Afrikaans travel phrases: Waar is die treinstasie? means “Where is the train station?”; Draai links means “Turn left”; Draai regs means “Turn right”; and Gaan reguit means “Go straight.” If you get confused, ask Kan jy dit op die kaart wys? (“Can you show it on the map?”). These phrases are useful for understanding directions, but an accurate route still needs an up-to-date map and information about the particular transport service.
A traveller needs a small set of actions, not a huge alphabetised dictionary. This guide covers directions, buses and trains, taxis, airport vocabulary, tickets, hotels, prices and asking for help. The examples are designed for Afrikaans-speaking conversations in southern Africa, without assuming everyone in South Africa or Namibia speaks Afrikaans or that the same transport options operate everywhere.
- Find a place: Waar is die lughawe? — Where is the airport?
- Ask how to reach it: Hoe kom ek by die lughawe? — How do I get to the airport?
- Understand movement: links = left, regs = right, reguit = straight.
- Check a vehicle: Waarheen gaan hierdie bus? — Where is this bus going?
- Check the fare: Hoeveel kos dit? — How much does it cost?
- Ask for a repeat: Herhaal dit, asseblief — Please repeat that.
Quick lookup: 40 travel and directions words in Afrikaans
| English | Afrikaans |
|---|---|
| left | links |
| right | regs |
| straight ahead | reguit vorentoe |
| near | naby |
| far | ver |
| here | hier |
| there | daar |
| next to | langs |
| opposite / across from | oorkant |
| between | tussen |
| road / street | pad; straat |
| corner | hoek |
| traffic light | verkeerslig |
| bridge | brug |
| entrance | ingang |
| exit | uitgang |
| map | kaart |
| direction | rigting |
| airport | lughawe |
| train | trein |
| train station | treinstasie |
| bus | bus |
| bus stop | bushalte |
| taxi | taxi |
| taxi rank | taxistaanplek |
| ticket | kaartjie |
| platform | perron |
| destination | bestemming |
| departure | vertrek |
| arrival | aankoms |
| delay | vertraging |
| hotel | hotel |
| restaurant | restaurant |
| hospital | hospitaal |
| police | polisie |
| passport | paspoort |
| luggage | bagasie |
| receipt | kwitansie |
| cash | kontant |
| help | hulp |
Some words have different meanings depending on the sentence. Kaart may mean a map or a card, while kaartjie is a ticket in the examples here. Regs gives a direction; reg can appear in other meanings. You need the whole utterance to avoid a confident but wrong one-word substitution.
Ask for directions: the five most useful sentences
| English intention | Afrikaans question |
|---|---|
| Where is the train station? | Waar is die treinstasie? |
| How do I get to the hotel? | Hoe kom ek by die hotel? |
| Is it near here? | Is dit hier naby? |
| Can you show it on the map? | Kan jy dit op die kaart wys? |
| Is this the right way? | Is dit die regte pad? |
| How long does it take? | Hoe lank neem dit? |
| Where is the airport? | Waar is die lughawe? |
| Is it far from here? | Is dit ver van hier af? |
Notice the difference between Waar is …? (“Where is …?”) and Hoe kom ek by …? (“How do I get to …?”). The first asks where a place is; the second asks how to reach it. A person who gives you the name of a neighbourhood has partly answered the first question but may not have told you which road or transport connection to use.
For a realistic rehearsal, point to an invented destination on a paper map. Ask how to reach it. The partner responds with a short route using links, regs and reguit. Trace the instructions with your finger. If the route fails to reach the correct point, clarify rather than pretending you understood the directions.
Left, right and straight: understanding turns
| English instruction | Afrikaans |
|---|---|
| Turn left. | Draai links. |
| Turn right. | Draai regs. |
| Go straight. | Gaan reguit. |
| Go straight ahead. | Gaan reguit vorentoe. |
| Turn right at the traffic light. | Draai regs by die verkeerslig. |
| Cross that bridge. | Gaan oor daardie brug. |
| It is nearby. | Dit is hier naby. |
| It is far from here. | Dit is ver van hier af. |
| Stop here, please. | Stop hier, asseblief. |
A traveller who confuses links and regs may make a wrong turn. Practise with real left and right hand gestures, then remove the gestures and listen to a partner’s words. Change the order randomly; reciting left then right in the same sequence is not the same as recognising an instruction in traffic or in a busy public place.
