Timeline for Round trip in Netherlands, Belgium and Germany with a car and a tent
Current License: CC BY-SA 3.0
20 events
| when toggle format | what | by | license | comment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 11, 2014 at 18:52 | comment | added | alg | @Goethe: If you decide to explore the Netherlands by train instead, the main Dutch railway company (NS) has a "Dagkaart" (day ticket), which lets you travel on as many NS trains as you like on the day of purchase. I can't find the information on the English-language site, but here is the Dutch page about the Dagkaart. At present it costs a little over €50 for a second-class ticket - only a couple of euros more than a day return ticket from Amsterdam to Groningen. | |
| Jun 23, 2014 at 18:57 | comment | added | Goethe | I really appreciate your answer and all of the comments later. @Relaxed - you were right, I do care about expenses (I apologize if that wasn't clear). I'll do my whole research again before posting a much more specific question. Thanks again! | |
| Jun 23, 2014 at 18:54 | vote | accept | Goethe | ||
| Jun 17, 2014 at 9:35 | comment | added | Relaxed | @PeterRaeves Well, you won't necessarily save much time in the west of the Netherlands, which has been my point all along… So if the point is not to merely touch down in more cities, then I don't think the car is a very good choice. Also, freedom is relative, when you can't drive around the city center, can't park where you want, etc. the car seems to be as much of a constraint. Ultimately, it depends on the specifics and I know people who just take the car as a matter of principle but the main message is that Dutch cities are not car-friendly at all compared to German or even Belgian cities. | |
| Jun 17, 2014 at 9:18 | comment | added | Peter Raeves | @Relaxed The point wasn't to be able to touch down in more cities, but to get to the city faster and be able to stay there longer, giving them more time to watch whatever it is they want to see. Public transportation usually revolves around a lot of waiting, which would just be wasted time anyway. But it looks like it's personal. I usually take the car, especially when travelling with 4. It would give you privacy, save you money, save you time, give you freedom to go and stand when and where you like to. Only for intercity travels of course. Within cities bus/subway/bike is clearly preferred. | |
| Jun 17, 2014 at 9:02 | comment | added | Relaxed | @PeterRaeves One more precision that might be useful: I know East-German cities too and there I have parked on the street, right next to major sights (cathedrals, etc.) The OP shouldn't expect Dutch cities to be similar to their last trip. To calibrate expectations: I own a car, wouldn't need to pay for a rental and I still mostly visit cities by train, even with a group of 4. | |
| Jun 17, 2014 at 8:46 | comment | added | Relaxed | @PeterRaeves There is a whole system of “P-routes” that confuses foreigners. At the end of the day, you might be able to “touch down” in more cities if you spend your day driving but I don't think you will have a better experience or actually see more. | |
| Jun 17, 2014 at 8:45 | comment | added | Peter Raeves | @Relaxed They might not be practical, but I think time- and experience-wise, you are still better of with a car, then with public transportation. Don't Dutch cities have directions towards the nearest parking lots when you enter the city? | |
| Jun 17, 2014 at 8:30 | comment | added | Relaxed | @PeterRaeves Costs are far from the only thing I mentioned, I don't find cars practical at all to see cities in the Netherlands. Plus, I see no evidence that the OP doesn't care about travel expenses (tent?)… They can make their own determination based on their priorities but it's certainly related to the question. | |
| Jun 17, 2014 at 8:18 | comment | added | Peter Raeves | I don't see how the first half of your question is related to OP's question. It doesn't look like OP care much about travel expenses. OP just wants to see a lot of cities and the car would be the preferred vehicle to get in between cities. Most landmarks are available by foot from the parking lot anyway. (My knowledge is based on Belgian cities only) | |
| Jun 15, 2014 at 11:20 | comment | added | Eugen Martynov | As for me Amsterdam could easily fill several days (even with crazy variety of people interests) | |
| Jun 14, 2014 at 20:18 | history | edited | Relaxed | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
added 78 characters in body
|
| Jun 14, 2014 at 20:05 | history | edited | Relaxed | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
added 3 characters in body
|
| Jun 14, 2014 at 20:00 | history | edited | Relaxed | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
added 3 characters in body
|
| Jun 14, 2014 at 19:50 | history | edited | Relaxed | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
added 199 characters in body
|
| Jun 14, 2014 at 19:42 | history | edited | Relaxed | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
added 199 characters in body
|
| Jun 14, 2014 at 19:34 | comment | added | Relaxed | @Bernhard Good tips! The port of Rotterdam is not easy, you have to know where to go and most of the facilities are obviously closed to visitors but you can see a lot of things with a car (and binoculars!). Especially the newer parts (Maasvlakte, iron terminal, etc.) are not well covered by the usual boat tours. Speaking of Deltawerken, realistically, you also need a car to see the Maeslantkering. | |
| Jun 14, 2014 at 19:28 | history | edited | Relaxed | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
added 199 characters in body
|
| Jun 14, 2014 at 19:25 | comment | added | Bernhard | The port of Rotterdam is not easily done by car. There are boat tours of course. But you are ride. Exploring the country-side with the car makes lots of sense. Do not forget to mention the Deltawerken in Zeeland. | |
| Jun 14, 2014 at 19:17 | history | answered | Relaxed | CC BY-SA 3.0 |