Traveling to Amsterdam / Brussels / Paris --- Need advice!

[Brandon]

A group of four of us college students are flying from Chicago to Brussels, arriving the morning of the 20th. We plan on taking the bus to Amsterdam on the 21st, then taking the bus to Paris on the 24th/25th, then back to Brussles on the 26th for a 1030AM flight on the 27th back stateside.

Besides still needing to get a Passport (oops!) We are looking for ideas of places to stay and what to do... on the cheap preferably. We though about couch surfing, but we are unsure of trusting and what not. Hostels are another option. Any reccomendations????

[nukenorman]

Have fun in EU. You will have a trip of a lifetime! Its good to see other cultures and wave of life outside the USA. Get to talk to locals and everything. Mentalities and politics so much diff in EU. I love Europe.

Beware sincie you are coming from America your US dollar is not worth much in Europe so everything will be expensive for you. I have couch surfed and been safe. Crime isnt rampid like you are used to in America.

The food in Europe is awsome to. So much better than the crap served in America. No cloned meat. No GMOS in foods, etc much higher food standards.

Amsterdam is fun and despite the American reputation it is VERY safe and CLEAN. Well much safter compared to Chicago or most other American cities.

Try to be at least respectufll and learn how to say Hi in the local language.

It will open your mind and you wont be so narrow minded like most americans :-).

[shadodemon]

A group of four of us college students are flying from Chicago to Brussels, arriving the morning of the 20th. We plan on taking the bus to Amsterdam on the 21st, then taking the bus to Paris on the 24th/25th, then back to Brussles on the 26th for a 1030AM flight on the 27th back stateside.

Besides still needing to get a Passport (oops!) We are looking for ideas of places to stay and what to do... on the cheap preferably. We though about couch surfing, but we are unsure of trusting and what not. Hostels are another option. Any reccomendations????

My advice stay home!! Focus doing fun stuff here in the states.

[Dinggus]

I've had 2 lay overs in Paris between 10-12hrs long so I just left the airport and visited The Eiffel Tower, Norte Dame, and The Louve (Museum).

The first time, I didn't go up The Eiffel Tower, I did go into Norte Dame, and didn't go into The Louve. My second time which was 3 days ago, I went straight to Norte Dame just to take better quality pictures. Walked over to The Louve to see my girl Mona Lisa to find out it's closed on Tuesday's. Then I walked over to The Eiffel Tower, I could either pay 8.50/euro to take an elevator or pay 4.50/euro to walk, so I walked up to the first floor, they had an ice rink on it. I walked up to the second to pay around 5.20/euro just to go up to the very top which you have to take an elevator. It's pretty tall and awesome, if I had anymore money I would have paid the 10-25/euro for a glass of champagne for myself.

I somewhat like the people in Paris and somewhat don't. The airport personnel were snobby and rude, but when trying to buy food or asking for what stop to get off at, the people helped with no problems.

I must say, due to the movie Hostel, I did feel weird walking around Paris by myself when I was there for my second time.

I don't know what else is famous in Paris, but I did find a wooden bridge that had love lockets attached to the side fences, it looked awesome.

[+Mirumir Subscriber¹]

1) Why not fly directly to Paris or Amsterdam?

2) Learn some French words and phrases.

3) Use google maps to search for hostels, places of interest, and just about everything else :)

[Nick H. Supervisor]

Crime isnt rampid like you are used to in America.

The food in Europe is awsome to. So much better than the crap served in America. No cloned meat. No GMOS in foods, etc much higher food standards.

...much safter compared to Chicago or most other American cities.

These points aren't strictly true. There are places with a high crime rate, there is cloned meat and GMOS in food, and while it may appear to be safer than Chicago you should always be wary.

Personally I would do the touristy things if it is your first time visiting. Sure, people say that you don't really get a sense of the culture that way, but you'll get to see some great landmarks.

As for advice - definitely learn a bit of the language. You might feel like a fool with the pronunciation, but the locals will appreciate it and be more up for helping you than if you just go up to them and start talking away in English.

[TheBlueRaja]

Scotsman here, I've been to Paris twice and all over France, also Amsterdam more times than i can remember (not joking either). Amsterdam is awesome, loads to do and see and great fun whatever your vice. Just dont be prude, you may see things you wont quite belive at first look. As has been said too, never had any trouble over there and the Dutch generally are cool as F**k in my opinion.

Paris was pretty boring, very nice place, romantic etc, but i dont think you lot are after that. "In My Opinion" i thought and the French, well, lets just say they wee not very nice people. I realise this is a generalisation but generally they are a bit funny, Belgians can be like that too, dont know why, the rest of europe that i have been too couldnt be more welcoming.

BIG TIP - while in France, try and speak a bit of their language, Bonjour etc just make an effort, they love it, cant go wrong but some of them really are ****holes and nothing you can do or say will change that.

Also, dont do the whole USA, USA thing, everyone will just think your **icks, go there, be nice and you'll have a ball.

Good luck and enjoy.

[Dinggus]

Glad I'm not the only one who thinks some of the French are not very nice. There's a lot of Muslims there that ask for money as well, I usually tell them I don't have any cash. They'll walk up and hand you a card, one side is in French, the other side is in English.

[Brandon]

1) Why not fly directly to Paris or Amsterdam?

2) Learn some French words and phrases.

3) Use google maps to search for hostels, places of interest, and just about everything else :)

Tickets were $282 USD round trip from Chicago-Montreal-Brussels. Any other destination was at least $700USD.

I'm thinking of bringing my android tablet with built-in GPS and WiFi internet. Are there a lot of places that have free wifi? I'm looking for a storage-based GPS app at the moment.

[+Mirumir Subscriber¹]

Tickets were $282 USD round trip

That's an awesome deal! congrats!

I'm thinking of bringing my android tablet with built-in GPS and WiFi internet. Are there a lot of places that have free wifi? I'm looking for a storage-based GPS app at the moment.

yeah, definitely disable your sim-card - the roaming charges, especially 3g roaming, will kill your cell phone bill.

imho, the best thing to do is to get a local pre-paid sim-card.

[Brandon]

So (slight) plan changes. We're staying with some friends in Delft, Netherlands, which means that it would seem to make more sense to take the bus into Rotterdam.

For those who know the area, what has more to do-- Rotterdam or Amsterdam? We plan on being there for 3 days, then taking the bus (overnight) to Paris for a day... unless I can convince them to go to Dusseldorf or something that is closer. It seems like a long drive to Paris for the night.. and we really don't seem to be spending much time in Brussels... but then again I don't know what cities will offer the best experience for us.

[PurpleHaze420]

If your staying in Amsterdam then i'd strongly advise staying at The Flying Pig hostel, it has a great atmosphere and is good value. Check them out.

[jakem1]

To be honest, I'd spend as little time as possible in Brussels as there's not a lot to do there. However, Paris and Amsterdam are both amazing cities in completely different ways so you should try and maximise your time there. Could your budget stretch to trains rather than buses? A train from Brussels to Paris only takes a 2-3hours (from memory) and the train between Paris and Amsterdam is only a few hours longer. The trains are much more comfortable than buses, offer better views and give you more time in your destinations.

Have a great trip.

[RiverCampher]

Agreed with jakem1, trains are far more comfortable and pleasent. Plus, no offense but some places in europe you want to avoid buses altogether.

I've been to Paris in the last few years, and it was a wonderful experience. You can do quite a lot in a day as everything is central, taking the metro (which is cheap!) around to the various stops to save time. Just beware of pick pockets, someone tried it on me whilst in there but it didn't go well for them ;)

If possible, stay near the centre of paris, the outskirts aren't very nice (perhaps there were nice area's but I didn't see them - use tripadvisor and google maps to ensure the location you are staying is decent). This will be expensive but a really good experience. Good luck on your trip.

P.s. I didn't have any trouble with the French, they are kind and friendly enough. As long as you 'try' to smile and be nice, they will be too. Oh and if you have a chance, first thing in the morning, find the local baker shop called 'boulangerie'. You'll have the chance to try some of the best cakes, breads and sweets you'll ever have in your life!

