sherryhill

Wondering what would be the fastest/easiest way to do this itinerary by train from Amsterdam?
Plan to stay in Brugge for 2 or 3 nights & possibly doing Antwerp on a day trip or would it make more sense to do it as a day trip from Brussels? We will be flying out of Brussels.
Thank you so much.

hetismij2

It makes most sense to go to. Antwerp first, then go to Brugge and Brussels.

Go to www.nshispeed.nl to find the best train and prices.

Andrew

You could easily do Antwerp as a day trip from Brussels. I'd probably do Antwerp as a day trip (from somewhere) if I were doing it again - I didn't care for Antwerp that much as a city, but there are interesting museums that would make it worth at least a day trip.

Keep in mind that Brussels airport is close enough to other cities that you don't have to stay "in Brussels" just because you are flying out of that airport. Both Antwerp and Leuven and perhaps other towns have direct train service to the Brussels airport. I stayed in Antwerp the night before my flight out of Brussels. If I were doing it again, I'd probably stay in Leuven, which I thought was a nice town. Brussels isn't bad though and the Grand Place all lit up at night is gorgeous.

snowgirls

Daytrip from Brussels as you will be paying a premium to stay in Brugge.

Andrew

Yes, but Brugge is really nice! And if you shop around, you might find good deals. I know last May I paid less for my little B&B in Brugge (no-frills but well located) than the hotel I wound up booking in Brussels. Plus, depending on when you visit, Brussels hotels can be booked up due to EU business. Weekends in Brussels tend to be cheaper as a result, while weekends in Brugge are probably more expensive as you'd get more vacationers then.

november_moon

We did the trip in reverse - Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp, Amsterdam. On the Bruges-Amsterdam leg, we connected in Antwerp anyway, so I think it makes the most sense to visit Antwerp between Amsterdam and Bruges.