Hello, I need some major help. A friend and myself are going to be in Paris from Jan.8-14, once we check out on the morning of the 14th, we plan to take a train to Brussels for the day, then travel on to Amsterdam and stay there untill Jan. 17th. where we catch our flight back to the states. I was just wondering if this was a feasible trip? Can we buy the train tickets in the states to both Brussels and Amsterdam or would it be better to buy them in France? Also what can we expect of the weather in all three countries at that time. Pleeese help!!!!
Posted by
Pantego, NC, USA
1014 posts
We did the reverse this summer. We did train from Brussels to Amsterdam, you can do the reverse. I bought the tickets on line before I went and they mailed them to me, but you can buy them at the station also. On the Paris part, we took the bus. It was much cheaper. Look at Eurolines.com. If bought ahead of time, saver rates are really cheap. Take food and drink (no alcohol) on the bus for the trip. Go to toilet before you leave, you REALLY do no want to use the Loo on the bus unless you have to. Weather is up in the air. It could be warm or it could be snowing. Look at a long range forcast and see what they guess. Clothes need to be layered to meet the changing weather and whether you are inside or outside. In my experience, Europeans like it really warm inside when it is cold outside. You will be pulling coats off really quick when inside.
Posted by
OP
Falls Church, VA, USA
11 posts
Thanks for the reply guys, it has been helpful!! One more question. Since we are only going to be in brussels for about half a day, do you think it's worthwhile to even go there. Can we do a good amount of site seeing in that amount of time or should we just scrap it and go straight to amsterdam?
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
The 25 EUR Smoove fares sell out quickly. For 14 January they are still available for some, but not all, morning departures to Brussels. Go to www.thalys.com, choose France and English, and choose paper ticket. Choose France as your ticket retrieval country. If you are given the option, print your own tickets.
The Smoove fares are already gone for evening Thalys trains from Brussels to Amsterdam on 14 January. The cheapest fare currently available is a 31 EUR Optiway fare. Book as above.
Seat reservations are required on Thalys trains. If you don't want to be locked into a specific departure time for leaving Brussels, take an IC train to Amsterdam. No reservations are possible and tickets are good on any train. Buy them in Brussels. The fare is 36.30 EUR.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
Personally I would skip Brussels if that is all the time you have for Brussels. You need to deduct the time lost getting to and from the train, handling your luggage, and maybe a quick lunch in there somewhere. Also weather at that time year can be very marginal -- also could be nice but would bet for the marginal side. Plus day light will be very limited at that time. We were in Paris about four years ago at that time. It was overcast, a little windy, in the 40 each day and rained lightly every afternoon.
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
I'm with Frank. Skip Brussels. My least favourite city in Europe.