NBR-gas

Littlejen22

As some have probably realized DH and I like to plan vacations even if they are years away and might not happen. We are very likely going to Europe in less than two years so out of curiosity I wanted to see the cost to go to Brugge from Paris per Ilumin's recommendation. We looked at the train one way which I think DH said was around $68 per person for 4 of us. So I looked up driving which would be a round trip back to Paris since we would have to return the car in France. It is only around $17 per day (probably before insane tax) and if we went from Paris, to Brugge, to Brussels and back to Paris it would take only 10 gallons of gas in that rental car...$156 USD! I knew gas there was insanely expensive but wow.

Ilumine

Which is why I would NEVER EVER move back to Germany unless we were Command Sponsored and we got the discounted gas.  

Also, you will have to get more than 10 gallons of gas.  Just because it LOOKS like these are direct routs, please please please do not believe the maps.  And recognize that you WILL have a horrendous traffic, if not a Stau.  And then driving round and round and round looking for hotels.  

You are looking at filling up at least twice. I know, because we did those trips a number of times.

DId I mention I am jealous!!!!!!

Littlejen22

Crap, now you are scaring me!  I honestly am not sure in the end if we will wind up in Belgium or not, I have to look at how time consuming and expensive it is.  So would you recommend skipping a car and taking a train?  If we took the train we would either only do Brussels or do Brugge and then Brussels and fly to England from Belgium.  I cannot for the life of me navigate the EuroRail website and have no idea what stations or even what trains we would take so I could get a realistic estimate.  We would actually be originating from the Disneyland train station because we will use at least a few days of our timeshare there instead of paying for a hotel in Paris.  Any suggestions?

If Belgium is too overwhelming we will do more areas of England which I honestly have not seen much of but I am a brat and want to see a new country!

Nita2603

Lurker butting in:

I am German, and I have driven all over Europe for job related reasons. You should, under ideal conditions plan to use about 12l of gas per 100km. Looking at the trip you want to do there, that is probably 3 fill ups of a medium sized rental.

Personally, I'd take the train and then rather buy a metro pass or whatever in the city you are touring.

Butting back out.

Littlejen22

Nita, thanks for butting in!  I am hoping you butt back in.  What rail would we use to get to Brugge and then to get to Brussels?

Nita2603

Jen, (or little? Littlejen?)

I'll have to check around a bit and get back to you. Mind you, I haven't been in Europe in 4 years, but I should at least be able to give you some pointers. :-)

Nita2603

So, Paris-Brugge (I punched in a random date and 2 adults and 2 children) https://www.raileurope.com.au/spip.php?page=sales&re_domain=ptp&re_oper=results

Brugge-Brussels
https://www.raileurope.com.au/spip.php?page=sales&re_domain=ptp&re_oper=results

Generally, I try to find my tickets here:
https://www.raileurope.com/index.html

I have no idea why to jumped to the Australian site when I searched the route, but since the dates are random anyways, and the trip won't be for a while, I figure it's ok for an example.

No idea if this is helpful - if you have questions, pls feel free to ask. I hang out on Oct 11, Sept 12 and Parenting - and check in here too every now and then.

Trains inEurope are generally cheaper either if you book long term ahead (3 months plus) or really short term (like the same day, which I would not do traveling with kids).
A rental car can be awesome, but really, taking the train is more reliable time-wise. Plus, gas prices and all that jazz - and then driving in another country with jetlag and no idea where to go exactly. Meh. Trains. Seriously.

Ilumine

I love using the Trains.  And honestly, I would choose Brugges over Paris ANY DAY.  

Littlejen22

Thanks Nita.

Ilumine, you totally sold me on Brugge but since we can get the timeshare outside of Paris for no extra money and neither of us have ever gone we will definitely go there for a few days. And as lame as it is we want to bring the kids to Disneyland, we have a silly goal to get them to all of them by the end of elementary school although more likely middle school since we have only done Orlando and Hong Kong so far.

You totally convinced me and DH though only to do probably three days of touring the actual city of Paris and two of Disney and then will hopefully could do two nights in Brugge and one night in Brussels where we would fly to England and see his family. I hope the vacation happens!

So, is What are your thoughts on Brussels?

Ilumine

I have never been to Brussels OTHER than to participate in the Beer Festival.  It is a major metropolitian city to me, with many American style buildings.  And since it is the "HQ" for the Eu, it is very multicultural.  I heard more Americans there (people talking about thier day to day life) then I did in any other city in Europe, even right outside of US bases. 

I would HIGHLY suggest looking at your luggage situation.  We totally wish we had brought back more beer and wine (and we shipped 16 cases of wine for me and 10 cases of beer for DH).  You cannot get the quality of beer or wine here in the US.  

Brugges last brewery, Half Moon is so yummy, but if you want to ship back some Trappists I would do so. 

Littlejen22

I thought you could only bring back one liter if you don't ship? Was the luggage comment about alcohol or seperate? I am an insane packer and can probably pack mine and both kids clothes and DH have his own. We each take one personal item on planes. I would bring one or two extra bag, possibly a soft bag, for bringing home stuff. We always like to bring back English treats since they are DHs comfort food but I know we would do the same in Belguim and France.

I seriously have an attention problem when it comes to vacations.

Ilumine

Unless it has changed, you can bring back up to 1 liter per Adult as duty free.  After that, it is 3% of the value up to $1000.  

Given that the AMAZING beer and wine is SO SO SO much cheaper there, you can get so much more for that 3%.