How to Buy a Metro Ticket in German: Say 'A Metro Ticket, Please'
Learn to ask for a metro ticket in German, understand zone and fare options, and handle a simple ticket purchase at the counter or machine.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
Buying a metro ticket in German is a short, practical exchange. You need one key phrase — 'Eine Fahrkarte, bitte' — plus a few words for zones and fare types. This lesson teaches you how to ask for a metro ticket, understand the most common fare options, and respond when the clerk asks where you are going. The focus is on standard German used in cities such as Berlin, Hamburg and Munich, with notes on regional differences where they matter.
By the end, you can…
- ask for a metro ticket in German using a polite, natural phrase.
- understand and choose between common fare options such as single, day and zone tickets.
- answer simple questions about my destination and pay for a ticket.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Eine Fahrkarte, bitte.
A ticket, please.
EYE-nuh FAHR-kar-tuh, BIT-tuh
The most useful general phrase. 'Fahrkarte' works for metro, bus, tram and train tickets in most contexts.
Eine Metrokarte, bitte.
A metro ticket, please.
EYE-nuh MAY-troh-kar-tuh, BIT-tuh
Understandable in many cities, but less common than 'Fahrkarte'. Use it if you want to be specific about the metro.
Einmal Innenstadt, bitte.
One ticket to the city centre, please.
INE-mahl IN-nen-shtat, BIT-tuh
Useful when the fare depends on zones. 'Einmal' means 'one' or 'once' and is standard at ticket counters.
Was kostet eine Tageskarte?
How much does a day ticket cost?
vas KOS-tet EYE-nuh TAH-gus-kar-tuh
Ask this when you plan to travel several times in one day. A 'Tageskarte' is usually cheaper than multiple single tickets.
Ich möchte zum Hauptbahnhof.
I would like to go to the main station.
ikh MERKH-tuh tsoom HOWPT-bahn-hohf
Use this to state your destination. 'Zum' is a contraction of 'zu dem' and is correct for 'to the' with masculine or neuter places.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is: [article] + [ticket type] + 'bitte'. In German, 'Fahrkarte' is feminine, so you say 'eine Fahrkarte', not 'ein Fahrkarte'. For a day ticket, say 'eine Tageskarte'. For a single ride, say 'eine Einzelfahrt'. For a short trip, say 'eine Kurzstrecke'. Example: 'Eine Tageskarte, bitte.' If you need to add a destination, use 'nach' for cities and 'zum' or 'zur' for places: 'Eine Fahrkarte nach Berlin, bitte.' or 'Eine Fahrkarte zum Alexanderplatz, bitte.'
When to use it
Use 'Eine Fahrkarte, bitte' at a ticket counter, a machine with staff, or a kiosk. At a machine, you often just press the button for the fare you want, but you can still say the phrase if someone helps you. If the clerk asks 'Wohin?' (Where to?), answer with 'Nach ...' or 'Zum ...'. If they ask 'Einfach oder hin und zurück?' (Single or return?), answer 'Einfach, bitte' or 'Hin und zurück, bitte'. In Berlin, you may hear 'Fahrschein' instead of 'Fahrkarte'; in Austria and parts of southern Germany, 'Fahrkarte' is standard, but 'Ticket' is also widely understood.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Guten Tag. Eine Fahrkarte, bitte.
Hello. A ticket, please.GOO-ten tahk. EYE-nuh FAHR-kar-tuh, BIT-tuh.Wohin möchten Sie?
Where would you like to go?voh-HIN MERKH-ten zee?Zum Hauptbahnhof, bitte. Einmal Innenstadt.
To the main station, please. One ticket to the city centre.tsoom HOWPT-bahn-hohf, BIT-tuh. INE-mahl IN-nen-shtat.Das macht drei Euro zwanzig. Bar oder mit Karte?
That comes to three euros twenty. Cash or card?das makht dry OY-roh TSVAN-tsikh. bahr OH-der mit KAR-tuh?A little context goes a long way
In German-speaking cities, ticket machines are common and often have an English menu. At a counter, a short 'Eine Fahrkarte, bitte' is polite and normal. You do not need to add 'Entschuldigung' unless you are interrupting. In Berlin, 'Fahrschein' is the traditional word, while 'Fahrkarte' is understood everywhere. In Vienna, you may see 'Wiener Linien' tickets and hear 'Fahrkarte' or 'Ticket'. Always validate your ticket if required; in many cities, buying it is not enough.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'Ein Fahrkarte, bitte' because you think 'Fahrkarte' is neuter or you forget the article.
Try this instead: 'Fahrkarte' is feminine, so use 'eine': 'Eine Fahrkarte, bitte.' If you are unsure, 'Eine Fahrkarte, bitte' is always safe. For a day ticket, say 'eine Tageskarte', not 'ein Tageskarte'.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask for a metro ticket in German, using the most common general word?
Show a sample answer
Eine Fahrkarte, bitte.
'Fahrkarte' is the standard word for a ticket on public transport. 'Eine' is the feminine article that matches 'Fahrkarte'. You could also say 'Eine Metrokarte, bitte', but 'Fahrkarte' is more common.
2The clerk asks 'Einfach oder hin und zurück?' You want a single ticket. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
Einfach, bitte.
'Einfach' means 'single' or 'one-way'. 'Hin und zurück' means 'return'. If you want a return ticket, say 'Hin und zurück, bitte'. Both are correct depending on your need.
3You want a ticket to the main station. Complete the sentence: 'Eine Fahrkarte ___ Hauptbahnhof, bitte.'
Show a sample answer
zum
'Zum' is the contraction of 'zu dem' and is used with 'Hauptbahnhof' because it is masculine. You could also say 'nach' if you mean the city, but 'zum Hauptbahnhof' is correct for the station itself.
Use 'Eine Fahrkarte, bitte' as your default phrase. Add 'zum ...' or 'nach ...' for your destination, and learn 'einfach', 'hin und zurück', 'Tageskarte' and 'Innenstadt' to handle the most common fare questions.
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