Layover in Amsterdam - Do we have enough time to visit?
 

We are flying into Amsterdam on our way to Nuremberg in May. We have an approximately 4 hour layover, arriving in the a.m. (around 6:00). I noticed on the airport website that there are trains that go from the airport to the city center in about 15-20 minutes. Can we get into the city, walk around and sightsee some and get back to the airport in time for customs/etc? We thought about maybe an hour and a half to two hours in Amsterday, which would get us back to the airport about 2 hours before our flight is set to leave. Neither of us have ever been to Amsterdam and thought it may be nice to just kind of stroll along the canals and take some pictures. Of course, I know a lot of this depends on what time our plane actually arrives (if it arrives on time) and if the flight times don't change. Any thoughts?

Thanks!
Tracy

You probably have enough time; trains run frequently to Centraal Station from the "Schiphol Plaza" area of the airport terminal which is easy to find. Tickets are readily available from the windows and machines. There are at least four trains an hour w/journey time 15 minutes.

I'm honestly not sure how soon you'll need to be back at the airport but since you are flying to Germany the hassle will probably be minimal at best.

You should be able to do that, however, as you rightly state, you need to be back at Schiphol two hours minimum before your flight. The trains to and from the Airport to Centraal run very frequently-go to the train ticket counter at Schiphol and figure out the return time nearest to your two-hour window.

Thank you both for your replies. It just sums up what I was hoping...that we could do some sightseeing with minimal hassle. We plan on visiting Amsterdam sometime in the future and thought that this would be a quick and easy way to get a feel for a few parts of the city.

Thanks!
Tracy

Depending on various circumstances, probably all you'll have time to do in Amsterdam is have breakfast not too far from the train station, in which case only you can decide if it's worth the trip. It depends on whether your plane is on time and how long it takes you to get your bags and clear customs. Figure on a half hour to town by train, and then what is open at that hour of the morning? We planned to do this on our recent trip and our plane was on time, but it took forever to get to a gate, and then we had to claim our baggage, convert $$ to euros and use the restroom. We were tired from the flight and it was raining, so we gave up our ambitious plan and just ate something at the airport. Schiphol can be very crowded, so you don't want to cut it too close to catch your next flight, especially if it's on a budget airline that sets a strict limit on check-in time and that won't re-book you if you miss the flight.

I don't disagree with lesliec at all. There are a lot of variables here, one will definitely be your energy level after flying all night-only you can decide that.

If you do take the train and want to get a feel for Amsterdam, do yourself a favor and get away from the train station. Take a tram (I think #2 and #5 but someone else can confirm that) to the Leidesplein for your breakfast or stroll. The area around Centraal Station is decidedly the seediest in the City. The tram ride will give you a peek at Amsterdam, too.

What grasshopper said! I loved the Leidseplein district but did not care for the central area around The Dam and train station at all (if this had been all I saw of the city I would *not* have been impressed).

I know Schiphol has a website you might check. I forget exactly what, but there's stuff to do there if you end up too short on time to get into the city.

There're some previous threads on this subject (obviously) -- but Schiphol has a branch of the Rijksmueum and also a casino (?), in addition to the usual shopping possibilities.

Actually Schiphol is probably my favorite airport of all the airports I've used. I've never had an easier connection with rail -- the station is literally right below the airport, and all you've to do is to take the sliding elevators to the departure lounge. It's really great design.

Thank you all for your replies. We are flying to Amsterdam on Northwest and then are switching to KLM City Hopper for the leg to Nuremberg.

We are checking all of our bags before we fly. Will we have to collect our bags at Schipol and recheck them before our flight? We've only had one other layover in Europe, and it was in Zurich on the way back from Rome to the U.S. and we didn't have to collect our bags.

We know that it will be really early and what we plan on doing will definitely depend on how we feel when we get there. We have a 6 hour layover in Detroit before we get on the plane to Amsterdam, so we thought that spending a few hours in Amsterdam as opposed to yet another 4 hours in an airport might be nice. We know that there won't be anything open. We were just planning on getting a quite breakfast and then basically strolling around the city until its time to head back to the airport.

I know that there airport is supposed to be really nice. We have another 3 hour layover on the way back from Nuremberg so I thought I would check out the shopping then.

