German · Travel & Getting Around
"Ticket" in German: Fahrkarte
die Fahrkarte
Note: also: das Ticket
A travel ticket is die Fahrkarte. Buy one with eine Fahrkarte kaufen. In cities you will also hear das Ticket, but Fahrkarte is the clear learner headword for transit.
At the station
Wo kann ich eine Fahrkarte kaufen?Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce Fahrkarte
Say it
FAHR-kar-tuh
/ˈfaːɐ̯kartə/
FAHR-kar-tuh. Stress FAHR. The r is light, and final e is soft.
"Ticket" in German: quick reference
| German | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| die Fahrkarte | the (travel) ticket Classic word for train and transit tickets. | Classic word for train and transit tickets. |
| das Ticket | the ticket Common loanword, same idea in many contexts. | Common loanword, same idea in many contexts. |
| eine Fahrkarte kaufen | to buy a ticket At a machine or counter. | At a machine or counter. |
| die Monatskarte | monthly pass Longer-period transit ticket. | Longer-period transit ticket. |
How to use Fahrkarte in real life
- 1At the station
Wo kann ich eine Fahrkarte kaufen?
Where can I buy a ticket?
Eine Fahrkarte is feminine accusative.
- 2On the platform
Hast du deine Fahrkarte schon?
Do you have your ticket already?
Deine agrees with feminine Fahrkarte.
- 3Ticket check
Die Fahrkarte bitte bereithalten.
Please have your ticket ready.
Announcement-style request on trains.
Mistakes English speakers make with Fahrkarte
Incorrect: ein Fahrkarte
Correct: eine Fahrkarte
Fahrkarte is feminine: eine, not ein.
Incorrect: Ich brauche Fahrkarten für Flug. (plane)
Correct: Ich brauche ein Flugticket.
Fahrkarte is for ground travel. Flights use Flugticket or Ticket.
Good to know
Inspectors say Fahrkarten bitte with little warning. Validate stamped tickets where required. Many regions now use apps, but the word Fahrkarte still appears on machines and signs.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Buying regional train tickets
ChatPal
Brauchst du eine Fahrkarte bis Köln?
Do you need a ticket to Cologne?
You
Ja. Reicht eine Fahrkarte für hin und zurück?
Yes. Is one ticket enough for there and back?
ChatPal
Nein, nimm eine Rückfahrkarte. Die Fahrkarte ist günstiger so.
No, take a return ticket. The ticket is cheaper that way.
You
Okay, ich kaufe die Fahrkarte am Automaten.
Okay, I'll buy the ticket at the machine.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Ticket" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Ticket" in German
Is Fahrkarte or Ticket correct?
Both are used. Fahrkarte is the traditional transit word; Ticket is a common loanword.
How do you say buy a ticket?
Eine Fahrkarte kaufen.
What gender is Fahrkarte?
Feminine: die Fahrkarte.
What about plane tickets?
Usually Flugticket or Ticket, not Fahrkarte.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
