Opinions Please! Copenhagen or Prague after Amsterdam?
Aug 6th, 2015, 11:06 AM
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Opinions Please! Copenhagen or Prague after Amsterdam?
Hi All-
Spending 9 nights in Europe in late May.
We (husband and sons -25 and 21) arrive in Amsterdam and will spend the first 6 nights in Amsterdam/Bruges with daytrips to neighboring must-see towns.
Would like to spend last three nights in either Copenhagen or Prague. We love history, art, eating, and exploring the cities’ neighborhoods and shops -(not necessarily in that order!). Did I mention eating?
So my basic questions are-based on info above, and the vast knowledge and generosity I’ve experienced on these forums, and completely understanding the subjective nature of the question:
1) Which of the two cities might best complement the first part of the trip?
2) Does my split of nights (6) and (3) make sense? I can always revise the times spent in each place once we make the decision of where to end end our trip.
Also- ease and economics of getting to our final destination (Copenhagen or Prague) from most likely Brussels is somewhat (but not major) a consideration.
Spending 9 nights in Europe in late May.
We (husband and sons -25 and 21) arrive in Amsterdam and will spend the first 6 nights in Amsterdam/Bruges with daytrips to neighboring must-see towns.
Would like to spend last three nights in either Copenhagen or Prague. We love history, art, eating, and exploring the cities’ neighborhoods and shops -(not necessarily in that order!). Did I mention eating?
So my basic questions are-based on info above, and the vast knowledge and generosity I’ve experienced on these forums, and completely understanding the subjective nature of the question:
1) Which of the two cities might best complement the first part of the trip?
2) Does my split of nights (6) and (3) make sense? I can always revise the times spent in each place once we make the decision of where to end end our trip.
Also- ease and economics of getting to our final destination (Copenhagen or Prague) from most likely Brussels is somewhat (but not major) a consideration.
Aug 6th, 2015, 11:21 AM
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Both are fairly far removed from Amsterdam so I think flying would be a good option if you want to go straight thru - or take the train if you want to break your journey somewhere in Germany - like the Munich area for Prague or Hamburg for Copenhagen.
There is a night train from Cologne, Germany to Prague - easy to connect with from Amsterdam and also spend a few hours in Cologne seeing the humongous cathedral.
There used to be a night train from Amsterdam to Copenhagen but it has been scrubbed - none from Germany either.
For train info and also what to expect on overnight trains check www.seat61.com - great info on discounted tickets you can easily book yourselves online; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
Having been to both Prague and Copenhagen several times I would be hard-pressed to chose one over the other with your likes or any likes - two very different cities but both eminently likable and easy to get around in most places by foot.
There is a night train from Cologne, Germany to Prague - easy to connect with from Amsterdam and also spend a few hours in Cologne seeing the humongous cathedral.
There used to be a night train from Amsterdam to Copenhagen but it has been scrubbed - none from Germany either.
For train info and also what to expect on overnight trains check www.seat61.com - great info on discounted tickets you can easily book yourselves online; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
Having been to both Prague and Copenhagen several times I would be hard-pressed to chose one over the other with your likes or any likes - two very different cities but both eminently likable and easy to get around in most places by foot.
Aug 6th, 2015, 11:37 AM
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I would have to agree with BillT, Prague has so much to offer, is beautiful and quite easy to navigate via public transportation. That said we have never been to Copenhagen so I cannot make a comparison. We are off to Amsterdam in a mere 19 days 
Aug 6th, 2015, 11:43 AM
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Oh please post a trip report! Am eating them up!!
Thank you and BillT as well.
Does the 6/3 night split seem correct?
Appreciating input from everyone! Once I nail this down I can let the planning begin in earnest-
Thank you and BillT as well.
Does the 6/3 night split seem correct?
