100 Essential German Travel Phrases for Australians

The most useful German phrases for your trip to Germany, Austria or Switzerland.

Heading to Germany? Knowing even a handful of German phrases will make your trip far more enjoyable — and Germans genuinely appreciate the effort. If you want to go deeper, our complete guide to German travel phrases for Australians is a great place to start.

Greetings

Getting your greetings right is the single most important thing you can do before landing in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland. Germans place enormous value on politeness and formality, and a well-delivered greeting — even with a strong Aussie accent — will immediately signal that you respect local customs. Unlike in Australia where a casual "Hey" or "G'day" works in virtually every situation, German greetings change depending on the time of day, the level of formality, and the region you're visiting. Get them right and you'll be rewarded with warmer service, more helpful locals, and a far more authentic travel experience.

This section covers the essential German greetings every Australian traveller needs to know, from the moment you check in at your hotel in Munich to the evening you spend at a wine bar in Vienna. We've broken everything down by time of day, formality level, and regional variation so you're never caught off guard. Before your trip, it's also worth brushing up on your German pronunciation so your greetings land the way they're meant to.

Why Greetings Matter More in Germany Than Back Home

Australians are famously informal. We call our bosses by their first names, chat to strangers at the servo, and think nothing of greeting a shop assistant with a breezy "Hey, how's it going?" That approach will raise eyebrows in Germany. Germans are not unfriendly — far from it — but they do have a strong cultural expectation that strangers will address each other with a degree of respect and formality, at least until a closer relationship is established.

Walking into a German bakery, pharmacy, or hotel without offering a greeting first is considered quite rude. In fact, locals will almost always greet you the moment you walk through the door, and they expect you to respond in kind. Think of it less like small talk and more like a social contract — you acknowledge each other as people before any transaction takes place. Master this habit and you will instantly seem more respectful and switched-on than the average tourist.

Greetings by Time of Day

One of the first things Australian travellers notice is that German greetings change throughout the day, much like a more structured version of "good morning" versus "good afternoon" in English. Here are the core time-based greetings you need to know:

A quick Aussie tip: if you're unsure what time of day it is or you've just landed bleary-eyed after a long-haul from Sydney or Melbourne, Guten Tag is your safe default. It literally means "good day" — so it should feel right at home for Australians anyway.

Formal vs Casual Greetings

German has a clear distinction between formal and informal registers, and this flows directly into how you greet people. As a traveller, you will mostly operate in formal situations — hotels, restaurants, shops, train stations — so formal greetings should be your default.

• Hallo (HAH-lo) — The most versatile casual greeting. Fine for hostels, younger locals, fellow travellers, and relaxed social settings.
• Hi — Yes, it works in German too, especially among younger people in cities like Berlin and Hamburg.
• Wie geht es Ihnen? (vee gayt es EE-nen) — Formal version of "How are you?" Use this with hotel staff, shop owners, and anyone you'd address respectfully.
• Wie geht's? (vee gayts) — Casual shorthand for "How's it going?" Fine once you're on friendlier terms with someone.
• Alles gut? (AH-les goot) — Very casual. Equivalent to "All good?" — something you might say to a fellow backpacker at a hostel in Berlin.

Regional Greetings: Germany, Austria, and Switzerland

One of the most rewarding things about travelling across the German-speaking world is discovering that greetings vary quite a bit depending on where you are. If you're planning to visit multiple countries on your trip — say, flying into Munich, heading down to Innsbruck, and finishing in Zurich — it's worth knowing the local flavour of each region.

Bavaria and Southern Germany

• Servus (ZEHR-voos) — An incredibly common and warm greeting across Bavaria. It also doubles as a farewell, much like "cheers" does in Australia. You'll hear it constantly in Munich beer gardens.
• Grüß Gott (grüss GOT) — Literally "greet God," this is the traditional formal greeting throughout Bavaria and Austria. It sounds unusual to Australian ears but it's completely standard and very warmly received when used correctly.

