How to get from Schiphol to Amsterdam train station and then to apartment
Dec 26th, 2015, 04:17 PM
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How to get from Schiphol to Amsterdam train station and then to apartment
In May we'll be arriving at Schiphol at 8am and then heading into Amsterdam to get to our apartment that's near the Bloemenmarkt, in the middle of the canal area. The apartment is about 1 mile from the train station (a bit too far to walk with all our luggage, and tired). Our group will consist of 2 families with 4 adults and 4 children ranging in age from 14 to 18.
We're a fairly spry group and fairly well traveled so I don't see a problem with taking the train from Schiphol and then taking a bus or local tram to our apartment. But the question I have is if it's unusual for a large group with multiple suitcases to try and cram on a public transportation bus or tram. I would think this is fairly common, but I do recall some frowns in the past as our luggage clogged up the center aisle. The other option is to get a private van. I'm thinking that by the time you add up the cost of 8 people for trains, trams and buses...that the cost may not be all that much more for the private van.
If a van is the best option...any advice on a company?
As I type this out I'm realizing one thing I haven't taken into account is where we'd store our luggage if we can't get into the apartment (probably fairly likely mid morning). If that does become a problem then we'd probably skip the van, take the train to the train station and then put the luggage into lockers until we can check in. That would then once again have us lugging our suitcases onto a tram or bus.
We're a fairly spry group and fairly well traveled so I don't see a problem with taking the train from Schiphol and then taking a bus or local tram to our apartment. But the question I have is if it's unusual for a large group with multiple suitcases to try and cram on a public transportation bus or tram. I would think this is fairly common, but I do recall some frowns in the past as our luggage clogged up the center aisle. The other option is to get a private van. I'm thinking that by the time you add up the cost of 8 people for trains, trams and buses...that the cost may not be all that much more for the private van.
If a van is the best option...any advice on a company?
As I type this out I'm realizing one thing I haven't taken into account is where we'd store our luggage if we can't get into the apartment (probably fairly likely mid morning). If that does become a problem then we'd probably skip the van, take the train to the train station and then put the luggage into lockers until we can check in. That would then once again have us lugging our suitcases onto a tram or bus.
Dec 26th, 2015, 04:31 PM
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Um, if you take your luggage onto local transit you are NOT supposed to clog the central aisle. You either find a place in a corner to store it or hold it on your lap (if you get a seat). Or wait for a tram or whatever with more room.
If the tram - or train (but I doubt it) will be too crowded for that then you take a van.
But first you need to determine when you can get your luggage into the apartment.
If the tram - or train (but I doubt it) will be too crowded for that then you take a van.
But first you need to determine when you can get your luggage into the apartment.
Dec 26th, 2015, 05:11 PM
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Because your arrival time sounds somewhat predictable, check in with the apartment owner ahead of time and make sure you would be able to check in early; if you can't, then plan on that ahead of time. The van would surely be easier for eight people.
If you take trains/trams: There's nothing that says you all have to stay together on a tram - can't the families split up so as not to have all of your luggage together? Maybe one family sits at one end of the tram and one family sits at the other end. (Amsterdam is used to tourists.)
Having a mobile phone with you that will work in Europe - at least over WiFi in a pinch to make a quick call with Skype or Google Hangouts - to call the landlord would be extremely helpful too, of course.
If you take trains/trams: There's nothing that says you all have to stay together on a tram - can't the families split up so as not to have all of your luggage together? Maybe one family sits at one end of the tram and one family sits at the other end. (Amsterdam is used to tourists.)
Having a mobile phone with you that will work in Europe - at least over WiFi in a pinch to make a quick call with Skype or Google Hangouts - to call the landlord would be extremely helpful too, of course.
Dec 26th, 2015, 08:06 PM
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How much luggage are you talking about? There are two locker sizes at Amsterdam Centraal: large and small. The interior dimensions are shown in the photo at http://www.simplyamsterdam.nl/Locker...al_Station.htm. They both have the same depth (about 35") and width (about 15"), but the height can be a killer (18" for small and 23" for large.) A 26" would fit in a small locker while 30" and larger requires a larger locker. Larger lockers tend to get used up first and in shorter supply as the day goes on. It helps that you are arriving in the morning.
I think these lockers only take credit cards. I don't know the current situation about the type of cards they take. If they require a CHIP and PIN card, most US cards don't work. Even if a US card has a chip and they might have a pin, most of them are not the kind usable at automated machines in Netherlands in spite of what your bank in the US tells you.