Appreciating input from everyone! Once I nail this down I can let the planning begin in earnest-
Aug 6th, 2015, 11:49 AM
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I wouldn't have planned it this way, it might make more sense to fly into Brussels, do Bruges first, then move to Amsterdam if you want to end up in either COpenhagen or Prague, which are much closer to Amsterdam. Otherwise, you are backtracking and wasting a day going from Bruges to Brussels for one day or something, if you intend to leave from Brussels for the next part of the trip? At least iof you are going by train, that would be the only way to do it.
If you are flying, it doesn't matter so much. For example, you can fly on Easyjet in less than 2 hrs from Amsterdam direct to Prague for less than 100 euro. They don't fly out of Brussels, but you can check flights. I did actually fly Brussels airline from Brussels to Prague just a month ago, but that was due to a codeshare with United from the US. But they do fly that route and their one-way fares are actually very reasonable, probably just a bit more than Easyjet. And they also have short flights to Copenhagen for less than 100 euro. So I'd do that as both are too far by train, unless you have a lot of time and want many transfers. You don't seem to have that much time in total with only 9 days so I don't think you can spend 12 hours on a train.
I haven't been to Copenhagen so can't comment on its merits, but I do love Prague so you can't go wrong there. Aside from logistics, I don't think either city has any reason to complement Amsterdam or not.
If you are flying, it doesn't matter so much. For example, you can fly on Easyjet in less than 2 hrs from Amsterdam direct to Prague for less than 100 euro. They don't fly out of Brussels, but you can check flights. I did actually fly Brussels airline from Brussels to Prague just a month ago, but that was due to a codeshare with United from the US. But they do fly that route and their one-way fares are actually very reasonable, probably just a bit more than Easyjet. And they also have short flights to Copenhagen for less than 100 euro. So I'd do that as both are too far by train, unless you have a lot of time and want many transfers. You don't seem to have that much time in total with only 9 days so I don't think you can spend 12 hours on a train.
I haven't been to Copenhagen so can't comment on its merits, but I do love Prague so you can't go wrong there. Aside from logistics, I don't think either city has any reason to complement Amsterdam or not.
Aug 6th, 2015, 12:11 PM
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You don't seem to have that much time in total with only 9 days so I don't think you can spend 12 hours on a train.>
overnight trains can save time even over flying - which inevitably takes half a day or more. Not for everyone but to me a cool way of doing a Brussels or Amsterdam to Prague journey. and get to experience Europe's nice neat overnight trains and save on the cost of a night in a hotel to boot.
overnight trains can save time even over flying - which inevitably takes half a day or more. Not for everyone but to me a cool way of doing a Brussels or Amsterdam to Prague journey. and get to experience Europe's nice neat overnight trains and save on the cost of a night in a hotel to boot.
Aug 6th, 2015, 12:26 PM
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Christina-
Thanks so much for your input-
I had considered that, but really want to spend the last two nights of that leg in Bruges as a base (thinking 4 in Amsterdam and 2 Bruges). There are some B and B's there that appear charming and am looking forward to hopefully booking one. I could theoretically fly into Brussels as you suggested, but then would have to take the train to Bruges and after a very long flight, its not as appealing as getting right to the hotel from the airport and hitting the ground running.
If I understand you correctly, you are saying there IS a possibility of catching a flight to Prague from Brussels?
If that is the case, then it works, even if its a bit more. If not, then a train to Amsterdam, while not ideal, is at least a good option.
Thanks so much for your input-
I had considered that, but really want to spend the last two nights of that leg in Bruges as a base (thinking 4 in Amsterdam and 2 Bruges). There are some B and B's there that appear charming and am looking forward to hopefully booking one. I could theoretically fly into Brussels as you suggested, but then would have to take the train to Bruges and after a very long flight, its not as appealing as getting right to the hotel from the airport and hitting the ground running.
If I understand you correctly, you are saying there IS a possibility of catching a flight to Prague from Brussels?
