First time in France
Oct 22nd, 2016, 04:55 PM
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First time in France
My husband and I are flying into Paris on 3/31 early in the morning and are flying out on 4/11. So basically 10 days. We don't want to stay in Paris the entire time. I have a friend near Brussels and we were also wanting to go to Amsterdam. I need someone who has experience with the trains to help me out on this. If we have to exclude a stop, it would be Brussels. How many days do we need in Paris? How many would you spend in Amsterdam?
Oct 22nd, 2016, 05:14 PM
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Have you been to either city before?
I never get tired of Paris and there are tons of great day trips by train from Paris....I would spend the entire time there. For any of the cities you mentioned, what attracts you to them? What do you enjoy doing on vacation?
Take a look at Paris to the Past for day trips by train from Paris. Great way to see more without changing hotels! Even if you didn't't do day trips, Paris could hold your interest but I understand wanting to visit two major cities.if you are flying in and out of Paris, I would spend a day in Paris and then the next day in a nearby town to see and experience more of France, I would be sure to get to Giverny, Vaux Le Vicomte, Fontainebleu and Reims....but that's the trip for me. Only you can determine what trip you would enjoy most.
I never get tired of Paris and there are tons of great day trips by train from Paris....I would spend the entire time there. For any of the cities you mentioned, what attracts you to them? What do you enjoy doing on vacation?
Take a look at Paris to the Past for day trips by train from Paris. Great way to see more without changing hotels! Even if you didn't't do day trips, Paris could hold your interest but I understand wanting to visit two major cities.if you are flying in and out of Paris, I would spend a day in Paris and then the next day in a nearby town to see and experience more of France, I would be sure to get to Giverny, Vaux Le Vicomte, Fontainebleu and Reims....but that's the trip for me. Only you can determine what trip you would enjoy most.
Oct 22nd, 2016, 06:09 PM
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With 10 days, you really don't have time for three locations. Personally, I'd spend the whole time in Paris with a day trip or two if you can tear yourselves away. We spent 10 full days in Paris, thinking we would take a day trip out of the city, but instead, spent our whole time in Paris - and loved it.
If you must go elsewhere, choose one other city.
If you must go elsewhere, choose one other city.
Oct 22nd, 2016, 06:15 PM
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Like Denisea I could easily spend the entire time in Paris and take some day trips. Chartres is wonderful. However if you are set on visiting another city consider taking a plane to Amsterdam the same day you arrive. Spend 3 or 4 nights (2 or 3 days) there before returning to Paris by high-speed train.
Lay out all your days on a calendar and start filling in what you hope to see each day. If you bring back an itinerary people on this board will help you sort out what might be manageable and this will help you determine how many days you want to spend in each city.
Lay out all your days on a calendar and start filling in what you hope to see each day. If you bring back an itinerary people on this board will help you sort out what might be manageable and this will help you determine how many days you want to spend in each city.
Oct 22nd, 2016, 06:46 PM
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Flying Paris/Paris, there are trains to Amsterdam from Gare du Nord in town at 8:25 and 10:25 taking 3:17. Travel to Nord by the RER suburban train or taxi. Or you could train to another city in France. The idea when flying in and out of the same city is to stay there only once. However there is plenty to see and do in Paris including day trips.
http://en.voyages-sncf.com/en/
http://en.voyages-sncf.com/en/
Oct 22nd, 2016, 08:33 PM
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>>> How many days do we need in Paris? How many would you spend in Amsterdam?
This assumes everyone has the same taste and interest. If you don't believe this is not the case, just toss out this way of thinking and ask yourself -- within the number of days constraints, which allocation meets your interest?
If you want to make best use of 10 days, and if you want to visit Amsterdam, you want to do beeline to Amsterdam as soon as you land in Paris. While others mention doing this, they might not have articulated why this makes sense.
