Roadrunner4

We are a family of four traveling to Italy w/ a layover of several hours in Amsterdam and would like to take advantage of the stop by going on a canal boat ride while we're there. Does anyone have specific advice for logositcs of getting from the airport to where one gets to the canal boats? This is my first stop for information so would appreciate any guidance you can offer. Thanks!

hpeabody

The train right in the airport will do it. It goes to Centraal Station. Canal Boat tours are in the vicinity. I do hope you truly have enough time and don't take a chance on missing your flight. You don't say exactly how much time you have.


http://www.amsterdam.info/airport/train/

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...mp;btnG=Search

global_guy

As the previous poster mentioned, canal boats are in the vicinity...in fact right across the street from Centraal Station. Also, should you wish to pick up a city map or get advice when you arrive, there are three tourism info booths convenient to you. There's one in Schiphol Airport arrivals, one on the "track 2" platform in Centraal Station, and one right across the street from the station. The latter is always much busier than the one inside.

To get to Centraal Station you will take the train (it's direct) from the airport to Amsterdam. Buy a "day return" ticket as it's cheaper and if you have enough Euro coins on hand, purchase the ticket from one of the machines. You'll save time and a tiny bit of cash.

h2babe

Ditto other posts, the Schipol airport and train station is very close to canal boat tours. If I remember correctly, you can walk there in less than 10 mins. Have a good time.

travelgourmet

There is also a tour company that operates out of Schiphol. Worth looking into to see if it is more convenient to book everything together. I would definitely pay an extra few dollars per person if it saved aggravation.

http://www.schiphol.nl/web/show/id=86630/langid=42

PalenQ

Be careful of which train you board for 'Amsterdam' at Schiphol - make sure it's going to Amsterdam C.S. or Centraal Station and not Amsterdam Zuid/WTC pr RAI - a different line that does not go to Amsterdam C.S.

I take trains often Schiphol to Zuid/WTC and inevitably see perplexed tourists wondering where they are going - wanted to go to C.S. and got on the wrong train.

Read the over monniker on the platform to see where the next train is heading so you don't waste valuable time

Roadrunner4

Many thanks for the feedback - the unfortunate part is we land around 8AM after an overnight and don't leave again until 1pm, but the fortunate part is that we get a taste of Amsterdam. I'm assuming that will be amble time. Am I being overly optimistic???

h2babe

If I were you -I'd probably just aim for going out for a meal somewhere and take a nice stroll of the area instead of doing a canal tour since the canal tour takes an hour if my memory serves me correctly.

If you know exactly where you are going (in the stations, in town, where to get the tickets etc for the boat)- then yes, it may work. But if this is your first time, then I would say that it is ambitious since I usually include slack time when trying to get orientated in a new area.

basingstoke2

The canal tour is one hour plus the time of waiting for the canal boat to fill up and leave. There are several canal tour companies that are just outside of the Amsterdam station- you can't miss them. They Range from 7.5 Euro per person to about 11.5 and are pretty much all the same. For the one that costs 7.5 euro, just cross the street in front of the station and turn left heading for the bridge crossing. It is maybe a 100 yard walk from the station all together and is at the foot of the bridge. Tthere is usually a fellow there drumming up the business of passersby so if you don't find him, he will most likey find you.