We will have a layover in Amsterdam on our way to Rome this May and have about 71/2 hours total between flights. We don't want to stay in the airport, but don't have a lot of time, obviously. Any suggestions? Also, how long does it take to get from Schipol Airport to Amsterdam itself? Is there a bus or shuttle? Any advice would be great.

The train station is right in the airport and can get you to Centraal Station in about 15 min. You can walk out of the station, cross the street, and get on a canal tour boat, which actually isn't a bad intro to A'dam if you haven't been. When the canal tour is done, you can walk or tram around the center - maybe into the Jordaan area for shopping, cafes, etc., and still have time to get back to the station and airport. Watch your time, obviously, but it's easy to see a snippit of A'dam during a layover.

you can get the train to the main station, then take a bus and goto the anne frank house, and maybe even stop for lunch before going back to the airport, i found public transportation to be great, and on time! If you plan ahead, and figure out which bus lines to take you should have no problem with time

While I loved visiting the Anne Frank house, chances are good that there will be a long line of people waiting to get in. That might not be an ideal way to spend your time. The boat ride is a good idea. Eat some frites, drink some beer, and wander around Dam Square to watch the people parade.

Another option is to catch the train to Haarlem and visit St Bavo's church and listen to the great organ - a real moving experience. You could also walk through the Frans Haal (Sp?) museum, which is less crowded. Good luck.

I agree with the canal boat tour. They are narrated and give you an excellent overview of Amsterdam. Then maybe take a tram to the Flower market or Liedesplein and have lunch or a drink and walk around. The train is a really easy way to get to town.

Rather than wait in line at the Anne Frank house (unless that's something you've always wanted to see), it would be better to hop on a tram in front of the train station, get off at the Museumplein, and see either the Rijksmuseum (with its Rembrandts and other "old masters&quot or the Van Gogh museum. You won't have time for both.

Have some Indonesian food at the nearby Sama Sembo restaurant... maybe even a full "rijsttafel" (a smorgasbord of dishes, all for you).

Depending on how much time you have left, consider walking back to the train station via a route that lets you see some of the scenic canals.

Hey Amanda - with 6 hours, you will have a blast. Take the NS train to Amsterdam Centraal, grab a canal tour (with any luck one that has drinks & nibbles [hapjes] on board), then have a wander through the Jordaan . . .

http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/...amsterdam.xml/

Get excited. It will be such a wonderful counterpoint to Rome : )
HTH!

You can always hit up a coffee shop, and enjoy some good smoking before getting on your flight, after all "when in Rome(or amsterdam)..."

"You can always hit up a coffee shop, and enjoy some good smoking..."

If you do, be careful about how much you smoke. It can be VERY potent.

Having a smoke is a fine Amsterdam tradition, but it's more conducive to taking a leisurely stroll along the canals than jumping through all the hoops necessary to get on a plane.