Brussles, Amsterdam, Bruggs, Paris

Has anyone ever done this route in approximately 8 days? (Brussles, Amsterdam, Bruggs, Paris) I am trying to figure out the best way to do this more or less without breaking the bank. Is the rail pass better than renting a car? I really would like to do this trip but do not know anything about the area and would like advice. Are the transfers from airports easy? Will I have to spend money on buses to and from train stations? Is parking accessable? Will I find hotels when I get there? HELP!!!!!

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Bruges is about 30 minutes from Brussels, so you would want to start with Amsterdam (furthest from Paris), then Brussels and Bruges, then Paris. But, you%26#39;re going to spend quite a bit of time on trains including time getting to and waiting at stations, etc. (especially if done by train, because you will have to take a local train out to Bruges).

Much as I like Bruges, I don%26#39;t think I%26#39;d try to include it in a trip that is only 8 days in total, because already you aren%26#39;t going to have much time in any one place. If you do include it, I would suggest doing Bruges as a day trip, which will allow you to see most of it. You might want to consider flying into Brussels rather than Amsterdam, and just doing Brussels (one full day plus the arrival day is more than enough, IMO), then Bruges as a day trip with an evening train to Paris, and then several days in Paris.

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Best way to do this is by train. Fly into Amsterdam, three days there. Train and airport connections are very easy. Then take the train to Brussels, 35 euros on the international train or less if you can find a special offer on the Thalys. Spend a couple of days in Brussels Don%26#39;t bother with Brugge unless you want to take a trip for a few hours from Brussels. Train time is approx 1 hour.

Take the Thalys to Paris, 1hr 20 mins. Spend the remaining three days in Paris.

Under no circustances drive this trip. Parking in all three cities is prohibitively expensive and the public transport and train connections between them make it unecessary to drive.

IMO dont get the railpass. It will cost you no more than 80 euros to travel all three cities (excluding the return trip to where you will get your plane back) to get single tickets. The railpass is good if you are travelling every day but not if you are only doing these three cities.

Of course you can do this in reverse starting in Paris, thats up to you

There is normally lots of hotel availability in all three cities unless ther is a big convention on or something.Since you don%26#39;t say when yo are thinking of going I can%26#39;t say. One tip is that hotels in Brussels are normally a lot cheaper at the weekend as all the EU parliament pople go home for th e weekend.

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I would fly to Amsterdam and spend a few days there then train to Brussles ( skip Bruggs) for a few days touring then train on to Paris.

Parking is so bad ...I would use the train.

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I know I%26#39;m in the vast minority and using the tain is a regular theme however...

I have frequently driven to and in these cities, it%26#39;s really not a big deal. Parking is expensive but it depends on the hotel arrangements. Planning ahead P %26amp; R etc.

The car gives you flexibility and freedom, I really can%26#39;t concur that all European trips should be by train, as appears the concensus on most forums.

Stoofer

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Stoofer,

You make a good point about flexibility and it%26#39;s worth considering driving if you really think your plans will change. However in general the train will be quicker between these places. I lived in Den Haag and used to travel to Brussels regularly for work and even at 6:00 am (to get an early meeting) I beat colleagues who were driving - as the traffic is worse near to Ams then there is no way to do that trip quicker by car. Also no-one can drive Brussels to Paris in 1:20hr.

If cost is an important consideration you should factor in a few taxi rides when taking the train to have a fair comparison with a rental car. Trams and metros are good but sometimes you do need a taxi.

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we drive a lot in Europe and most of our trips include driving legs -- but a trip from one big city to another has no advantage for a car and many disadvantages -- I agree with those who say Amsterdam, Brussels, skip Brugge and head for Paris -- in fact if it were me I%26#39;d do 3 nights in Amsterdam and head straight to Paris for the rest -- except the fabulous street waffles and other culinary delights, I don%26#39;t think two quick days in Brussels and the additional logistical hassles outweigh a bit more time in Paris

every extra destination is more travel, checking in and out, rushing for trains etc -- eats up too much time in a short trip

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Contrary to a few suggestions, I definitely wouldn%26#39;t skip Bruges. It%26#39;s a remarkable city that combines history (a lot of it) with natural beauty and an incredible atmosphere. It%26#39;s definitely worth a visit, even if it%26#39;s just a short one.

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my memory of Brugge was just before Christmas a few years ago enroute to Paris by Car from Brussels -- we were doing a little countryside tour before meeting family in Paris for Christmas

Brugge was just stunningly beautiful at night with evocative fog rolling under quaint little bridges -- it is a picture postcard of a place -- so we are strolling in this absolutely magical village -- and in every nook and cranny blaring in all its tinny ugliness is an endless loop of old American Christmas music from little ten cent speakers wired up under those quaint eaves e.g. imagine the most beautiful scene in the world enlivened by Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer on tiny tinny speakers

the town fathers of Brugge have seriously bad taste

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You also have to factor in luggage and moving from hotel to hotel. In a car you drive up to the door.

You also factor in that you get to see more of the locationss, you can take a break as and when you wish. If you have 8 days, saving an hour on an A-B trip is only part of the story. You must still link up the trips and wait at statiion, haul luggage etc. You are going A, B C %26amp; D.

I%26#39;ll stay in the minority and use the car. As I do frequently.

Stoofer

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I always rent a car (for a couple of months) and enjoy the flexibility but I would not to those destinations!

I would still stick with the train to those destinations.

To each his own!