Buying Train Tickets
Use these essential German phrases when buying train tickets at the station counter or asking staff about your journey.
Key Phrases
Ich möchte bitte eine Fahrkarte nach Berlin, zweite Klasse.
politeI would like a second-class ticket to Berlin, please.
Polite full sentence suited for ticket counters.
Einmal Berlin hin und zurück, bitte.
neutralOne return ticket to Berlin, please.
'Einmal' is commonly used at counters to mean 'one ticket'.
Einfach nach Berlin, bitte.
casualOne-way to Berlin, please.
'Einfach' means a one-way single ticket.
Wann fährt der nächste Zug nach München ab?
neutralWhen does the next train to Munich leave?
Fährt der Zug direkt oder muss ich umsteigen?
neutralDoes the train go directly or do I have to transfer?
Useful to confirm whether you have a direct journey.
Von welchem Gleis fährt der Zug ab?
neutralWhich platform does the train depart from?
'Gleis' is the German word for platform or track.
Welches Gleis ist das?
casualWhich platform is that?
Short and direct question when in a hurry.
Hat der Zug heute Verspätung?
neutralIs the train delayed today?
Muss ich die Fahrkarte vorher entwerten?
neutralDo I need to validate the ticket beforehand?
'Entwerten' is the formal term printed on signs and machines.
Muss ich das Ticket hier abstempeln?
casualDo I need to stamp the ticket here?
'Abstempeln' is the everyday spoken synonym for 'entwerten'.