🇩🇪 Day 4 – Activity 5
🚆 Verkehr & Pendeln – Transport & Commuting
🎯 Learning Objective
Buy tickets, ask for directions, and understand announcements on trains, trams, and buses in Germany.
🗣️ Key Phrases
- 👉 „Eine Fahrkarte nach Berlin, bitte.“
One ticket to Berlin, please. - 👉 „Welches Gleis?“
Which platform? - 👉 „Hält dieser Zug in München?“
Does this train stop in Munich? - 👉 „Ist das die richtige Richtung?“
Is this the right direction?
🛤️ Vocabulary – On the Move
| English | German | Speak | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| ticket | die Fahrkarte | Ich brauche eine Fahrkarte. (I need a ticket.) | |
| platform | das Gleis | Gleis 5 (Platform 5) | |
| delay | die Verspätung | 10 Minuten Verspätung. (10-minute delay.) | |
| change trains | umsteigen | in Frankfurt umsteigen (change in Frankfurt) | |
| final stop | die Endstation | Endstation Hauptbahnhof. |
🇩🇪 German Culture
Public transport is usually on time 🚉. Always validate your ticket before travel if required. Ticket inspectors may appear anytime — fines are high for invalid tickets!
🎉 Fun Facts
- ICE trains reach speeds of over 300 km/h 🚄.
- Most big cities have trams and metro systems integrated with one ticket.
- Quiet carriages (“Ruhebereiche”) are common on long-distance trains.
🇮🇳 Tip for Indian Learners
Use DB Navigator or local apps (BVG, MVV) for planning journeys. If you’re unsure, ask:
👉 „Welches Gleis fährt nach München?“ Which platform goes to Munich?
👉 „Wo kann ich das Ticket entwerten?“ Where can I validate the ticket?
These phrases will make your travel much smoother 🚆.