It saves time. If you stayed in Paris on landing and have to stay the last night in Paris, you need to do two check-in/outs. If you go straight to Amsterdam on landing, you eliminate time to do the second check-in unpack, pack and check-out. Also, think what happens if you went straight to your hotel in Paris on landing early in the morning. You probably cannot check-in. While you can leave your luggage at hotel (if apartment, it is a problem as it is harder to find a place to leave your luggage), and kill time until you can check-in. If it is really early, nothing is open. Would you not have wanted to use that time to travel to Amsterdam (which you have to allocate anyway) and use that time to kill into time to travel to Amsterdam and be there when you can probably check-in?
It saves money. You don't have to travel to/from your hotel twice.
This assumes everyone has the same taste and interest. If you don't believe this is not the case, just toss out this way of thinking and ask yourself -- within the number of days constraints, which allocation meets your interest?
If you want to make best use of 10 days, and if you want to visit Amsterdam, you want to do beeline to Amsterdam as soon as you land in Paris. While others mention doing this, they might not have articulated why this makes sense.
It saves time. If you stayed in Paris on landing and have to stay the last night in Paris, you need to do two check-in/outs. If you go straight to Amsterdam on landing, you eliminate time to do the second check-in unpack, pack and check-out. Also, think what happens if you went straight to your hotel in Paris on landing early in the morning. You probably cannot check-in. While you can leave your luggage at hotel (if apartment, it is a problem as it is harder to find a place to leave your luggage), and kill time until you can check-in. If it is really early, nothing is open. Would you not have wanted to use that time to travel to Amsterdam (which you have to allocate anyway) and use that time to kill into time to travel to Amsterdam and be there when you can probably check-in?
It saves money. You don't have to travel to/from your hotel twice.
Oct 23rd, 2016, 12:14 AM
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There's an hourly train service from CDG to Amsterdam, changing at Brussels (on the French railways site, enter your start point as "Aeroport cdg"); but you'll need to allow for time to clear immigration at the airport.
As to how to divide time between more than one city, that depends so much on personal tastes. But for a first-timer 3 nights in Amsterdam would at least give you a taster, and leave a fair amount of time in Paris, even if there's more than enough to see and do in Paris to keep you occupied for much longer. You could organise to stop off in Brussels for a catch-up with your friend (though whether you want to while straight off a plane, or would prefer to do so on the way back from Amsterdam to Paris, is up to you).
As to how to divide time between more than one city, that depends so much on personal tastes. But for a first-timer 3 nights in Amsterdam would at least give you a taster, and leave a fair amount of time in Paris, even if there's more than enough to see and do in Paris to keep you occupied for much longer. You could organise to stop off in Brussels for a catch-up with your friend (though whether you want to while straight off a plane, or would prefer to do so on the way back from Amsterdam to Paris, is up to you).
Oct 23rd, 2016, 01:02 AM
#9
There is another good reason to go to Amsterdam in April which is the chance to see the Keukenhof gardens which are wonderful at that time of year. Easy day trips from the main station and lots more info here:
http://www.keukenhof.nl/en/
I would allow an extra day for visiting the gardens which you could combine with a trip to Haarlem which is lovely.
http://www.keukenhof.nl/en/
I would allow an extra day for visiting the gardens which you could combine with a trip to Haarlem which is lovely.
Oct 23rd, 2016, 02:08 AM
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You have 10.5 days for 3 destinations - which is sufficient.
The main question is how much time you want to spend in Belgium.
The minimum would be riding from Paris to Brussel in the morning, spend the day with your friend in Brussel (which is more than enough to see the Grand Place and the Old Town) and riding in the afternoon to Amsterdam.
Or you stay for a night in Belgium and visit Brugge, which is a most picturesque historic town.
In any case, you will have enough time for Paris (4 to 5 full days) and for Amsterdam (2 to 3 full days).
On departure day, you can take the train from Amsterdam Centraal to Paris Charles de Gaulle (3:37 with a change at Bruxelles-Midi).
The main question is how much time you want to spend in Belgium.
The minimum would be riding from Paris to Brussel in the morning, spend the day with your friend in Brussel (which is more than enough to see the Grand Place and the Old Town) and riding in the afternoon to Amsterdam.