For road safety, do not follow spoken directions blindly while operating a vehicle. Use an appropriate navigation system, obey road signs and pull over safely to resolve confusion. You can learn the sentence Draai regs in a classroom without assuming that a real road is safe or legal to turn into.
At a bus stop or train station: identify the destination, not just the vehicle
| English question | Afrikaans |
|---|---|
| Where is the bus stop? | Waar is die bushalte? |
| Where is the station? | Waar is die stasie? |
| Where is this bus going? | Waarheen gaan hierdie bus? |
| Which platform is it? | Watter perron is dit? |
| What is the next stop? | Wat is die volgende stop? |
| What time does it leave? | Hoe laat vertrek dit? |
| How much does the ticket cost? | Hoeveel kos die kaartjie? |
| Is there a delay? | Is daar ’n vertraging? |
Waarheen asks for a direction or destination, so it is different from waar, which normally asks about location. A bus can be physically in front of you while travelling somewhere else. When boarding a vehicle, the destination, service number or route and correct stopping place may matter more than its current location.
A station may have several platforms and more than one departure time. If the spoken explanation is too fast, ask the person to write the platform or point to an official sign. Transport operations and timetables change, and this article does not confirm whether a bus, train or route exists in any particular area. Check current information with the actual operator.
Another critical distinction is “departure” versus “arrival.” Vertrek refers to departing; aankoms refers to arrival. If you mistake one for the other, you can show up at the wrong time. Read the timetable heading, the full date and the displayed time before making travel decisions.
Tickets, fares and payments: don’t guess a number
A basic price question is Hoeveel kos dit? (“How much does it cost?”). For a specific ticket, ask Hoeveel kos die kaartjie?. Afrikaans numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine often put the unit before the ten; an unfamiliar number such as sewe-en-dertig means 37, not 73. This is one reason to ask for the amount in digits when money is involved.
The nouns kaart and kaartjie deserve attention. Kaart may refer to a card or a map in different situations, while kaartjie commonly refers to a ticket. In a payment conversation, the word kaart might be a bank card. The context prevents a traveller from assuming an employee is asking for a physical map when they actually mean a payment card.
For a paid service, verify the route, fare, accepted payment method and receipt before completing the transaction. Avoid handing sensitive banking information to an unverified person. A polite sentence in another language does not itself prove a person is an authorised transport worker or that a fare quotation is genuine.
Taxi phrases: confirm the destination and the fare
| English | Afrikaans |
|---|---|
| Please take me to this hotel. | Neem my asseblief na hierdie hotel. |
| Please stop here. | Stop hier, asseblief. |
| Please turn left. | Draai links, asseblief. |
| Please turn right. | Draai regs, asseblief. |
| How much does it cost? | Hoeveel kos dit? |
| Can you show me on the map? | Kan jy dit op die kaart wys? |
The taxi word is familiar, but the service model may be different in different places: a taxi rank, an app-based booking, a prearranged vehicle or a shared service are not identical. Verify the vehicle, operator, price and intended destination using current local information. The language guide cannot establish whether a particular service is safe, available or regulated.
In a short dialogue, you might ask for the hotel and then confirm the price before starting. If the driver gives a number you do not understand, ask them to show the fare or write it down. Do not assume your translation is correct when the consequences include paying an unexpected amount or travelling to the wrong address.
At the airport: luggage, passport and help
| English term | Afrikaans |
|---|---|
| airport | lughawe |
| passport | paspoort |
| luggage | bagasie |
| ticket | kaartjie |
| departure | vertrek |
| arrival | aankoms |
| passport control | paspoortbeheer |
| flight | vlug |
| flight number | vlugnommer |
| boarding pass | instapkaart |
Recognise your flight number, name, destination and time from the official documents and screens. The word vlug is a flight; vlugnommer is a flight number. A familiar vocabulary item does not tell you which gate or service is correct today. Airport information can change, so verify against official announcements.
If your passport or luggage is lost, make an accurate report to the relevant airline, airport authority or police as appropriate. Ek het my paspoort verloor means “I have lost my passport.” It may help start the conversation, but documentation requirements and replacement procedures depend on country and nationality.
