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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Bruges and Amsterdam

Independent 7-day rail trip linking Bruges and Amsterdam

Illustration of Bruges and Amsterdam

Railbookers operates this independent rail vacation between Bruges and Amsterdam, running 7 days and 6 nights. The trip starts in Bruges, where travelers check into a hotel for three nights and explore the city's canals, cobbled streets and medieval buildings, including a climb up the 366-step Belfort Tower and a horse and carriage ride past the Church of Our Lady. On day 4, travelers take the train to Antwerp and change onto a service into Amsterdam, where they check in for three more nights. Amsterdam days are spent at leisure using an included sightseeing pass, with suggestions such as the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum, the Anne Frank House and the Heineken Experience. Because it's independent rather than escorted, most days are unguided beyond the included city tour and hop-on hop-off pass, which suits travelers comfortable planning their own sightseeing once they arrive in each city.

What to know before you look closer

  • The package lists 12 hotel options across price tiers in Bruges and Amsterdam rather than one fixed hotel, so the exact hotel and comfort level depend on the tier chosen at booking.
  • Only one day of the trip (day 4) is a train journey; the rest of the week is city time in Bruges and Amsterdam.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Bruges

    Your Journey Begins in Bruges

    Arrive in Bruges today and check in at your hotel for a three-night stay. Known as the "Venice of the North of Europe," Bruges is a medieval masterpiece of a city packed with winding canals and cobbled streets. Beautifully preserved houses, the famous Belfry and museums such as the Groeninge Museum give it a true film set feel. Set out to explore and become acquainted with the city.

  2. Day 2overnight: Bruges

    Bruges

    Spend the day exploring Bruges' fairy tale charm. Get your bearings with a handy 50min tour of the city, then for a glorious view over the roofs of the city climb up the 82 metre Belfort Tower, rising from the Markt Square. This is highly recommended despite the 366 steps! For a more relaxing activity, be sure to take a cruise down the city's winding canals so you can view the medieval architecture and gothic streets of the city from a different perspective.

    Meals: B

  3. Day 3overnight: Bruges

    Bruges

    Enjoy another day at leisure in Bruges as you fall more in love with the historic city. Take a romantic horse and carriage ride along the city's cobbled streets, wandering from square to square admiring the grand buildings. Visit the spire-topped Church of Our Lady or view classical Flemish art at the Groeningemuseum. Be sure to indulge with a traditional Flemish dish for dinner, washed down with a delicious Belgian beer.

    Meals: B

  4. Day 4railovernight: Amsterdam

    Bruges to Amsterdam

    Spend the morning in Bruges before taking the train to Antwerp and then changing onto a service to Amsterdam. Upon arrival in the Dutch capital, check in at your hotel for a two-night stay. Spend the rest of the day exploring at leisure, exploring this lively cosmopolitan city. Stop for dinner in the vibrant Leidseplein district, a great place to plan your stay in the city over a traditional Dutch meal.

    Meals: B

  5. Day 5overnight: Amsterdam

    Amsterdam

    Spend a full day at leisure in Amsterdam today making use of your sightseeing pass, and also enjoy a trip on one of Amsterdam's famous canals. Visitor favourites include the famous Van Gogh Museum and the imposing, ornate Rijksmuseum. You might also like to visit the Anne Frank House.

    Meals: B

  6. Day 6overnight: Amsterdam

    Amsterdam

    Spend another day in Amsterdam today, continuing to explore the fascinating city. Take a brewery tour with a trip to the Heineken Experience, or wander through traditional Dutch markets stocking up on local cheeses and beautiful blooms.

    Meals: B

  7. Day 7rail

    Your Journey Ends in Amsterdam

    Enjoy breakfast in the hotel before checking out and continuing with your travels. If you'd like to extend your journey, why not take the high-speed train straight from Amsterdam to Paris?

    Meals: B

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Climb the 82-metre Belfort Tower's 366 steps in Bruges's Markt Square for a view over the city's rooftops.
  • Day 3Take a horse and carriage ride along Bruges's cobbled streets and visit the Church of Our Lady.
  • Day 4Travel by train from Bruges to Amsterdam, changing trains in Antwerp.
  • Day 5Use the Amsterdam sightseeing pass to visit the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum or the Anne Frank House.
  • Day 6Take a brewery tour of the Heineken Experience in Amsterdam.

Included

  • Standard class travel as specified in the itinerary
  • Bruges city Tour
  • 48hr Hop on Hop off pass in Amsterdam
  • Amsterdam Canal boat tour
  • 3 nights’ hotel stay with breakfast in Bruges
  • 3 nights’ hotel stay with breakfast in Amsterdam

Questions travellers ask

Does this trip include train travel between Bruges and Amsterdam?
Yes. Standard class travel is included as specified in the itinerary, and day 4 has travelers take the train from Bruges to Amsterdam via a change in Antwerp.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It's independent. Beyond the included Bruges city tour and Amsterdam hop-on hop-off pass, travelers explore each city on their own schedule.
What hotels are used?
Railbookers offers 12 hotel options across price tiers in Bruges and Amsterdam, including Die Swaene, Dukes Academie, Grand Hotel Normandy Bruges and the InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam.
What is included besides the hotels and rail travel?
Breakfast each morning, a Bruges city tour, a 48-hour Amsterdam hop-on hop-off pass and an Amsterdam canal boat tour.
What does the trip cost?
Prices start at $379 per person.

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