Southampton, Bruge, Amsterdam

Old May 7th, 2015, 06:29 PM
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Southampton, Bruge, Amsterdam

When we dock in Southampton, we want to spend a few days in Bruge and in Amsterdam before visiting the Cotswolds. It doesn't matter which of the 2 cities we go to first, but we don't want to fly. So what would be the next most convenient way to do this?
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Old May 7th, 2015, 09:46 PM
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train from Southampton to London then train from London to Bruge/Amsterdam

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

http://www.eurostar.com/uk-en
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Old May 7th, 2015, 11:00 PM
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Fly from Southampton airport to Amsterdam or Antwerp.
http://www.southamptonairport.com/destinations/
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Old May 7th, 2015, 11:02 PM
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Pressed the wrong button.
If you do not fly you will spend a lot of time travelling eating into short time allocated for the side trip.
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Old May 8th, 2015, 02:25 AM
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If you do not fly, expect to spend two full days in travel. You could take a ferry from Southampton or Portsmouth to France, and then take the train, including a change of terminals and trains in Paris. Or, you could take an early afternoon non-stop from Southampton to Amsterdam on FlyBe.
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Old May 8th, 2015, 03:13 AM
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Fly to Amsterdam from Southampton - train to Brugge (Thalys is fastest) - train to London (Eurostar via Brussel) and train to Cotswolds.
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Old May 8th, 2015, 07:31 AM
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How long do you have all together?

Unless you have a full week for the Brugge/A'dam bits, you really should fly at least one way. Otherwise as described it will be train to London, cross London by some sort of public transport, train to Brussels, train to Brugge, trains w/ transfers to Amsterdam.

If you really don't want to fly at all -- your journey back will be just as complicated: Train from A'dam to Brussels, train to London, cross London, train to Oxford. Rental car for the Cotswolds (or train to Moreton-in-Marsh. and local buses)

You can fly directly from Southampton to Amsterdam.
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Old May 8th, 2015, 09:21 AM
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why not visit the Cotswolds first - then fly back home from Amsterdam - otherwise you'll have to go two ways from UK to Benelux and back - Southampton is probably bout two hours from London - an hour to transfer to St Pancras Eurostar station - two hours to Brussels - 90 minutes to Bruges - if everything optimal - yes a long slog and then to Cotswolds on way back about the same - via Brussels from Amsterdam or via day or night boats from The Hook of Holland to Harwich and then London.

anyway for lots of good train info in general on European trains check www.seat61.com - good info on discounted tickets that you can score IF you book in stone weeks/months in advance at times; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com - and yes www.eurostar.com is the booking for trains via the Channel Rail Tunnel to Belgium - early bird doth get the proverbial worm - you could literally on a return ticket save hundreds by booking early.

Once in Bruges it's 3.5 hours via Antwerp to Amsterdam.

Again look into doing the Cotswold first - much closer to Southampton than Bruges and then go just one way to Bruges/Amsterdam and fly back from there.
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Old May 8th, 2015, 12:30 PM
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If yo were going to rent a car for the Cotswolds - IME the best way all in all though you can rely on somewhat spotty local buses IME - then I'd rent right in S'hampton and motor up to the Cotswols from there. Could even drive into London to the Eurostar Station if driving in London don't daunt you and it may, understandably.
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Old May 9th, 2015, 08:15 AM
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What dya think my fair Lady?
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Old May 9th, 2015, 10:18 AM
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If going London -Brussels on Eurostar be sure to ask for the ABS fare option - for a few euros extra lets yu take any train within 24 hours from your Eurostar arrival - chance to see a bit of Brussels - to Bruges - any train just hop on. Any-Belgian-Station fare that is, must be bought I believe along with Eurostar ticket.
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