How to Conquer London, Paris and Amsterdam in Two Weeks

Unless you’re retired or a housewife, traveling overseas can come with tight time restrictions. Take into account two days lost to air travel, and you have an even tighter schedule to work with.

With a little bit of planning and logistics taken care of, you’ll be able to maximize a minimum amount of time. Here is a quick guide on how to conquer three cities in three different countries in just two weeks.

Arrival in London

Since London is the busiest and largest city of all three, try hitting this up first as your energy will be the highest in the beginning of your trip (pending jet lag, of course). Follow that with Paris, which is a quick train ride away and conclude with Amsterdam, which has a more chill, small town feel.

That being said, be realistic about what to see/do in London. It’s so big that walking it all will be nearly impossible as there is so much to do in so little time. Buying an Oyster card for underground (metro) and overground (bus) transportation is highly ideal. So, be strategic and map out attractions in terms of close proximity to each other.

Take a bus tour or ferry to see the London Eye and Big Ben in a relaxed mode of transportation.

If you’re into a more country side feel and have a bit more time on your hands, rent a car and drive to Cornwall. The views are breathtaking, with greenery and small forts along the way. En route, stop at Stonehenge to cross this breathtaking landmark off your bucket list.

Some suggestions: Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Harrods, St. James Garden, Buckingham Palace, Brick Lane.

To Paris

Eurostar is a great, cost effective way to get to Paris from London. You’ll travel in comfort in the underwater tunnel. Be wary of time getting there: the station is very punctual and security lines can get long. Arrive at least 90 minutes before departure time.

As far as transportation goes in Paris, it’s far more walkable than London with the majority of attractions close by. The Palace of Versailles, a must see, is about an hour away but can be accessed via metro or Uber.

Some suggestions: Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile, Eiffel Tower, Luxembourg Gardens, a show at the Moulin Rouge, Le Ceil de Paris, Shakespeare and Company, George V (restaurant).

To Amsterdam

You can rent a car to go from Paris to Amsterdam, but most flights are pretty affordable. Not to mention time effective, as it’s only an hour and half of flying.

This quaint city will have a chill, relaxed vibe, a perfect way to end your trip. The most walkable of the three, you’ll be able to cross off a large amount on your to-do list. Renting a bike is certainly an option, but heed this warning: locals are quite speedy, and the city can get quite windy.

Be sure to book some attractions a few weeks or months in advance as some will not allow you to book the day of (ex. Anne Frank House).

Some suggestions: Heineken brewery, river boat tour, Red Light District, Van Gogh museum, Anne Frank house.