You are planning a trip to a German-speaking city and want to buy tickets confidently without switching to English. This page helps you rehearse the exact phrases you need at a ticket counter or machine, from asking for a one-way ticket to the city centre to requesting a return fare to the airport and asking how much it costs. You will practise speaking aloud, responding to typical agent questions, and checking that your message is clear even when the conversation takes an unexpected turn.
Prepare your ticket request before you speak
Before you approach the counter, decide three things: your destination, whether you need a one-way or return ticket, and if returning, your return day and time. Use the pattern 'Eine Fahrkarte nach [city], bitte' for cities, or 'Einfach nach [city], bitte' for a one-way ticket to a city. For places and institutions such as the city centre, main station, or airport, use 'zum' or 'zur': 'Eine Fahrkarte zum Stadtzentrum, bitte' or 'Eine Fahrkarte zum Hauptbahnhof, bitte.' If you need a return, say 'Eine Hin- und Rückfahrt zum Flughafen, bitte' or 'Ich möchte eine Rückfahrkarte nach Berlin, bitte.' To ask the price, use 'Was kostet eine Fahrkarte nach [city]?' Rehearse these aloud until you can say them without reading. Also prepare to answer 'Einfach oder hin und zurück?' and 'Wann möchten Sie zurückfahren?' by knowing your return date and time in German, for example 'Am Montag, den dritten Mai, um 18 Uhr.'
Handle the harder turn: when the agent asks for details
The trickiest moment is when the agent asks a follow-up question you did not expect, such as 'Wann möchten Sie zurückfahren?' or 'Einfach oder hin und zurück?' You may also hear a price you did not anticipate, like 'Das macht 15 Euro' or 'Das kostet achtzehn Euro fünfzig.' Instead of freezing, buy yourself a second with 'Entschuldigung' and then answer with a short, prepared phrase. If you need to confirm the price, repeat it back: 'Also, fünfzehn Euro?' If you did not understand, say 'Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?' but keep your main request ready to restate. Practise switching between your request and your answer so the exchange feels like a natural back-and-forth, not two separate scripts.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Eine Fahrkarte zum Stadtzentrum, bitte.
One ticket to the city center, please.
EYE-nuh FAHR-kar-tuh tsoom SHTAHT-tsen-troom, BIT-tuh
Einfach nach Berlin, bitte.
One-way to Berlin, please.
EYE-fakh nakh ber-LEEN, BIT-tuh
Was kostet eine Fahrkarte zum Hauptbahnhof?
How much does a ticket to the main station cost?
vas KOS-tet EYE-nuh FAHR-kar-tuh tsoom HOWPT-bahn-hohf
Ich möchte eine Fahrkarte für die U-Bahn.
I would like a ticket for the subway.
ikh MERKH-tuh EYE-nuh FAHR-kar-tuh fewr dee OO-bahn
Eine Hin- und Rückfahrt zum Flughafen, bitte.
A return ticket to the airport, please.
INE-uh HIN unt RÜCK-fahrt tsoom FLOOG-hah-fen, BIT-tuh
Ich möchte eine Rückfahrkarte nach Berlin, bitte.
I would like a return ticket to Berlin, please.
ikh MÖCH-tuh INE-uh RÜCK-fahr-kar-tuh nakh ber-LEEN, BIT-tuh
Wann möchten Sie zurückfahren?
When would you like to return?
van MÖCH-ten zee tsoo-RÜCK-fah-ren
Am Montag, den dritten Mai, um 18 Uhr.
On Monday, the third of May, at 6 p.m.
ahm MON-tahk, dane DRIT-ten my, um AHKT-tsayn OOR
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Guten Tag, ich möchte eine Fahrkarte zum Stadtzentrum, bitte.
Good day, I would like a ticket to the city center, please.Einfach oder hin und zurück?
One-way or return?Einfach, bitte. Was kostet das?
One-way, please. How much is it?Das macht 2,80 Euro.
That comes to 2.80 euros.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Buying a one-way ticket to the city centre
You are at a ticket machine in a German city. You need a single ticket to the city centre. The machine screen shows options in German, and a staff member is nearby to help.
Your task: Say aloud: 'Eine Fahrkarte zum Stadtzentrum, bitte.' Then add 'Einfach, bitte' to clarify it is one-way. Ask the price with 'Was kostet das?' and be ready to say 'Danke' when you hear the amount.
Requesting a return ticket to the airport
You are at a ticket counter in Berlin. You need a return ticket to the airport for next Sunday at 8 p.m. The agent speaks quickly and asks for your return details.
Your task: Say aloud: 'Ich möchte eine Hin- und Rückfahrt zum Flughafen, bitte.' Then give your return time: 'Am Sonntag, den zwölften Juli, um 20 Uhr.' Ask 'Was kostet das?' and listen for the price.
Asking the price for a ticket to a specific city
You are at an information desk in Munich. You want to know how much a ticket to Hamburg costs. You also want to compare it with a ticket to Cologne.
Your task: Say aloud: 'Was kostet eine Fahrkarte nach Hamburg?' Then ask about Cologne: 'Und wie viel kostet ein Ticket nach Köln?' Listen for the prices and repeat them back: 'Also, zwanzig Euro nach Hamburg und achtzehn Euro fünfzig nach Köln?'
Common questions
What if I do not understand the price the agent says?
Ask them to repeat it: 'Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?' You can also repeat the number you think you heard and ask 'Ist das richtig?'
How do I say 'one-way' and 'return' in German?
One-way is 'einfach' and return is 'hin und zurück' or 'Rückfahrt'. For a return ticket, you can say 'Eine Hin- und Rückfahrt' or 'Eine Rückfahrkarte'.
Sources and further reading
- german: buy a single ticketChecked September 2026
- german: buy a return ticketChecked September 2026
- german: ask for the price of a ticketChecked September 2026
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