Hello all! So I'm going to be traveling in September. I fly into Madrid early morning on a Tuesday, and I have 7 days to get to Amsterdam by the next Tuesday. I'm not sure how to divvy up my time. I really want to see Paris, and Bruges. Anyone have any itinerary advice? Also, would it be cheaper for me to buy a 3 country Eurail pass, or just buy single tickets(w/reservations I understand, if needed). Or even try to fly from place to place. I'm trying to budget as cheaply as possible. Any advice would be greatly appreciate. Cheers!
Posted by
Philadelphia
655 posts
Have you previously visited Madrid? If not, consider Madrid, two nights, Paris, four nights and Bruges, just one. Bruges is a fairly easy stop between Paris and Amsterdam. This doesn't leave any time for visiting Amsterdam which you will want to include.
Posted by
OP
Alexandria, VA, US
12 posts
Thanks George. I'm meeting someone in Amsterdam(been before) on that last Tuesday I mentioned. I'll be in Amsterdam for a couple days then flying to Ireland spending 7 days, then I'll be back in Amsterdam for 5 days after that. The itinerary you suggested sounds good. Any advice on Eurail pass vs. single ticket train tickets vs. flying for Madrid to Paris to Bruges? Thanks again.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
Ryan, given your explanation that you are returning to Amsterdam for 5 days after a week in Ireland, I would rethink the 2 days in Amsterdam beforehand. Maybe 2 or 3 days in Madrid, 1 or 2 days in Brugges, and the balance in Paris. Fly Mad-Par if possible. But I'd look at meeting your friend in Ireland, flying there from Paris, and seeing Brugges as a daytrip or overnight from Amsterdam. Where I am coming from is that a whole week in Amsterdam, with only a few days in Paris and Madrid, seems out of whack. It's not that you can't have fun spending that much time in Amsterdam, but that you would not regret shifting some of it to these other great cities.
Posted by
OP
Alexandria, VA, US
12 posts
Adam, I should have been more specific. I'm actually not just going to be in Amsterdam(my favorite city, so far, in Europe) my friend and I are going to visit some other cities in The Netherlands(not finalized yet) definitely Haarlem, and possibly another city in Belgium, on those last 5 days. Thanks for the reply. Still wondering if any of you have any incite into what the cheapest mode of transportation might be. Doing my research, I think it might be flying to each place, where as I might have more flexibility with a train?