Or you stay for a night in Belgium and visit Brugge, which is a most picturesque historic town.
In any case, you will have enough time for Paris (4 to 5 full days) and for Amsterdam (2 to 3 full days).
On departure day, you can take the train from Amsterdam Centraal to Paris Charles de Gaulle (3:37 with a change at Bruxelles-Midi).
Oct 23rd, 2016, 03:49 AM
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Going from Paris to Ams and not stopping in Brussels is stupid. Ask your friend there about it - some people dislike Bruxelles, but there are more than enough things to see for at least half a day.
Oct 23rd, 2016, 04:33 AM
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WoinParis
After my own heart. Because of the magnificent examples of Art Nouveau (Horta), the Royal Museum of Fine Arts with its fabulous collection of Symbolist paintings, the Magritte Museum and the Belgian Comic Book Center and Comic Book Route, among many other sites, I can never understand why Brussells gets such short shrift on these forums. Who could possibly pass up all of this plus missing the chance to buy Leonidas chocolates by the sackfuls at less than half price????
After my own heart. Because of the magnificent examples of Art Nouveau (Horta), the Royal Museum of Fine Arts with its fabulous collection of Symbolist paintings, the Magritte Museum and the Belgian Comic Book Center and Comic Book Route, among many other sites, I can never understand why Brussells gets such short shrift on these forums. Who could possibly pass up all of this plus missing the chance to buy Leonidas chocolates by the sackfuls at less than half price????
Oct 23rd, 2016, 06:01 AM
#14
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We are going to fit in Amsterdam, Brussels, Bruges, and Paris. I know you might think I'm crazy but we don't get to Europe often (first time) so we want to see more than the Paris area. Good tip on going straight to Amsterdam.
Oct 23rd, 2016, 06:58 AM
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That's:
- 3 nights & 2 days in Amsterdam (recover from jet lag maybe)
- 2 nights & 1 1/2 days in Bruges with a train change to get there
- 2 nights & 1 1/2 days in Brussels
- 4 nights & 3 1/2 days in Paris.
Hope you can easily navigate the train system. There are frequent trains, but for a first-timer to Europe & possible first-timer on trains - they can be a little frustrating & stressful.
Everyone who has experience, is recommending 1 (most recommended) to 3 destinations - and you are doing four.
Stu Dudley
- 3 nights & 2 days in Amsterdam (recover from jet lag maybe)
- 2 nights & 1 1/2 days in Bruges with a train change to get there
- 2 nights & 1 1/2 days in Brussels
- 4 nights & 3 1/2 days in Paris.
Hope you can easily navigate the train system. There are frequent trains, but for a first-timer to Europe & possible first-timer on trains - they can be a little frustrating & stressful.
Everyone who has experience, is recommending 1 (most recommended) to 3 destinations - and you are doing four.
Stu Dudley
Oct 23rd, 2016, 07:22 AM
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I would head straight to Amsterdam, spend 3 - 4 nights then take the train to Paris, maybe meeting your friend for lunch in Brussels, then the rest of the time in Paris.
Adding more places to see more is not a good way to think because the proportion of time wasted in transit means you will actually see less of the places you visit.
Adding more places to see more is not a good way to think because the proportion of time wasted in transit means you will actually see less of the places you visit.
Oct 23rd, 2016, 08:23 AM
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Note: next time you plan a trip like this, get open jaws airplane tickets, in this case into Paris, out of Amsterdam. Open jaws tickets, called multi-city on airline booking sites, cost about the same as round trip tickets and save you the time and money you will be spending backtracking to Paris.
The more you research this trip the more places you will want to go and the more you will want to cram in. We all have this problem, every trip. But take the advice of experienced travelers. More really is less. Unless you're more interested in trains and train stations than seeing the sights.
The more you research this trip the more places you will want to go and the more you will want to cram in. We all have this problem, every trip. But take the advice of experienced travelers. More really is less. Unless you're more interested in trains and train stations than seeing the sights.
