When to use “fahren” and when to use “abfahren”?

Question

I have seen many times these two verbs, for example:

Der Zug fährt ab

Ich fahre nach Deutschland

What are the differences between them and when to use each one?

Thanks

Answer 1

Fahren means to drive. In your example, you're going to Germany. This is the actual movement. Note that this is sometimes generalized to a voyage, so it is also used if you're going by plane.

Abfahren means to depart. In your example, the train departs. This is only the start of the movement and is never used for planes.