Table of Contents
Getting Around by Public Transportation
Public transportation is very common in Germany and other German speaking countries. In this chapter you learn key words and very simple phrases that help you use buses, trams, trains, and the subway.
Types of Public Transport
You will see many abbreviations and names on signs and timetables. Here are the most important ones.
| German | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| der Bus | bus | Often with a line number, for example: Bus 12 |
| der Zug | train | General word |
| der Regionalzug | regional train | Slower, for shorter distances |
| der ICE | high speed train | Long distance, fast, expensive |
| die S‑Bahn | suburban train | Often connects city and region |
| die U‑Bahn | underground, subway | Only in bigger cities |
| die Straßenbahn / die Tram | tram | Also written: die Tram |
| das Taxi | taxi | Often more expensive |
| der Flughafen | airport | Many signs in stations |
| der Bahnhof | train station | Central: der Hauptbahnhof or Hbf |
| die Haltestelle | (bus / tram) stop | For buses and trams |
| der Bahnsteig | platform | Numbered: Bahnsteig 3 |
| das Gleis | track | Often same as platform number |
Important:
Bahnhof is the whole station building and area.
Bahnsteig or Gleis is the exact place where you wait for the train.
Tickets and Prices
In German cities you almost always need a ticket before you enter the train, tram, or bus.
| German | English | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| die Fahrkarte / das Ticket | ticket | Both words are common |
| der Fahrschein | ticket | More formal, older word |
| der Fahrkartenautomat | ticket machine | At stations and stops |
| die Fahrkarte entwerten | to validate the ticket | Put it into a small machine |
| die Entwertermaschine | validating machine | Often yellow or red box |
| der Fahrpreis | fare, ticket price | Cost of the journey |
| die Einzelfahrkarte | single ticket, one way | For one trip |
| die Tageskarte | day ticket | Valid for one day |
| die Wochenkarte | weekly ticket | Often for commuters |
| die Monatskarte | monthly ticket | Long term ticket |
| die Ermäßigung | reduction, discount | For students, children, etc. |
| der Erwachsene | adult | Regular price |
| das Kind | child | Often cheaper |
| hin und zurück | return, there and back | Round trip |
| einfach | one way | Single journey |
You often hear or see the words Zone or Wabe. Cities are divided into zones. The price depends on how many zones you travel through.
Important rule:
In many cities you must buy and then validate your ticket before you enter the train or tram. If you forget, inspectors can give you a fine.
At the Station or Stop
To understand signs and loudspeaker announcements, it helps to know the common words that appear in stations.
| German | English | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| der Eingang | entrance | Where you go in |
| der Ausgang | exit | Where you go out |
| der Aufzug | elevator, lift | Sometimes: der Lift |
| die Treppe | stairs | |
| die Rolltreppe | escalator | Moving stairs |
| der Fahrplan | timetable | Times for all lines |
| die Information | information desk | Often a counter in bigger stations |
| der Schalter | counter, service desk | For buying tickets with staff |
| die Warteschlange | queue, line | People waiting |
| die Verspätung | delay | |
| pünktlich | on time | |
| die Uhr | clock | Shows the time |
| der Ausgang Richtung ... | exit towards ... | For example: Ausgang Richtung Zentrum |
On the electronic boards you see combinations like:
| German display | Meaning in English |
|---|---|
| Abfahrt | departure |
| Ankunft | arrival |
| verspätet | delayed |
| fällt aus | is cancelled |
| planmäßig | as scheduled, as planned |
Reading Timetables and Signs
Timetables use some short forms. Knowing them helps you find your train or bus.
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Mo–Fr (Montag bis Freitag) | Monday to Friday |
| Sa (Samstag) | Saturday |
| So (Sonntag) | Sunday |
| werktags | on working days (Mon–Sat, often) |
| täglich | daily |
| ab | from (time or place) |
| bis | until, to |
| Linie 5 | line 5 |
| Richtung Zentrum | direction city center |
| Richtung Hauptbahnhof | direction main station |
Example timetable line (simplified):
| Linie | Richtung | Abfahrt | Hinweise |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Zentrum | 08:15 | Mo–Fr |
| 12 | Zentrum | 08:30 | täglich |
This means: Line 12 to the center leaves at 8:15 only Monday to Friday, and at 8:30 every day.
Important:
Always check:
- Line number (Linie)
- Direction (Richtung)
- Departure time (Abfahrt)
Simple Phrases for Buying a Ticket
At an A2 level you should be able to ask for a simple ticket in German. Here are short patterns.
At the counter:
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Ich möchte eine Fahrkarte nach Berlin, bitte. | I would like a ticket to Berlin, please. |
| Eine Einzelfahrkarte in die Stadt, bitte. | A single ticket to the city, please. |
| Hin und zurück, bitte. | Return ticket, please. |
| Wie viel kostet eine Tageskarte? | How much is a day ticket? |
| Gibt es eine Ermäßigung für Studenten? | Is there a discount for students? |
| Zwei Fahrkarten nach Köln, bitte. | Two tickets to Cologne, please. |
| Eine Kindertageskarte, bitte. | A day ticket for a child, please. |
The staff might ask:
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Einfach oder hin und zurück? | One way or return? |
| Erwachsene oder Kind? | Adult or child? |
| Welche Zone? | Which zone? |
| Für heute? | For today? |
You can answer simply:
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Einfach, bitte. | One way, please. |
| Hin und zurück, bitte. | Return, please. |
| Zwei Zonen, bitte. | Two zones, please. |
| Ja, für heute. | Yes, for today. |
| Für morgen, bitte. | For tomorrow, please. |
On the Platform and Inside the Vehicle
When you are already on the platform, simple phrases help you check if you are in the right place.
