meamop

I am American and traveling from Bangkok to Barcelona, with an 8-hour layover in Amsterdam. Do I need a visa to leave the airport and explore the city? Thanks!

joannyc

No, you do not. Americans do not need vsas for less than a 90 day stay in Amsterdam.

greg

You can quickly found out this type of info on your own.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p...y_requirements

november_moon

The Netherlands and Spain are both part of the Schengen Zone, so for all intents and purposes, they are the same country when it comes to immigration. You will process through immigration into the Schengen zone in Amsterdam as that is your first point of entry. After that, you won't go through any immigration or emigration controls until you leave the Schengen zone. Internal flights, trains, etc. will be just like travelling domestically in the US.

michelhuebeli

Never mind Barcelona - in Amsterdam you enter the Europe as defined by the Schengen agreement, no visa needed for a US passport holder (just as there would be no visa needed if you flew from Bangkok directly into Barcelona). Once you've shown your passport and had it stamped you are then entitled to move at liberty among the Schengen signatory countries for max. 90 days.

So, sure, you can enter Europe in Amsterdam, visit the city, and not show your passport again (except to airline personnel for check-in) on your way to Barcelona because that will now be a "domestic" flight.

michelhuebeli

November-moon types faster than I do..

november_moon

PalenQ

Take the train right from the airport - put any bags in the luggage lockers on a lower level just outside Customs exit - take the train into Centraal Station - right in the heart of town - I'd hop on a canal boat tour - right opposite the main train station.

First go to the VVV or Tourist Office opposite central station and get a map - then take the canal boat tour - about an hour and then chose to wander around the canals - go to the Anne Frank House (make advance reservations online to avoid long lines) or hit a museum or so - central Amsterdam is compact but do leave plenty of time to get back to the airport - trains take about 20 minutes each way but of course can always be a little late.

There is also a VVV Tourist Office in Schiphol airport that can arrange a city tour if you like, etc and also dispense maps and info.

Yes lots of time to see one of Europe's most gorgeous cities.

PalenQ

Note there are two different trains serving Schiphol and going into Amsterdam - be sure your board the one labeled Amsterdam C.S. - Centraal Station right in the heart of tourist town and not trains to Amsterdam WTC-Zuid or RAIL as they go only to suburban stations in Amsterdam.

hoyas1

I have a 5 hour layover in Amsterdam this Sunday 12/29 on my trip from Chicago to Spain. Is that enough time to go through immigration, visit the city and return to the airport/ security etc? Thank you

PalenQ

In theory yes - Fyra trains take only 15 minutes into the cneter of Amsterdam from the airport. Depends on how long you must be back at the airport before boarding the next flight - leave time for security clearance, etc.

But yes - even just having a quick look is IMO worth it.