German · Real conversations

Train journeys: useful German phrases

Check a route, a platform, and a connection.

Start with the essentials

Start with the essential words and expressions below. Next, learn the five specific phrases in the reference table. Finally, read both sides of the exchange and try the linked rehearsal before revealing its sample replies. This collection connects to the broader vocabulary topic.

Train
der Zug
Train
Station
der Bahnhof
Station
Ticket
die Fahrkarte
Ticket
What time does it leave?
Wann fährt er ab?
What time does it leave?

Make the conversation more specific

Useful German expressions for train journeys
What you want to say	German
Train	der Zug Train
Station	der Bahnhof Station
Ticket	die Fahrkarte Ticket
What time does it leave?	Wann fährt er ab? What time does it leave?
Is this a direct train?	Ist das ein direkter Zug? Show English translation Is this a direct train?
Do I need to change trains?	Muss ich umsteigen? Show English translation Do I need to change trains?
Which platform does it leave from?	Von welchem Gleis fährt er ab? Show English translation Which platform does it leave from?
Is the ticket valid for ...?	Gilt die Fahrkarte für …? Show English translation Is the ticket valid for …?
What happens if I miss the connection?	Was passiert, wenn ich den Anschluss verpasse? Show English translation What happens if I miss the connection?

Read the other side of the exchange

Partner
Der erste Zug für Ihre Reise fährt bald ab.
The first train for your journey leaves soon.
You
Ist das ein direkter Zug?
Is this a direct train?
Partner
Nein, er endet am Umsteigebahnhof.
No, it ends at the junction station.
You
Muss ich umsteigen?
Do I need to change trains?

Train journeys in other languages

A note on speaking German

Use Sie for formal address and du with people you address informally. Könnten Sie …? is a useful polite request. Keep noun capitals and the verb position shown in each complete sentence.

The examples preserve German accents and ß. Read a full sentence before replacing a detail: a subordinate clause can move the verb to the end, and case can change an article or pronoun.