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Austria · German Travel Phrases

The most useful local expressions, ordered by importance. Pronunciations are approximate.

Greetings

  1. 1
    Grüß Gott
    Hello (the classic Austrian greeting, used through the day) “grooss GOT”
  2. 2
    Servus
    Hi / Bye (friendly, for both hello and goodbye) “SER-voos”
  3. 3
    Danke schön
    Thank you “DAHN-keh shurn”
  4. 4
    Bitte
    You're welcome / Please “BIT-teh”
  5. 5
    Entschuldigung
    Excuse me / Sorry “ent-SHOOL-dee-goong”
  6. 6
    Auf Wiedersehen
    Goodbye (formal, on parting) “owf VEE-der-zayn”
  7. 7
    Baba
    Bye (casual, common in Vienna) “BAH-bah”
  8. 8
    Mahlzeit
    Enjoy your meal / a midday greeting “MAHL-tsyt”
Local etiquette
  • In Austria, 'Grüß Gott' is the standard greeting. It's polite to greet when entering a shop or restaurant.
  • Titles and formality matter. Use the formal 'Sie' with strangers and address people as Herr/Frau + surname.
  • Among friends and younger people, 'Servus' is a common casual greeting.

Basics

  1. 1
    Ja / Nein
    Yes / No “yah / nine”
  2. 2
    Sprechen Sie Englisch?
    Do you speak English? “SHPREH-khen zee ENG-lish?”
  3. 3
    Ich verstehe nicht
    I don't understand “ikh fer-SHTAY-eh nikht”
  4. 4
    Können Sie langsamer sprechen?
    Could you speak more slowly? “KUR-nen zee LANG-zah-mer SHPREH-khen?”
  5. 5
    Wie viel kostet das?
    How much does this cost? “vee feel KOS-tet dahs?”
  6. 6
    Wo ist die Toilette?
    Where is the restroom? “vo ist dee toy-LET-teh?”
  7. 7
    Können Sie mir helfen?
    Could you help me? “KUR-nen zee meer HEL-fen?”
  8. 8
    Ich hätte gern...
    I would like... (polite request) “ikh HET-teh gern...”
Local etiquette
  • Cities like Vienna have a relaxed, formal atmosphere. Don't rush people — respond calmly and patiently.
  • English is widely understood in tourist areas, but starting with a German greeting makes a good impression.
  • Keep quiet indoors and on public transport.

Shopping

  1. 1
    Was kostet das?
    How much is this? “vahs KOS-tet dahs?”
  2. 2
    Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?
    Can I pay by card? “kahn ikh mit KAR-teh TSAH-len?”
  3. 3
    Haben Sie das in einer anderen Größe?
    Do you have this in another size? “HAH-ben zee dahs in EYE-ner AHN-der-en GRUR-seh?”
  4. 4
    Nur schauen, danke
    Just looking, thanks “noor SHOW-en, DAHN-keh”
  5. 5
    Ich nehme das
    I'll take this “ikh NAY-meh dahs”
  6. 6
    Ein Sackerl, bitte
    A bag, please (Austrian 'Sackerl', usually charged for) “eyn ZAH-kerl, BIT-teh”
Local etiquette
  • Most shops close on Sundays. Do your shopping on weekdays or Saturday.
  • A bag is called a 'Sackerl' and is usually charged for, so bring a reusable one.
  • Prices include tax and there's no haggling culture.