Austria

• Grüß Gott — Even more prevalent in Austria than in Bavaria. Use it freely in Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck.
• Servus — Also widely used in Austria, particularly in informal settings.
• Habe die Ehre (HAH-beh dee EH-reh) — A very formal, old-fashioned Viennese greeting meaning "I have the honour." You may hear elderly Viennese locals use it. Knowing it exists will impress the right people.

Switzerland

• Grüezi (GRÜE-tsi) — The quintessential Swiss German greeting. Used throughout German-speaking Switzerland in both formal and semi-formal situations. If you're heading to Zurich, Bern, or Lucerne, this is essential.
• Hoi — Casual Swiss German equivalent of "Hi." Used among friends and in relaxed settings.
• Sali — Another informal Swiss German greeting, common in Basel and Zurich.

Saying Goodbye

Greetings are only half the story. Knowing how to leave a conversation politely is just as important, and Germans will absolutely notice if you just wander off without a proper farewell.

• Auf Wiedersehen (owf VEE-der-zayn) — The standard formal goodbye. Literally "until we see each other again." Use it in shops, hotels, and restaurants.

Time-of-Day Greetings

German greetings are heavily tied to the time of day, far more so than in Australian English. Knowing which greeting to use when will make you sound polished and respectful from the very first word out of your mouth.

Morning Greetings

• Guten Morgen — Good morning

Pronunciation: GOO-ten MOR-gen

When to use it: Use Guten Morgen from the moment you wake up until roughly midday. It's appropriate in virtually every context — at the hotel breakfast buffet, when stepping into a bakery (Bäckerei) to grab a pretzel and coffee, at a train station ticket counter, or when greeting your Airbnb host first thing in the morning.

Australian context: Think of it as the German equivalent of \"Good morning\" — but unlike in Australia, you genuinely are expected to say it. In German-speaking countries, walking into a small shop or café without greeting the staff is considered quite rude. The moment you step through the door, a Guten Morgen is not optional — it's social currency.

Example exchanges:

• You walk into a bakery at 8am: \"Guten Morgen!\" — Shopkeeper replies: \"Guten Morgen! Was darf es sein?\" (Good morning! What can I get you?)
• At hotel reception: \"Guten Morgen, ich habe eine Reservierung.\" (Good morning, I have a reservation.) For more phrases like this, see our hotel German phrases guide for Australians.

Cultural tip for Australians: In Bavaria and Austria, you'll often hear Grüß Gott as the standard morning and daytime greeting instead of Guten Morgen or Guten Tag. Literally translating to \"Greet God,\" it's not religious in everyday use — it's simply the regional equivalent of \"hello.\" Don't be surprised if a shopkeeper in Munich or Salzburg opens with this instead.

Daytime Greetings

• Guten Tag — Good day / Hello

Pronunciation: GOO-ten TAHK

When to use it: Guten Tag is the most versatile greeting in the German language and your safest bet whenever you're unsure. It works from around midday through to early evening (roughly until 6pm) and is appropriate in both formal and semi-formal situations. If you're planning to use German in more than just travel settings — say, for work or study — our German conversation practice guide for Australians covers formal and informal registers in depth. And if you want to make the most of your time in Germany beyond just travel, check out our complete guide to studying in Germany as an Australian.

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Saying Goodbye

Greetings are only half the story. Knowing how to leave a conversation politely is just as important, and Germans will absolutely notice if you just wander off without a proper farewell. In Australia, it's pretty common to trail off with a casual "yeah, nah, seeya" and disappear — but in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, a proper goodbye is considered basic good manners. Whether you're wrapping up a transaction at a Munich bakery, checking out of a guesthouse in the Black Forest, or finishing a meal in Vienna, having a handful of solid farewell phrases ready will leave locals with a genuinely positive impression of you.

