German Phrase
Wo ist das Gleis für den Zug nach London?
Meaning
The sentence asks for the location of the platform (track) from which the train heading to London departs. It is a practical question you would ask at a railway station when you need to find your train.
When to use
Use this phrase at German train stations, especially when you cannot read the electronic display or need clarification from station staff. It works both in formal situations (talking to a ticket clerk) and informal ones (asking a fellow traveler).
✦Grammar Breakdown
WoistdasGleisfürdenZugnachLondon?
Wo (question word)
‘Wo’ asks for a location and is placed at the beginning of a yes‑no or wh‑question.
Verb‑Second (V2) word order
In main clauses the finite verb ‘ist’ occupies the second position, right after the question word.
Neuter noun ‘das Gleis’
‘Gleis’ (platform) is neuter, so it takes the article ‘das’ in the nominative case.
Preposition ‘für’ + Accusative
‘für’ always governs the accusative; therefore ‘den Zug’ (accusative masculine) follows it.
Preposition ‘nach’ + Dative (no article)
‘nach’ is used for destinations (cities, countries) and does not take an article; the place name stays unchanged.
Word order with prepositional phrases
Both prepositional phrases ‘für den Zug’ and ‘nach London’ are placed after the noun they modify, keeping the sentence natural.
🗨In Conversation
Entschuldigung, wo ist das Gleis für den Zug nach London?
Excuse me, where is the platform for the train to London?
Das Gleis ist Nummer 7, gleich neben dem Ausgang B.
The platform is number 7, right next to exit B.
✕Common Mistakes
Wo ist das Gleis für der Zug nach London?
‘für’ requires the accusative case; the correct form is ‘den Zug’.
Wo ist das Gleis für den Zug zu London?
‘nach’ is the proper preposition for city destinations.
Wo ist das Gleise für den Zug nach London?
‘Gleis’ is neuter singular; the article stays ‘das’, not ‘das Gleise’.
Wo ist das Gleis für den Zug nach dem London?
City names do not take an article after ‘nach’.
↔Alternatives
Welches Gleis hat der Zug nach London?
Which platform does the train to London use?
Auf welchem Gleis fährt der Zug nach London ab?
On which platform does the train to London depart?
Können Sie mir sagen, wo der Zug nach London abfährt?
Can you tell me where the train to London departs?
Cultural Tip
German stations display platform numbers on electronic boards (Anzeigetafel) and announce changes over loudspeakers. It’s polite to start with ‘Entschuldigung’ or ‘Entschuldigen Sie bitte’ when addressing staff. In larger stations you may also see the abbreviation ‘Gleis’ written as ‘Gl.’ on signs. Remember that ‘nach’ is used for cities and countries, while ‘zu’ is used for specific places like ‘zu meinem Hotel’.