layover in Amsterdam
 

We're going to Europe next week and have a 3 hour layover in Amsterdam. Is that enough time to be able to leave the airport to go into the city for a quick snack or stroll? We're not sure how far the airport is from the city so any advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

Unfortunately ....NO!!!!

I have a 4 hour layover in Amsterdam and I plan to try my best to get out of the airport for a bit. From what I have gathered from other people, I will have enough time.

Schnee - 4 hrs. perhaps, 3 hrs. no. Consider the best of all possible worlds. Your plane arrives on time at at the closest possible gate, allow a minimum of 10 minutes to get off the plane and arrive at Immigration Control. Allow a minimum of 10 minutes through Immigration and to the train station. Allow 5 minutes for the next train. Allow 15 minutes to Centraal. As Centraal is not "Amsterdam" allow another 10 minutes to desired destination and another 10 back to Centraal, 5 minutes for the train and another 15 minutes back to Schipol, plus a minimum of 1.5 hour through Security and to your gate. That leaves you with 20 minutes at best to enjoy yourself in Amsterdam. I certainly wouldn't risk it.

If Centraal is not Amsterdam, what it is?!?!

3 hours would cutting it very close. However, on one of my flights from Detroit to Amsterdam I arrived more than an hour early - we had a strong tailwind. It is good to have a plan if you are unexpectedly early.

There is a train station of the NS (Nederlands Spoorwegen) right next to Schipol airport. Buy a round-trip ticket to Amsterdam Centraal (Amsterdam Central station) from either machines or tellers. The train takes about 20 minutes to arrive. The Centraal station is a common entry point to the old part of the city. It is easy to recognize, because it is a huge station, and most of the people on the train will be getting off there. Also, the stops are announced on the train in both Dutch and English. Extra points if you can Centraal (accent on second syllable).

That said, I don't think there is really enough time for a leisurely stroll or fine dining. The pre-boarding routine/security in Schipol airport is very extensive.

On the other hand, if someone were interested in experiencing Dutch tolerance (coffee shop), there are at least a dozen shops within a five minute walk of the Central station. A quick puff, and you could be back at the airport, ready to take off before your plane is.

Schiphol airport is not a bad place to have a layover. Some of the pieces from the Rijksmuseum are on display there, and right next to that is a casino and a cafe. There are also tons of shopping opportunities as well. Including waiting for trains to come, and time for walking to somewhere and back, you really wouldn't have time to see much of Amsterdam (except the not-as pretty parts that train goes through).

What you could do is get a cab to drive you into the center and back for a quick drive, it's about 40 euros to get to or from the airport so they'd probably charge 80-100 for a quick drive in and out.

The big problem for you is going through passport control and security twice--I don't think you'll have much time once that's over with.

Also, I'd really be loathe to suggest that someone risk missing their flight (and the entire rest of their vacation) so that they can have a very rushed, harried and not very worthwhile experience of Amsterdam. Part of Amsterdam's appeal is its laid-back nature, which is the one thing you'll be certain to miss out on. Also, you can sometimes see the city very clearly from the plane (depending on how you fly in).

Amen!!! Referring to the tight airport control. Never seen anything like it. Each time we thought we were through w/showing our passports and had put them away, we reached another checkpoint and had to dig them out. 3 or 4 luggage and passport checks! All this takes time but I sure felt safe!