Karen

Just want to maximize every ounce of my European vacation....thanks! <BR>

xxx

In answer to the question posed in your subject header: the back of a Dutch guy's head. <BR> <BR>But in light of your added comments about maximizing every ounce, have the Dutch guy turn off the motor and get in the back seat with you!

francesca

I'd leave 30 minutes for my next flight (make sure your seat is reserved) take train into town (30 mins) and spend about 45 minutes walking along one or several of the big canals: Herrengracht, Priesengracht (sp?) or Kaisersgracht. Study a map to know where you are going as soon as you come out of the train station, and figure out which train you need to take back, buy your ticket in advance, too! Good luck.

Jim

Had to pick myself up from laughing and falling on the floor. But, I take it that you are serious. Save your cab fare and put its towards a trip to Amsterdam when you have time to stay 3 or 4 days. Then you can see the Rembrandts, the Van Goghs, hear the Royal Concertgebouw, take a boat ride down the canals, etc.

Ben Haines

Fodors <BR> <BR>It's a perfectly good dea. At the airport find the railway desks and book a return to Amsterdam Central. Ask them where in Amsterdam central you buy tour tram ticket: I think not on the tram. Trains are each 15 minutes, and take 15 minutes to the centre. Walk out of the station, take tram number 1 or 2, and go for a ride. I think the ticket lasts two hours, so you can hop on and off at will. Bsack to the station and to the airport. <BR> <BR>This is a better idea than a taxi, which is expensive, crawls in towards the city centre, and is not allowed in the centremost streets, which are for bikes, trams and pedestrians. <BR> <BR>Please write if I can help further. Welcome to Europe. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines <BR> <BR>

Tom

Karen, I have had thought like yours whenever I fly, but for one reason or another, connection time (wait time) shrinks by late arrival, long immigrations line, finding right train to catch, etc. I am assuming there is no luggage to claim and re-check. Even so, squeezing 45 minutes out of 3 hour international connection is something I would not do. Your blood pressure will go up if your taxi/train is slower than expected. Just think about the consequences even if you have full fare tickets. If you miss your flight, typically wait is 24 hours and sometimes flights operate 2 to 3 times a week. Very tempting especially if you have never been to the city, but 3 hours is not enough.

julius

To XXX: You have a rare sense of humor!!!

maggi

It's just the kind of thing I would do too, Karen. You would see lots of pedestrians, corners with 100's of bikes parked, canals everywhere, a very vibrant, alive city. There is always the possibility, of course, that you would get stuck in a traffic jam. If I were doing it, I too would take a cab no matter what the cost, because there isn't time to orient yourself to trams, trains, etc. I found it was a very difficult city to navigate in the short three days we were there, because the names of the streets are so many letters long. Have a great Europe trip and feel free to e-mail if you have any questions about Europe I can help with.

Sjoerd

It can be done. Bring Dutch guilders, get out of the plane as quickly as possible, rush to immigration, (almost never more than 5 minutes), and you could be at the train station 15 minutes after landing. Max wait is 15 minutes, train to Central Station takes 20 minutes, so you will be in Amsterdam Centraal Station 50 minutes max. after landing. Ask the train conductor about times for the return trip to Schiphol. You will have an hour more or less to walk around in Amsterdam. <BR>

Sjoerd

Don't even think about taking a cab on weekdays between 7 AM and 10 AM or between 4 PM and 7 PM. You will spend three hours in a traffic jam. Train is a much better option. <BR>to Francesca: It is Herengracht, Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht. <BR>

Karen

I have never had such a varied response to one question! I wish to thank all who replied...except for a few that I think I feel violated from reading. <BR> <BR>I think I will play it by ear...hopefully my connecting flight to Greece will be delayed (but only by 1-2hours not 24 hours!). <BR> <BR>

Ryan

I to am stopping over for a couple of hour's in amsterdam, before going to ireland, was curious if there are any smoke shops is the airport, or if I would have time to go to one before catching my next plane, it would be a good way of passing the time on the flight! Any suggestions? <BR> <BR>Thanks

April

Karen: <BR>You'd see the wonderful canals and bridges, and maybe best of all those amazingly crooked buildings, gables and "white icing" decorations.

Janet

I too would want to do what you want to but am generally afraid of the short timeframe. We were there in July for a overnight stay and found even that too short. <BR> <BR>What would I want to see in 45 minutes. Get guilders before you go ($20), get a map of the airport and find the train station,get a seat as close to the front of the plane as possible, run to the customs counter. Take the train from the airport and you will get off the train in the heart of the city. You can just wander the streets close to the station of hop a tram but it is fun to walk the canal streets trying to keep out of the way of the bicyclists. If you need to eat stop at a stall and have french fries with mayo. <BR> <BR>Enjoy.

lola

I did just that in late April--hired a cab for about $100 to drive us around the tulip fields and Haarlem. Just for the color, and it was worth it. Never bothered with the traffic of A'dam, but that's because I have been there many times. The key is not to get near traffic, which can really make things hairy when you have little time.

Bella

<BR>Don't miss this chance!!! I did it 5 years ago and you can too!!!!!!! Take the train like everyone says to town 20 min. and go to the grasshopper to be reivied with espresso or hash or pot your choice. walk alittle threw red light and then back tothe train. You willlove yourself!!! Be sure to arrive at airport half hour before flight. Shippole is a great airport.