A1 level

Asking for directions in German: streets, stations and platforms

Last updated 29 October 2026

Finding your way in a German-speaking city is easy to practise, because the public transport is good and signs are clear. Still, you will often need to ask. This page covers the questions, the answers you will hear and the vocabulary for stations, where Gleis (platform) numbers matter a great deal.

Getting someone's attention

Start politely, and use Sie with strangers (see introducing yourself).

Entschuldigung! Excuse me!
Können Sie mir helfen? Can you help me?
Wo ist der Bahnhof? Where is the station?
Wie komme ich zum Marktplatz? How do I get to the market square?
Ist es weit von hier? Is it far from here?
Ich suche die Apotheke. I am looking for the pharmacy.

Notice zum in zum Marktplatz. It is zu + dem, because zu always takes the dative case. See the four cases.

Understanding the answer

Gehen Sie geradeaus. Go straight ahead.
Biegen Sie links ab. Turn left.
Biegen Sie rechts ab. Turn right.
die erste Straße links the first street on the left
an der Ampel at the traffic light
an der Kreuzung at the crossing
gegenüber der Bank opposite the bank
Es ist neben dem Rathaus. It is next to the town hall.

Locals also say Da vorne (up ahead) and Das können Sie nicht verfehlen (You cannot miss it). Distances are given in metres or minutes: Das sind fünf Minuten zu Fuß (It is five minutes on foot).

At the station

Deutsche Bahn (DB) runs most trains. A train leaves from a Gleis, and the number is on the board and the ticket. Platform changes happen, so listen to announcements.

Von welchem Gleis fährt der Zug nach München? Which platform does the train to Munich leave from?
Der Zug fährt von Gleis sieben ab. The train leaves from platform seven.
Eine Fahrkarte nach Köln, bitte. A ticket to Cologne, please.
Hat der Zug Verspätung? Is the train delayed?
Wo muss ich umsteigen? Where do I have to change?
die Haltestelle f bus or tram stop