Can someone tell me the fastest and cheapest way to get from Amsterdam to Paris for a one day trip this December. Thanks.

Fastest, and most convenient, is probably the Thalys high speed train. Cheapest is probably thumbing it.

Hi alon,

I would stay in Paris and do a one-day trip to Amsterdam myself, however train schedules and fares are at http://www.voyages-sncf.com.

You might be able to get a cheap PREM fare if you buy early enough.

These are two of my favorite cities, but I wouldn't do a "day-trip" to/from either one of them to the other. The train is 4 hours each way, so at best you might get there at noon and have about 4 hours to see something for your 8 hours of train travel.
I don't know if flights are better - haven't flown within Europe as yet.

Try the www.thalys.com site. Thalys trains link the two cities in 4.5 hrs, and can be extremely cheap if you reserve in advance - Smilys fare i believe is $35 each way; mandatory round trip and 14-day advance purchase! Or call RailEurope in the US.

You can leave Gare du Nord at 6:55 and be in Amsterdam at 11:06, then return at 18:23 to 23:05. That still gives you only 7 hours.

If I were doing it, I'd take the above trains on two successive days.

Thank you all for good advice. You are great!!