How to Say "I Need a Taxi" in German: Calling One or Using a Taxi Stand
Learn to order a taxi in German by phone or at a taxi stand, say where you are going, and ask when it will arrive.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
In this lesson you will learn how to get a taxi in German-speaking countries, whether you phone a dispatch centre or walk up to a taxi stand (Taxistand). You will practise saying "I need a taxi to ..." and asking how long it will take to arrive. This is not about giving a driver directions during the trip; it is about ordering the taxi and confirming the pickup. German uses the polite Sie form with strangers, so all the phrases below are in that form.
By the end, you can…
- order a taxi by phone or at a taxi stand in German
- say where I want to go using "Ich brauche ein Taxi zum ..." or "zur ..."
- ask how long the taxi will take to arrive
- give my pickup address and confirm the destination
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Ich brauche ein Taxi.
I need a taxi.
ikh BROW-khuh ine TAHK-see
The basic request. Use it on the phone or at a hotel reception. "Ein Taxi" is neuter, so the article is "ein", not "einen".
Ich brauche ein Taxi zum Bahnhof.
I need a taxi to the train station.
ikh BROW-khuh ine TAHK-see tsoom BAHN-hohf
"Zum" is a contraction of "zu dem" and is used with masculine or neuter destinations such as Bahnhof, Flughafen or Hotel.
Ich brauche ein Taxi zur Adresse ...
I need a taxi to the address ...
ikh BROW-khuh ine TAHK-see tsoor ah-DRESS-uh
"Zur" is a contraction of "zu der" and is used with feminine nouns such as Adresse, Straße or Post. Say the street name and number after it.
Wann kommt das Taxi?
When is the taxi coming?
van komt dahs TAHK-see
A direct question about arrival time. "Das Taxi" is the subject, so the verb "kommt" comes second.
Wie lange dauert es noch?
How much longer will it take?
vee LAHNG-uh DOW-ert es nokh
Use this after you have ordered to ask for the estimated arrival. "Noch" adds the sense of "still" or "remaining".
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is "Ich brauche ein Taxi" plus a destination. If the destination is masculine or neuter, use "zum": "zum Bahnhof", "zum Flughafen", "zum Hotel". If it is feminine, use "zur": "zur Adresse", "zur Straße". For a person's name or a specific place name, you can also say "zu" plus the name: "Ich brauche ein Taxi zu Maria." On the phone, add your pickup point: "Ich brauche ein Taxi von der Adresse ...". Note that "ein Taxi" stays in the accusative here; only masculine nouns change to "einen" (for example "einen Arzt").
When to use it
Use these phrases when you are the customer ordering the taxi, not when you are already inside and telling the driver where to turn. At a taxi stand you can simply say "Ich brauche ein Taxi zum Hauptbahnhof" to the driver. On the phone, the dispatcher will often ask "Wo sind Sie?" (Where are you?) and "Wohin?" (Where to?). Answer with your address and destination. To ask about arrival, say "Wie lange dauert es noch?" or "Wann kommt das Taxi?".
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Guten Tag, ich brauche ein Taxi.
Hello, I need a taxi.GOO-ten tahk, ikh BROW-khuh ine TAHK-seeWo sind Sie?
Where are you?voh zint zeeIch bin am Marktplatz 5. Ich brauche ein Taxi zum Flughafen.
I am at Marktplatz 5. I need a taxi to the airport.ikh bin ahm MARKT-plats fYNF. ikh BROW-khuh ine TAHK-see tsoom FLOOK-hah-fenIn Ordnung. Das Taxi kommt in zehn Minuten.
All right. The taxi will arrive in ten minutes.in ORT-noong. dahs TAHK-see komt in tsayn mih-NOO-tenA little context goes a long way
In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, taxis are usually ordered by phone or app, or taken from a marked taxi stand; hailing one on the street is less common outside big cities. In Austria you may hear "Taxi" pronounced with a slightly different vowel, and in Switzerland the word "Taxi" is standard, but payment and dispatch practices vary. Always use "Sie" with the dispatcher and driver unless you know them well.
One thing to watch for
Using "Ich brauche einen Taxi" because "Taxi" looks like a masculine noun.
Try this instead: "Taxi" is neuter, so the correct form is "Ich brauche ein Taxi". Use "einen" only with masculine nouns, for example "Ich brauche einen Arzt" (I need a doctor).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say "I need a taxi to the train station" in German?
Show a sample answer
Ich brauche ein Taxi zum Bahnhof.
"Bahnhof" is masculine, so "zu dem" contracts to "zum". "Zum Bahnhof" is the standard form. You may also hear "zum Hauptbahnhof" for the main station.
2Ask how long the taxi will take to arrive.
Show a sample answer
Wie lange dauert es noch?
This asks for the remaining time. "Wann kommt das Taxi?" is also correct and asks when it will come, but it does not ask for a duration.
3You are at the address Rosenweg 12 and want to go to the Hotel Adler. Order the taxi in one sentence.
Show a sample answer
Ich brauche ein Taxi von Rosenweg 12 zum Hotel Adler.
"Von" introduces the pickup point and "zum" introduces the destination. "Hotel" is neuter, so "zum" is correct. You could also say "Ich bin am Rosenweg 12 und brauche ein Taxi zum Hotel Adler."
Use "Ich brauche ein Taxi" plus "zum" or "zur" for your destination, and ask "Wie lange dauert es noch?" to check the arrival time. Keep the polite Sie form with dispatchers and drivers.
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s German into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr