From Amsterdam - Paris - London

Travel Forums Europe From Amsterdam - Paris - London

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1. Posted by tehsi (Budding Member 47 posts) 16y Star this if you like it!

Hello, need some help with transports and accommodation.

This will be the first time for me to Western Europe and I'm overwhelmed by the amount of info (transportations) available online to get from Amsterdam to Paris and thereafter to London (or amsterdam-London-Paris whichever is more convenient). Thing is, I am quite confused with all the info and cannot figure out which is the best or most economical mode of travel.

Me and my husband will only have approximately 5 - 6 days in between Paris and London in late March 2008 and we will definitely be travelling with a tight budget.

Any suggestions as to which mode of transport is better, i.e. most economical & less time consuming given the lack of time available to us. Which hostels in both cities would you suggest which are reasonably clean and with good accessiblity etc. etc.

On another thought, someone suggest that I should really go up north from London to scotland as it is very beautiful. Do you think I should squeeze that into our travel plan or it would be rushing time?

Would really appreciate all suggestions.

Thank you

2. Posted by sapphyre (Respected Member 418 posts) 16y Star this if you like it!

By train was the first thing that came to my mind. Between Paris and London it takes less than 3h on the Eurostar and Amsterdam to Paris with Thalys takes about 4h. You may be lucky enough to get those cheap fares on budget airlines but with the extra time for check-ins and non-central airport locations you might be wasting alot more time.

I have only stayed at Piccadilly's Backpackers in London and don't recommend it. Never tried hostels in Paris (stayed with a friend) and have never been to Amsterdam so can't help there.

Scotland is more scenic than London (think they filmed the train scenes in Harry Potter movies there), really depends on what you want to do and see. 5-6 days for both Paris and London is already quite tight, to squeeze in another city might be a hassle. Personally I'll rather leave it and visit another time.

3. Posted by Cpt_Smooth (Budding Member 34 posts) 16y Star this if you like it!

Hello,

Without having taken that particular route myself, generally the most economical way to travel would be by bus, though this is far slower than taking the train, especially in western europe.

There are numerous websites dedicated to hostels in these cities. hostelworld and hostelbookers to name some of them. The hostels all have their cleanliness and accessibility ranked so you'll be able to compare them and find the ones you like best.

If you only have 5 - 6 days and want to see both some of London and Paris in that time then I wouldn't recommend going to Scotland as well. I always think spending more time in fewer places will allow you to enjoy those places you do go more. For such a short break you want to see more sights than buses and trains.

4. Posted by jaxstar84 (Respected Member 415 posts) 16y Star this if you like it!

i cant recommend many hostels in amsterdam cos alot of them a scungy... id recommend a budget hotel. altho some hostels have nice private rooms, which cost less (usually) than a bugdet hotel.....

the bulldog, the flying pig are 2 that are pretty nice, central but a little more expensive than the rest! id also recommend the train to paris from a'dam, its not that far and its fairly cheap. if youre under 25 mention that too cos u get a cheaper rate!

5. Posted by NantesFC (Respected Member 531 posts) 16y Star this if you like it!

I'd personally only choose two of those sites if that was my time frame. Seeing London and Paris in 6 days to me seems impossible lol but some people make it work. If you were to see all three cities, it'd be 2 days in each. Just take into account that for some of this time you'll be traveling, waiting for connection, etc. Scotland is pretty much out of the question I'd imagine.

6. Posted by tehsi (Budding Member 47 posts) 16y Star this if you like it!

Thank you all for your valuable inputs.

I have yet to check with my hubby if we should really spend equal amount of time in both London & Paris i.e. 2.5 - 3 days each city.

I have heard that Edinburg is trully spectacular (that's why I was debating whether I should spend less time in London, take the time up north to see scottish land & castles & greenery wilderness) for a change. OR, whether I should spend only 2 days in Paris, make a dash for London and Edinburg.

Should we instead, just cover London and its surrounding towns like Manchester City after Paris etc.

Paris:

I find it difficult to secure hostel room in Paris. Some have already been booked out (even though our dates of travelling would be somewhere around end March 08). As I don't speak French at all, I find all the roads a little confusing! :) Pls pardon my ignorance. Which area in Paris should I be considering for accommodation? I prefer somewhere that is easily accessible to all places of interest.

Thank you once again for all the inputs.

7. Posted by sapphyre (Respected Member 418 posts) 16y Star this if you like it!

Quoting tehsi

Paris:

I find it difficult to secure hostel room in Paris. Some have already been booked out (even though our dates of travelling would be somewhere around end March 08).

Considering that Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and Easter is in March, I'm not surprised that the hostels ae booked up. People could be taking extended Easter breaks.

8. Posted by tehsi (Budding Member 47 posts) 16y Star this if you like it!

Hey sapphyre,

Thanks for reminding me. It totally skipped my mind that it's the easter week. You're right, no wonder so many hostels in Paris are booked out.

Can Any one recommend any budget inn or hostels which you personally like?

Appreciate your time.

9. Posted by gaviscon (Budding Member 68 posts) 16y Star this if you like it!

You said you only have 6 days for 3 cities, traveling up and down you jest left 3 days in a city....wooh. The faster way is by train and also an expensive way; the cost effective way is by coach. Here the website for coach, you able to get all the info you needed.

www.nationalexpress.com

Hope this may help.

10. Posted by tehsi (Budding Member 47 posts) 16y Star this if you like it!

Hi, thanks for the thoughts.

FYI, when I mention 6 days over 3 cities i.e. Paris, London and Scotland (this route actually exclude Amsterdam). I would have covered Amsterdam before departing for Paris & London.

So it means, I'd have approximately 6 days for Paris, London (if possible, scotland) before flying home.

Some one suggested that instead of going west, maybe I shld consider going north, covering Denmark (Copenhagen) and Sweden (stockholm). Do you think that would be a better choice??

I have never been to both North and Western Europe. I heard it's really expensive up north.

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