The Formal Farewell

• Auf Wiedersehen (owf VEE-der-zayn) — The standard formal goodbye. Literally "until we see each other again." Use it in shops, hotels, and restaurants. Think of it as the German equivalent of a polite "goodbye" rather than a breezy "seeya." If you only learn one goodbye phrase before your trip, make it this one. It works absolutely everywhere — from a five-star hotel in Berlin to a tiny souvenir shop in Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
• Auf Wiederhören (owf VEE-der-hœ-ren) — The phone-call version of Auf Wiedersehen. Literally "until we hear each other again." If you're calling a hotel to confirm a booking or ringing a tour operator, wrap up the call with this phrase and you'll sound impressively natural. Australians booking accommodation directly with smaller German guesthouses (Pensionen) will find this one particularly handy.

Casual Goodbyes for Everyday Situations

Once you move out of formal settings — say, chatting with a local at a Christmas market (Weihnachtsmarkt) or farewelling a fellow traveller at a hostel — you can drop the formality a notch or two. Here are the casual options Germans actually use day to day:

• Tschüss (chüss) — The most common casual goodbye across Germany. It's the rough equivalent of "bye" or "seeya." You'll hear it constantly. It's perfectly fine between strangers in relaxed settings like cafés, markets, or youth hostels — but avoid it in formal business or official contexts.
• Ciao (chow) — Yes, the Italian word. It's completely mainstream in German cities, especially among younger people. Much like how Australians casually drop "ciao" without feeling Italian, Germans use it freely. Don't be surprised to hear it everywhere in Berlin or Hamburg.
• Bis später (bis SHPAY-ter) — "Until later" or "see you later." Handy if you're planning to catch up with someone again the same day — for example, telling your travel companion you'll meet them back at the hotel after exploring separately.
• Bis bald (bis balt) — "See you soon." A warm, friendly way to say goodbye when you genuinely expect to see someone again before too long. Great for short-term travel friendships.
• Bis morgen (bis MOR-gen) — "Until tomorrow." If you're staying at a guesthouse and saying goodnight to the host, this is a lovely natural touch that will genuinely impress them.
• Gute Nacht (GOO-teh nakht) — "Good night." Not strictly a goodbye, but often used as a farewell in evening contexts. If you're heading to bed at a hostel or leaving a dinner, this works perfectly.

Regional Variations Worth Knowing

Germany, Austria, and Switzerland each have their own regional farewell traditions. As an Australian traveller, you're not expected to know all of them — but recognising them when you hear them will help you feel less lost, and using them occasionally will absolutely delight locals.

Phrase	Pronunciation	Region	Meaning / Notes
Servus	ZAIR-voos	Bavaria, Austria	Used as both hello AND goodbye — like "aloha." Very warm and informal.
Pfiat di	PFYAT dee	Bavaria, Austria	Dialectal for "God protect you." Charming and very local — locals will love hearing you attempt it.
Ade	ah-DAY	Baden-Württemberg, Switzerland	An old-fashioned but still-used farewell. Sounds almost French — fitting for the Swiss border regions.
Tschau	chow	Switzerland	The Swiss-German spelling of "ciao." Completely standard across Switzerland.
Baba	BAH-bah	Austria (Vienna)	Viennese slang goodbye — sounds hilarious to Australian ears but it's entirely normal. Don't laugh (or do — Viennese people have a sense of humour about it).

Putting It All Together: Goodbye Phrases in Context

Here's a quick cheat sheet for matching the right farewell to the right situation — because context matters just as much as the words themselves:

• Leaving a shop or restaurant: Auf Wiedersehen — always appropriate, always appreciated.
• Ending a phone call: Auf Wiederhören — shows you know your telephone manners.
• Saying bye to a fellow backpacker: Tschüss or Bis bald — relaxed and friendly.
• Heading to bed at your guesthouse: Gute Nacht or Bis morgen — a warm, personal touch.
• Visiting Bavaria or Austria: Drop in a Servus if you're feeling brave — the reaction will make it worth it.
• In Vienna: Try Baba at least once. You'll either get a grin or a laugh — both are good outcomes.

