Hi :-) My mom and I booked the Thalys train from Paris for a day trip to Amsterdam. We will be arriving in Amsterdam Centraal train station at 9:43 and our train leaves to return to Paris at 18:16 (6:16pm) Can Anyone help me out with a doable day itinerary? We really want to do 3 things. 1.) Anne Frank Huis 2.) Canal boat ride 3.) Van Gogh museum We also will need to allow time for food and for walking around and stuff ;-) And OF COURSE, enough time to get back to the train station. Is this doable? And what would the most logical order be? One of my main concerns is the fact that I want to get our tickets for the Anne Frank Huis ahead of time so we don't have to wait in the long line, which means that I have to order our tickets and commit to a specific ticket time. Also, does anyone know how long you need to be at a train station before the train arrives? I'm a huge Newbie, 1st time to Europe for us. Any help would be much appreciated! :-)
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9110 posts
All three are doable in one day. Since you have to commit to a specific time, I would do Anne Frank first. Its about a 30 minute walk through some beautiful residential areas to get there. After you are done touring the house walk back up to Centraal Station and catch the Canal boat there. Take the canal boat the Museum district dock, from there walk to Van Gogh. After Van Gough I would walk all the way back to Centraal Station, there is pedestrian route, well signed, that will lead you back to the train station and you will pass some of other sights as well. Thalys trains leave on time. Technically you can board the train right up until it departs, but to be on the safe side be at the train station 30 minutes prior.
Posted by
OP
Lebanon, Pa, USA
12 posts
Thank you SO MUCH for your help!!! Any good moderately priced restaurant suggestions that would be on our route that day?
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9110 posts
Youre very welcome. The walk back to Centraal Station from Van Gogh will take you through the Leidseplein distict. There are zillion restaurants here, for all budgets and tates. Theyre geared to tourists, but you will get very quick service, and if the weather is nice you can eat outside. If you are getting pressed for time, there is a taxi stand here as well.
Posted by
Redding, CA, USA
1568 posts
We were in A'Dam in June and there were no long lines or wait at the Anne Frank house. We caught a canal boat very near Anne Frank's house and went to the Rijksmueseum. The Van Gough is within walking distance from the Rijks. Best thing to do is get a map of A'Dam.
Posted by
Macungie, PA, USA
463 posts
honestly, if money is not an issue, get the 1 day iAmsterdam pass. you won't use it enough to get your money's worth, but we walked past a block and a half long line for the van gogh museum because we had the pass (which gives entry without standing in line) and we used the tram all day (also included with the pass). you could go directly from the train station to the anne frank house because the line there is INSANE (and not covered by the pass) so you'll want to get there early (we didn't go in[INVALID]we just marveled at the line!) then head to the van gogh museum (utilize the trams[INVALID]they are fun. you'll want to walk east from the AF house and catch the 1,2 or 5). from there you can walk five minutes towards the entrance to vondelpark[INVALID]across the street is one of the two canal boat cruise places that is covered by the iAmsterdam card.
Posted by
Huntington Beach CA
1162 posts
Rebecca, are you considering the hop on hop off canal boat? It's a great way to see the town with convenient stops at Anne Frank House and Van Gogh/Rijksmuseum. Check out the website at www.canal.nl. I would definitely get Van Gogh tickets ahead of time so you can walk right in and avoid the ticket line. I think I just bought it online. If you can reserve tickets for Anne Frank I would do it too so you don't get stuck waiting in a long line since you're in a time crunch. I actually did all 3 on the same day, it's very doable and I didnt book Anne Frank ahead of time. I wish I can tell you where we ate but we just dodged into a cafe for breakfast, it was good and basic. We ended up going to Hard Rock for dinner cause it's something my bro in law had to do in every city he visits! We also took the Thalys from Paris. Bring your breakfast and eat it on the train. Bring a book to read or catch a nap, I recall the view wasn't that scenic most of the way. Enjoy your trip!