das  Reisebüro

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʁaɪ̯zəbyˌʁoː/

🌍 What exactly is a Reisebüro?

A Reisebüro (neuter noun, article: das) is a business or office that arranges or organizes travel. Here, customers can book flight tickets, package tours, hotel rooms, rental cars, and other tourist services.

It acts as an intermediary between tour operators (like TUI, DER Touristik) or service providers (like airlines, hotels) and the end customer.

Typical tasks of a Reisebüro include:

• Beratung von Kunden (Advising customers) about destinations and offers
• Buchung von Transportmitteln und Unterkünften (Booking transport and accommodation)
• Zusammenstellung individueller Reisen (Creating individual travel packages)
• Verkauf von Reiseversicherungen (Selling travel insurance)
• Providing information on Einreisebestimmungen (entry requirements) and vaccinations

⚠️ Although many bookings are made online today, Reisebüros often offer personal advice and service that can be helpful for complex trips or problems.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar under the Microscope: Das Reisebüro

The word "Reisebüro" is a neuter noun. The definite article is das. It's a compound word formed from "Reise" (die Reise - the journey/trip) and "Büro" (das Büro - the office). The gender is determined by the last part of the compound word ("Büro").

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

Example Sentences 📜

1. Wir haben unsere Hochzeitsreise im Reisebüro gebucht.
   (We booked our honeymoon at the travel agency.)
2. Das Reisebüro am Bahnhof hat sonntags geschlossen.
   (The travel agency at the train station is closed on Sundays.)
3. Die Angestellte des Reisebüros war sehr kompetent.
   (The employee of the travel agency was very competent.)
4. Viele kleine Reisebüros müssen wegen der Online-Konkurrenz schließen.
   (Many small travel agencies have to close due to online competition.)
5. Ich gehe lieber zu einem Reisebüro, um mich persönlich beraten zu lassen.
   (I prefer to go to a travel agency to get personal advice.)

🗣️ Everyday Usage: When do you talk about a Reisebüro?

The term Reisebüro is used to refer to a physical office where you can book trips. It often contrasts with online booking portals.

• Traditional Booking: "Ich muss noch ins Reisebüro, um den Sommerurlaub zu buchen." (I still need to go to the travel agency to book the summer vacation.)
• Personal Consultation: "Für diese komplizierte Rundreise gehe ich lieber ins Reisebüro als online zu buchen." (For this complicated round trip, I'd rather go to the travel agency than book online.)
• Distinction from Online Platforms: "Früher gab es in jeder Stadt mehrere Reisebüros, heute buchen viele online." (There used to be several travel agencies in every city; today, many people book online.)

Sometimes the term is also used more generally for companies that organize travel, even if they operate mainly online, but the primary connotation is that of a physical shop.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: The word ends in "-o", like das Büro (office), das Auto (car), das Kino (cinema). Although there are exceptions, "-o" often indicates the neuter article das. And you organize travel (Reise) in an office (Büro) – hence, das Reisebüro.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine sitting at a desk (Büro) planning your next big trip (Reise). Where are you? In the Reisebüro (travel agency)!

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

Similar but different terms:

• Fremdenverkehrsamt / Touristeninformation: Tourist office; provides information about a region but usually doesn't arrange major travel bookings.

😄 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Kunde im Reisebüro: "Ich möchte eine Überraschungsreise für meine Frau buchen."
Darauf die Angestellte: "Oh, wie aufmerksam! Wohin soll es denn gehen?"
Kunde: "Das ist ja die Überraschung – ich weiß es selbst noch nicht! Finden Sie einfach was Schönes, aber bitte nicht zu teuer, die richtige Überraschung kommt erst, wenn sie die Rechnung sieht!" 😉

English Translation: A customer asks at the travel agency: "I'd like to book a surprise trip for my wife."
The employee replies: "Oh, how thoughtful! Where would you like to go?"
Customer: "That's the surprise – I don't know yet myself! Just find something nice, but please not too expensive, the real surprise comes when she sees the bill!" 😉

✍️ Poem about the Reisebüro

German:
Im Schaufenster Palmen, Meer und Sand,
Das Reisebüro, Tor zum fremden Land.
Kataloge bunt, voll Ferientraum,
Hier findet jeder seinen Platz und Raum.

Von Alpenhöh'n bis zum Korallenriff,
Der nette Berater gibt den letzten Schliff.
Ein Flug, ein Hotel, ein Klick geschwind,
Die Vorfreude weht wie Sommerwind.

English Translation:
In the window, palms, sea, and sand,
The travel agency, gate to a foreign land.
Brochures bright, full of holiday dreams,
Everyone finds their space and schemes.

From Alpine heights to the coral reef,
The kind consultant provides relief.
A flight, a hotel, a swift click's sound,
Anticipation blows like summer wind around.

🕵️‍♀️ Little Riddle

German:
Ich hab' kein Schiff, kein Flugzeug, keinen Zug,
doch schick' dich fort, im Nu und Flug um Flug.
Ich sitz' im Haus, doch zeig' dir fremde Zonen,
hilf dir, ganz fern und exotisch zu wohnen.

Was bin ich?

English Translation:
I have no ship, no plane, no train's fast pace,
But send you off, in a flash, from place to place.
I sit indoors, yet show you foreign zones,
Help you to dwell far off, in exotic homes.

What am I?

Solution: Das Reisebüro (The Travel Agency)

💡 More Interesting Facts

Word Composition:

The word "Reisebüro" is a compound noun, composed of:

• die Reise: Journey, trip, travel.
• das Büro: Office.

➡️ Literally, an "office for travel".

Trivia:

The world's first travel agency was founded in 1841 by Thomas Cook in England. He organized a train trip for members of a temperance society – marking the beginning of organized tourism.