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Fährt dieser Zug nach München? | Does this train go to Munich? |
| Hält dieser Bus am Bahnhof? | Does this bus stop at the station? |
| Ist das der Zug nach Hamburg? | Is this the train to Hamburg? |
| Wo ist der Bahnsteig 4? | Where is platform 4? |
| Ist hier frei? | Is this seat free? |
| Entschuldigung, kommt die Straßenbahn 3 hier? | Excuse me, does tram 3 come here? |
Words for seats and directions:
| German | English |
|---|---|
| der Sitzplatz | seat |
| der Fensterplatz | window seat |
| der Gang | aisle |
| der Gangplatz | aisle seat |
| sitzen | to sit |
| stehen | to stand |
Useful words during the ride:
| German | English |
|---|---|
| einsteigen | to get on |
| aussteigen | to get off |
| umsteigen | to change (trains, buses) |
| die Endstation | final stop, terminus |
| die nächste Haltestelle | the next stop |
| die Durchsage | announcement (by loudspeaker) |
On buses and trams you sometimes need to press a button to stop:
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Halt auf Wunsch | stop on request |
| Bitte Tür freigeben. | Please clear the door. |
| Nächster Halt: ... | Next stop: ... |
Important verbs:
einsteigen = to get in, on.
aussteigen = to get out, off.
umsteigen = to change to another line.
Typical Announcements
You do not need to understand every word, but some parts repeat often.
| German announcement | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Nächster Halt: Alexanderplatz. | Next stop: Alexanderplatz. |
| Dieser Zug endet hier. | This train terminates here. |
| Bitte einsteigen. | Please board. |
| Zurückbleiben, bitte. | Please stand clear of the doors. |
| Wegen einer technischen Störung kommt es zu Verspätungen. | Because of a technical problem there are delays. |
| Der Zug fährt heute auf Gleis 5 ab. | The train departs from track 5 today. |
| Der Bus der Linie 7 fällt heute aus. | Bus line 7 is cancelled today. |
If you hear "endet hier", you have to get off. If you hear "Verspätungen", you know that your bus or train will probably be late.
Asking for Directions with Public Transport
You already know how to ask for directions in general from the parent chapter. Here the focus is on public transportation words.
Short, useful questions:
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Wie komme ich zum Hauptbahnhof? | How do I get to the main station? |
| Welche Linie fährt zum Zentrum? | Which line goes to the center? |
| Wo ist die nächste U‑Bahn‑Station? | Where is the next subway station? |
| Wo ist die nächste Bushaltestelle? | Where is the next bus stop? |
| Muss ich umsteigen? | Do I have to change (trains/buses)? |
| Wo muss ich aussteigen? | Where do I have to get off? |
Possible answers you might hear:
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Nehmen Sie die U‑Bahn Linie 2. | Take subway line 2. |
| Sie müssen in der Stadtmitte umsteigen. | You have to change in the city center. |
| Steigen Sie am Marktplatz aus. | Get off at "Marktplatz". |
| Die S‑Bahn ist schneller. | The S‑Bahn is faster. |
| Es sind nur zwei Stationen. | It is only two stops. |
New Vocabulary in this Chapter
| German | English |
|---|---|
| der Bus | bus |
| der Zug | train |
| der Regionalzug | regional train |
| der ICE | high speed train |
| die S‑Bahn | suburban train |
| die U‑Bahn | underground, subway |
| die Straßenbahn / die Tram | tram |
| das Taxi | taxi |
| der Flughafen | airport |
| der Bahnhof | train station |
| der Hauptbahnhof | main station |
| die Haltestelle | (bus/tram) stop |
| der Bahnsteig | platform |
| das Gleis | track |
| die Fahrkarte / das Ticket | ticket |
| der Fahrschein | ticket (formal) |
| der Fahrkartenautomat | ticket machine |
| entwerten | to validate (a ticket) |
| die Entwertermaschine | validating machine |
| der Fahrpreis | fare, ticket price |
| die Einzelfahrkarte | single ticket |
| die Tageskarte | day ticket |
| die Wochenkarte | weekly ticket |
| die Monatskarte | monthly ticket |
| die Ermäßigung | reduction, discount |
| der Erwachsene | adult |
| das Kind | child |
| hin und zurück | return (there and back) |
| einfach | one way |
| die Zone | zone (tariff area) |
| der Eingang | entrance |
| der Ausgang | exit |
| der Aufzug / der Lift | elevator, lift |
| die Treppe | stairs |
| die Rolltreppe | escalator |
| der Fahrplan | timetable |
| die Information | information desk |
| der Schalter | counter, service desk |
| die Warteschlange | queue, line |
| die Verspätung | delay |
| pünktlich | on time |
| die Abfahrt | departure |
| die Ankunft | arrival |
| verspätet | delayed |
| fällt aus | is cancelled |
| planmäßig | as scheduled |
| werktags | on working days |
| täglich | daily |
| Linie | line (bus, tram, etc.) |
| Richtung | direction |
| die Stadtmitte | city center |
| der Sitzplatz | seat |
| der Fensterplatz | window seat |
| der Gang | aisle |
| der Gangplatz | aisle seat |
| einsteigen | to get on, to board |
| aussteigen | to get off |
| umsteigen | to change (trains/buses) |
| die Endstation | final stop |
| die nächste Haltestelle | next stop |
| die Durchsage | loudspeaker announcement |
| Halt auf Wunsch | stop on request |
| Nächster Halt | next stop |
| der Fahrgast | passenger |
| der Fahrer / die Fahrerin | driver (bus, tram, taxi) |