Using up Delta Points: Paris, Amsterdam, or Prague for long weekend

Kayla! What fun!

For myself? Paris, Paris, Paris. I generally go solo and it's wonderful to be there on your own. You can spend as much or as little time in museums as you like (well you can do that any time you travel solo, lol)! I'm heading to Paris on my own in a couple of weeks. Last time I looked for some of the scenes in Midnight in Paris and some locations I saw in Atlas Obscura. This time I'm looking for Sainte-Genevieve.

Any of your 3 choices would be good. All 3 would be fine weather-wise especially if you are from Boston area.

Stick with the direct flight. Fall is a good time to go as the new season performing arts is in full swing if you like that kind thing.
That being said, having been to both many times, I would base my decision on what is happening in town at that time like special exhibitions, festivals etc. For example I am going to the Netherlands 2nd week of May to see the Tullips before they are harvested.

I'm not so sure I would burn the points to go to Europe just for a weekend, but if that's your choice then so be it. Regardless, stay mindful of how little usable time you will actually have there (at least you're only coming from Boston, which means fairly short flights when compared to those of us on the west coast). Given the ratio of time en route to time actually there, I'd pick either Paris or Amsterdam, and leave Prague out of the picture simply because getting there would consume even more of your short time.

In October, the weather could be anything, so I'd plan for the worst and hope for the best. And given the chance of rainy cool weather, I'd head for Paris (more indoor things to enjoy there).

Stick with the direct flight.

No way would we undergo the long TransAtlantic flights for a long weekend. Clearly, you are probably young and can handle the long flights.

Thanks for input so far! Yes, three full days (fri, sat, sun) is worth it to me for using up the points. I’m a lawyer and used to having to squeeze in cool trips in a few days. I can also sleep on planes and don’t have trouble adjusting to jet lag. Im 26 and not super into art but love history, cafes, pubs, wandering, fun neighborhoods...

Ideas for things to do are welcome!

If you go to Amsterdam and want to go to the Anne Frank House, you will need to get tickets online a long time in advance.

I agree with David, that it really wouldn't be worth it to make your way to Prague. It's too far and wouldn't be a direct flight. I've been to France mid October and the weather was lovely, but it is definitely a "crap shoot". I do like Paris much more than Amsterdam, but Amsterdam is nice and for me a long weekend would be enough time for the city.

If you're going for the long week-end, as proposed above, I would pick Paris given your choices listed. Personally, my choice would would be Berlin or Vienna, also easy to do.

I did what you are proposing... once in Jan 2007 basically over a 3 day week-end but flew instead from SFO, 11 hrs non-stop, (the only way to go), landed in Paris CDG at 11 am Friday...same as I would arrive in the summer. You're only flying from Boston ! No problem at all.

Prague is also logistically doable too but fly to Frankfurt, then connect to Prague.

If I had the points you have, I would not hesitate going for the long week-end in October as you propose, be it Paris, Prague, or Berlin

If you have spent time in Paris, there is always more to see and you have the bonus of knowing it already, so little learning curve. Amsterdam is the right size for your time but you have the learning curve (not that it is complicated). I understand the temptation of Prague, but there will be more travel when you can give it more time.
Keep in mind Amsterdam is not a cheap city and hotel high season can run into October. If hostels suit, then more manageable. It would be my first recommendation.

How quick and painless is the connection to Prague?
Sometimes a later arrival can be a good thing; being able to check in to your lodgings right away, along with having a shorter arrival day to stave off the jet-lag.

Happy Travels!

Hi, Kayla. I'll give you the thoughts of someone who has done several 5-day, long-weekend trips to Europe, leaving on Thursday and returning on Monday (and back at work at 8 am Tuesday!).

I find such trips worthwhile. For me, they usually have a specific goal. I've done trips to see friends, to catch bands, to go to Christmas markets, and to see my favorite conductor lead his orchestra. I've gone to destinations with direct flights, but at least half my destinations required connections. For example, I went to Budapest in November 2016 to see some friends, connecting through Paris on my way there and Amsterdam on my return. I don't find connections to be a problem at all, but (1) I love all things aviation so flying and airports are part of the fun of travel for me, (2) I typically don't check a bag, (3) I give myself plenty of time for the connection, and (4) I am always highly-motivated with regard to my destination.

My arrival time at the destination is pretty variable, but I often arrive early to mid afternoon and try to go ahead and check in at the hotel. I usually take the earliest flight out on Monday so that I can get home at a reasonable time and get some rest before returning to work the next day.

