German for Day Trips: Planning and Asking What to See
Learn to plan a day trip in German: ask what to see, discuss logistics, and use modal verbs with practical phrases.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
Planning a day trip in a German-speaking region involves more than just vocabulary; you need to ask what to see, discuss transportation, and agree on a schedule. This lesson focuses on the specific language you need to plan a day trip, from asking 'What should we see?' to confirming departure times. You'll practice using modal verbs like 'sollen' and 'können' in realistic conversations, and learn to handle logistics such as buying tickets and checking opening hours. By the end, you'll be able to confidently plan a day trip with friends or family in German.
By the end, you can…
- ask what to see and do on a day trip using 'Was sollen wir ...?'
- discuss logistics like departure times, tickets, and meeting points.
- use modal verbs to make suggestions and ask about possibilities.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Was sollen wir uns ansehen?
What should we see?
vahs ZOL-len veer oons AHN-zay-en
Use this to ask for suggestions about sights. 'Sollen' implies asking for advice or a plan.
Wann fahren wir los?
When are we setting off?
vahn FAH-ren veer lohs
Casual way to ask about departure time. 'Losfahren' means to set off or depart.
Was kostet die Fahrkarte?
How much is the ticket?
vahs KOS-tet dee FAHR-kar-te
Use for public transport tickets. For a day pass, say 'Tageskarte'.
Haben Sie einen Reiseführer?
Do you have a guidebook?
HAH-ben zee AY-nen RY-ze-fue-rer
Ask at a tourist information office. 'Reiseführer' can also mean a tour guide person.
Wir treffen uns um zehn Uhr am Bahnhof.
We'll meet at ten o'clock at the train station.
veer TREF-fen oons oom tsayn oor ahm BAHN-hohf
Use 'am Bahnhof' for train station, 'an der Haltestelle' for bus/tram stop.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask what you should do, use 'Was sollen wir ...?' followed by a verb in the infinitive. For example, 'Was sollen wir besichtigen?' (What should we visit?) or 'Was sollen wir machen?' (What should we do?). The verb 'sollen' means 'should' and is used for suggestions or asking for instructions. You can also use 'können' for possibility: 'Was können wir heute machen?' (What can we do today?). Note that 'sollen' is a modal verb, so the main verb goes to the end of the sentence.
When to use it
Use these patterns when planning with others. For example, if you're with friends, 'Was sollen wir uns ansehen?' is natural. If you're asking a tourist information officer, use the polite 'Sie' form: 'Was sollen wir uns ansehen?' works for both, but 'Was empfehlen Sie?' (What do you recommend?) is more polite. When discussing logistics, use 'Wann fahren wir los?' for departure, 'Wie kommen wir dahin?' (How do we get there?), and 'Wo treffen wir uns?' (Where do we meet?). These questions help organize the trip.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Hast du schon Ideen für unseren Tagesausflug am Samstag?
Do you already have ideas for our day trip on Saturday?hahst doo shohn ee-DAY-en fuer OON-ze-ren TAH-ges-ows-flook ahm ZAHS-tahkJa, ich dachte, wir könnten nach Heidelberg fahren und die Altstadt besichtigen.
Yes, I thought we could go to Heidelberg and visit the old town.yah, ikh DAHK-te, veer KOEN-ten nahkh HY-del-berk FAH-ren oont dee AHLT-shtaht be-ZIKH-ti-genGute Idee! Was sollen wir uns dort unbedingt ansehen?
Good idea! What should we definitely see there?GOO-te ee-DAY! vahs ZOL-len veer oons dort OON-be-dinkt AHN-zay-enDas Schloss und die Heiliggeistkirche. Wir sollten auch eine Bootsfahrt auf dem Neckar machen.
The castle and the Church of the Holy Spirit. We should also take a boat trip on the Neckar.dahs SHLOHS oont dee HY-likh-gyst-keer-khe. veer ZOL-ten owkh AY-ne BOOTS-fahrt owf daym NEK-ar MAH-khenA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, planning a day trip often involves checking train schedules (Fahrplan) and buying tickets in advance, especially for regional trains. Many people use apps like DB Navigator. When asking for recommendations, it's common to use 'Was empfehlen Sie?' with strangers, while 'Was sollen wir ...?' is fine among friends. Punctuality is valued, so confirm meeting times clearly. Also, many attractions have 'Ruhetage' (closing days), so check opening hours (Öffnungszeiten) beforehand.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Was sollen wir sehen?' without a reflexive verb when the meaning is 'see for ourselves'.
Try this instead: In German, 'sich etwas ansehen' means to look at or visit something. So 'Was sollen wir uns ansehen?' is more natural than 'Was sollen wir sehen?' when asking about sights. 'Sehen' is simply 'to see', but 'ansehen' implies actively visiting or viewing. For example, 'Wir sehen den Dom' means we see the cathedral (perhaps from afar), while 'Wir sehen uns den Dom an' means we visit/look at the cathedral.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you ask 'What should we see?' in German?
Show a sample answer
Was sollen wir uns ansehen?
This uses 'sollen' for 'should' and 'uns ansehen' for 'see (for ourselves)'. 'Was sollen wir sehen?' is grammatically possible but less idiomatic for planning sightseeing.
2Translate: 'When are we setting off?'
Show a sample answer
Wann fahren wir los?
'Losfahren' is a separable verb meaning 'to set off'. The question uses 'wann' for 'when' and the present tense for future meaning, which is common in German.
3What is the polite way to ask a tourist information officer for a recommendation?
Show a sample answer
Was empfehlen Sie?
Using 'Sie' shows respect. 'Was empfehlen Sie?' means 'What do you recommend?' Alternatively, 'Was können Sie empfehlen?' is also correct.
When planning a day trip in German, use 'Was sollen wir ...?' to ask for suggestions, and 'Wann fahren wir los?' for departure times. Remember to use 'sich ansehen' for visiting sights, and check opening hours in advance.
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