My parents have an 8 hr layover.

Any ideas for what their options might be instead of sitting around the terminal?

thanks!
dina

That's enough time to take the train or a taxi into the city for a few hours. Do a "search" here on the forum, people have described in many past threads various itineraries for this exact situation (including going for a meal, a canal boat ride, etc.).

Suzy is right. They have a lot of time. They can the train from airport directly to the city centre. A canal boat ride will be a good introduction to the city.

catch a bus to Haarlam and walk down to the canals, eat dutch apple cake

This - http://tinyurl.com/2cypaq - taken from the Schiphol Airport website has a few suggestions

Thanks so much!

I got info for the lounge (in case they get delayed and don't have as much time as they thought), and for the tour company that runs out of the airport.

I have to agree with bilboburgler on this one.

I've been to Amsterdam 15+ times. However, it's a bit of a hassle back and forth, especially if you factor the ingress / egree factor and security at the airport.

Haarlem is nearby and a classic example of an old Dutch town. Very pretty, always clean, and very hospitable. If time is tight getting back, a taxi ride is not that far to the airport.

Thanks. Haarlam sounds like an excellent option.

How long would the taxi ride be, and about how much would it cost?

thanks again!
dina

Also take a peak at the map for the airport. There's lots of things there to do if they end up with a bit less time. It's one of the more entertaining and outstanding airports.

Also consider taking the train to Delft.or The Hague as the train station is right in the airport.

the 300 bus is the one they want (worth taking as it follows a bus only concrete lane so really is every 10 15 mins and takes only 15 mins.

You arrive at the train station (which is lovely very are deco) and then stroll into town.

http://wikitravel.org/en/Haarlem