Hotels and accommodation: a small useful phrase bank
| English intention | Afrikaans |
|---|---|
| Where is the hotel? | Waar is die hotel? |
| I have a reservation. | Ek het ’n bespreking. |
| My name is … | My naam is … |
| Where is my room? | Waar is my kamer? |
| Can you help me? | Kan jy my help? |
| Where is the lift? | Waar is die hysbak? |
| Where is the bathroom? | Waar is die badkamer? |
| Thank you very much. | Baie dankie. |
A reservation is not established merely by saying Ek het ’n bespreking. Have the confirmation reference, booked dates and room details ready, and confirm the property matches the booking. If an employee asks about charges or identification, ask for a clear explanation before agreeing to any change.
The words kamer (room), badkamer (bathroom) and hysbak (lift) solve ordinary navigation problems inside a building. Once you know the place word, you can reuse the question Waar is …?. That is a more efficient learning method than memorising a different complete question for every room.
What to say when you are lost or don’t understand
| English | Afrikaans |
|---|---|
| I am lost. | Ek het verdwaal. |
| I need help. | Ek het hulp nodig. |
| I do not understand. | Ek verstaan nie. |
| Please repeat that. | Herhaal dit, asseblief. |
| Please speak more slowly. | Praat stadiger, asseblief. |
| Can you write it down? | Kan jy dit neerskryf? |
| Where is the nearest hospital? | Waar is die naaste hospitaal? |
| Call an ambulance. | Bel ’n ambulans. |
The phrase Ek het verdwaal communicates that you have lost your way; it does not mean that the person listening already knows your location. If possible, show a map pin or a visible landmark. Ask for directions that you can verify, rather than following an unconfirmed route to an isolated place.
For urgent medical or safety situations, use the appropriate local emergency service and follow competent professional guidance. Emergency numbers differ across jurisdictions. A memorised foreign-language sentence cannot replace an interpreter when a misunderstanding could affect health, consent, legal status or immediate safety.
How to build your own travel question
Start with a stable model: Waar is die …? for “Where is the …?” You can change treinstasie to lughawe, hotel or badkamer. The first job is simply to name the destination. Then listen for a direction word such as links, regs or reguit. Ask for repetition if you cannot trace the route.
For movement, use Hoe kom ek by …? (“How do I get to …?”). The verb and preposition form a useful complete pattern. Compare it with a location-only question. If a partner gives an answer such as “near the station,” you may still need the route, a street name and an actual entrance. The quality of the question and the sufficiency of the answer are separate matters.
Eight practical scenarios and the correct next question
1. The hotel address is visible, but the walking route is unclear.
Question: Hoe kom ek by die hotel? Ask how to get there, not just where it is. Try this exercise again with a new place or service. The sentence is useful only when you choose the right task and verify the reply against what is happening around you.
2. A bus is waiting, but its route is unknown.
Question: Waarheen gaan hierdie bus? Check destination before boarding. Try this exercise again with a new place or service. The sentence is useful only when you choose the right task and verify the reply against what is happening around you.
3. You see two platforms.
Question: Watter perron is dit? Confirm the platform using the official display. Try this exercise again with a new place or service. The sentence is useful only when you choose the right task and verify the reply against what is happening around you.
4. A driver quotes an unfamiliar amount.
Question: Hoeveel kos dit? Ask for the price in figures if necessary. Try this exercise again with a new place or service. The sentence is useful only when you choose the right task and verify the reply against what is happening around you.
5. A map does not show the entrance.
Question: Kan jy dit op die kaart wys? Clarify the access point. Try this exercise again with a new place or service. The sentence is useful only when you choose the right task and verify the reply against what is happening around you.
6. A staff member speaks too quickly.
Question: Praat stadiger, asseblief. Ask for slower speech. Try this exercise again with a new place or service. The sentence is useful only when you choose the right task and verify the reply against what is happening around you.
7. Your arrival time is unclear.
Question: Hoe laat kom dit aan? Ask for arrival rather than departure time. Try this exercise again with a new place or service. The sentence is useful only when you choose the right task and verify the reply against what is happening around you.
8. You do not know if you are walking in the right direction.
Question: Is dit die regte pad? Ask, then verify against an up-to-date map. Try this exercise again with a new place or service. The sentence is useful only when you choose the right task and verify the reply against what is happening around you.
