We are flying into Paris (CDG)from California at the end of May and want to spend about 10 days in and around Amsterdam, Brussels and Bruges before returning to Paris. Where should be go first? What is the best way to travel? Any suggestions for places not to miss?
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Did you know that there is a Benelux railpass? CLICK HERE for more info. It could be useful.
Posted by
dallas, tx, usa
1358 posts
I agree that the train is best for this travel, but be sure to add all the costs of p2p tickets and compare with the cost of the rail pass.
Sometimes the pass will cost more for the few days you use it. I have compared in the past and chose the p2p method.
Posted by
Grapevine, TX, USA
875 posts
We spent the 1st night in Paris trying to adjust to jet lag. Just roamed around the Montmartre area; had an early dinner at a lovely sidewalk cafe; etc. Took an early train the next morning to Amsterdam. We loved the Van Gogh Museum (much more than the Rijksmuseum); Anne Frank House; the flower market; etc. Amsterdam is small enough to walk around and see most everything.
We had planned to spend a night in Brussels, but decided we would rather just stop and sightsee on our way to Bruges. This met our needs perfectly. Bruges is smaller than Amsterdam and easily doable in a few days. If you happen to be there for the "Procession of the Holy Blood" (usually sometime around mid-May), be sure not to miss it. We rented an apt in Bruges for 5 nights, and could have stayed indefinitely we loved it so much.
Then back on the train to Paris. Gosh, there are so many wonderful sights in Paris. It just depends on where your interests lie -- museums, antiquities, history, food.....
We got a rail pass for France and Benelux -- it worked well for us.
Wishing you a wonderful trip!
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
The quickest way (but not the cheapest) to travel between Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam is via the Thalys high-speed trains:
Thalys doesn't serve Brugge directly, but you can easily transfer on Belgian rail from Brussels:
I wouldn't recommend a rental car for this trip.
Posted by
Powell River, Canada
359 posts
If 'twas me I'd Thalys one way, inter-city trains the other direction. Would probably do Thalys going north to Amsterdam, settle there for a few days to plan your moves and then work your way south.
My 10 days would be Amsterdam for 3/4 nights with a day visit to Haarlem/Leiden/?? included (end of May you've probably missed the tulips). Head south and maybe overnite in Den Haag with visits to Delft and Scheveningen included. On to Brussels or Antwerp, overnite in both/either then to Bruges. Two nights in Bruges and away to Paris. Counting nights instead of days you're pretty close to your ten.
Look at www.ns.nl for the Dutch train system for schedules, times, $'s, etc. Click on English in the upper right of the homepage.