If that is the case, then it works, even if its a bit more. If not, then a train to Amsterdam, while not ideal, is at least a good option.
Aug 6th, 2015, 04:38 PM
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While Copenhagen is a charming city it is not unique in the way that Prague it. The latter was not destroyed in WWII as were so many cities in europe and so still has the original organic architecture - the Old Town is just incredible.
We did a walking tour with an architecture student from the university that was only about $7 and was fantastic. Picked it up at the town hall and there were a bunch of other tours offered. Only 8 people so we got to ask lots of questions.
And if cost is an issue Copenhagen is definitely quite expensive and Prague is one of the less expensive capitals.
We did a walking tour with an architecture student from the university that was only about $7 and was fantastic. Picked it up at the town hall and there were a bunch of other tours offered. Only 8 people so we got to ask lots of questions.
And if cost is an issue Copenhagen is definitely quite expensive and Prague is one of the less expensive capitals.
Aug 6th, 2015, 04:46 PM
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Much as I loved Prague -- and I did! -- I think it warrants more time than you could give it on this trip. So I recommend Copenhagen.
Maybe 4 days in Amsterdam (including a day trip to Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam, etc. -- all in one trip, BTW), a day or two in Bruges, the rest in Copenhagen. JMO!
Maybe 4 days in Amsterdam (including a day trip to Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam, etc. -- all in one trip, BTW), a day or two in Bruges, the rest in Copenhagen. JMO!
Aug 6th, 2015, 05:24 PM
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I have been to both Copenhagen and Prague and would definitely choose Prague again. First of all, Prague is MUCH cheaper. Both have great public transit, but for me, Prague was a better place to wander and had much more interesting architecture and history. Plus beer out the wazoo. Copenhagen is a better town for high end eating, shopping, and luxury hotels. You didn't mention when you are going, but I'd avoid both Bruges and Copenhagen in late fall and winter as they are both smack on the water and very cold. Bruges is very small and frankly I think 1 night is enough, especially as your kids won't have a lot of nightlife options and may find it boring anyway. If you really want to see Bruges, I'd fly into Brussels and take the train, which is 50 minutes. From Bruges you can get to Amsterdam via Antwerp in 3-5 hours depending on which train you take (high speed Thalys or intercity). I would then fly to Prague.
Arrive Bruges (1 night) plus later train next day to arrive in Amsterdam in the evening of day 2, 4 nights in Amsteram, and 4 nights in Prague.
Lastly, have you considered Budapest? It's very similar to Prague in culture, things to do, prices, but we enjoyed it slightly more than Prague (we did 4 nights in Prague, 3 in Budapest, and 2 in Vienna one year).
One way to decide is to look at the attractions in each city and see which has more sites you are interested in seeing. I think you can do Prague in 3 days, but you could just as easily spend 4-7 days there, too.
Arrive Bruges (1 night) plus later train next day to arrive in Amsterdam in the evening of day 2, 4 nights in Amsteram, and 4 nights in Prague.
Lastly, have you considered Budapest? It's very similar to Prague in culture, things to do, prices, but we enjoyed it slightly more than Prague (we did 4 nights in Prague, 3 in Budapest, and 2 in Vienna one year).
One way to decide is to look at the attractions in each city and see which has more sites you are interested in seeing. I think you can do Prague in 3 days, but you could just as easily spend 4-7 days there, too.
Aug 7th, 2015, 02:07 AM
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I have never been to Copenhagen, but Prague is a gem. Probably the most beautiful city I have ever seen. The only problem is, its a massive tourist trap. Not the whole city, but the major sites like the Castle, Charles Bridge and Old Town Square.If you get away from those major spots and the area linking the bridge and old town square (called Karlova Street) you can enjoy the beauty of this city without massive crowds and tacky tourist shops. Regardless,If you are like me, you will love prague, but if tourist crowds drive you crazy and you dont want to spend your time trying to avoid them, maybe Copenhagen would be better.