Learning to say goodbye properly in German doesn't take long, but the impression it leaves lasts well beyond the conversation. Locals across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland genuinely appreciate travellers who make the effort — and as Australians, we tend to be seen as friendly and good-humoured, so leaning into that reputation with a confident Auf Wiedersehen or a cheeky Servus is a great way to connect with people on the road.

Saying Goodbye

Greetings are only half the story. Knowing how to leave a conversation politely is just as important, and Germans will absolutely notice if you just wander off without a proper farewell. In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, a proper goodbye is considered basic good manners — the kind of thing your mum would have drilled into you before a school excursion. Get these phrases right and you will leave every interaction on a high note.

• Auf Wiedersehen (owf VEE-der-zayn) — The standard formal goodbye. Literally "until we see each other again." Use it in shops, hotels, and restaurants.
• Tschüss (chüss) — The everyday casual goodbye, roughly equivalent to the Australian "see ya." You will hear this constantly among friends, at the local Bäckerei, and between neighbours. It is warm but informal, so avoid it in stuffy or formal situations.
• Ciao (chow) — Yes, the Italian word has made itself completely at home in German-speaking countries. Younger Germans and Austrians use it freely. If you have ever said it leaving a Melbourne café, you are already halfway there.
• Bis später (bis SHPAY-ter) — "Until later." Perfect when you know you will see the person again that same day, such as heading out from your hotel and telling the front desk you will be back for dinner.
• Bis bald (bis balt) — "See you soon." A friendly, open-ended farewell for when you genuinely expect to cross paths again but do not have a fixed time in mind.
• Bis morgen (bis MOR-gen) — "Until tomorrow." Handy when checking out of a multi-night stay or wrapping up an evening with new friends on a Rhine river cruise.

Regional Variations Worth Knowing

Germany, Austria, and Switzerland each have their own farewell flavours. If you are planning a trip that crosses borders — say, flying into Munich, visiting Salzburg, then heading to Zurich — you will notice the differences quickly.

Phrase	Pronunciation	Region	Notes
Servus	ZEHR-voos	Bavaria & Austria	Used as both hello and goodbye — context tells you which
Pfiat di	pfee-AHT dee	Bavaria & Austria	Very regional, very warm — locals will love that you tried
Uf Widerluege	oof VEE-der-loo-eh-geh	Switzerland	The Swiss German equivalent of Auf Wiedersehen
Adé	ah-DAY	Southern Germany & Switzerland	A softer, slightly old-fashioned farewell with French roots

Putting It Together: Goodbye in Context

Knowing the word is one thing — knowing when to deploy it is another. Here are some real-world scenarios an Aussie traveller is likely to face.

• Leaving a shop in Berlin: Make eye contact, smile, and say Tschüss or Auf Wiedersehen on your way out. Ducking out silently feels rude to German shopkeepers.
• Checking out of a hotel: Auf Wiedersehen und vielen Dank (goodbye and many thanks) wraps things up professionally and leaves a great impression.
• Ending a conversation with a local who helped you with directions: Danke schön, tschüss! is perfectly natural and friendly — very similar to saying "cheers, see ya" back home.
• Wrapping up a business meeting in Frankfurt: Stick with Auf Wiedersehen and, if it was a video call, Auf Wiederhören (owf VEE-der-hör-en) — literally "until we hear each other again," used specifically on the phone or online.

A Quick Tip for Aussie Travellers

Australians tend to be naturally casual and friendly, which is a genuine asset when travelling. Do not be afraid to throw in a smile and a confident Tschüss — even if your accent is unmistakably from somewhere between Sydney and Perth. Germans genuinely appreciate the effort, and a warm farewell can turn a brief transaction into a memorable encounter.

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B1 German / Beginner Swiss German

An Australian who learned German to B1 level without living in Germany — navigating the same lack of local resources that most Australian learners face. Currently learning Swiss German. This site is the resource I wished had existed when I started.

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