Restaurant

  1. 1
    Die Speisekarte, bitte
    The menu, please “dee SHPY-zeh-kar-teh, BIT-teh”
  2. 2
    Einen Melange, bitte
    A Melange, please (Viennese coffee) “EYE-nen meh-LAHNZH, BIT-teh”
  3. 3
    Was empfehlen Sie?
    What do you recommend? “vahs emp-FAY-len zee?”
  4. 4
    Ich hätte gern das hier
    I'll have this one “ikh HET-teh gern dahs heer”
  5. 5
    Ein Glas Leitungswasser, bitte
    A glass of tap water, please “eyn glahs LYE-toongs-vah-ser, BIT-teh”
  6. 6
    Ich habe eine Allergie
    I have an allergy “ikh HAH-beh EYE-neh ah-ler-GEE”
  7. 7
    Zahlen, bitte
    The bill, please (Austrian way to ask) “TSAH-len, BIT-teh”
  8. 8
    Stimmt so
    Keep the change (when rounding up as a tip) “shtimt zo”
Local etiquette
  • Vienna's coffee houses are a UNESCO cultural heritage. It's normal to order one coffee and linger for hours reading the paper.
  • Tip about 5–10% by rounding up and handing it directly to the server with 'Stimmt so' — don't just leave it on the table.
  • Water isn't served automatically; ask for 'Leitungswasser' for tap water.
  • Order coffee by its name — Melange, Einspänner, etc. — rather than just 'Kaffee'.

Getting around

  1. 1
    Wo ist der Bahnhof?
    Where is the train station? “vo ist der BAHN-hohf?”
  2. 2
    Eine Fahrkarte nach..., bitte
    A ticket to..., please “EYE-neh FAHR-kar-teh nahkh..., BIT-teh”
  3. 3
    Auf welchem Bahnsteig?
    Which platform? “owf VEL-khem BAHN-shtyg?”
  4. 4
    Wann fährt der nächste Zug?
    When does the next train leave? “vahn fairt der NEKH-steh tsoog?”
  5. 5
    Gibt es eine Tageskarte?
    Is there a day pass? “gibt es EYE-neh TAH-ges-kar-teh?”
  6. 6
    Fährt diese U-Bahn nach...?
    Does this subway go to...? (Vienna U-Bahn) “fairt DEE-zeh OO-bahn nahkh...?”
  7. 7
    Zum Flughafen, bitte
    To the airport, please (taxi) “tsoom FLOOG-hah-fen, BIT-teh”
Local etiquette
  • In Vienna, buy your ticket in advance and validate (entwerten) it before boarding; fines for unvalidated tickets are steep.
  • For a few days, a Vienna 24/48/72-hour ticket or a regional pass is economical.
  • On escalators, stand on the right and leave the left clear for people walking.

Hotel

  1. 1
    Ich habe eine Reservierung
    I have a reservation “ikh HAH-beh EYE-neh reh-zer-VEE-roong”
  2. 2
    Einchecken, bitte
    Check-in, please “EYN-chek-en, BIT-teh”
  3. 3
    Um wie viel Uhr ist der Check-out?
    What time is check-out? “oom vee feel oor ist der check-out?”
  4. 4
    Können Sie mein Gepäck aufbewahren?
    Could you store my luggage? “KUR-nen zee myn geh-PEK OWF-beh-vah-ren?”
  5. 5
    Wie ist das WLAN-Passwort?
    What's the Wi-Fi password? “vee ist dahs VEH-lahn-PAHS-vort?”
Local etiquette
  • Photo ID (passport) is required at check-in, and a city tax may be added separately to your bill.
  • There are quiet hours at night (usually after 22:00) — avoid loud noise.

Emergency

  1. 1
    Hilfe!
    Help! “HIL-feh!”
  2. 2
    Rufen Sie die Polizei!
    Call the police! “ROO-fen zee dee po-lee-TSY!”
  3. 3
    Rufen Sie die Rettung!
    Call an ambulance! (Austrian 'Rettung') “ROO-fen zee dee RET-toong!”
  4. 4
    Wo ist das Krankenhaus?
    Where is the hospital? “vo ist dahs KRAHN-ken-hows?”
  5. 5
    Ich habe meinen Pass verloren
    I've lost my passport “ikh HAH-beh MY-nen pahs fer-LO-ren”
Local etiquette
  • Emergency numbers: police 133, fire 122, ambulance (Rettung) 144, EU-wide 112.
  • In churches, museums and concert halls, keep quiet and dress respectfully; avoid photos and noise during Mass.