Amsterdam Lay-over;Enough Time to see the city?
 

Hello. We have 5 hour and 7 hour layover on our trip to Venice and wondering if it is possible to see some of the city? First visit so any help/advice is much appreciated. Thanks.

Yes...KLM used to say that if you have at least four hours to kill at Schiphol you could even do a brief city tour..that was before the increased security measures but you can easily take a train from the airport station to the Centraal Station in Amsterdam journey time about 15 minutes) and have time for a look around. Schiphol itself is like a small city and even has a casino but one of the worst Burger Kings on earth I think but going itno the city beats hanging around the airport any day I think.

Thanks. Flying in on KLM so that should help!! Do you have a top 5 of places/sites to see or at least drive by!! Thanks again

Good question...my "top" ones might not be the same as many others' so will defer that one..although you might consider taking one of the canal boat tours which passes by several places such as the Anne Franke House..they leave from in front of Centraal Station..the Red Light District is within walking distance (YES...there will be some folks "on duty" even in the morning although they don't cotton much to gawkers)...don't expect to see any of the old fashioned kind of windmills, though. Be interesting to see what other folks propose...enjoy the layover.

I second the boat tour suggestion and you'll find a place to cast off right near Centraal Station. The RLD and Dam Square area are within E-Z walking distance, too. The city is so compact that even in a couple of hours, you can get a glimpse that will be a lot more fun than hanging around the airport. Get a map and enjoy a great little taste of Amsterdam!

I think that Schipol is one of the easiest airports to get in and out of. Take the train from inside the airport to Centraal Station. As previous posters have said, a Canal Boat tour is a fantastic way to get an overview of the city. They have a recorded commentary that gives you lots of interesting tidbits of information. If you still have time after that, hop on a tram for a quick ride. Take the #2 to go past the Dam, the flower market, the Liedspleine and to the Museumpliene. Then just reverse the trip, back to Centraal Station and catch the train back to the airport.

Have a great time. Amsterdam is a lovely place, one of my favorite cities in the world.

Thanks everyone and instead of worrying about the layover, we're now looking forward to it!! At the risk of being greedy, Any lunch recommendations!!! Thanks

Twice in the past year I've had Schiphol layovers. Each time it took 90 minutes to clear thorough security checks that include long lines and a private interview for every person. Add in the possibility of a line and you should plan to check in a minimum of three hours before your scheduled departure. Realistic plan: arrive; permit 45 minutes to collect luggage and store it in day lockers if it isn't automatically transferred by airline. Allow 15 minutes to buy train ticket at airport. 30 minutes to get into Amsterdam Central Station. Walk out door & catch tour boat: allow 60 minutes for tour and 15-30 minutes waiting for tour to start. Hire taxi at station for quick city loop before you return to airport in taxi.

When flying KLM there are no longer "private security" interviews. I flew KLM to New York this June and security took no more than 15 minutes including waiting time. Flying to Venice and assuming luggage is already checked-through and you have the boarding pass for the next flight (which normally is the case) I would be back at the airport 45 minutes before scheduled departure. On the way back to the USA, and again assuming luggage is already checked through and you have a boarding pass, I would plan to be at Schiphol some 75 minutes before scheduled departure.

Thank you and look forward to making two visits into the city. One week and counting!!

Yes, it is quick and easy to get from the airport into the city. By all means, map out an itinerary for yourself, BUT - and this is a major factor these days - with the international situation so fluid and the security system at Schiphol so tight - I'd play it very much by ear and not commit myself to it until checking with KLM on arrival: they'll give you a straight and honest answer. Having said that, I agree that the best way to get a feel for the city in a few hours would be either to take one of the canal tours, or a walk from the Central Station toward the Dam (square); use the Dam as a focal point; and short walk on from there (perhaps leaving time for lunch) --- but always keeping in mind the need to give yourself enough time to get back to the airport and through security to make your connection.

My husband and I also have a long layover in Amsterdam when we return to the states from Italy in October. A friend of mine, who lived in Amsterdam for three years, had the following suggestion to spend the layover:

"If you want to just hang out at a cafe for lunch, you should go to Leidseplein. There aren't many good restaurants open at lunch time, so I suggest you go to the Grand Cafe on the corner next to the Bulldog coffee shop. You can get nice sandwiches there and sit outside, which is what Amsterdam is all about. To get to Leidseplein, take the train to Central Station and then to take the 5 tram to Leidsepein (it only goes one way out of the train station, so it's easy to find). There are tons of restaurants at Leidseplein, but most are tourist traps. Unfortunately, as far as lunch goes, there are not a lot of options, unless you want to get off the beaten path. Also, once you eat, you can follow the tram path back to central station and walk along some of the canals back to Central Station. If you have time, you can continue on the 5 tram further than Leidseplein to the Van Gogh museum there is a stop for it) and check it out (it is an awesome museum). If it's a nice day, you could go to the grocery store called Albert Hein by the Van Gogh museum and grab sandwiches and stuff and take a picnic in Vondel Park (very close by). That's also a nice option."

Let me know what you end up doing! Thanks.