West German writer Philip Winter finds himself in a bind after missing a crucial deadline for an article about the United States. Despite his extensive travels and a collection of Polaroid photographs, he struggles to find the spark of inspiration needed to articulate his experiences. Eager to return home to Munich, Philip attempts to secure a flight from New York City, only to learn that a strike by German airport ground crews has left no available flights to Germany.
In a twist of fate, he encounters Lisa van Dam, a German woman, and her young daughter, Alice, who are also trying to get back to Germany. Together, they manage to book tickets for a flight to Amsterdam scheduled for the following day. The next morning, Lisa leaves Alice in Philip's care while she deals with her unstable ex-boyfriend, leaving behind a note instructing him to take Alice to Amsterdam, emphasizing that she would reunite with them there soon.
With Alice speaking some Dutch from their time in Amsterdam, she suggests exploring the city while they await Lisa's arrival. As they embark on their little adventure, Philip's patience wears thin. The responsibilities of caring for a child while on a tight budget begin to grate on him, and he cuts their sightseeing short, no longer amused by Alice's constant needs. When they arrive at the airport to wait for Lisa’s flight but discover she is not on board, Philip contemplates leaving Alice with the authorities and continuing his journey alone. However, when Alice locks herself in a bathroom stall out of distress, Philip’s empathy kicks in. Remembering Alice’s mention of visiting her grandmother in Germany, he proposes taking her there, though Alice cannot recall the specifics of her grandmother's location.
After attempting to jog Alice's memory with various city names, they find a lead when the name "Wuppertal" piques her interest. They embark on a bus ride there, but despite their efforts over two days, they find that Alice's grandmother does not reside in the city. Frustrated, Philip decides to drop Alice off at the police station but upon returning to his hotel, he finds Alice has escaped. She Joyfully informs him that she now remembers where her grandmother lives, having whispered it to the police during their inquiries.
As they journey across the Ruhr area, fortune finally favors them when they locate the house from the photo Alice carries. However, they are met with disappointment again, as the current occupants have no knowledge of Alice's grandmother. They blow off steam by playfully hurling insults at each other while swimming, a cathartic release of their pent-up frustrations. With their finances dwindling, Philip considers visiting his parents across the Rhine for support.
While on a ferry, a policeman spots them and reveals that both Lisa and Alice's grandmother have been located. He ensures Alice is put on a train to Munich to meet her mother, and miraculously, Alice produces a 100-dollar bill from her purse, allowing Philip to accompany her without worrying about the ticket cost. As they travel together on the train, they ponder their futures in Munich, with Philip committed to finishing his article and Alice simply raising her eyebrows in response, hinting at her uncertain plans. They share a moment of camaraderie as they gaze out the train window, hopeful for what lies ahead.
