Anne Frank House
 

We have a four-hour layover at Schipohl. Is there enough time to get to the Anne Frank House, tour, and get back through security for our next flight to Africa?

First, I would not risk this without an advance purchase timed ticket to the Anne Frank house and even with one it would be very, very tight. There is a timed ticket queue, shorter than the ticketless queue, but all these little time-takers add up.

Assuming your luggage is checked through and you have boarding passes for your flight to Africa, you still may face a delay on your in-coming flight, possible delays to clear Immigration to go in to Amsterdam and a long security cue when your return to the airport.

Schipol is one of the better organized airports. Still, I am risk averse so not sure I would try it.

No you don't have enough time. By the time you have deplaned, cleared passport control, bought train tickets, and got into the city it will be nearly time to turn round go back clear security and passport control again and find you plane.

>> We have a four-hour layover at Schipohl. Is there enough time to get to the Anne Frank House, tour, and get back through security for our next flight to Africa?<<

Not even remotely possible. Even IF you could get through immigration and to the house w/ time to spare -- you'd have to queue 3 or 4 hours or more just to get in and another hour minimum inside the house. (You need to book FAR ahead to get a timed ticket)

Stick to eating and shopping at Schipol.

Glad you two gave more definitive answers, I was too wimpy. I didn't know the advance tickets had become so tough to book, about 4 years ago we booked two days before we went, must have been very lucky. I do know it's queue, not cue, what a brain cramp.

Even with advance purchase tickets, I wouldn't try it.