coachdj5

We have a 7 hour layover in Amsterdam. We arrive at 10:55 a.m. and depart at 6pm. I would like to take my daughter to the Anne Frank house, it is the reason I chose such a long layover. She has always been interested and has done some school papers on her. My question is, what is the earliest time I should purchase my ticket into the Anne Frank house? (How long will it take after arriving to get out of that particular airport and get to the location?). Also, what time will I need to leave to get back to the airport 2 hours before my flight?

fmpden

Depending on where you care coming from you may need to go through immigrations. But an hour would probably cover it. Public transportation is very good from the airport. And again it is about 30 minutes back to the airport and another 30 for security. Obviously you do not need to check in since you are booked through.

Cathinjoetown

If you depart at 6:00 pm, I think you should be back at the airport by 4:00-4:30, but check with the airline. I am also assuming your bags are checked through and you will have boarding passes for the 2nd flight.

I'd book tickets for 12:30. Some timed tickets give you a half hour leeway. Having been there last year, I think they would be very forgiving if you were a bit late. Take the train into the station then grab a taxi or the tram, can't remember which line.

It's a very moving experience which takes maybe 90 minutes. There is also a small café which you can access as the tour ends. If you feel more comfortable getting back to the airport, Schipol has a really good range of shops and restaurants.

So worth doing this with your daughter.

Dukey1

The rail trip from the airport to the Centraal Station will take you a minimum of FIFTEEN MINUTES. Then you have to get from there to the Frank House.

Tram lines 13 and 17 (perhaps even 14) but I agree..take a TAXI from the station..simpler. If you have lots of time on the return take the tram back to the station and a train back to the airport.

hetismij2

Depending on the runway you land on it can take up to 30 minutes just to reach the terminal. I assume you are arriving from the US in which case you will go through passport control. I assume your bags are checked through.
You will need to buy train tickets - either at the window or at a machine, though I'm not sure if they accept non chip and pin credit cards - no doubt someone else can tell you that.
Trains leave every 10 minutes or so and take 20 minutes to Centraal. From there it will take you 10 minutes to walk to the Anne Frankhuis. Better make that 15 to be sure. so that means a 1pm ticket. Make that 1.15 or even 1.30 to be on the safe side.
Then of you are flying on within Europe you need to be back at the airport to go through passport control (for non Schengen flights) and security again no later than 60 minutes before your flight (again assuming you are checked through). If you are flying back to the US you need to be there three hours before - the gate closes early as security is done at the gate.
So the latest you can leave Amsterdam is around 4pm. Personally I wouldn't leave it any later than that - my nerves wouldn't take it, and trains do run late/ not at all for various reasons.

You won't have long in the house and probably not have chance to see much else, but it is possible.
Alternatively look at some of the companies that offer such excursions from Schiphol. It will cost you more but will get you back in time.

With luck you will be through and in teh city centre in no time and have a chance to see a bit more before your Anne Frankhuis visit.

coachdj5

Thank you for the replies. We will actually be coming from paris and heading to Germany as part of our 3 week trip from the US.

spaarne

<i>Amsterdam layover
Posted by: coachdj5 on Apr 22, 13 at 4:00pm
We have a 7 hour layover in Amsterdam. We arrive at 10:55 a.m. and depart at 6pm. I would like to take my daughter to the Anne Frank house, it is the reason I chose such a long layover. </i>

I wouldn't call that a long layover for Amsterdam. With three weeks in Europe you are planning only seven hours in Amsterdam, AMS arrival to departure. Mon Dieu! I read your other posts. You are a driven woman. I suggest that you grab a taxi at Schiphol Plaza and get to the AFH right now. Tell the driver you are in a hurry. The taxi ride will be one of the highlights of your European trip.

coachdj5

spaarne, I am not sure why you felt the need to post, you provided no useful information other than to be rude. I am sure you think you are amusing, but rest assured, you are not. And yes, Amsterdam is not the focus of any of our 3 weeks in Europe. We had to have a layover of anywhere from 3 to 7 hours so I chose the 7 so that we could stop at the Anne Frank house. It is THE ONLY reason I chose the 7 hour layover. This question was a logistical one, I was not requesting your stamp of approval on all my travel plans. Driven woman, yes, but that is MY CHOICE of travel. I have traveled a lot and this is how I PREFER to travel. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE ELSE WHO PROVIDED THOUGHTFUL USEFUL INFORMATION, I appreciate it.

Dukey1

It used to be that if you had at least a FOUR hour layover you were told you could leave the airport and take a quick tour of the city and I did that years ago.

With increased security it is somewhat harder.

I think you are going to enjoy your trip into the city and the Frank House..they've re-done it (from when I first visited years ago) and it has improved.

sharona

Your American credit card will NOT work for the train ticket from Schiphol to Centraal Station unless it is a chip and PIN (not chip and signature). We were there last year and there were signs everywhere warning you they will not work. You'll undoubtedly already have Euro from your trip to Paris and there are ATMs in the airport of course. I think it was about a 20 minute train ride from the airport to Centraal and the round trip ticket isn't very expensive if I remember right (less than 20 Euro?).

I think 7 hours is enough time as you won't have to go through passport control. But I would take a taxi to the Anne Frank House and not worry about trying to figure out the tram.

Enjoy. The Anne Frank House is definitely a moving experience.

spaarne

<i>
coachdj5 on Apr 23, 13 at 9:48am
spaarne, I am not sure why you felt the need to post, you provided no useful information other than to be rude.</i>

Whew! Just trying to be helpful, not rude or amusing. I suggested a taxi. Others have mentioned a taxi, also. You have a time crunch. Go sweat it out on the public transport if that is your wish.

menachem

Even if you have euros on you at Schiphol, you'll need coins for the ticket machines, they accept no bills.

Tulips

If you have boarding passes and your luggage is checked through, you don't need to be at Schiphol 2 hours in advance; 1 hour is fine, if you are flying to Germany.

Have a pancake at the Pancake Bakery on Prinsengracht, after your visit.

As you are not arriving during rush hour, take a taxi. If you have enough time after your visit, you could walk to the station, and take a train back to Schiphol.

Tulips

And walk through the nearby '9 streets', your daughter will like the shops. And I'm sure you will regret not having more time for Amsterdam, when you're there.