Amsterdam, Paris and Barcelona
Jan 10th, 2010, 02:54 PM
#1
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Amsterdam, Paris and Barcelona
Me and my mates are planning a backpacking trip for a week to Amsterdam, Paris and Barcelona around easters. We would love some travel advice and some must do's in these places. Also we were thinking of renting a car and driving from Amsterdam to Paris, so we would love to know if its a good idea?
Jan 10th, 2010, 03:06 PM
#2
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I would think that taking the train would be cheaper and faster than a car.
You have very little time to experience 3 cities. Are you sure you wouldn't rather visit 1 or 2 cities and save the remaining for another trip?
Must do's- check the Fodors' Destinations tag. Also, do a search on this forum and pick up a guidebook or two. A lot depends on your interests.
You have very little time to experience 3 cities. Are you sure you wouldn't rather visit 1 or 2 cities and save the remaining for another trip?
Must do's- check the Fodors' Destinations tag. Also, do a search on this forum and pick up a guidebook or two. A lot depends on your interests.
Jan 10th, 2010, 04:11 PM
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Well we're planning on 2 days per city, we're just looking for the main highlights and like a said its more of a backpacking trip so we're gonna stick in everything we can in those 2 days
Jan 10th, 2010, 04:39 PM
#5
You won't have 2 days per city - you have to travel from one to the other, check out/check in, etc etc.
So just read DESTINATIONS above and pick the couple of things in each place that might interest you. You won't have time for more than that. Plus, the car or train or plane travel between the 3 cities will almost double the cost of your trip.
So just read DESTINATIONS above and pick the couple of things in each place that might interest you. You won't have time for more than that. Plus, the car or train or plane travel between the 3 cities will almost double the cost of your trip.
Jan 11th, 2010, 12:36 AM
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You will have to pay a huge one way hire fee for a car hired in the Netherlands and left in France. The drive is not particularly scenic either. take the train, it is faster, cheaper, more relaxing and very probably more scenic too.
You should look into booking the train as soon as possible to get the cheapest tickets.
How are you planning to get from Paris to Barcelona?
If you are planning on staying in hostels you will need to book them early to - Easter is popular with students and back packers as well as "normal" tourists.
Three cities in a week is a lot. As Janis says you won't have two days per city as you have to travel to them too, which will take at least half a day each move.
Why not concentrate on two of three this trip and get to see and enjoy a bit more of them?
You should look into booking the train as soon as possible to get the cheapest tickets.
How are you planning to get from Paris to Barcelona?
If you are planning on staying in hostels you will need to book them early to - Easter is popular with students and back packers as well as "normal" tourists.
Three cities in a week is a lot. As Janis says you won't have two days per city as you have to travel to them too, which will take at least half a day each move.
Why not concentrate on two of three this trip and get to see and enjoy a bit more of them?
Jan 11th, 2010, 12:54 AM
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Agree on taking the train between AMS and Paris. From Paris to Barcelona, you will definitely want to fly, unless you want to sleep on the train, as the train is between 8 and 14 hours.
Personally, I'd consider dropping Barcelona, given how out of the way it is.
Personally, I'd consider dropping Barcelona, given how out of the way it is.
Jan 11th, 2010, 06:08 AM
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If you are lucky and have no holdups or accidents, you can reckon on best driving times of
Amsterdam - Paris = 5 hrs
Paris - Barcelona = 10 hrs
Barcelona - Amsterdam = 14 hrs
This is stressful stuff - driving at the speed limit, no stopping and 100% concentration.
I used to do it for business, and it is no fun !
Expect to pay €150 in tolls, €300 in fuel, plus the car hire costs, for the return trip. I guess you will need to budget a hootel night, too.
Ryanair Eindhoven - Girona takes under 2 hrs and costs around €120 return each.
Peter
Amsterdam - Paris = 5 hrs
Paris - Barcelona = 10 hrs
Barcelona - Amsterdam = 14 hrs
This is stressful stuff - driving at the speed limit, no stopping and 100% concentration.
I used to do it for business, and it is no fun !
Expect to pay €150 in tolls, €300 in fuel, plus the car hire costs, for the return trip. I guess you will need to budget a hootel night, too.
Ryanair Eindhoven - Girona takes under 2 hrs and costs around €120 return each.
Peter
Jan 18th, 2010, 01:59 PM
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See www.nshispeed.nl to book the Amsterdam-Paris 'Thalys' train. It now takes just 3 hours 18 minutes, centre to centre. And you don't have to park it anywhere, they do that for you...
Then book the sleeper train (the Elipsos Trenhotel) from Paris to Barcelona at www.voyages-snf.com, farers from about 79 euro with bed in 4-bed sleeper. Departs daily at 20:32, arrives 08:24 next morning, so saves a hotel bill too. www.elipsos.com has images of the train, though no online booking.
Then book the sleeper train (the Elipsos Trenhotel) from Paris to Barcelona at www.voyages-snf.com, farers from about 79 euro with bed in 4-bed sleeper. Departs daily at 20:32, arrives 08:24 next morning, so saves a hotel bill too. www.elipsos.com has images of the train, though no online booking.