Oct 23rd, 2016, 09:18 AM
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You have three options for the order of destinations:
1. You fly into Charles de Gaulle and you take the train to Amsterdam, visit Amsterdam, then Belgium, then Paris.
Con: After a transatlantic flight, another 3 1/2-hour train ride might be a bit too much. Also, you need a flexible (= more expensive) train ticket because you never know if your flight is on time and when you are out of the airport.
2. You visit Paris first, then Belgium, then Amsterdam. On departure day you take a morning train from Amsterdam to CDG.
Con: If your flight home is quite early, you might need an early start from Amsterdam (some 7 hours before departure time).
3. You visit Paris first, then direct train to Amsterdam, on the way back Belgium and finally in the morning from Brussel to CDG.
Maybe the best option, because the train ride from Brussel to CDG takes only 1:18.
1. You fly into Charles de Gaulle and you take the train to Amsterdam, visit Amsterdam, then Belgium, then Paris.
Con: After a transatlantic flight, another 3 1/2-hour train ride might be a bit too much. Also, you need a flexible (= more expensive) train ticket because you never know if your flight is on time and when you are out of the airport.
2. You visit Paris first, then Belgium, then Amsterdam. On departure day you take a morning train from Amsterdam to CDG.
Con: If your flight home is quite early, you might need an early start from Amsterdam (some 7 hours before departure time).
3. You visit Paris first, then direct train to Amsterdam, on the way back Belgium and finally in the morning from Brussel to CDG.
Maybe the best option, because the train ride from Brussel to CDG takes only 1:18.
Oct 23rd, 2016, 09:46 AM
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There isn't any reason in the world you "can't" visit 3 cities in 10 days, I do it all the time, especially since those aren't that far apart. there is no number of days you "need" to spend in any place, do whatever you want. It depends you your personal travel style and how you feel about these cities and what you are looking forward to seeing.
If you do 3 cities in 10 days (in fact, you have 11 unless you are arriving very late in the day your first day, which I doubt, usually people arrive early)-- I agree with traveller1959's idea -- Paris, then Amsterdam, then Brussels on return to CDG (you can get from Bruxelles Midi direct to CDG airport by train), if you want to go there.
If you don't want to go to Brussels, it's up to you--but you might consider just going to Amsterdam first after arrival, as you are going to be spending time/trouble getting into Paris from the airport anyway. If you are arriving early, you might just plow on and get that travel out of the way. You can get to Amsterdam from CDG in only about 3:30-4 hrs, actually. So you'll be there by mid-afternoon if you get into Paris early. Then, you will be in Paris ready to go to the airport to fly home.
For two cities in 11 days, I'd spend 5 Amsterdam (including the partial first day), then 6 full in Paris. For 11 days in 3 cities, I'd do 6 Paris (including the partial day), 3 Amsterdam, 2 Brussels.
If you do 3 cities in 10 days (in fact, you have 11 unless you are arriving very late in the day your first day, which I doubt, usually people arrive early)-- I agree with traveller1959's idea -- Paris, then Amsterdam, then Brussels on return to CDG (you can get from Bruxelles Midi direct to CDG airport by train), if you want to go there.
If you don't want to go to Brussels, it's up to you--but you might consider just going to Amsterdam first after arrival, as you are going to be spending time/trouble getting into Paris from the airport anyway. If you are arriving early, you might just plow on and get that travel out of the way. You can get to Amsterdam from CDG in only about 3:30-4 hrs, actually. So you'll be there by mid-afternoon if you get into Paris early. Then, you will be in Paris ready to go to the airport to fly home.
For two cities in 11 days, I'd spend 5 Amsterdam (including the partial first day), then 6 full in Paris. For 11 days in 3 cities, I'd do 6 Paris (including the partial day), 3 Amsterdam, 2 Brussels.
Oct 23rd, 2016, 09:48 AM
#20
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sorry, somehow I missed that you added Bruges. I understand, a lot of people want to see more with their precious time and money in Europe. You still can do that in 10.5 days. Maybe 2 in Bruges, 2 in Brussels, 3 in Amsterdam, rest Paris.
