We will be on a 2+ week trip to London & Paris. Checking out of London hotel on Sat and need to check into Paris hotel Sunday. Is it worthwhile to detour to Brussels or Amsterdam for just a day? I realize it is about 4-8 hours one-way to Amsterdam from London by train and 4.30 hours by train from Amsterdam to Paris. Would we be spending more time traveling and would we get to see any of these places esp Amsterdam?
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
For me, that's much too much travel for only one day. Your take may be different.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
13927 posts
For Brussels it might be worthwhile since it is a 2-hour journey on Eurostar from London, altho you lose an hour so it will be a 3 hour difference. Brussels to Paris via Thalys is about an hour and a half journey. Both days you would spend probably 3-4 hours checking out/in to hotels, transportation to train station, early check in needed for Eurostar etc, so count on at least a half a day gone from both days. If you stay near Grand Place in Brussels you can enjoy that area in the afternoon and evening and again the next morning before you leave for Paris.
To me Amsterdam would be too far and there is too much to see there for just an afternoon and a morning.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6498 posts
I wouldn't detour to either for such a short time. Keep your eyes on the prize(s)!
Posted by
OP
Sacramento
11 posts
Good feedback all ! That reinforced my thoughts. We will stick to London and Paris this time. This is our first trip to Europe and will save the rest for next. Thanks.
Posted by
Danbury, Ct, Usa
134 posts
Sam,
Amsterdam over Brussels, I've been to both, museums in Amsterdam alone make this a choice. Actually Bruges is a much better trip than Brussels, outside of square, not much in Brussels. Amsterdam for sure.