You don't need fluent German for a great trip to Germany — you need about a dozen phrases, said with confidence. Here are the ones that actually get used, plus a couple of things locals wish tourists knew.
No conjugation tables. Just what you'll actually say at a table, a counter, or a front desk.
Cash is still king. Plenty of German restaurants, market stalls, and small shops don't take cards at all, even in cities. Carry euros — you'll need them more often than you'd expect anywhere else in Western Europe.
Sundays are genuinely closed. By law, most shops and grocery stores across Germany close on Sundays — it's not a scheduling quirk, it's the culture, built around a protected day of rest. Plan your errands and grocery runs for Saturday, and enjoy the quiet instead.
Once a month, we send hidden history, local etiquette, and travel-ready phrases for the places you're actually headed. No spam, no fluff — just the good stuff.
You're in — danke! Watch your inbox for Germany's good stuff. 🎉
Reading tips is one thing — actually being able to say them out loud is another. Voxolo builds a full speaking plan around your trip dates, with an AI tutor that plays the waiter, the vendor, the local — so you land ready, not just informed.
See how Voxolo works