My 5-day itineraries are helped by my job. I will never get in trouble if I can't get back on Tuesday due to flight issues (though this has never happened). It also helps that I have status with Delta, which I assume you also have if you have Skymiles to burn. The higher up the medallion tree, the higher you are in the pecking order for re-accommodation if something happens.

As for your question about which city, I personally would choose a city that was calling me but required a connection over a city with a direct flight that was less exciting to me.

Points are there to use for long weekend trips like you have, Kayla. Not everyone has 7-10 days or more in terms of travel and being able to afford traveling overseas of that amount of time!

You will lose the 1/2 half of Friday getting to Prague as DL does not fly nonstop from Boston. On a long weekend, that 1/2 day is precious. On the return home, you may need to fly to the DL departure point for Boston the night before in order to make sure you're on that next day flight home. Again, on a long weekend, that is precious time spent in airports.

So I would hold off Prague. I was in Paris and Amsterdam at the end of October/early November last year and had a blast. You have to decide if on this long weekend, do you want to return to Paris and enjoy the city once again or do you want to sightsee and explore Amsterdam more? I think heads you win, tails you win on that one!!

Kayla, I would do a direct flight city to maximize your time on the ground. Amsterdam is a lovely city, very walkable. It would be perfect for a long weekend. I would choose between Paris and Amsterdam based on if you want a new city or to go back to a more familiar city.

As most folks have said,I advise you to choose either Amsterdam or Paris since those are both direct flights. For such a short trip, you want to avoid any connections.

You can't go wrong with either city. Either will be great fun to visit for a long weekend.

My son is your age and flew to Amsterdam last year and really enjoyed it. He rented a bike during his stay to get around from a less expensive air b&b that was a little bit off the beaten track and had a great host, found an ultimate group that met in a park to play some pick up and visited museums etc... So, he found it a terrific solo destination.

Of course Paris would be too. I studied abroad there for a semester and have been back numerous times, but based on my son's glowing report, if I were picking right now, I would lean toward Amsterdam this year. I haven't been there in decades.

If there's something in particular you want to see and do in Paris then this is a good opportunity, otherwise it would be a good time to see someplace new. Amsterdam is a nice town, and fairly easy to get around. I think of it as more of a weekend town than Paris, although both are good for just walking down a street you haven't been down before. Have a good trip.

P.S. While I love Prague, I think you'd need a bit more time for that.

From all the advice I am leaning towards Amsterdam as it seems like the perfect opportunity to see a new city and it appears as if it is the perfect city to see in that time frame.

Any thoughts on what to do in Amsterdam in October would be great! I always stay in hostels so recommendations there are good too. I am also not deterred by cold or rainy weather. I live in New Hampshire and not much phases me!

I like Amsterdam, it's kind of like a flat Seattle. The old town is basically a set of concentric rings of canals. You can easily get from the airport to the city, just go downstairs and get on a train to the main station. They leave every few minutes, so basically there's not much waiting. I can't direct you to any specific events, as I spent a lot of time just walking or sitting down and watching the world go by. If the weather's good sitting outdoors is popular. The museums are all pretty close, the Van Gogh one was for me the most memorable. The large park across the way is nice too, it used to be pretty heavily populated by the homeless. The red light district is right by the main station, so I recommend staying a bit further out from the city center.

hey kayla
i've been to amsterdam twice, had fun both times. it's a crazy, crowded, expensive city. bikes bikes bikes everywhere and anywhere, be careful!! go to amsterdam, you'll love it. so much to see and do, with your short time you really need to stay in city with no day trips.
first trip we, 4 close friends, stayed in an apartment on prinsengracht near amstel river, second time, 4 close girlfriends, in a houseboat in the jordaan district.
check booking.com and put in filters on left side. stay in town, so much going on. don't know your budget but you can find places, do you want hotel, studio, B&B; lots to look at.
our apartment we rented thru citymundo.com (they also have studios, B&B) read the fine print, shared bathroom kitchen living room, cash euros on arrival, security deposit, what floor and how many stairs/steps to carry luggage up, pack light, early checkin, drop off luggage or do you carry around with you, pushing pulling on cobblestone streets) don't wanna be donna downer but things to think about.
i have a few things we did and saw. i will send you a private message about things to see and do, you get to pick what you think fits you. enjoy
aloha