Karepi

We're planning a 2 week trip that has to depart and end in Amsterdam. We want to try and get to Prague, stopping along the way in what seem good options like Berlin and Munich, (on our way back to Amsterdam). Is this realistic?

Are there places we should be considering? We're trying to fit maybe Salzburg or other cities in the way but without rushing it a lot. Any German cities that should be visited?

I know Brugges is really close to AMS, should we make room for that visit?

All your suggestions are appreciated.

PalenQ

Are you going by train or car or plane or bike or hitching?

I would recommend trains to cover longer distances at high speeds plus once you get to a city cars are rather useless - especially in Prague where you are often advised to leave nothing valuable in your car.

A rail trip could be:

Amsterdam- Berlin

Berlin-Dresden (the Florence on the Elbe is really neat - right on the main rail line to Prague) - even if just for a few-hour stop.

Dresden-Prague

Prague by bus to Munich (quicker than the train)

Salzburg can be a day trip from Munich - about 1.5 hours each way on fastest trains.

Munich-amsterdam can take an overnight train if you like - save on the cost of a hotel and maximize your daytime hours.

For lots of good info to plan a European train trip: www.seat61.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeturopetravel.com - check the latter's free and superb online European Rail & Planing Guide for lots of rail itineraries in that area.

Bruges is 3.5 hours each way I believe from Amsterdam - it is neat but you'd have to delete something else perhaps but it is IMO one of the dreamiest cities north of the Alps.

Karepi

We are thinking on either taking trains or planes, what fits better with our plans. Do 15 days look good to you, do you think we are missing out in any other major visit, let's say between munich and AMS?

adrienne

Why does your trip need to begin and end in Amsterdam? It would be easier to fly into Berlin and home from Amsterdam, saving time and money.

If you must start in Amsterdam, fly immediately to Berlin. That will save you most of a day traveling by train. The rest of the trip can be done by train.

If you only want a quick look at the 5 cities then 15 days would be OK. I'd divide them up this way:

Berlin - 4 days
Dresden - 2 days
Prague - 3 days
Munich - 2 days
Amsterdam - 2 days

The other 2 days will be used to travel.

Man_in_seat_61

Amsterdam-Berlin from 39 euros www.bahn.de/en - there's an InterCity train with restauramt car every 2 hours or so.

Berlin to Dresden from 19 euros, www.bahn.de/en - though cheapest if you're not stopping there for more than 48 hours is to book Berlin to Prague from 29 euros at www.bahn.de/en with 'enter stopovers' clicked and 'Dresden' and (say) 48:00 in the hh:mm stopover box.

Prague to Munich by train from 19 euros www.cd.cz/eshop (just avoid any departure marked 'bus')

Munich to Amsterdam by direct sleeper train from 59 euros with couchette, from 104 euros with bed in a 2-bed sleeper, www.bahn.de/en - look for the CNL train with 0 chnages leaving 22:50. Or go by day from 39 euros, also www.bahn.de/en

In all cases you print your own ticket.

Karepi

Thank you very much for all the comprehensive information guys. to answer Adrienne, our flight arrives to and leaves AMS unfortunately.

Man in seat: Would you rather take the train than a plane (probably for Munich-AMS)?

Everybody: If it was you, would you visit something else or skip one of these places based on your experience? Maybe Belgium, Austria and/or Switzerland? Not all of them of course

We already did Paris on a previous trip, and we are definitely set on AMS (since we're arriving there) and Prague (looks beautiful) everything else is up in the air.

Thank you for your help. Let me know if you need Mexico tour trips in exchange

PalenQ

Man in seat: Would you rather take the train than a plane (probably for Munich-AMS)?>

I'll answer for Man - definitely an unapologetic booster of trains as the way to see the Europe in between cities and not just airports and tarmacs - the night train makes a lot of sense - if never done one do it for the experience and at prices Man quotes above you'll save a ton on hotel costs to boot.

adrienne

Since you asked...if it were my trip, I would concentrate on either Bavaria or Austria. I'm not fond of traveling to many cities in a short time.

Karepi

Thank you guys. I'll let you know how it goes

PalenQ

Yes relocating - packing up and unpacking, finding hotel, etc can take half a day or more - base cities are great - see more of the city and do day trips to neat nearby places sans any luggage - always a hassle to carry luggage on trains, planes, etc. So nice to day trip hands free!