Thanks!
Tracy

I am a bit of a risk taker so I would go for it. Remember there is always a "next flight" if the worst happens. You definately owe it to yourself to get a least a tiny taste of Amsterdam. Dam square and the Red Light District (both tourist attractions) are very close to the Centraal train station.

Tracy, You should be able to check your bags through. And exiting Schipol is really easy. Just be sure to do your sightseeing away from Centraal Station. If you take the tram to the Leidesplein you could have breakfast at Cafe American, part of Hotel American right on the Leidsplein. Don't be fooled by the name. It's not going to be like the Crown Plaza in Detroit! This is where Mata Hari had her wedding reception. With leftover time, stroll around the Leidesplein. I wish I had a couple of hours in Amsterdam! OK, I wish I had a week.

You should double check with your CHECK-IN agent but since KLM and Northwest obviously have a luggage agreement, your luggage should be checked all the way through to the final destination...so no, you wouldn't have to claim it and so forth at Schiphol.

Again, I am unwilling to tell you that you HAVE to be at the airport two hours in advance of your CityHopper flight on KLM...I would check with KLM directly as to what they recommend as opposed to relying on any information here, from myself or otherwise. What has happened to us "in the past" has absolutely nothing to do with what is happening NOW.

Schiphol is, IMO, one of the greatest airports anywhere; easy to get around and away from, information is easy to get, food opportunities although personally I would avoid what I think is the WORST Burger King in Europe in Schiphol Plaza (if you want the fast food the MacDonald's up on the second level is infinitely better!!!!)

IF you have enough time as you exit Centraal Station you can also catch one of the canal boat tours if you decide you do not want to take one of the trams. The canal boats give a nice overview in a short period with minimal exertion on your part...."in depth" it isn't, but it isn't meant to be, either.

Enjoy your trip.

<<Remember there is always a "next flight" if the worst happens.>>

Well, but prepared to pay extra if you miss the flight. I was flying from Paris to Berlin on Air France and missed my flight (I wasn't connecting). I shelled out $300 for the next flight.

After that, I tried to avoid flying Air France, but I do have to use them again in February on a code share with Delta.

TCCreath: Correction to my previous post: I had it in my head somehow that you were going on an international flight back to the US, not an intra-European flight. In that case, you do have much more leeway, and do not have to be at check-in 2 hours before, by no means. I have had 2 intra-European flight connections to catch after I got into Schiphol, with barely 20 min. to spare from my terminal to the other-and would run, thinking they wouldn't let me on-no problem! I got there some 5-10 before the flight and they didn't bat an eyelash.

Even if for some reason, the train broke down, it should be no biggie to catch another flight to Nuremberg-but at any rate, if you get back to the gate by a half hour before, you should be fine. (mind you, I'm not actually recommending cutting it this close, but I know from my own experience that it is okay-I just did it this last Nov. as a matter of fact).

And the area aound Dam and Centraal is the most ancient part of the city-the neighborhood which encompasses the red light district-de Wallen-is filled with beautiful 16th century canal houses-and is without question, the part of Am'damm, I spend the most time in, as it is one of the most picturesque. It is also, paradoxically enough, one of the city's oldest residential districts, co-existing easily with the red light district.

My favorite Am'damm restaurant is located in this area, in an ancient canal house, where the daily specials are chalked up on the board in Dutch-few tourists find it, I think-none but locals were there when I went in last Nov. The very trendy Jordaan district-with its antique shops, pubs and restaurants, also nearby. There will be picture opportunities all around you within a 5 min. walk from the station.

As far as Leidseplein, if you're interested in shopping, bars, restaurants, and nightlife-go here, otherwise not.

I would also suggest looking up Frommer's walking tours, available on-line-check out walk no. 2 from Centraal, to get an idea of what is in the area. The Golden Tulip Hotel right across from Centraal is a very nice place to drop in for a drink or snack.

I would definitely check with Northwest to see if your baggage will go straight through to your final destination. We have changed airlines several times and never had to claim our bags and recheck them. I think the suggestion that you take a canal ride is a good one. We did it on a rainy day in Amsterdam and were happy to rest our feet after days of walking. The tram is fun as well and you can see a lot, but be sure you check the route before you board if time is short. Have fun, it is a delightful city.

Did you all notice that Tracy's flight gets in at 6 am? That means the next flight is leaving at 10 am. I don't think she'll find a canal boat that early. And there isn't much going on in the RLD at 6 am.