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Train from Schipol Airport to Central Station

Train from Schipol Airport to Central Station

Old Dec 2nd, 2008, 12:27 PM
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Train from Schipol Airport to Central Station

I have a flight arrival of 00:15 at Schipol and am planning to take the train to Central station in Amsterdam. We are staying at the Renaissance Hotel which is very close to Central Station. The schedule for the trains shows several departures after midnight. Has anyone ever actually taken a late night train? Also is a walk from the station to the Renaissance Hotel at 1:30AM safe?
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Old Dec 2nd, 2008, 12:34 PM
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The trains run at least hourly all night long i believe - after visiting Amsterdam annually for near 40 years i've never felt unsafe in that area and at 1:30am i think would be thieves are not around either. Personally i would do it without after thought but would also be vigilant as always.
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Old Dec 2nd, 2008, 12:49 PM
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Not about the trains - just wanted to tell you we stayed at that Renaissance a few years ago. It's a typical American-style hotel, but very nice, and very comfortable. The room is larger than typical European hotel rooms and the bed (as in all Marriotts) is great. The neighborhood is very convenient and lovely once you get off the main street.
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Old Dec 2nd, 2008, 01:31 PM
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I think that if you avoid pickpockets on the train and in the station you are safe after that.

After 00:26 trains run from Schiphol to Centraal every hour on the hour. Journey is 15 minutes.

I suggest a taxi from Schiphol if this is your first time in Amsterdam.
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Old Dec 2nd, 2008, 02:38 PM
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Thanks to all of you who have replied so promptly. The information is appreciated and will be put to good use. We have been to Europe several times and travel frequently. We have been through Amsterdam several times but just passing through the airport. We met fellow travellers from Amsterdam a few trips ago and they told us that it is a beautiful and exciting city. We will be finishing a month long trip with four days there. Again Thank You
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Old Dec 2nd, 2008, 02:52 PM
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We stayed at the Renaissance some years ago. We took a late night train as well. You might bump into a pan-handler or some creeps around the station, but I would have no worries about safety walking to the hotel.
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Old Dec 3rd, 2008, 06:39 AM
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Amsterdam Centraal's unsavory history of being a den of pickpockets is i believe a dated thing

In the past few years i have noticed, in many trips thru the station, a huge police presence and none of suspect types that used to come up to you for no good reason.

I have noticed this throughout central Amsterdam in fact.

The only problem you may have is that the station is undergoing a thorough renovation and, at least last spring was rather chaotic.
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Old Dec 3rd, 2008, 07:30 AM
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I do wonder if the ticket window at Schiphol will be open for tickets

because i believe the automatic ticketing machines that any Dutch would use apparently do nost American credit cards (not sure if they take bills or coins)

can't see the ticket window being open at that hour
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Old Dec 3rd, 2008, 03:25 PM
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PalenQ is correct. I was in the Amsterdam station in early October. There was a platoon of cops forming a virtual barrier to the tunnel leading to the platforms. I had never seen this before and I have been in that station hundreds of times. I asked one of the officers if this is normal. He said yes. I guess they are finally getting serious about security in Amsterdam. But, be careful anyway. The scruf will try anything.
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Old Dec 3rd, 2008, 09:23 PM
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Yes, you do need a chip card to use the ticket machines. I think some machines accept euro cash. If not, and the ticket windows are closed, just get on a train. It is unlikely that a conductor will come around in 15 minutes. If one does, tell him you couldn't buy a ticket at Schiphol. The fine is €35 for traveling without a ticket but he'll probably wave you on. Be respectful. He is the law on board.

As in my previous post, I recommend a taxi at that hour.
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Old Dec 3rd, 2008, 11:56 PM
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No you don't need a chip card to use the machines. They do not accept ANY credit cards, even Dutch ones. They do accept debit cards with a 4 figure PIN and a Maestro logo, or the Dutch "Chipknip" which is an electronic purse. Otherwise it is coins only I'm afraid.
There is a demo of how to you the machines on the NS website.
Do not try travelling without a ticket - the fine is not worth it, and it makes a lousy start to a holiday. They do spot checks on tickets at stations too.
There is a good chance that the kiosk will still be open at that time at Schiphol anyway, just because foreigners need to get trains.
From the middle of next year the OV chipcard (like the Oyster card in London, but for all public transport) will be introduced nationwide.
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Old Dec 4th, 2008, 12:59 AM
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hetismij,

A chip card is not a credit card. My ABN bank chip card and PIN work in ticket machines. American credit cards do not.