There is a poster from Amsterdam, hetismij, who can probably clarify the current situation about the type of payments acceptable at locker machines at Amsterdam Centraal.
I think these lockers only take credit cards. I don't know the current situation about the type of cards they take. If they require a CHIP and PIN card, most US cards don't work. Even if a US card has a chip and they might have a pin, most of them are not the kind usable at automated machines in Netherlands in spite of what your bank in the US tells you.
There is a poster from Amsterdam, hetismij, who can probably clarify the current situation about the type of payments acceptable at locker machines at Amsterdam Centraal.
Dec 26th, 2015, 08:57 PM
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NY...you're correct. We would certainly try and keep the aisle clear. I can't promise something won't protrude out a bit here and there tho. But we have learned from past experiences to try and be careful about that. And we're certainly OK to split up if needed.
As far as amount of luggage? Between the two families we'd probably have 4 large carry ons, 2 smaller ones and a few back-packs. I'll look into the lockers Greg mentioned. Credit card could be a problem. Mine has a chip and pin...but I'd agree it may still not work.
Once we're closer I can discuss further with the renter about getting in early or at least storing luggage.
Thanks for the tips. All our other apartment changes will go more smoothly. It's just this first one that will require a bit more thought.
As far as amount of luggage? Between the two families we'd probably have 4 large carry ons, 2 smaller ones and a few back-packs. I'll look into the lockers Greg mentioned. Credit card could be a problem. Mine has a chip and pin...but I'd agree it may still not work.
Once we're closer I can discuss further with the renter about getting in early or at least storing luggage.
Thanks for the tips. All our other apartment changes will go more smoothly. It's just this first one that will require a bit more thought.
Dec 26th, 2015, 10:35 PM
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How to get from Schiphol to Amsterdam train station and then to apartment
Posted by: Wekiva on Dec 26, 15 at 8:17pm
Trains run from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal frequently. After that you catch a tram in front of the station. Both trains and trams are normally full at your arrival time. It will be a bit of chaos. There is no courtesy. It is scramble on board and push for a place. Good luck with all that luggage. The final few blocks will be a walk. Those canal side sidewalks are rough and narrow, and inches from speeding cars. Does your apartment have an elevator? Dutch stairs are just short of ladders. All the way you must be alert to pickpockets, especially in the stations. Pickpocketing is a skilled profession in Amsterdam.
With your delegation I strongly suggest a taxi. I can't give you a recommendation for Amsterdam. I stay in Haarlem and use http://www.dehaarlemseairportservice.nl/en/. Call them and ask if they have an associated company serving Amsterdam.
My USA chip and pin worked in about half of the stores I shopped in this summer. It did not work for train tickets or storage lockers. The Amsterdam lockers seem to be permanently fully booked. There is security at the entrance.
Posted by: Wekiva on Dec 26, 15 at 8:17pm
Trains run from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal frequently. After that you catch a tram in front of the station. Both trains and trams are normally full at your arrival time. It will be a bit of chaos. There is no courtesy. It is scramble on board and push for a place. Good luck with all that luggage. The final few blocks will be a walk. Those canal side sidewalks are rough and narrow, and inches from speeding cars. Does your apartment have an elevator? Dutch stairs are just short of ladders. All the way you must be alert to pickpockets, especially in the stations. Pickpocketing is a skilled profession in Amsterdam.
With your delegation I strongly suggest a taxi. I can't give you a recommendation for Amsterdam. I stay in Haarlem and use http://www.dehaarlemseairportservice.nl/en/. Call them and ask if they have an associated company serving Amsterdam.
My USA chip and pin worked in about half of the stores I shopped in this summer. It did not work for train tickets or storage lockers. The Amsterdam lockers seem to be permanently fully booked. There is security at the entrance.
Dec 26th, 2015, 11:55 PM
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If you look at the Schiphol website you will find approved car services listed. You can get a quote from them easily enough. http://www.schiphol.nl/Travellers/To...TravelTaxi.htm
Or just do a search on Schiphol car services. They will all have a minibus, or offer two vehicles.
8-9 am is still rush hour so it will be busy on all public transport at that time, especially with kids getting to school.
If you want to take public transport then get the train to Lelylaan station, and then the tram 1 towards the Koningsplein, or the train to Station Zuid, and the 5 tram to Koningsplein.
If you have your address you can put it into http://9292.nl/en# for more details of public transport options.
Bear in mind landing at 8 am doesn't mean on the station soon after, especially if you land on the Polderbaan, from where it takes about 20 minutes to taxi to the terminal.
Or just do a search on Schiphol car services. They will all have a minibus, or offer two vehicles.
