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Travel: Train Station & Airport ​

The exchanges you need at the Fahrkartenschalter, on the platform, and at the check-in counter.

Travel situations are almost always with strangers — clerks, agents, station staff — so every dialogue below uses Sie (formal).

Buying a train ticket ​

Formal (Sie) — at the Fahrkartenschalter (ticket counter).
Kunde
Eine Fahrkarte nach Berlin, bitte.
A ticket to Berlin, please.
Verkäufer
Einfach oder hin und zurück?
One-way or round-trip?
Kunde
Hin und zurück, bitte.
Round-trip, please.
Verkäufer
Das macht 45 Euro. Der Zug fährt von Gleis 5.
That comes to 45 euros. The train leaves from platform 5.
Kunde
Vielen Dank!
Thank you very much!
Good to know: destinations after a verb of motion use nach + Dativ for cities and countries (nach Berlin). Einfach (one-way) and hin und zurück (round-trip) are the two ticket types you'll always be asked about. Gleis is the platform/track number, and prices use "Das macht … Euro" (that comes to … euros).

Asking about departure times ​

Formal (Sie) — on the platform or at the information desk.
Reisende
Wann fährt der nächste Zug nach München?
When does the next train to Munich leave?
Beamter
Um 14:30 Uhr, von Gleis 3.
At 2:30 pm, from platform 3.
Reisende
Muss ich umsteigen?
Do I have to change trains?
Beamter
Ja, einmal in Nürnberg.
Yes, once in Nuremberg.
Reisende
Danke für die Information!
Thanks for the information!
Good to know: Wann fährt …? (When does … leave?) is the standard question for departure times. umsteigen (to change/transfer) is a separable verb — in the Präsens it splits: Ich steige um. Here it stays together after the modal muss: Muss ich umsteigen?

At the airport check-in ​

Formal (Sie) — at the check-in counter.
Passagier
Ich möchte einchecken.
I'd like to check in.
Agent
Ihren Reisepass und Ihr Ticket, bitte.
Your passport and ticket, please.
Passagier
Hier, bitte schön.
Here you go.
Agent
Haben Sie Gepäck?
Do you have any luggage?
Passagier
Ja, einen Koffer.
Yes, one suitcase.
Agent
Danke. Ihr Flug geht von Gate 12.
Thank you. Your flight departs from gate 12.
Good to know: einchecken is another separable verb — Ich checke ein in a plain statement, but it stays together as an infinitive after möchte. Haben Sie …? is the go-to formal question pattern for "do you have …?", and Gepäck (luggage) is uncountable, so a specific bag is ein Koffer (a suitcase).
  • Questions — wann, wo, wohin for travel questions
  • Separable Verbs — umsteigen and two-way prepositions for movement
  • Numbers — times, platforms, and prices