Common travel-language errors to avoid
- Confusing waar and waarheen: one normally asks location; the other asks destination.
- Mixing left and right: associate links and regs with real gestures, then practise without them.
- Assuming kaart always means map: in different contexts it can mean card.
- Confusing vertrek and aankoms: check whether a time concerns departure or arrival.
- Guessing Afrikaans numbers: compound numbers such as 37 and 73 can sound reversed to English speakers.
- Assuming every region has identical transport: verify services and schedules locally.
- Following outdated directions: check road closures, updated maps and official signs.
- Trusting fluency over facts: a correct phrase is not proof a vehicle, fare or booking is legitimate.
Test yourself: 20 useful travel words and phrases
| English prompt | Model answer |
|---|---|
| left | links |
| right | regs |
| straight ahead | reguit vorentoe |
| near | naby |
| far | ver |
| train station | treinstasie |
| airport | lughawe |
| bus stop | bushalte |
| ticket | kaartjie |
| passport | paspoort |
| luggage | bagasie |
| hotel | hotel |
| Where is the train station? | Waar is die treinstasie? |
| Turn right. | Draai regs. |
| How much does it cost? | Hoeveel kos dit? |
| I am lost. | Ek het verdwaal. |
| Please repeat that. | Herhaal dit, asseblief. |
| How long does it take? | Hoe lank neem dit? |
| I have a reservation. | Ek het ’n bespreking. |
| Can you show me on the map? | Kan jy dit op die kaart wys? |
Hide the answer column and try English to Afrikaans before reversing the exercise. A learner who knows the words from reading may still be unable to retrieve a complete question under pressure. Practice one request, listen to a reply and ask a clarification question. Do not expect a memorised list to turn instantly into local knowledge.
A seven-day practical travel-language routine
| Day | Focus | End-of-session evidence |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Places, directions and the map | Trace a short route from Afrikaans instructions. |
| 2 | Buses and trains | Ask about destination, platform, ticket and time. |
| 3 | Taxi conversations | Confirm a destination and a sample fare. |
| 4 | Airport and baggage vocabulary | Identify departure, arrival and document words. |
| 5 | Hotel questions | Use Waar is …? and explain a reservation. |
| 6 | Recovery and safety | Ask for repetition, written directions or appropriate help. |
| 7 | Mixed role-play | Reach an invented destination without copying a script. |
Before extending the word list, test a new scenario. A learner who repeatedly confuses links and regs needs a direction exercise; one who can read all the nouns but cannot ask a question needs sentence practice. The goal is confidence built on correct information, not the performance of unfamiliar phrases.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say left and right in Afrikaans?
Links is left; regs is right.
What is go straight in Afrikaans?
Gaan reguit or Gaan reguit vorentoe.
How do you ask where the hotel is?
Waar is die hotel?
How do you ask how to get somewhere?
Hoe kom ek by …? followed by the place.
What is the airport in Afrikaans?
Lughawe.
What is the train station?
Treinstasie.
What is ticket in Afrikaans?
Kaartjie in the ordinary travel-ticket sense.
Can kaart mean map and card?
Yes. The full sentence determines the meaning.
How do you ask how much something costs?
Hoeveel kos dit?
How do you say I am lost?
Ek het verdwaal.
What do you say when you don’t understand?
Ek verstaan nie. You can ask Herhaal dit, asseblief for repetition.
Does Afrikaans work everywhere in South Africa?
No. South Africa has many languages. Ask what language the person prefers and follow their lead.
Are these phrases enough to arrange safe transport?
No. Check current routes, legitimate operators, charges and safety guidance.
Continue with the right Afrikaans vocabulary
- Afrikaans Vocabulary for Beginners — first 100 words
- Afrikaans Question Words — build the question you need
- Afrikaans Numbers 1 to 100 — fares and time
- Afrikaans Food Vocabulary — restaurants and menus
- How to Say Hello in Afrikaans — greetings and courteous replies
Sources and practical limits
Routes, directions and phrase models were compared with AfrikaansPod101: Asking for Directions, afrikaans.us: Give Directions, AfrikaansPod101: Travel Phrases, and the Afrikaans phrasebook. Practice dialogues and situations are illustrative; this article does not verify live timetables, fares, route availability, road conditions or the identity of transport providers.