We plan to take a day trip (via train) from Paris to Amsterdam in a few weeks. We'll be settled in Paris for 2 weeks, so don't want to spend a night elsewhere. It'll be our first visit to Amsterdam, so would appreciate "must see" sites, canal trips, etc.Thanks!
Posted by
4836 posts
Just curious--how is this possible given the train times?
Posted by
784 posts
Seems unfeasible; or at least unrealistic to be able accomplish anything. I'd toss an overnight kit in my backpack and spend the night in Amsterdam; leaving you still settled in your accommodations in Paris.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
112 posts
Its almost 3.5 hours by Eurostar from Gare du Nord to Amsterdam. Not including the time to get to Gare du Nord. That is a long day of travel. There are so many great day trips from Paris that don't involve so much travel. Two weeks in Paris might seem like a lot but your days will pass quickly.
Posted by
The Netherlands
1548 posts
On weekdays, the first train from Paris to Amsterdam departs at 6:20 am and arrives in Amsterdam on 9:53 am. The second train of the day departs and arrives an hour later. The last train from Amsterdam back to Paris departs at 7:08 pm and arrives in Paris at 10:39 pm.
This means you’ll spend more than 7 hours on a train in order to be a maximum of 9 hours in Amsterdam. If that’s how you want to spend your time then go for it, but I can’t help but feel that there are better ways to spend your time.
If you want to take a day trip to another country it makes more sense to day trip to Brussels. Paris to Brussels is only a 1.5 hour train ride.
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
2624 posts
Though somewhat rare, if for some reason your train is delayed or canceled you could potentially miss out on Amsterdam altogether or have your time severely truncated. A quicker train trip to a destination much closer to Paris would be an improved use of your time and I would suggest leaving Amsterdam for another visit when you can do it justice.
However, if you've already purchased your train tickets, as you noted you're going in a few weeks, you may find some ideas by using the forum's search bar to look for posts with "one day in Amsterdam" or "long layover in Amsterdam". If you are going very soon you may be well out of luck on Anne Frank House and Van Gogh museum tickets which sell out way ahead of time.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you to those who have replied to my question. Really appreciate your time and suggestions. We spend a couple of weeks every year in Paris and decided this year to take a one day trip outside of France. What will likely end up doing next year is spending the first two days of our arrival in Amsterdam before heading down to Paris. In the meantime, I’ll check out some closer places for this year. Thank you!