Ooh la la! Let’s go to Paris for the weekend! Just a quick trip from Amsterdam on the train, Paris is a perfect three or four day holiday getaway.

Paris: Weekend Trip from Amsterdam

What can I say about Paris that hasn’t been said before? The city of lights and romance! I’ll share a few of my favorite spots as well as practical tips for getting there and getting around. It’s a perfect weekend getaway from Amsterdam!

Getting to Paris from Amsterdam

Catch the Thalys high speed train from Amsterdam Centraal that will whiz you to Paris Gare du Nord in just over 3 hours. If you plan ahead you can find tickets as low as €30! You can book with the NS International site or just check for ticket prices and availability.

You can also use TrainLine to check train schedules around Europe and book tickets using international credit cards.

Are the trains too expensive or sold out? Check Flixbus for inexpensive direct buses to Paris as low as €14.

Don’t want to drag your luggage around on the train? Have it shipped directly with Luggage Forward.

Things To Do in Paris

Is this your first trip to Paris? Then you will likely want to visit as many of her famous sights as you can in one weekend. Tour Eiffel, Champs-Élysées, a riverboat cruise on the Seine, Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre Museum.

However if you have been to Paris before it is time to explore the many hidden corners and secret surprises of this pretty city. Here are a few of my favorite spots and traveler tips!

If the weather is nice, there is nothing better than a boat ride on the Seine. You can opt for a regular sightseeing cruise or go at night when the Eiffel Tower is lit by sparkling lights. For the ultimate in Paris romance enjoy a luxurious champagne tasting while taking in the views from the river or check out these other terrific Paris river boat cruises.
The Louvre Museum is huge, and there is usually a long wait for tickets. Get yours in advance here.
Of course you can view the Arc de Triomphe from the street, but maybe you’d like to get up on the roof for amazing views? Get your tickets here!

Hidden Things To Do in Paris

In case you need a bit of inspiration to get started, here are some of my favorite activities in Paris, some are well known but others are a bit more hidden. Also check the blogs below for many more tips.

Take a bike ride along the Seine, on the weekends many of the roads are closed to cars.
Visit the Montmartre Museum and afterward wander the charming neighborhood on your own or with a walking tour
Check out the Louis Vuitton Foundation and then walk through the Bois de Boulogne park. You need tickets in advance for the LV Foundation. Get tickets here.
Take a Paris craft beer walking tour for something totally different than the usual wine and cheese.
Take a day trip to Versailles, rent bikes and have a picnic.
Walk through the pretty neighborhoods of Marais and Beaubourg.
A food tour is always a good idea. Join this walking food tour and taste artisan products in Paris’ best shops.
Love French food? Why not take a cooking class and learn to make your own croissants.
What’s more French than wine tasting? Do a wine tasting through the regions of France in Paris.
Visit the food markets of Paris like Marché Aligre, Marché Belleville and Marché des Enfants-Rouges. A great place to pick up a picnic for a bike ride, boat ride or the park!
Create your own custom perfume from more than 90 essences at Maison Mollinard. Or maybe visit the Perfume Museum!
Go to the famous St Ouen Flea Market and get the inside scoop on the best bargains from your guide.

Favorite Paris Blogs, Books, Websites and Guides

Paris has so many great guides, blogs and books written about it, which can make it overwhelming when beginning to research where to go and what to eat. Here are a few of my favorite resources.

Prêt à Voyager – Anne Ditmeyer is an American woman who has been living in Paris for more than 10 years. She has a fun blog and Instagram and also has lists of favorite Paris addresses organized by arrondissement and even a guide to frugal Paris. Anne also leads private tours, you can contact her for more information.
Messy Nessy Chic – one of my favorite websites of all time! Vanessa curates a quirky mix of the weird and wonderful. Her Paris guide has every strange secret you could possibly want to know. She just came out with a book as well called Don’t be a Tourist in Paris.
My Little Paris – an authority on shopping, fashion and dining in Paris, this website founded by two French sisters offers sweet tips for locals and visitors alike. I must admit my main attraction to the site is due to the illustrations by Kanako Kuno. They are just so charming!
How can you go wrong with a book like The Food Lovers Guide to Paris under your arm?
David Lebovitz – this American chef and food writer lives in Paris and keeps a terrific list of his favorite Paris restaurants that should get you drooling. He’s also got Paris travel tips and 10 delicious things you should eat in Paris.
Discover all of the flea markets and hidden street stalls with this guide to the Markets of Paris.
Pauline of Petit Passport has an eye for good design, and her travel tips are for the sleekest hotspots in town. Check out the Paris section of her site or purchase her Paris Guide.
Check out the excellent neighborhood guides of Secrets of Paris.
Get excited to explore with this book on the Curiosities of Paris.

Places to Stay in Paris

Where to stay in Paris? Many people love Montmartre (18th Arr) and the Marais (3rd & 4th Arr) for their romantic ambiance. For a quick weekend trip you might want to stay in a convenient location like the the 1st, 2nd or 9th arrondisments.

Booking.com

Getting Around in Paris

Paris is a large city but is well served by public transport which is quite easy to use.

The Paris Metro is color coded. Purchase your paper pass at the machines before entering the platform through the gates. The only negative about taking the underground around a city is that you miss the sights along the way. Some people prefer a hop-on-hop-off bus for a day or two for that reason. Another unique way to get around in Paris and see the sights is on a boat shuttle on the Seine.

I suggest walking as much as possible between sights as you never know what you might discover on a side street. Maybe you’ll find your favorite cafe or a cute bookshop. Some neighborhoods are a little more sketchy at night so do remain aware of your surroundings.

Taxis are also readily available as well as Uber.

Would you like to try cycling in Paris? You can rent bicycles or try the Velib city bikes.

Have fun on your weekend getaway to Paris from Amsterdam!

For more fun trips in Europe and abroad, check out The Weekend Guide! And check out our favorite day trips and getaways around Amsterdam!

These cool books will help you make the most of your trip to Paris: