traveling to paris and amsterdam

S

steve perry

100+ Posts
so my wife and I are going to be going to europe for the first time this fall (cashing in some frequent flyer miles). I'm trying to get started planning, to figure out what we can/want to do, how much it will cost, etc.

we're planning to go for about 7-8 days, ideally spending 3-4 days in both cities. Does that seem like enough time for either or both cities? Is there so much to do and see in either city that we'd be better off staying in one or the other?

Also, what should we expect to pay for lodging in both cities? I'd like to do it as inexpensively as possible, while staying in a moderately nice hotel near public transit. what can I expect to pay for that? What else should we take into consideration? Are there particular areas of either or both cities that we should focus on for lodging?

I'm assuming we can take a train from one city to the other, but what would our options be for transportation?

Mainly, I'm just looking for some direction here as we're still in the planning stages. Any and all help is much appreciated!
 
Major European cities can be done in 3-4 whole days if you choose your sights wisely, with arrival and departure days not counting in that total. Keep in mind you'll probably need one day to acclimate to the time change, which may be a little more difficult in the fall when Europe goes into short, cloudy day mode. If you want 3-4 days in each city, plan a 10-day trip.

Fall is an off-season -- which actually makes it a good time to travel, because there are less crowds -- so hotels shouldn't be prohibitively expensive. If you can take care of yourself and don't need a full-service hotel, A-dam (and I assume Paris) has a selection of small budget hotels that aren't 4- or 5-star but that are a significant step up from, say, a Motel 6. They often include a full breakfast, which is another way to save $$. Check out guidebooks like Lonely Planet or Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door, or just Google "amsterdam budget hotel."

Paris to A-dam is a well-traveled route that has several high-speed trains a day. The trip will take you from city center to city center in about 4 hours and is the best way to get between the cities. I haven't spent as much time in Paris as Amsterdam, but in my experiences both cities have quality public transit that should be more than sufficient for any tourism.
 
Public transportation is all you'll need in either city - the Metro in Paris and the trams in Amsterdam will take you to close to all the major sites/museums/parks. If you're comfortable on a bike - rent one for a few days in Amsterdam, thats the easiest way to get around.

I'd recommend staying in St Germaine in Paris and the Jordaan district in Amsterdam. Both areas are centrally located, offer easy transportation, and situate you in the heart of great shopping, bars, restaurants and quaint neighborhoods.

As for accommodations, I usually try to rent apartments in both cities, but my stays are usually longer. A good friend has always recommended the Hotel Ambassade in Amsterdam. She and her husband stay there every spring for Queens Day and love it.
Hotel Ambassade


Have fun - both cities are great choices for a first trip to Europe. PM me if you want some restaurant recommendations from a recent trip.
 
what's a reasonable amount of money to pay for staying in anything above a motel 6? just trying to get a sense of how much I should expect to spend.

I might also be interested in hostels, but just curious what i should expect to spend in either or both cities. the hotel listed above in amsterdam looks like it's 200 euros/night (which comes out to about $300). That's quite pricey, at least by american standards. should I expect this?
 
In March 2001, we paid I think 70 guilders (about $30)/night for a hotel room with two beds, no TV, a private shower, and toilet down the hall. With the passage of time and the tanking of the dollar, it's probably twice that. If you're looking for similar or better accomodation, I'd budget $80-$120/night in A-dam. The best areas for location and value there are Jordaan and Leidseplein. The accomodations can be sparse, but I'd put them above an American motel because the budget hotels are small, private operations usually run by families, so they put more effort into comfort and cleanliness. I never overnighted in Paris, but I would assume that it's similar to A-dam.

Hostels can be a good value, but you need to be careful, because some are total pits that are great for college kids but not for a married couple who are looking for more than a floor to pass out on. Hostelling International is kind of the gold standard for hostels, and their hostels are clean and affordable. Many of them now have rooms for couples and families, but you may still have to use community showers and bathrooms, and you may also have to put up with noisy school groups.
 
I stayed at the Hotel Vondel (3 stars) in Amsterdam, and it was great. You can take the Thalys train that leaves Paris from gare du nord. It only stops in Brussels (and Antwerp, I think).

Paris has hotels everywhere. The nicest are in the 8th, 1st, and 4th. It doesn;t really matter where you stay in paris because the Metro is out of this world.
 
I stayed here while in Amsterdam: Die Port Van Cleve

we stayed there for about $150 a night in 01. well, i just checked and now they want about 200 euro a night. jesus! it is in a great loction in dam square, but let me tell you... it was NOT that nice.

if it were $150 a night i would recommend, but if the new price is indicative of the overall hotel pricing in amsterdam... you are in trouble.
 
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