Winter destinations in Europe
 

Hi all,

I have a 2 week solo trip planned to Europe in December. I fly into Amsterdam and fly out of Paris. I have to both these cities before, so I am guessing a couple days in both the cities will suffice. I would like to visit some new cities - I am thinking Berlin, Copenhagen and Prague or Vienna. What do you guys recommend? Also should I do Eurail or should I fly? Thanks much!

Eurail is a reseller of train tickets, and usually are more expensive than buying the tickets directly from the national rail services. Whether to fly or travel by train would depend on where you want to go.

I can't even begin to suggest destinations without knowing more about your interests: art? cuisine? night life? history? shopping?

Once you've decided on a destination, you can search for train itineraries on the Dutch railways international site:


https://www.nsinternational.nl/en/

I can tell you that for Copenhagen and Prague, flying would be better. The train to Berlin would be relatively painless.

You can find your journey from your chosen destination to Paris on this site:

https://www.trainline.eu

For flights, I like this site:

https://www.skyscanner.net

If you fly between cities, remember that short-haul airlines tend to have rigid baggage limits.

I'll add that in winter there is the likelihood of flights being canceled or delayed due to bad weather. I wouldn't NOT fly if there was somewhere I really wanted to go, but since you don't care I'd limit it to places you can take the train to. I was also going to say consider southern Europe (southern Italy or Spain) for the best weather at that time of year, but that would involve not just one, but two flights since you long haul flights are from Paris and Amsterdam.

In December there are very few hours of day light - dark in many places by 4pm and not light out in the morning till after 8. So probably cities are better than countryside, they tend to be beautifully lit at night whereas in small villages once it's dark it's dark.

London would be a good choice.

Or just stay in Paris and Amsterdam and do day trips from both of them.

Google train map of Europe and see where the main (fast line) routes are, and then check out how long the train rides are and pick one you can live with. Probably many places in Germany would work. Another idea is Strasburg France which is beautiful any time of year but I hear it has great Chritmas markets.

If you really want to take the train, of the cities you mention, Berlin is the best choice. However, I live in Italy and have often taken flights to other European airports. The only one that was ever cancelled (for fog) was from Ancona (a little airport near my home) to Rome. Even so, they got us to Rome the same day by bussing us to another airport.

I'm not saying it can't happen, but it's not something I'd worry about. If you have a ticket, they've got to get you to your destination.

"If you have a ticket, they've got to get you to your destination"
Tell that to the people at Ryanair!

It's fairly rare for flights to be cancelled due to weather, but it can happen. A bit more likely in winter than in summer.

I would go to berlin ...so much to do and see.. A really cool city
We stayed five days and that included a day trip to potsdM and a day trip to one of their local lakes

For contrast id go to Prague and fit in a day trip to cesky Krumlov

Vienna is beautiful but you're not going to feel such a cultural difference which is nice I think if you go to berlin as well

Kraków is an hours flight from berlin and also very worthwhile...easy access to auschwitz and there's also the half day trip to the sAltmine...incredible
Kraków is a splendid town...just gorgeous and brimming with activity at night ...and it's cheap!

Which 2 weeks in December?

<i> Tell that to the people at Ryanair! </i>

That's right, or to Monarch. However, we were talking about weather-related delays or cancellations.

The train from Amsterdam to Berlin takes about six hours, and it's center city to center city, so you save the trek to and from the airport, and the 2-hour checkin allowance. To me, it would be more relaxing than flying. The trains to Prague and Copenhagen take almost twice as long, and involve several changes of train (including a boat, in the case of Copenhagen). If I were going to these places, and to anyplace further, I would fly, at any time of the year.

The train from Berlin to Paris takes over 8 hours, and involves at least one change of train, usually in Cologne or Frankfurt. This might be better by air. However, if you can arrange to make just one change, in Cologne, I would suggest stashing your bags at the station and taking a few hours' break to see the beautiful Cathedral, a stone's throw from the train station, and having lunch.

I would probably avoid the routes that have more than one change of train.