Travelling to Amsterdam Paris

With only 9 nights, I would spend 3 or 4 in Amsterdam, assuming that the first day maybe lost to jetlag.

Then take the train to Paris and spend the rest of your time here, as there is plenty to see.

Amsterdam is more compact, but Paris is huge, so you won't be able to cover all the main sights by walking.

Both cities are expensive and you have left it rather late to be seeking the best value accommodation only 2 months from your travel dates. Also look at booking.com and Trip Advisor rentals. Airbnb is more expensive in Europe.

You haven't stated what your interests are in order for people to advise you, but read a good guide book to work out what you want to see. Check online for your travel dates if places are closed (many European museums close on Mondays). Versailles is a possible day trip from Paris, if this interests you.

For »a full-rounded experience« you must keep yourself limited to Amsterdam and Paris. Otherwise you'll just be running around from one so-called »must-see« to another. And it is always rewarding to have a day trip to something smaller around. Haarlem is only 15 minutes by train from Amsterdam and a good historical city for wandering around. From the centre of Paris you can easily go to the not so very crowded palace of Fontainebleau: a 40-minute trip on an half-hourly train and you're in a totally different environment.

In agreement with Ton and Jennifer here. In reality, you don't have 9 full days; you only have 8.5 as arrival days are partials and can be jet-lagged hazes at that. You will use up 1/2 of another transferring from Amsterdam to Paris.

There is more than enough to see and do in both, and trying to squeeze in a third would just use up more time getting from one point to another and acclimating to a new city. As suggested, you could take a day trip out of each should you find yourself itching for a change of scene. That's easier done than a move involving luggage and a change of hotel.

18th - 21st: Amsterdam, 3.5 days
22nd - 26th: Paris, 4.5 days
Fly home on the 27th.

Editing to add: the authorities are cracking down on short-term holiday rentals in Paris, and you might want to take a look at a recent thread on the subject? It's sort of a touchy one :O)

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/regarding-illegal-rentals-beware-the-noose-is-gradually-tightening

I agree, with the time you have two great cities are enough. The best way to get between them is the Thalys train, taking a little more than three hours. The sooner you buy your ticket the less it will cost, but you will have to commit to a particular date and time. I'd suggest fewer days in Amsterdam than in Paris.

Both cities are expensive, and, as noted by others, Paris is cracking down on airbnb and similar rentals. If you look for an airbnb in Paris, look for the 13-digit registration number that tells you the rental is legal. I don't believe this is an issue in Amsterdam (yet). With just a few nights in each city, you might consider hotels as an alternative.

In Amsterdam, I suggest you look for a place near the center, or in the Jordaan neighborhood, or around Leidseplein. You could walk to most of the sights from those areas, though the tram system is excellent and would save you time. Walking in Paris is easy and enjoyable, but you will need to use the Metro and/or buses to reach some of the sights. That means it matters less what neighborhood you stay in. Look for a place close to a Metro station, preferably one where two lines intersect.

I think Amsterdam is the perfect 3 night town; we often spend the last 3 days of a European trip here. I'd do 3 in Amsterdam and 6 in Paris. Get Thalys tickets early -- they are about a third as much 4 mos or so out.

We have used Citymundo for houseboat rentals and apartments in Amsterdam.