German Phrase
Was kostet die Fahrt?
Meaning
This question asks for the price of a specific ride – for example a taxi, a bus trip, or a train journey. It is a direct way to find out how much you will have to pay.
When to use
Use it when you are about to board a taxi, ask a driver about a bus fare, or need to know the cost of a train ticket for a particular segment. It works in both formal and informal settings, though adding a polite opener (e.g., 'Entschuldigung') is common in more formal contexts.
✦Grammar Breakdown
WaskostetdieFahrt?
Was (interrogative pronoun)
Used to ask 'what' or 'how much' in a question; it occupies the first position in a yes‑no or wh‑question.
kosten (verb)
The verb 'kosten' means 'to cost'. In the present tense, third‑person singular is 'kostet'.
die (definite article)
Fahrt is a feminine noun, so it takes the article 'die' in the nominative and accusative.
Fahrt (noun)
Means 'ride', 'journey', or 'trip'. Common collocations: 'Taxifahrt', 'Fahrt mit dem Zug'.
Word order
In German questions, the interrogative word comes first, followed by the verb (V2), then the subject/object.
🗨In Conversation
Entschuldigung, was kostet die Fahrt zum Hauptbahnhof?
Excuse me, how much does the ride to the main train station cost?
Die Fahrt kostet 12 Euro.
The ride costs 12 euros.
✕Common Mistakes
Was kostet der Fahrt?
Fahrt is feminine, so the correct article is 'die', not 'der'.
Wie kostet die Fahrt?
The verb 'kosten' is not used with 'wie' to ask price; use 'wie viel' or 'was kostet'.
Was kostet das Fahrt?
The demonstrative 'das' does not match the gender of 'Fahrt'.
↔Alternatives
Wie viel kostet die Fahrt?
How much does the ride cost?
Wie hoch ist der Fahrpreis?
What is the fare?
Was kostet die Taxifahrt?
How much does the taxi ride cost?
Cultural Tip
Germans appreciate straightforwardness, so asking directly about price is normal. However, in more formal situations (e.g., speaking to a hotel concierge), it’s courteous to start with 'Entschuldigung' or 'Bitte'. Also note that 'Fahrt' can refer to any kind of journey, so specifying the mode of transport (Taxi‑fahrt, Zugfahrt) can avoid ambiguity.