[Carbon Fiber]

Brussels is awesome. As a student I can say this:

- Best beer in the world, try Orval or Duvel

- Don't try to visit the Atomium, don't waste your time waiting

- Take the metro, not cheap (1.80? for one person) but very fast and better than the bus (cheaper)

- The beer is awesome

- Visit the Grand Place, it's worth it

- Did I mention the beer is great?

I've been in Amsterdam and Rotterdam as well, The Netherlands is a really clean country with nice people. (I don't like to say it but maybe even a better choice than Brussels). People from The Netherlands also speak English very well, better than people in Brussels where French is dominating.

If you need help with anything, PM me. I'm in Brussels every day of the week :)

Edit: don't try Heineken, you can compare it to water.

[Mippie]

I'm from a town near Amsterdam and currently living and studying in Delft. Although from Delft Amsterdam is a bit further than Rotterdam, I'd say it's worth it. Amsterdam has more cultural heritage compared to Rotterdam, and a better nightlife also. This is largely due to the fact that Rotterdam's centre was heavily bombed during WWII, so in a way Rotterdam is a city build in the '50s. Rotterdam is a very nice city too but Amsterdam has got a very nice,old atmosphere and many tourist attractions.In the Netherlands most people speak decent English, so you'll be fine. In France though it would sure be handy to have some kinda travel dictionary or something, although in the tourist areas you'll probably be fine anyway.

[Ambroos]

I'd love to come to Brussels on the 26th and give you a little tour and visit the most interesting places in the city centre! I could teach you some basic Dutch/French too ^^ Us Belgians love good food, so try something Belgian! Steak with fries for example is heavenly! And beer. Lots of really good beer. (and yeah, Heineken is absolute rubbish, it's quite hard to find in Belgium since it's ****)

If you need any information at all about Belgium, a prepaid mobile card (can get you one for ?15 that includes 2GB on HSPA - completely prepaid) or WiFi or whatever, just send me a PM!

You'll find that you can get along perfectly in English when in Brussels or Amsterdam, but will probably have a harder time in Paris. The French aren't very keen on learning other languages. Most Belgians are pretty distant at first too, unfortunately, and when going out it's not always easy to meet new people. Brussels is a lovely eclectic place though. Every street is different, but it's a lovely city in general! Very safe too, in contrary to the stories you might hear.

As it's been said before, I'd avoid taking the bus between cities. It'll take you ages, and you'll be tired when you arrive. Trains are excellent, but can be a bit expensive. But it's much much better than taking the bus.

[Brian Veteran]

I did the trip to Brussels and Bruge from Canada. LOVED my time there. Take the trains... Train to Amsterdam was pretty cheap from Brussels -- train the other way wouldn't have been to bad either as far as I know. The Belgians I met in Bruges were amazing, the ones in Brussels were a bit colder, but was still AWESOME to meet them... I was near Louise or whatever, and it was a market bar night -- met some really cool people. Loved it. But my suggestion, DONT bus take the train. SO much better.

[Brandon]

For everyone saying to take the train, is there somewhere you get tickets cheaper? I would love to, but we found bus tickets from rotterdam to paris for 42 EUR vs 110 EUR for the train

[Ambroos]

For everyone saying to take the train, is there somewhere you get tickets cheaper? I would love to, but we found bus tickets from rotterdam to paris for 42 EUR vs 110 EUR for the train

Try http://www.b-europe.com/Travel - it should have all European destinations at pretty good rates.

[-Alex-]

So (slight) plan changes. We're staying with some friends in Delft, Netherlands, which means that it would seem to make more sense to take the bus into Rotterdam.

For those who know the area, what has more to do-- Rotterdam or Amsterdam? We plan on being there for 3 days, then taking the bus (overnight) to Paris for a day... unless I can convince them to go to Dusseldorf or something that is closer. It seems like a long drive to Paris for the night.. and we really don't seem to be spending much time in Brussels... but then again I don't know what cities will offer the best experience for us.

I lived in Amsterdam for the last 2 years, up until a couple of months back since moving back to the UK... definitely go to Amsterdam over Rotterdam... you won't regret it!