George

I have a 3 and a half hour layover in the Amsterdam airport. Do I have time to do anything in the city? How long would it take to get to the city? What do you recommend? <BR>Thanks, <BR>George

Sjoerd

You can go for a (quick) stroll in the city. <BR>Assuming your plane arrives on time, rush to immigration/customs (have your big bags through-checked to your final destination), which should not take more than 15 minutes. (time needed to walk to the arrival hall + formalities) <BR>Then proceed to the train station and buy a return ticket to Amsterdam Centraal Station(10 minutes, make sure you already have some Dutch money, the return ticket costs about 12 guilders (US$ 5.20)) <BR>Max. wait for a train is 15 minutes, the ride takes 20 minutes. So, max. 60 minutes after arrival you can be at Amsterdam Centraal Station, which is right in the heart of the city. <BR>You want to be back at the airport 30 minutes before scheduled departure time for your next flight, + perhaps 15 minutes to be on the safe side. Train trip back to Schiphol takes 20 minutes again. Ask the conductor on the train to Amsterdam CS about the departure times back to the airport. So you need to depart from CS 65 minutes before departure of your next flight. <BR>So: that's 2 hours 5 minutes total travelling time, which gives you 1 hour 25 minutes in downtown Amsterdam. <BR>You could take a canal boat trip from opposite CS (right hand side when you leave the station), which normally takes an hour or so. Or just wander around in the canal zone. Best is to turn right after leaving CS, then left again after 200 meters. <BR>Have a nice couple of hours! <BR>Amsterdam is a safe city, but there are pickpockets around, so store valuables in a safe place. (for instance: inside pocket of your jacket) <BR> <BR>Sjoerd <BR>