Originally Posted by
jimbobjamest
I will, although not flying until July! Just wondering whether its worth booking an airport hotel then checking in bags next morning and heading into the city for the day (without carry bags around), or just to go straight for a city centre hotel when we get in the evening before. The airport hotels are significantly cheaper than the city on a Saturday night!
Ah, so it seems you are arriving in the evening, then flying out the next evening and wish to spend the day in Amsterdam without your bags? A good plan. If the airport hotels are cheaper, this is an excellent plan. Transport between the airport and the city center is simple, the trains take about 20 minutes and go every 15-20 minutes. Usually from platform 1-2 at the airport and 13/14/15 at the Central Station. Train tickets from the yellow machines with blue trim in the baggage hall or further out by the platforms.
(A Taxi takes at least 20 minutes and costs €55 or more, to be avoided)
If you intend to stay at one of the actual airport hotels (the Citizen M, the Sheraton, or the airport Hilton, all within walking distance of the terminals) then leave your bags there in the morning and retrieve them before you leave. If you're staying at one of the nominally nearby hotels with a shuttle bus, retrieving your bags is going to noticeably cut into your time in Amsterdam so use the left luggage at the airport (if the checkin dragons are as helpful as usual).