How to Ask How Much a Ticket Costs in German
Learn to ask 'How much is a ticket to...?' in German and understand simple price answers. Focus on price inquiry, not buying.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
In this lesson, you will learn how to ask how much a ticket costs in German. You will practice the question 'Was kostet eine Fahrkarte nach ...?' and learn to understand common answers that give a price. This is useful for trains, buses, and other public transport. You will not learn how to buy a ticket here; you will only learn to ask about the price and understand the response.
By the end, you can…
- ask how much a ticket to a place costs in German.
- understand a simple price answer in German.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Was kostet eine Fahrkarte nach Berlin?
How much does a ticket to Berlin cost?
vahs KOS-tet EYE-nuh FAHR-kar-tuh nahkh bair-LEEN
Standard polite question. Use 'Fahrkarte' for trains, buses, and trams. Replace 'Berlin' with your destination.
Wie viel kostet ein Ticket nach München?
How much does a ticket to Munich cost?
vee feel KOS-tet ine TIK-et nahkh MÜN-khen
'Ticket' is common in everyday German, especially for local transport. 'Wie viel' is an alternative to 'Was'.
Was kostet die Fahrt nach Hamburg?
How much does the journey to Hamburg cost?
vahs KOS-tet dee FAHRT nahkh HAM-boork
'Fahrt' means 'journey' or 'ride'. Use it when asking about the cost of a specific trip.
Eine Fahrkarte nach Köln kostet zehn Euro.
A ticket to Cologne costs ten euros.
EYE-nuh FAHR-kar-tuh nahkh KÖLN KOS-tet tseyn OY-roh
A typical answer. Prices are given in euros. 'Euro' is the same in singular and plural.
Das kostet fünfzehn Euro fünfzig.
That costs fifteen euros fifty.
dahs KOS-tet FÜNF-tseyn OY-roh FÜNF-tsikh
Common way to say 15.50 euros. In German, you say 'fünfzehn Euro fünfzig' (fifteen euros fifty), not 'fifteen fifty'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask the price of a ticket to a place, use: 'Was kostet eine Fahrkarte nach [place]?' or 'Wie viel kostet ein Ticket nach [place]?' The verb 'kostet' means 'costs'. The word 'nach' means 'to' for cities and most places. For example: 'Was kostet eine Fahrkarte nach Frankfurt?' (How much is a ticket to Frankfurt?) You can also ask about a specific journey: 'Was kostet die Fahrt nach Wien?' (How much is the journey to Vienna?)
When to use it
Use these questions at ticket counters, information desks, or when speaking to transport staff. They are polite and standard. If you want to be more formal, you can start with 'Entschuldigung' (Excuse me): 'Entschuldigung, was kostet eine Fahrkarte nach Dresden?' In Austria and Switzerland, 'Fahrkarte' is also understood, but you may hear 'Ticket' more often. In Switzerland, prices are in Swiss francs, so answers may be 'zwanzig Franken' instead of 'Euro'.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Entschuldigung, was kostet eine Fahrkarte nach Stuttgart?
Excuse me, how much does a ticket to Stuttgart cost?ent-SHOOL-dee-goong, vahs KOS-tet EYE-nuh FAHR-kar-tuh nahkh SHTOOT-gartEine Fahrkarte nach Stuttgart kostet zwanzig Euro.
A ticket to Stuttgart costs twenty euros.EYE-nuh FAHR-kar-tuh nahkh SHTOOT-gart KOS-tet TSVAHN-tsikh OY-rohUnd wie viel kostet ein Ticket nach Heidelberg?
And how much does a ticket to Heidelberg cost?oont vee feel KOS-tet ine TIK-et nahkh HYE-del-bairkDas kostet achtzehn Euro fünfzig.
That costs eighteen euros fifty.dahs KOS-tet AKH-tsayn OY-roh FÜNF-tsikhA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, it is common to ask for prices directly. Using 'Entschuldigung' before your question is polite. In formal situations, use 'Sie' forms, but the questions here work for both formal and informal contexts because they do not include a pronoun. In Switzerland, prices are in Swiss francs (Franken), and in Austria, euros are used. Always check the currency in the answer.
One thing to watch for
Using 'für' instead of 'nach' when asking about a ticket to a city, e.g., 'Was kostet eine Fahrkarte für Berlin?'
Try this instead: Use 'nach' for cities and most places: 'Was kostet eine Fahrkarte nach Berlin?' 'Für' is used for specific services or persons, e.g., 'Was kostet eine Fahrkarte für Kinder?' (How much is a ticket for children?).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'How much does a ticket to Vienna cost?' in German?
Show a sample answer
Was kostet eine Fahrkarte nach Wien?
This uses the standard pattern with 'Was kostet' and 'nach' for the destination. 'Wie viel kostet ein Ticket nach Wien?' is also correct.
2What does 'Das kostet zwölf Euro fünfzig' mean?
Show a sample answer
That costs twelve euros fifty.
'Das kostet' means 'That costs', 'zwölf' is twelve, 'Euro' is euros, and 'fünfzig' is fifty. It means 12.50 euros.
3You hear 'Eine Fahrkarte nach Bern kostet dreißig Franken.' What is the price and currency?
Show a sample answer
Thirty Swiss francs.
'Dreißig' is thirty, and 'Franken' is the currency in Switzerland. So the price is 30 Swiss francs. In Germany or Austria, you would hear 'Euro' instead.
To ask a ticket price in German, use 'Was kostet eine Fahrkarte nach ...?' or 'Wie viel kostet ein Ticket nach ...?' Listen for the price and currency in the answer. Remember to use 'nach' for destinations.
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