French Phrase
Combien de temps va durer ce voyage ?
Meaning
This question asks for the length of time a particular trip will last. It’s a neutral, polite way to inquire about the schedule, whether you’re planning a vacation, a business trip, or a school excursion.
When to use
Use it when you need to know the duration of a journey you’re about to take, when discussing itineraries with friends, travel agents, or colleagues, or when you’re curious about how long a tour will run.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Combiendetempsvadurercevoyage?
Combien de temps
A fixed interrogative phrase meaning “how long”. It always takes the noun temps after de.
Future proche (aller + infinitif)
‘va durer’ uses the verb aller in the present + infinitive to express a near‑future action, common in everyday French.
durer
A regular -er verb meaning “to last”. In the future proche it stays in its infinitive form.
ce + noun
‘ce’ is a demonstrative adjective that points to a specific noun (here, ‘voyage’).
voyage
Masculine noun meaning “trip” or “journey”.
🗨In Conversation
Combien de temps va durer ce voyage ?
How long will this trip last?
Il durera environ deux semaines, du 3 au 17 juillet.
It will last about two weeks, from July 3rd to the 17th.
✕Common Mistakes
Quel temps va durer ce voyage ?
‘Quel temps’ asks about the weather, not duration.
Combien de temps va être durer ce voyage ?
Do not combine ‘être’ with ‘durer’; the correct construction is ‘va durer’.
Combien de temps durera ce voyage ?
Using the simple future is not wrong, but in everyday speech the future proche sounds more natural.
↔Alternatives
Quelle sera la durée de ce voyage ?
What will be the duration of this trip?
Ce voyage durera combien de temps ?
This trip will last how long?
On part pour combien de jours ?
How many days are we leaving for?
Cultural Tip
In French, the future proche (aller + infinitive) is preferred in casual conversation for near‑future events, while the simple future (durera) sounds more formal or written. When asking about travel plans, using the future proche sounds friendly and natural. Also, avoid mixing ‘quel temps’ (which asks about weather) with ‘combien de temps’.