Essential German Travel Phrases When Travelling to Germany

Planning a trip to Germany? Whether you're strolling through Berlin, exploring Bavaria, or indulging in the rich culture of Hamburg, knowing a few essential German phrases can make your experience smoother and more enjoyable. While many Germans speak English, trying to speak their language is always appreciated. Plus, it can help in situations where English isn’t widely spoken, like in smaller towns or local markets.

In this guide, we’ll review some must-know German phrases for travelers. You don’t need to be fluent, but learning these basic words and expressions will help you navigate your adventure with confidence. Let’s dive in!

Learn the top 100 German sentences/phrases here

1. Basic Greetings and Polite Phrases

When visiting Germany, politeness goes a long way. Germans appreciate good manners, so knowing these essential greetings and courteous expressions will help you make a great first impression.

• Hallo! – Hello!
• Guten Morgen! – Good morning!
• Guten Tag! – Good day!
• Guten Abend! – Good evening!
• Tschüss! – Bye!
• Auf Wiedersehen! – Goodbye!
• Bitte! – Please!
• Danke! – Thank you!
• Vielen Dank! – Many thanks!
• Entschuldigung! – Excuse me!
• Es tut mir leid. – I’m sorry.

If you’re unsure how to pronounce them, check out our interactive flashcards to practice these phrases!

2. Essential Travel and Transportation Phrases

Navigating a new country can be tricky, but these German phrases will help you ask for directions, buy tickets, and get where you need to go.

• Wo ist der Bahnhof? – Where is the train station?
• Wie komme ich zum Flughafen? – How do I get to the airport?
• Ich brauche eine Fahrkarte nach… – I need a ticket to…
• Wann fährt der nächste Zug nach…? – When does the next train to… leave?
• Hält dieser Bus hier? – Does this bus stop here?
• Wie viel kostet eine Fahrkarte? – How much does a ticket cost?
• Ich habe mich verlaufen. – I’m lost.
• Können Sie mir helfen? – Can you help me?

For pronunciation help, visit our travel phrases section to hear them spoken!

3. Ordering Food and Drinks

One of the best parts of traveling to Germany is enjoying the food! These phrases will help you order like a pro at restaurants, cafés, and beer gardens.

• Ich hätte gern… – I would like…
• Die Speisekarte, bitte. – The menu, please.
• Was empfehlen Sie? – What do you recommend?
• Ich bin Vegetarier(in). – I’m vegetarian.
• Gibt es vegane Gerichte? – Are there vegan dishes?
• Ein Bier, bitte. – A beer, please.
• Zahlen, bitte. – The bill, please.
• Kann ich mit Karte bezahlen? – Can I pay with a card?

Want to practice more? Check out our food and drink flashcards!

4. Shopping and Money Phrases

Whether you’re browsing a charming boutique or visiting a bustling market, these phrases will help you communicate while shopping in Germany.

• Wie viel kostet das? – How much does this cost?
• Haben Sie das in einer anderen Größe? – Do you have this in another size?
• Kann ich mit Kreditkarte bezahlen? – Can I pay with a credit card?
• Ich schaue mich nur um. – I’m just looking.
• Haben Sie Souvenirs? – Do you have souvenirs?
• Ich hätte gern eine Tüte, bitte. – I’d like a bag, please.

For a deeper dive into shopping lingo, visit our shopping vocabulary page!

5. Emergency Phrases

Hopefully, you won’t need these, but it’s always good to be prepared. These German phrases can be lifesavers in an emergency.

• Hilfe! – Help!
• Rufen Sie die Polizei! – Call the police!
• Ich brauche einen Arzt. – I need a doctor.
• Wo ist das nächste Krankenhaus? – Where is the nearest hospital?
• Ich habe meine Tasche verloren. – I lost my bag.
• Ich habe meine Papiere verloren. – I lost my documents.

To stay safe, review our emergency phrase guide before your trip.

6. Accommodation and Hotel Phrases

Checking into a hotel or finding a place to stay? These phrases will be useful when dealing with accommodation situations.

• Ich habe eine Reservierung. – I have a reservation.
• Haben Sie ein Zimmer frei? – Do you have a room available?
• Wie viel kostet ein Zimmer pro Nacht? – How much is a room per night?
• Ich hätte gern ein Zimmer mit Frühstück. – I’d like a room with breakfast.
• Könnten Sie mir ein Taxi rufen? – Could you call me a taxi?
• Gibt es WLAN hier? – Is there WiFi here?

For more useful accommodation phrases, click here!

7. Making Small Talk and Socializing

Want to connect with locals? Here are some casual conversation starters.

• Wie geht es Ihnen? – How are you?
• Ich heiße… – My name is…
• Woher kommen Sie? – Where are you from?
• Ich komme aus… – I’m from…
• Was machen Sie beruflich? – What do you do for a living?
• Schön, Sie kennenzulernen! – Nice to meet you!

For more conversation starters, explore our small talk section!

Quick Reference Table: Essential German Phrases

Want to learn more? Practice these phrases with our flashcards!

Learn the top 500 German words using flashcards here

Final Thoughts

Learning a few German phrases can make a huge difference in your travel experience. Not only will it help you get around more easily, but it will also show locals that you respect their culture and language. Don’t stress about perfect pronunciation—just trying is enough to earn some smiles and appreciation.

Ready to practice? Check out our interactive flashcards and start mastering these essential phrases today. Viel Spaß (have fun) on your trip to Germany!

Learn the top 100 German sentences/phrases here