8-9 am is still rush hour so it will be busy on all public transport at that time, especially with kids getting to school.
If you want to take public transport then get the train to Lelylaan station, and then the tram 1 towards the Koningsplein, or the train to Station Zuid, and the 5 tram to Koningsplein.
If you have your address you can put it into http://9292.nl/en# for more details of public transport options.
Bear in mind landing at 8 am doesn't mean on the station soon after, especially if you land on the Polderbaan, from where it takes about 20 minutes to taxi to the terminal.
Dec 27th, 2015, 01:55 AM
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If you add up the cost (AND convenience) of 8 (jetlagged) people... Take a taxi! Even two taxis. You are spending a lot of money on this trip! Why nickle and dime on this. If you want the public transit experience, there will be plenty of time for that when you get settled.
Dec 27th, 2015, 02:17 AM
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If that [luggage storage] does become a problem then we'd probably skip the van
Suggestion: I found this website for luggage storage while in Amsterdam.
http://dropandgo.nl/
Suggestion: I found this website for luggage storage while in Amsterdam.
http://dropandgo.nl/
Dec 27th, 2015, 08:38 PM
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I haven't got an opinion about what Wekiva should do but I am curious if anyone knows the answer to this question:
Aren't there airport shuttles that stop at all the major central hotels that anyone can use if they buy a ticket? For 8 tickets (some of them children), would it end up more expensive than a private van?
I am thinking that if Wekiva knew the nearest hotel to the apartment, the group could use the shuttles without any issues about luggage.
The usual problem with such shuttles is that if you are the last stop, they can take a long time dropping off everyone else. But with a party of 8, there are not likely to be many other passengers.
Aren't there airport shuttles that stop at all the major central hotels that anyone can use if they buy a ticket? For 8 tickets (some of them children), would it end up more expensive than a private van?
I am thinking that if Wekiva knew the nearest hotel to the apartment, the group could use the shuttles without any issues about luggage.
The usual problem with such shuttles is that if you are the last stop, they can take a long time dropping off everyone else. But with a party of 8, there are not likely to be many other passengers.
Dec 28th, 2015, 05:42 PM
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The NH Carlton is around the corner from the Bloemenmarkt.
http://www.schipholhotelshuttle.nl/Rates
very reasonable: you can have a van for a group of 8, maximum, so that would fit. A return is 118 euros and you can book online.
As hetismij wrote: 8 am is rush hour, and NS is dealing with a shortage of rolling stock, so thinks will be cramped, and trams will be pretty full.
http://www.schipholhotelshuttle.nl/Rates
very reasonable: you can have a van for a group of 8, maximum, so that would fit. A return is 118 euros and you can book online.
As hetismij wrote: 8 am is rush hour, and NS is dealing with a shortage of rolling stock, so thinks will be cramped, and trams will be pretty full.
Dec 28th, 2015, 07:44 PM
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Thanks. It is not clear to me whether Wekiva's party is going back to the airport (they might be traveling elsewhere in Europe by train), so one-way tickets for adults and children might be a different total.
Dec 29th, 2015, 12:42 AM
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Thanks again. Maybe Wekiva will return and tell us what he learned about the cost of a private van and how it compares. Advantage of a private van might be not just the drop-off right at the apartment door, but I'm unclear what happens if you book the shuttle and your flight is much delayed (I assume with the private van it's not an issue).
Dec 29th, 2015, 08:08 AM
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I haven't had an opportunity to research many costs yet, but I did find one in the 70 Euro range. I am leaning towards using the van.
We are only taking the van one way since we'll be leaving Amsterdam by train. We leave in the middle of the day and will probably take a tram to the station.
One thing to note is that our flight arrives at 7:30 but I'm assuming it will take enough time to get through customs, get luggage and get to train, that if we did go that route we'd be a bit past rush hour.
I'll report in the future to give final van costs.
We are only taking the van one way since we'll be leaving Amsterdam by train. We leave in the middle of the day and will probably take a tram to the station.
One thing to note is that our flight arrives at 7:30 but I'm assuming it will take enough time to get through customs, get luggage and get to train, that if we did go that route we'd be a bit past rush hour.
I'll report in the future to give final van costs.
Dec 29th, 2015, 10:38 AM
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Many people have flexible start times, and can start work anytime between 8 am and 10 am. Typically though, people try to be at their office at around 9 am, which puts 8 am, at Schiphol, exactly in the middle of the morning rush. To be safe, you'd have to travel well after 9 am. So maybe first a coffee at Schiphol Plaza and then a train 9.30 - ish.
