The Open Road Travel

A road trip from London to Europe, or more specifically Amsterdam, takes you through 4 different countries.

A road trip from London to Amsterdam starts in the UK and goes through France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Along the way, you'll experience a range of the different landscapes, architecture, food, and languages Europe has to offer.

If you want to plan your own exciting road trip from London to Europe or London to Amsterdam, then I highly suggest reading on.

A road trip from London to Europe can mean many things as the United Kingdom is, of course, a part of Europe. To drive from London to mainland Europe, it can cover as little as 70 miles, depending on your starting location.

Begin by joining the M25 at the closest point and follow it to junction 3. You will then join the M20 where it begins and follow it to Junction 11A, where you will exit to Eurotunnel Le Shuttle.

The Eurotunnel undersea rail tunnel trains will then take you across the English Channel from Folkstone in England to Calais in France.

For those after a more complete European experience, will are now going to outline a road trip from London to Amsterdam as well. This will take you through 4 different European countries, giving you a taste of each of their cultures.

The best route for a road trip from London to Amsterdam will cover just over 330 miles and take around 6-7 hours to complete, depending on where in London you start from. The start of the route will also be identical to what we have outlined above.

Once you exit the Eurotunnel onto Avenue De France, you'll merge onto European Route E40, the longest highway in Europe. You will then follow this into Belgium, until you reach the outskirts of the city of Ghent.

Exit onto European Route E17 and head north until the road ends just outside Antwerp. You will the briefly head east on European Route E34, before switching to European Route E19 and going north.

Just after passing into the Netherlands, head east on A58 for a short way, then go north on A27. When you reach De Biezen, change onto the A2 and follow it north the rest of the way to Amsterdam.

The best time for a road trip from London to Europe depends on what you are going for.

While the summer months of July and August generally have the highest temperatures and are ideal for outdoor activities, this is a popular time for tourists and, as such, attractions will be busier and accommodation can be pricier.

Meanwhile, going later in the year, from late November to the end of December, means you will get to enjoy the magical Christmas events and markets that are popular throughout Europe.

At around 6-7 hours, a road trip from London to Amsterdam can be completed in a single day. However, you will more than likely want to make a few stops along the way, to break up the journey and give you plenty of time to enjoy the sights and attractions.

If you plan to make an overnight stop, the best place to stop on a road trip from London to Europe is Bruges. A historic city and charming destination, Bruges is a place you won't want to miss and one you may want to consider spending a night or two during your trip.

Known locally as Brugge, Bruges is famed for its iconic canals, picture-perfect cobbled streets, medieval buildings, and chocolate shops. Situated in north-western Belgium, in the province of West Flanders, Bruges is the capital and largest city of the region.

The main square in the heart of the old town is the most popular spot in the city and has been used as a marketplace since 958. Restaurants, cafes, and pretty stepped gable buildings circle the square, making it a romantic location to explore or relax in.

The main attraction of the square is the majestic belfry tower, which dates back to the 13th century. The medieval bell tower is one of the city’s most prominent features, and its steep, narrow staircase of 366 steps can be climbed to enjoy the views, if you feel brave enough.

The square even has horse drawn carriages if you fancy a tour of the beautiful city, while boat cruises along its many canals are ideal for those who want to explore Bruges by water.

Bruges can get busy during the summer months and at weekends so, if you want to avoid the crowds, try visiting midweek. During the Christmas period, there are also plenty of markets selling decorations, mulled wine, and other festive goods, dotted around the city.

Situated on a cobblestone street in the historic centre of Bruges, Hotel Aragon is a relaxed hotel with spacious, warmly decorated rooms and apartments.

All rooms offer modern furnishings with city views and a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, minibars, and coffee and tea facilities. Upgraded rooms also have seating areas and balconies, while suites offer a fully equipped kitchen and TVs in each bedroom.

Every morning, a breakfast buffet with a range of hot and cold dishes, fresh delicacies, and various baked goods is served in the breakfast room. There is no restaurant at the hotel but there are several restaurants and cafes in the main square, which is just a 5-minute walk.

There is a charming bar at Hotel Aragon where you can sit and enjoy a Belgian beer. Parking is also available on site, which, of course, you will need while on a road trip.

To make the most of your journey and to give yourself a bit of a rest, you may want to make a few stops at some of the top attractions on a road trip from London to Europe.

There are countless locations to choose from across the 4 countries you will be travelling in but I’m going to give you a few options to help you make the most of your road trip from London to Amsterdam.

Dunkirk is the northernmost town in France and third largest port in the country. It is perhaps best known for the legendary battle that occurred here during World War II.

In 1940, the evacuation of French and British soldiers from the beaches and harbour of Dunkirk was carried out, under heaving fire from the occupying Nazi forces.

Visit the Dunkirk War Museum to learn more about this historic event and discover a collection of weapons, uniforms, and more, all housed in Bastion 32, which was the headquarters for the French and Allied forces during the Battle of Dunkirk.

The town isn’t only for history enthusiasts though, as with its family friendly sandy beaches and stunning scenery along the coastline, Dunkirk can make a great destination to stop at during your trip.

If you visit from January to March, a colourful carnival takes place in the town. Thousands of revellers take to the streets of Dunkirk to march, dance, and sing in costume for what is described as France’s maddest carnival.

