Train versus Car

My husband and 4 year old will be spending a week in Belgium and a week in the Netherlands and are trying to decide if we should do everything by train or try to rent a car. We would like to see the main cities in each country but in Belgium we want to see many of the abbey breweries throughout the country which may not be on the train route. Which would be better from a cost and convenience perspective? Thanks.

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With a 4-year old, 2 weeks%26#39; luggage and a desire to visit out-of-the way places I think you would be better off by car.

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Hello, definitely with a young child, but even together confirm the opinion of Gaminari.

You have the rail of course but some of the places as Abbeys are outside the towns and cities and reaching it by bus will take a lot of time and hazzle.

Note that the distances in Belgium are short and that the highway system is very good (avoid to enter by highway Brussels between 7 am and 9 am due to the traffic density)

The longest distance is Belgium is fm Oostend to Arlon approximately 308 km of wich 199 by highway (roughly 188 miles). Normally you will visit the country on shorter distances.

Have a look to the following site of viaMichelin which helps you to plan your journey. (link is to the english version)

viamichelin.co.uk/viamichelin/…

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Note it will be similar for the Netherlands. The highway system is also good, but sometimes more crowded in specific areas such as the Rotterdam - Amsterdam highways for exemple.

So would recommend to rent the car for the 2 weeks. Altough it should not be a problem within the European Community, specify it when booking the car.

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It certainly is not a problem to use a rent a car across the Benelux countries but it could be with the European Union%26#39;s recent new members and you would need to inform your rental agency.

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