German · Getting around · Elementary

How to buy a train ticket in German

At the ticket office (Reisezentrum) say where you’re going: “Einmal nach Köln, bitte”. Expect “Einfach oder hin und zurück?” and answer “Hin und zurück, bitte”. Then ask “Von welchem Gleis fährt der Zug ab?” and “Muss ich umsteigen?”. For daily travel, ask about a monthly pass.

Try it · about two minutes

At a train station you buy a single, a return or a monthly pass from the machine or the ticket office.

Sound on: the ticket office clerk speaks German. You choose what to say back, and Frasa tells you why it works.

The conversation

Ticket office clerk
Wie kann ich Ihnen helfen?
How can I help you?
You
Einmal nach Köln, bitte.
One to Cologne, please.
Ticket office clerk
Einfach oder hin und zurück?
Single or return?
You
Hin und zurück, bitte.
A return, please.
Ticket office clerk
Möchten Sie einen Fensterplatz oder einen Gangplatz?
Would you like a window or an aisle seat?
You
Einen Fensterplatz, bitte.
A window seat, please.
Ticket office clerk
Zahlen Sie bar oder mit Karte?
Are you paying cash or by card?
You
Mit Karte, bitte.
By card, please.
Ticket office clerk
Hier ist Ihre Karte.
Here’s your ticket.
You
Von welchem Gleis fährt der Zug ab?
Which platform does the train leave from?
Before you go, you remember you’ll be commuting every day from next month.
You
Gibt es etwas Günstigeres, wenn ich jeden Tag fahre?
Is there a cheaper option if I travel every day?

Key phrases

Wo kaufe ich eine Fahrkarte?
Where do I buy a ticket?
Eine Fahrkarte, bitte.
One ticket, please.
Hin und zurück, bitte.
A return, please.
Eine Tageskarte, bitte.
A day pass, please.
Kann ich im Bus eine Fahrkarte kaufen?
Can I buy a ticket on the bus?
Muss ich die Fahrkarte entwerten?
Do I have to validate the ticket?
Von welchem Gleis fährt der Zug ab?
Which platform does the train leave from?
Muss ich umsteigen?
Do I have to change trains?
Gilt diese Fahrkarte auch im Bus?
Is this ticket valid on the bus too?
Gibt es etwas Günstigeres, wenn ich jeden Tag fahre?
Is there a cheaper option if I travel every day?

Good to know in Germany

How buying a ticket goes

1
Use a machine, the app, or the ticket office (Reisezentrum) at bigger stations.
2
Say where to, then single (einfach) or return (hin und zurück).
3
Check your platform (Gleis) on the boards before you go down.
Which platform does the train leave from?

Stamp it if it says so

In some cities, local tickets bought in advance must be stamped (entwertet) in a small machine before you travel. If in doubt, ask.

Muss ich die Fahrkarte entwerten?

Do I have to validate the ticket?

For daily travel

Many commuters use the Deutschlandticket, a monthly subscription for local and regional transport across Germany. Most people sign up in an app or online, and many ticket offices can help.

More situations in German

All situations in German

Keep these phrases in Frasa

Frasa is an iPhone app for the conversations in front of you. Save phrases like these, rehearse them out loud, and they come back until they stick.

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AI-generated. May be inaccurate.