Taking a Taxi or Rideshare
Use these phrases to give directions, check fares, and pay smoothly when taking a taxi or rideshare.
Key Phrases
Goethestraße 10, bitte.
neutralGoethe Street 10, please.
State the street name and house number directly to the driver.
Einmal Goethestraße 10, bitte.
casualTo Goethe Street 10, please.
Adding 'einmal' is very natural in spoken German when naming a destination.
Was kostet die Fahrt?
neutralHow much does the ride cost?
Was kostet das ungefähr?
casualAbout how much does that cost?
Use 'ungefähr' to ask for a rough estimate before setting off.
Bitte fahren Sie langsam.
politePlease drive slowly.
Use 'Sie' for a polite, respectful request to the driver.
Langsam, bitte!
casualSlowly, please!
Short and direct if the driver is going too fast.
Ich brauche einen Stopp.
neutralI need a stop.
Use this if you need to pick someone up or make a brief stop.
Hier stoppen, bitte.
neutralStop here, please.
Ich bezahle bar.
neutralI pay cash.
Geht auch Karte?
casualDoes card work too?
Many taxis in Germany prefer cash, so always ask first.
Das stimmt so.
casualKeep the change.
Say this when handing over cash to round up the fare as a tip.
Eine Quittung, bitte.
politeA receipt, please.
A standard polite formula if you need proof of payment for expenses.