01
Recognise the words
Learn essential travel nouns with their articles, English meanings and useful vocabulary groups.
Travel with greater confidence. Learn practical German vocabulary and everyday expressions for airports, trains, hotels, restaurants and sightseeing — with English translations and real-world examples.
A little German can make everyday travel interactions easier. Whether you are planning a holiday in Germany, Austria or Switzerland, start with the words and sentences you are most likely to need.
Learn essential travel nouns with their articles, English meanings and useful vocabulary groups.
Move beyond isolated words with practical questions, polite requests and natural example sentences.
Practise language for transport, accommodation, meals and discovering new places.
Learn German for airports, flights, railway stations, public transport, tickets and asking how to reach your destination.
These are useful words to recognise when reading signs, checking tickets or speaking to transport staff.
| German | English | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| der Flug | flight | Der Flug ist pünktlich. — The flight is on time. |
| das Flugticket | flight ticket | Ich habe mein Flugticket. — I have my flight ticket. |
| die Bordkarte | boarding pass | Hier ist meine Bordkarte. — Here is my boarding pass. |
| der Reisepass | passport | Wo ist mein Reisepass? — Where is my passport? |
| die Sicherheitskontrolle | security screening | Wo ist die Sicherheitskontrolle? — Where is security? |
| die Verspätung | delay | Hat der Zug Verspätung? — Is the train delayed? |
| die einfache Fahrt | one-way journey | Ich möchte eine einfache Fahrt. — I would like a one-way ticket. |
| die Hin- und Rückfahrt | return journey | Ich brauche eine Hin- und Rückfahrt. — I need a return ticket. |
| die Haltestelle | stop for a bus or tram | Wo ist die nächste Haltestelle? — Where is the nearest stop? |
| die U-Bahn | underground / metro | Ich nehme die U-Bahn. — I will take the metro. |
| die Straßenbahn | tram | Die Straßenbahn kommt gleich. — The tram is arriving shortly. |
| der Mietwagen | rental car | Wir brauchen einen Mietwagen. — We need a rental car. |
From booking a room to checking in, asking about breakfast and understanding hotel facilities, these expressions prepare you for common accommodation situations.
das Hotel — hotel
die Reservierung — reservation
das Einzelzimmer — single room
das Doppelzimmer — double room
die Übernachtung — overnight stay
die Buchungsbestätigung — booking confirmation
der Schlüssel — key
die Rezeption — reception
der Aufzug — lift / elevator
das Badezimmer — bathroom
das Frühstück — breakfast
die Klimaanlage — air conditioning
einchecken — to check in
auschecken — to check out
die Rechnung — bill / invoice
der Preis — price
die Kreditkarte — credit card
die Kaution — deposit
| German phrase | English meaning | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Ich habe ein Zimmer reserviert. | I have reserved a room. | At reception |
| Ich habe eine Reservierung auf den Namen Müller. | I have a reservation under the name Müller. | Giving the booking name |
| Ist das Frühstück im Preis inbegriffen? | Is breakfast included in the price? | Checking what is included |
| Um wie viel Uhr ist der Check-out? | What time is check-out? | Checking departure time |
| Gibt es WLAN im Zimmer? | Is there Wi-Fi in the room? | Asking about internet access |
| Könnte ich ein zusätzliches Handtuch bekommen? | Could I get an extra towel? | Making a polite request |
| Die Klimaanlage funktioniert nicht. | The air conditioning is not working. | Reporting a problem |
| Kann ich mein Gepäck hier lassen? | Can I leave my luggage here? | Before check-in or after check-out |
| Kann ich mit Karte bezahlen? | Can I pay by card? | At payment |
| Ich möchte auschecken. | I would like to check out. | Leaving the hotel |
This polite expression means “I would like …” and is useful when making requests.
Understand menus, order food politely, ask about ingredients and settle the bill with practical German expressions.
| German | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| das Frühstück | breakfast | Das Frühstück ist lecker. — The breakfast is delicious. |
| das Mittagessen | lunch | Wir essen zu Mittag. — We are having lunch. |
| das Abendessen | dinner | Das Abendessen ist fertig. — Dinner is ready. |
| die Suppe | soup | Ich nehme eine Suppe. — I will have a soup. |
| der Salat | salad | Ein Salat, bitte. — A salad, please. |
| das Hähnchen | chicken | Das Hähnchen ist gut. — The chicken is good. |
| der Fisch | fish | Ich esse gern Fisch. — I like eating fish. |
| das Gemüse | vegetables | Mehr Gemüse, bitte. — More vegetables, please. |
| das Wasser | water | Ein Wasser, bitte. — A water, please. |
| der Kaffee | coffee | Einen Kaffee, bitte. — A coffee, please. |
Learn to ask for directions, find tourist attractions, understand opening hours and plan your day in a German-speaking city.
