How to make phone calls in German when you travel
By the Travel's Calling team · Updated October 30, 2026
German phone calls are direct and efficient. People often answer with their last name or the business name, get to the point, and expect you to do the same. That's good news for travelers: a short, clear request is exactly what's expected.
How calls open in German
Businesses answer with their name, and people often answer private phones with their last name. Start with "Guten Tag" (or "Guten Abend" in the evening) and say who you are: "Guten Tag, mein Name ist Smith." In southern Germany and Austria you'll also hear "Grüß Gott." Then state your reason in one sentence.
Calling your hotel
"Ich habe eine Reservierung" (I have a reservation). Arriving late: "Ich komme heute erst gegen dreiundzwanzig Uhr an" (I'm only arriving around 11 PM today). Germans use the 24-hour clock for times. Some cities, including Berlin and Hamburg, charge a tourist or overnight tax, so you can ask "Ist die City-Tax inklusive?"
Booking a table
"Ich möchte einen Tisch für zwei Personen reservieren, heute Abend um neunzehn Uhr." They'll confirm, or offer another time. They'll ask "Auf welchen Namen?" (under what name?).
Calling a taxi
"Ich hätte gern ein Taxi" (I'd like a taxi), then the address: street name first, then the number, as in "Friedrichstraße zwölf." They'll often tell you how many minutes it will take. Many German cities also have a central taxi number and widely used taxi apps.
Numbers: the tricky part
German says the ones digit before the tens: 23 is dreiundzwanzig (three-and-twenty). That trips up almost everyone on the phone. On the phone, Germans often say "zwo" instead of "zwei" so it isn't confused with "drei." Practice your arrival time, street number and phone number out loud before you call.
Phrase table
| German | Say it | English |
|---|---|---|
| Guten Tag, mein Name ist Smith. | GOO-ten tahk, mine NAH-meh ist Smith | Hello, my name is Smith. |
| Ich habe eine Reservierung. | ikh HAH-beh EYE-neh reh-zer-VEE-roong | I have a reservation. |
| Ich komme später an. | ikh KOM-meh SHPAY-ter ahn | I'll arrive later. |
| Einen Tisch für zwei Personen, bitte. | EYE-nen tish fyoor tsvy pair-ZOH-nen, BIT-teh | A table for two, please. |
| Heute Abend um neunzehn Uhr. | HOY-teh AH-bent oom NOYN-tsayn oor | Tonight at 7 PM. |
| Ich hätte gern ein Taxi. | ikh HET-teh gern ine TAHK-see | I'd like a taxi. |
| Zum Flughafen, bitte. | tsoom FLOOK-hah-fen, BIT-teh | To the airport, please. |
| Können Sie das bitte wiederholen? | KUR-nen zee dahs BIT-teh vee-der-HOH-len | Could you repeat that, please? |
| Sprechen Sie Englisch? | SHPREKH-en zee ENG-lish | Do you speak English? |
Practice this call before you go
Travel's Calling turns your own trip into practice phone calls. Pick your destination, upload your itinerary or type a few plans, choose your level, and take a voice call in your browser with an AI character who answers in the local language. After each call you get a short trip report. It works for destinations around the world, so you can rehearse this call in German.
Start practicing on Travel's Calling →Quick answers
- How do Germans answer the phone?
- Businesses answer with their name, and many people answer with their last name. Start with "Guten Tag" and your name.
- Why are numbers hard on German phone calls?
- German says the ones digit first (23 = dreiundzwanzig), and "zwo" is often used instead of "zwei" on the phone.