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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Grand Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam

10-day independent rail journey linking Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam

Illustration of Grand Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam

Railbookers operates Grand Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam, an independent 10-day, 9-night rail vacation that starts in Paris and ends in Amsterdam, with a stop in Brussels along the way. Travelers spend 3 nights in each city and cover the distance between them on direct Thalys trains, taking the Paris to Brussels train on day 4 and the Brussels to Amsterdam train on day 7. Because the trip is independent rather than escorted, each day is unstructured: the itinerary suggests sights like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and a Seine river cruise in Paris, the Grand-Place in Brussels, and Amsterdam's Van Gogh Museum and canal ring, but travelers set their own pace using a hop-on hop-off pass and the included skip-the-line tickets. The trip suits travelers who want to see three major European cities by rail without joining a group tour, and who are comfortable planning their own daily sightseeing. Prices start from $1,139 per person.

What to know before you look closer

  • 18 accommodation options span several hotel tiers and brands, from Holiday Inn and Novotel to Sofitel and DoubleTree by Hilton, so the exact hotel depends on the tier and city you choose.
  • This is an independent trip with no tour guide included; sightseeing beyond the ticketed inclusions and hop-on hop-off pass is self-guided.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Paris

    Your Journey Begins in Paris

    Welcome to Paris! When you arrive, check into your hotel and begin exploring the charms of the city. There's the Champs-Élysées, the most famous avenue in the city. If you have time, go to Sacre-Coeur Basilica, the Roman Catholic church perched atop Montmartre, for one of Paris' most spectacular panoramas. In the evening, find an authentic Parisian restaurant to enjoy dinner.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Paris

    Paris

    Today enjoy the very best Paris has to offer with a skip-the-line tour to the very top of the Eiffel Tower, and a scenic seine cruise. Explore the boulevards and arrondissements with your included hop-on hop-off pass and do speak to any of our Rail Experts should you like to get a taste of the famous French cuisine with a fabulous food tour.

  3. Day 3overnight: Paris

    Paris

    Continue to enjoy the famous Hausmaum architecture with your hop-on hop-off pass and visit the Louvre Museum to come face to face with the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Nike of Samothrace. With the remainder of your day, explore the pretty covered passageways of Paris, the famous flea markets of the Marais, or simply enjoy a crepe and stroll in the Tuileries Gardens.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Brussels

    Paris to Brussels

    Following breakfast, take a direct Thalys train from Paris to Brussels. When you arrive, check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day and evening exploring the city at your leisure. With its picturesque medieval streets and architecture, lively squares and boulevards, impressive landmarks, and delicious cuisine, there's no telling what you'll discover.

  5. Day 5overnight: Brussels

    Brussels

    Spend the morning enjoying breakfast at your leisure and then continue exploring the heart of Europe. Visit the Grand-Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its main market square, local bars, and cafes. Other worthwhile stops include Hotel de Ville, Place du Chatelain Market, and Musee du Cinquantenaire's collection of ancient Egyptian sarcophagi and Meso-American masks.

  6. Day 6overnight: Brussels

    Brussels

    Today, enjoy breakfast and then continue getting to know this metropolis. Visit the Eglise Notre-Dame du Sablon in the Royal Quarter, the Napoleon III-styled palace of St-Gilles Town Hall, or Place du Jeu-de-Balle Flea Market for the quintessential Marolles experience. Try a pistolet and some chocolate, or the Belgian Chocolate Village and Cremerie De Linkebeek.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Amsterdam

    Brussels to Amsterdam

    After breakfast, take a direct Thalys train from Brussels to Amsterdam. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and begin exploring one of Europe's most diverse and vibrant cities at your own leisure, picnic in Vondelpark, shop at Magna Plaza, stroll Amsterdamse Bos, or catch a film at the art deco Pathe Tuschinski Theater. Don't miss trying Amsterdam's famous stroopwafel!

  8. Day 8overnight: Amsterdam

    Amsterdam

    On your second day in the city, enjoy breakfast and then spend your time seeing all the sights you didn't get a chance to yesterday. Check out some of the city's world-class art museums, like the Van Gogh Museum, the Stedelijk, or use your included fast track ticket to the Rijksmuseum. Relax and stroll along the picturesque canals lined by trees and unique houseboats.

  9. Day 9overnight: Amsterdam

    Amsterdam

    After breakfast this morning, continue sightseeing and getting to know this diverse city. Use your included 1-hour canal cruise to experience Amsterdam's UNESCO protected canal ring. Take a photo with the "I Amsterdam" letters, visit Dam Square, the Royal Palace, the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) and the National Monument.

  10. Day 10rail

    Your Journey Ends in Amsterdam

    Check out of your hotel after breakfast and finish off any final exploring before continuing your onward journey. If you'd like to extend your journey, perhaps riding the rails to another destination, just speak to one of our Rail Experts and they'll plan everything for you.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A skip-the-line tour to the top of the Eiffel Tower and a scenic Seine river cruise.
  • Day 4A direct Thalys train from Paris to Brussels.
  • Day 5A visit to the Grand-Place, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Brussels.
  • Day 7A direct Thalys train from Brussels to Amsterdam.
  • Day 9A 1-hour canal cruise on Amsterdam's UNESCO-protected canal ring.

Included

  • Rail tickets and reservations where necessary in first class
  • 3 nights' hotel accommodations with breakfast in Amsterdam
  • 3 night's hotel accommodations with breakfast in Brussels
  • 3 nights' hotel accommodations with breakfast in Paris
  • Rijksmuseum fast track ticket (any day) in Amsterdam
  • 1-hour canal cruise (any day) in Amsterdam
  • Skip the Line Eiffel Tower tickets
  • 2 Day Paris hop-on hop-off pass
  • Scenic Paris River Cruise
  • Skip the line Louvre Museum tickets (closed on Tuesdays)

Questions travellers ask

Is this an escorted tour or independent travel?
It is an independent rail package from Railbookers, not an escorted group tour.
How do travelers get between cities?
By direct Thalys train, Paris to Brussels on day 4 and Brussels to Amsterdam on day 7.
What's included?
Rail tickets and reservations in first class, hotel nights with breakfast (3 in each city), Eiffel Tower skip-the-line tickets, a Seine river cruise, Louvre skip-the-line tickets, a Rijksmuseum fast-track ticket, and a 1-hour Amsterdam canal cruise.
Which hotels are used?
Railbookers offers 18 accommodation options across the three cities, including Novotel, Mercure, and Holiday Inn properties in Paris, and Le Louise Hotel MGallery and DoubleTree by Hilton in Brussels.
How much does it cost?
Prices start from $1,139 per person (USD).
How long is the trip?
10 days and 9 nights, with 3 nights each in Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam.

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