Amsterdam Rail Itinerary

That's quite an ambitious set of cities. From Amsterdam to Paris is 3+ hours on a fast train. From Paris to Barcelona is at least 6+ hours and Barcelona to Zurich is the better part of a day. With that schedule, you will not have time to do much of anything except ride the train! I recommend checking out this website:

http://www.seat61.com/Europe-train-tickets.htm#.VZGopflVhBd

There are all sorts of tips on train travel to the places you have listed, including travel times, fares and overnight options. You can string together Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona, Zurich and back to Amsterdam in your time frame. I would take an early train from Amsterdam to Paris on Day 1. I recommend spending the night in Paris as well as the next day (Day 2). You can then take the overnight train to Barcelona and arrive on Day 3. Spend this day in Barcelona and then depart on Day 4 for Zurich. You then have the evening of Day 4 plus Day 5 in Zurich. Take the overnight train from Zurich to Amsterdam and you are back in time to board the boat on Day 6.

If you're going by train, just go as far as Paris. The other cities are not easily reached or are too far.

I'd suggest you go on Wikipedia and type in Amsterdam Airport. Look at the list of budget airlines and where they fly. You can easily just go about anywhere in Europe for as cheap as you can take a train. Over 3 hrs., and I'm certainly not taking a train.

Day 1 Early train from Amsterdam to Paris
Day 2 Paris sights
Day 3 Train from Paris (dep 1607) to Barcelona (arr 2242)
Day 4 Barcelona sights
Day 5 Barcelona sights
Day 6 Early flight from Barcelona to Paris

I can't stress enough that YOU DON'T HAVE TIME to do anything more ambitious.

That is absolutely crazy. It cannot be done even if you lived on the train the whole time. Put some pin in a map. Look at the distance. Do you have an concept of the travel time involved? And kill the rail pass idea it will not work. Hit Brussels, Brugg, and Paris. That is it.

Who is paying for this? You or the grandson? if he's buying, I guess your stuck with being granny/gramps in tow. But I suspect its your treat, so keep a cool head and learn to say no. May I assume you will be spending some time in Amsterdam before this 5 day marathon is supposed to begin. There is plenty to keep a 17 yr-old male occupied in Amsterdam for a few days. Other than that, 5 days in Paris sound fabulous.

Hi,

If you want to go somewhere in Germany from Amsterdam with your limited time constraint, forget Berlin. Pick Munich instead since Amsterdam to Munich is a CNL night train line...still, unlike Berlin. You can squeeze another day by using the night train option. I would forget Barcelona if Rome or Germany is on the agenda, cannot be done within your time span.

After one night train your grandson may object to that option. Forget the Alps, just stick to Paris and Munich, or even Frankfurt as long you take the early train at 0706. If you're traveling light maximizing time, then I suggest staying at hostels right by the train stations. In Paris, Munich and Berlin you can to do that. Two cities are basically what you have time for even with a night train option giving you the extra day.