I've been on the Amsterdam - Schiphol - Haarlem trains many times. I doubt that any conductor will come around to check tickets for that short ride at that hour. It's about 50% to 70% during daylight. But if the ticket office is not open then you have a good excuse for not having a ticket if you can convince the conductor that you don't know how to use the machines. That is plausible because the instructions are in Dutch. Sprecht U Nederlands? Nee.

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Old Dec 4th, 2008, 02:14 AM
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I've been able to use my American bankcard (VISA logo, but you do have to put in the PIN code) at the self-service ticket kiosks at Schiphol, Centraal, and all the metro stops too (Waterlooplein, Wibaustraat, etc). You can change the language to English (or French or German) by pressing the flags at the bottom. The only thing I found difficult or confusing using them was that some of the machines seem designed to give you an "easy ticket" into Amsterdam which results in being a first class ticket to Centraal for a higher price.
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Old Dec 4th, 2008, 03:14 AM
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Spaarne I am well aware that a chip card is not a credit card. I use one daily. BUT others could assume you mean a credit card with a chip on it as is now normal in Europe. I was making it clear that a credit card cannot be used. Only Dutch issued Chip cards - chipknips can be used, or a debit card with a Maestro logo on it.

Clearly you spreek geen Nederlands since you are mixing it with German. Which is shocking for someone who has lived in the Netherlands as you have.

The instructions on the ticket machines are also in English German and French.
To encourage someone to break the law in the way you are is immoral.
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Old Dec 4th, 2008, 07:04 AM
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I do not think Spaarne wants anyone to break any law

but if stuck at Schiphol and no way to buy ticket then i would also suggest just boarding the train and if there is a conductor find him as soon as possible and explain your case.

But since Hetismij indicates the machines use change have some euro coins around (though coins may be hard to obtain as perhaps only the ATMS will be open?)
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Old Dec 4th, 2008, 07:30 AM
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If you have an ATM card it will almost certainly work in the ticket machines. In order to work at ATMs in the Netherlands they have to be part of the Maestro network anyway.

Should you decide to get a taxi make sure you get one from the rank, and check it has a blue number plate - this means it is a legal taxi and the driver is certified as a taxi driver. There are always illegal taxis around, even though everything is done to get rid of them. Don't accept the offer of a taxi within the terminal, but follow the signs to the taxi rank.
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Old Dec 5th, 2008, 12:14 PM
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Ouch. I guess that I have been properly admonished by hetismij.

German or Dutch. I've lived in both countries and easily mix up the lingos now and then. They sound the same, more or less, but are spelled differently. My Dutch friends would get pretty upset when I mixed up simple words like twee and zwei. Sorry, I only have one brain.

Let's be pragmatic. You know there won't be any conductors on a post midnight train. A foreigner, especially an American, could BS their way through this with a little bit of courtesy if they did get nabbed.

I know what I am doing with my ABN chip and PIN card. Your explanations are somewhat confusing.

BTW, some taxis accept credit cards and some do not. On my last escape from Amsterdam two months ago I took a taxi from Haarlem to Schiphol. On arrival I discovered this new fact of travel. I had to run into Schiphol, find a cash machine downstairs, get some euros, and then run back outside to pay the guy. He wouldn't even accept the chip and PIN card. He had a blue plate.

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Old Dec 5th, 2008, 01:07 PM
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Here is THE ONE THING you do NOT want to do on the train in from the airport:

Usually there is an intermediate stop at Sloterdijk station.

In the past, but probably not late at night, thieves would station themselves on the platform and wait for those doors to open.

If anyone had sat their luggage near the doors the thieves would quickly reach in, grab a bag, and run off with it.

Now, as I said above, late at night probably not an issue but it can be if you do this trip in reverse, etc., so please be careful.

When you arrive at Centraal Station walk out the front doors..look across the street and you'll see the Victoria Hotel at the corner..curve around to your RIGHT from there, pass by the Crowne Plaza ()or is it a Holiday Inn..cannot remember) on your left and just beyond that on your right is the Renaissance.
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Old Dec 6th, 2008, 06:47 AM
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We are flying in to Schipol to take a Viking River Cruise. We are considering the train to Central Station, but with the construction, will we be able to negotiate the area to the dock with our luggage? Or should we take a cab? Does anyone know the approximate cost of a cab from the airport to the river boat dock? Thanks in advance.
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Old Dec 6th, 2008, 02:33 PM
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Mimi,

According to the Viking River Cruise website:
Day 1 Amsterdam
Welcome to Amsterdam. We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your ship.* After boarding, enjoy free time and get acquainted with the city. Remain docked overnight.
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