die Sehenswürdigkeit — tourist attraction
das Museum — museum
das Schloss — palace / castle
die Altstadt — old town
der Marktplatz — market square
die Kirche — church
der Park — park
die Straße — street
die Kreuzung — intersection
die Ampel — traffic light
die Ecke — corner
die Karte — map
geradeaus — straight ahead
gegenüber — opposite
die Öffnungszeiten — opening hours
die Eintrittskarte — admission ticket
der Eintritt — admission / entrance fee
die Führung — guided tour
geöffnet — open
geschlossen — closed
die Aussicht — view
| German phrase | English meaning | Useful for |
|---|---|---|
| Entschuldigung, wie komme ich zum Museum? | Excuse me, how do I get to the museum? | Asking the way |
| Ist es weit von hier? | Is it far from here? | Checking distance |
| Gehen Sie geradeaus. | Go straight ahead. | Following directions |
| Biegen Sie an der Ampel links ab. | Turn left at the traffic light. | Turning left |
| Biegen Sie an der nächsten Straße rechts ab. | Turn right at the next street. | Turning right |
| Das Hotel liegt gegenüber dem Bahnhof. | The hotel is opposite the railway station. | Finding a landmark |
| Wann öffnet das Museum? | When does the museum open? | Opening hours |
| Wie viel kostet der Eintritt? | How much is admission? | Ticket prices |
| Gibt es eine Führung auf Englisch? | Is there a guided tour in English? | Visiting attractions |
| Kann ich hier Fotos machen? | Can I take photos here? | Photography rules |
A compact collection of polite, reusable expressions for everyday interactions. Learn these complete phrases to help you communicate even when your vocabulary is limited.
Meaning: “Where is …?”
Wo ist der Ausgang?
Where is the exit?
Wo ist die Bushaltestelle?
Where is the bus stop?
Meaning: “I would like …”
Ich möchte ein Ticket.
I would like a ticket.
Ich möchte bezahlen.
I would like to pay.
Meaning: “Can / could you …?”
Können Sie mir helfen?
Can you help me?
Können Sie das aufschreiben?
Could you write that down?
Use this checklist to decide what to practise next. Aim to say the German phrases aloud without reading the English translation first.
You do not need to memorise every word at once. Learn a small group, use it in sentences, and return to it regularly.
Travel vocabulary is a starting point. Strengthen your German with structured vocabulary practice, grammar, listening and speaking activities from Fortgang Institut.
Turn vocabulary into communication. Practise useful German travel phrases, real-world dialogues, essential grammar and interactive exercises designed to help you prepare for your next journey.
Learn to request information, ask for help and clarify what you hear.
Use complete sentences for reservations, directions, dining and transport.
Read each conversation in German, then check the English translation. Try speaking both roles aloud to build fluency.
Learn a few high-value sentence patterns. You can reuse them in hotels, restaurants, stations and everyday conversations.
This means “I would like …” and is useful for polite requests.
I would like a coffee.
I would like a single room.
I would like the bill.
This means “Could you …?” and is useful when asking someone for assistance.
Could you help me?
Could you repeat that?
Could you write that down?
Modal verbs help you express ability, necessity and permission.
Can I pay here?
I have to go to the station.
May I sit here?
Use these structures to ask where something is or how to get there.
Where is the bus stop?
How do I get to the station?
How do I get to the old town?
| Expression | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| zum | to the (zu + dem) | Ich gehe zum Bahnhof. — I am going to the station. |
| zur | to the (zu + der) | Wir gehen zur Rezeption. — We are going to reception. |
| im | in the (in + dem) | Ich bin im Hotel. — I am in the hotel. |
| am | at the (an + dem) | Ich warte am Bahnhof. — I am waiting at the station. |
| mit | with / by | Ich fahre mit dem Zug. — I travel by train. |
| nach | to (many cities and countries without an article) | Wir fahren nach Berlin. — We are going to Berlin. |
| links / rechts | left / right | Biegen Sie links ab. — Turn left. |
Test your understanding with 12 multiple-choice questions. Get instant feedback, track your score and review the correct answers.
This quiz runs in your browser. Your answers are not submitted to a server.
Recall the English meaning before revealing it. Practise in short sessions and revisit the words you find difficult.
Look at the German word and try to recall its meaning without peeking.
Make one short German sentence with the word. Learning it in context makes revision more meaningful.
Use this checklist to assess what you can already do. Your progress updates as you tick off each skill.
Review six flashcards and say each German word aloud.
Practise a hotel, restaurant or transport conversation.
Use one new word in a complete sentence without looking at the example.
Review again later rather than trying to learn everything in one sitting.
Travel German is one part of a wider language journey. Keep building your vocabulary, strengthen your grammar and practise the expressions that make everyday communication easier.
Fortgang Institut · Practical German for travel, study and everyday life.