Public Transport (Leaving Cert German): Revision Notes
Public Transport
Understanding public transport vocabulary is essential for navigating German-speaking countries. This guide covers the key terms and phrases you'll need for different forms of transport, from buses to planes.
Bus and coach transport
When using public transport in Germany, you'll often need different types of tickets. The most common option is eine Mehrfahrtenkarte (a multiple-journey ticket), which you must validate either on board or at the bus stop. Other popular choices include eine Touristenkarte (tourist pass) and eine Familienkarte (family ticket).
Always remember to validate your ticket! Failure to stamp your Mehrfahrtenkarte can result in hefty fines, even if you purchased it legitimately.
Essential bus vocabulary
| German | English |
|---|---|
| der Bus | bus |
| die Haltestelle | bus stop |
| die Mehrfahrtenkarte | multiple-journey ticket |
| die Touristenkarte | tourist pass |
| die Familienkarte | family ticket |
| einsteigen | to get on |
| aussteigen | to get off |
| abfahren | to depart |
| die Nummer | number |
| neben | next to |
Example conversations:
- Der Bus Nummer 15 fährt nach Bonn. (Bus number 15 goes to Bonn.)
- Wo kann ich Fahrscheine kaufen? (Where can I buy tickets?)
- Ich muss hier aussteigen. (I have to get off here.)
Metro and underground systems
Most major German cities operate integrated transport networks. A single ticket typically covers buses, U-Bahn (underground/metro) and S-Bahn (suburban trains). These systems make city travel convenient and efficient.
The integrated transport system means you can seamlessly transfer between different modes of transport without purchasing separate tickets for each journey segment.
Metro travel vocabulary
| German | English |
|---|---|
| die U-Bahn | underground/metro |
| die S-Bahn | suburban train |
| die Haltestelle | station/stop |
| der Automat | ticket machine |
| umsteigen | to change/transfer |
| die Richtung | direction |
| die Linie | line |
| die Zone | zone |
| die Karte | map/ticket |
| der Fahrplan | timetable |
Example conversations:
- Wo ist die nächste U-Bahn-Haltestelle? (Where is the nearest underground station?)
- Muss ich umsteigen? (Do I have to change?)
- Welche Linie fährt nach...? (Which line goes to...?)
Train travel
German trains require you to check for supplements (ein Zuschlag) before boarding, as these cost less when purchased with your main ticket. The ticket and information office is called Reisezentrum.
Critical Train Travel Tip: Always check if your train requires a supplement (ein Zuschlag) before boarding. Purchasing supplements onboard costs significantly more than buying them with your original ticket at the station.
Train station vocabulary
| German | English |
|---|---|
| der Bahnhof | railway station |
| der Hauptbahnhof | main station |
| der Fahrplan | timetable |
| die Abfahrt | departure |
| die Ankunft | arrival |
| der Zuschlag | supplement |
| das Reisezentrum | ticket office |
| der Bahnsteig | platform |
| der Platz | seat |
| umsteigen | to change trains |
Example conversations:
- Wann geht der nächste Zug? (When does the next train leave?)
- Muss ich einen Zuschlag zahlen? (Do I have to pay a supplement?)
- Von welchem Bahnsteig fährt er ab? (Which platform does it leave from?)
Taxi services
In Germany, you cannot simply flag down taxis on the street. Instead, you must find a Taxistand (taxi rank) or telephone for a taxi. When calling, you'll need to provide your name and the address, which appears under Standort in telephone directories.
Essential Taxi Information: Unlike in many other countries, you cannot hail taxis from the street in Germany. You must either go to designated taxi ranks (Taxistand) or call to book one in advance.
Taxi vocabulary
| German | English |
|---|---|
| das Taxi | taxi |
| der Taxistand | taxi rank |
| bestellen | to order |
| sofort | immediately |
| die Adresse | address |
| das Zentrum | city centre |
| der Flughafen | airport |
| die Quittung | receipt |
| eilig haben | to be in a hurry |
| weit | far |
Example conversations:
- Ich hätte gern ein Taxi. (I would like a taxi.)
- Bitte bestellen Sie mir ein Taxi. (Please order me a taxi.)
- Was kostet die Fahrt zum Bahnhof? (How much does the journey to the station cost?)
Boat and ferry services
Ferry services often offer different ticket options depending on your needs. You can choose from single journeys (die einfache Fahrt), return tickets (eine Rückfahrkarte), tourist cards (eine Touristenkarte), or family cards (eine Familienkarte).
Marine transport vocabulary
| German | English |
|---|---|
| das Schiff | ship/boat |
| die Fähre | ferry |
| der Fahrplan | timetable |
| die einfache Fahrt | single journey |
| die Rückfahrkarte | return ticket |
| die Autofähre | car ferry |
| die Überfahrt | crossing |
| erste/letzte | first/last |
| zurückkommen | to return |
| das Auto | car |
Example conversations:
- Wann fährt das nächste Schiff ab? (When does the next boat leave?)
- Gibt es eine Autofähre nach...? (Is there a car ferry to...?)
- Was kostet es für ein Auto mit drei Personen? (How much does it cost for a car with three people?)
Air travel
At airports, you'll need to know where to check in and find your departure gate. Listen for boarding announcements that tell passengers to go immediately to specific gate numbers.
German airports are well-organized with clear signage, but knowing key vocabulary will help you navigate more confidently and understand important announcements.
Airport vocabulary
| German | English |
|---|---|
| der Flughafen | airport |
| das Gate | gate |
| der Check-in | check-in |
| der Flug | flight |
| das Gepäck | luggage |
| die Stadt | city/town |
| das Hotel | hotel |
| der Airport-Bus | airport bus |
| das Stadtzentrum | city centre |
| einsteigen | to board |
Example conversations:
- Zum Flughafen, bitte. (To the airport, please.)
- Wo ist der Check-in für...? (Where is check-in for...?)
- Gibt es einen Airport-Bus zum Stadtzentrum? (Is there an airport bus to the city centre?)
Sample dialogue
Complete Conversation: Taking the Bus
A: Entschuldigung, gibt es einen Bus nach Bonn? (Excuse me, is there a bus to Bonn?)
B: Ja, die Nummer 15. (Yes, number 15.)
A: Wo fährt der Bus ab? (Where does the bus leave from?)
B: Neben dem Museum. (Next to the museum.)
A: Wo kann ich Fahrscheine kaufen? (Where can I buy tickets?)
B: Im Bus. (On the bus.)
Common mistakes & tips
Pronunciation tip: The 'ch' in ich and nicht is soft, like a whispered 'sh' sound.
Common Gender Mistake: Using der for all transport words Correction: Learn the gender - der Bus, die Bahn, das Taxi
Ticket Validation Mistake: Forgetting to validate tickets Reminder: Always stamp your Mehrfahrtenkarte when boarding
Verb Confusion: Mixing up abfahren (to depart) and ankommen (to arrive) Memory Tip: Ab- means away/off, an- means towards
Question Word Mistake: Using wo for all questions Remember: Wo = where, Wie = how, Wann = when
Key Points to Remember:
- Different ticket types end in -karte (Mehrfahrten-, Touristen-, Familien-)
- You cannot flag down taxis in Germany - use ranks or phone orders
- German transport systems are integrated - one ticket covers multiple transport types
- Always check for train supplements (Zuschlag) before boarding
- Airport buses connect city centres to airports in most German cities