our language learning system. 

Bis später!

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IMAGES

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VIDEO

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COMMENTS

  1. 136 Useful German Travel Phrases, Expressions and Vocabulary Words

    The Learn German Phrases & Words app is designed to boost your speaking capabilities while traveling. It can be used without an internet connection, so you can always depend on it. The visual guide has carefully categorized sections like greetings, eating, romance and health.

  2. 50 Essential German Phrases for Tourists: English Translations and

    Here are 50 Essential German Phrases for Tourists traveling in Germany, with their English translations and German pronunciations: Read also: Offensive German Vocabulary: 50 Words You Should Avoid Using. Hello - Hallo (hah-loh) Goodbye - Tschüss (chooss) Please - Bitte (bit-teh) Thank you - Danke (dahn-keh) You're welcome - Bitte ...

  3. Ultimate German Vocabulary List: 100 German Phrases for Travel

    Guten Tag - Good day. This is a standard greeting used throughout the day. Guten Abend - Good evening. This is used to greet someone in the evening or late afternoon. Servus - Hi/Bye. Servus can be used to say both "hi" and "bye" and is commonly used among friends and acquaintances. Grüß Gott - Greetings to God.

  4. 60 Essential German Travel Phrases

    Tschau - "ciao". Guten Morgen - "good morning". Guten Tag - "good day". Guten Abend - "good evening". Gute Nacht - "good night". Danke / Vielen Dank / Dankeschön - " thanks" and "many thanks". There are a few ways to say thank you in German. Just use danke for now but expect to hear the other versions as well. Bitte - "please".

  5. 100+ Basic German Phrases for Every Situation

    The top 10 most useful German phrases . If you're traveling to one of the several German speaking countries—which include Germany, Austria, and Switzerland—learning ein wenig Deutsch ("a little German") can make your stay more enjoyable. Below, you'll find 10 of the most useful phrases to help you navigate various situations.

  6. German for Travelers: 101 Useful Phrases Every Backpacker Should Know

    The top 101 German phrases for travelers Greetings, introductions, and farewells. From "hello" to "goodbye," these first group of German phrases for travelers will help you pick the right salutation for the right context.

  7. 47 Survival German Travel Phrases [You Need To Know]

    In this post you will discover 47 tried and tested German travel phrases that have worked well for me on my many trips to Germany. You'll also hear audio of each of the phrases. After reading this post you will: Know how to say 47 essential German travel phrases. Hear how each of the phrases sound. Be able to mix and match which ever phrases ...

  8. GermanPod101's Essential German Travel Phrase Guide

    Now, onto the most basic German words and phrases for travellers: Greetings. These are the most common German travel phrases, and always important to have at the ready. Hallo! Hello! Guten Morgen! Good morning! Guten Tag! Good day! Guten Abend.

  9. Top 50 German Phrases for Tourism and Travel

    In this article, we have compiled the top 50 German phrases that will help you navigate through popular tourist destinations, interact with locals, and make the most out of your trip. Greetings and Basic Phrases. These phrases will help you in everyday interactions and create a positive impression: Hallo! - Hello! Guten Tag! - Good day! Guten ...

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    Well, courtesy and politeness are a valuable asset in any language. The basics should include "please," "excuse me," " sorry ," "thank you," and "you're welcome." But that's not all. Below, we have prepared a short phrasebook with the most important basic German phrases for a traveler or tourist. They are listed in approximate order of ...

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    Guten Appetit. (Enjoy your meal.) Die Rechnung, bitte. (The bill, please.) Stimmt so. (Keep the change.) Top tip: The service at restaurants or cafes usually isn't included in the bill. Tipping is welcomed and should reflect how happy you were with food and service - 10% of the bill is the norm.

  12. German Travel Phrases With Pronunciation

    All travel phrases come with audio recordings, so just click on the play button to listen to the pronunciation. 😊. Common German Travel Phrases. Let's start with the absolute basics of German. If you don't have much time left and want to make sure you can at least say Hello, Goodbye and yes in German, have an intense stare at this list:

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    Once you figure out how to go from point A to point B, you have probably worked up quite a hunger and thirst. Let's learn a few basic German travel phrases to help you order at a restaurant. You will love being able to order your meal like a local! Ich habe eine Reservierung auf den Namen….

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  17. 100+ Useful Basic German Phrases for Travel

    Here are some of the word you will probably use the most and the good news is they. are very easy to pick up. Hello - Hallo ( learn how to say hello in other languages) Good morning - Guten Morge. Good day - Guten Tag. Good evening - Guten Abend. Goodbye - Auf Wiedersehen. Good night - Gute Nacht. See you later - Bis später.

  18. 11 essential German phrases to memorise for your trip

    Try hallo (hello), guten tag (good day), auf wiedersehen (goodbye), danke (thank you), bitte (please), ja (yes) and nein (no). And having a few numbers under your belt - eins (one), zwei (two), drei (three) - should come in handy when buying tickets. Or beer, of course. Taking you (a little) beyond the basic German words you need to know ...

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    Basic German For Emergencies. Unfortunately, even the most meticulously-planned holiday isn't safe from the occasional hazard. Hence, here are some basic German phrases to use in moments of emergency: Hilfe! Help! Feuer! Fire! Halt! Ein Dieb!

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    Say It Like: "Ent-shool-di-goon". Knowing how to say, "Excuse me" is one of the main go-to travel phrases. Whether you accidentally bumped into someone on the bus, or need to pass a little old Oma walking slowly on a sidewalk, being able to say, "Entschuldigung" is just the polite thing to say.

  21. Essential German Phrases for Travelers You Need To Know

    Travel better: First, it'll be easier to move around, ask for directions, and communicate with locals. Besides, you'll score points with native speakers! More independence: Second, you'll rely less on expensive phrase books, awkward translations from your phone, and complicated hand gesturing. Additionally, we promise you'll feel great ...

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    Download the Useful German Phrases PDF form here. Clyde, Simplify German. Clyde learned German for 6 months, passed the B2 German Certification Exam then taught the language for almost a year. Now she's working as a nurse in Germany for almost 8 years already while she blogs at the same time. Romantic Phrases In German To Impress Your German ...