With marching bands playing loudly, traditional foods and drinks being served, and celebrators dressed in extravagant outfits, this is an event you won’t want to miss.

The Belgian city of Ghent is one of the country’s oldest cities. Unlike Bruges, Ghent is a lesser-known destination and as such, is not overrun with tourists.

However, this does not mean there aren’t many attractions for visitors to discover and Ghent too is full of medieval buildings and pretty canals. The city also boasts great places to eat, museums, a thriving nightlife, and more.

Meanwhile, there is the stunning, medieval Gravensteen Castle, which is definitely worth a visit if you decide to make a stop in Ghent. Dating from 1180, the castle housed several Counts of Flanders and is still known as the ‘Castle of the Counts’.

Today, the castle is a museum and a major landmark in the city. Tour the castle to learn about the gruesome goings-on that took place there over the years and view its unique collection of torture equipment.

Not only does Ghent have historic attractions to discover, but it is also a city of culture.

If you’re into street art, Ghent has plenty of that, especially in Werregarenstraatje in the centre of Ghent, which is a graffiti tolerance zone. You can even take a street art tour to get a look at some of the impressive art located all over the city.

Antwerp is a Belgian port city situated on the River Scheldt and is the second-largest metropolitan region in the country, after Brussels.

Antwerp is also known for its famed diamond industry and the city frequently attracts international traders seeking diamonds of the highest quality.

The city was at one time the most important trading and financial centre in Western Europe, due to its location on the river connecting to the North Sea.

Antwerp is a trendy city, a hotspot for hipsters, and has in recent years gained a reputation as a fashion and clubbing centre. It is full of chic bars and cafes, modern art exhibitions, and even festivals.

However, Antwerp does also have some cultural and historic attractions. For example, the house and studio of the legendary Baroque painter Sir Peter Paul Rubens is located in the city and has been turned into a museum.

You can admire his paintings all over town, but the museum, Rubenshuis, contains the most famous collection of works by Rubens and helps you get an insight into his life in Antwerp.

Another museum, Plantin-Moretus, has been given the UNESCO World Heritage status and here you will find the world’s oldest printing press, once used by 16th-century printers Christophe Plantin and his son, Jan Moretus.

Breda is a city in the Southern Netherlands, around 6 miles from the Belgian border. It has wonderful, historic buildings, cultural attractions, and many green, open spaces, which is great for when you feel like you need to stretch your legs after all the driving.

If a leisurely walk is what you’re after, Mastbos, located just a couple of miles to the south of Breda, is the perfect spot for you. This stunning, ancient woodland offers many trails for walkers and cyclists and is beautiful to visit at any time of the year.

One particular walking route will take you past the fifteenth-century Bouvigne Castle (Kasteel Bouvigne). Sitting on a man-made lake, this fairy tale castle has lovely gardens, which are open to the public, an orchard, and a collection of sculptures.

Breda, like most of the destinations we have already mentioned, is a great location for history enthusiasts. There are many museums to visit in the city, as well as historic monuments to gaze at.

The Grote Kerk (Church of Our Lady) is one of these impressive monuments and it is perhaps the most important structure and landmark of the city.

The church, built in Gothic style, has a rich history spanning more than 750 years and is worth a visit if you decide to stop in Breda.

Utrecht is situated in the centre of the Netherlands and is around 22 miles (35 kilometres) southeast of the capital, Amsterdam.

Utrecht is known for its historic city centre and beautiful tree-lined canals, and absolutely should be a stop on a road trip from London to Amsterdam. It is a peaceful city with a small-town atmosphere, and somewhere you will really get a feel of quintessential Dutch life.

One of the city's top attractions is the famed Dom Tower, which has sat in the historic centre for over six hundred years. At just over 112 metres high, it is the tallest church tower in the Netherlands. Visitors can walk up the tower’s 465 steps to enjoy an incredible view of the city.

For something fun and unique that will entertain those of all ages, look no further than Museum Speelklok. Situated in the heart of Utrecht, this exciting museum will take you into the world of self-playing musical instruments, music boxes, and clocks.

Moving figures and cheerful tunes play from the instruments that range from tiny music boxes to huge Dutch street organs.

And if you happen to be travelling with young children, just a two-minute walk away from Museum Speelklok is Nijntje Museum. Here, children can discover the fun world of Nijntje, the famous rabbit character who is known as 'Miffy' outside of the Netherlands.

Utrecht also has a castle. Although it's around a 20-minute drive from the city, this shouldn’t be a problem, as it is in the same direction you will be heading to your end destination Amsterdam, so you can visit it on your way out of town.

De Haar Castle is the biggest castle in The Netherlands and ranks among the top twenty most visited Dutch museums. With its towers, turrets, and moats, the castle is magical and the surrounding parks and gardens are just as beautiful.

That concludes our guide to planning the perfect road trip from London to Europe (Amsterdam). Hopefully, some of the places mentioned have piqued your interest and you now have some ideas of where you want to visit on the way.

That that you have planned the perfect route and travel itinerary to ensure every minute of your journey is filled with exciting things to see and do, all that's left is to start getting things booked. That way, you can look forward to experiencing it for yourself as soon as possible.