Best way to spend 5 to 7 hours in AMS?
Mar 13, 2011, 2:20 pm
#31
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Mar 13, 2011, 2:33 pm
#32
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If you have the experience, get your bearings straight away, etc; sure. The OP does sound like he is a little less secure so I was thinking 5/10 min to the passport check, 5/10 for the check, 5 to get to the train station. 10 to figure out how to buy a train ticket, 5 to find the right platform etc...
Mar 13, 2011, 6:24 pm
#33
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From Schipol, get the train to Amsterdam Zuid (one stop, 2.50 Euros)
Get a 5 tram to town, get off at Leidesplein. Total travel time 30 mins
Have fun in town for 2 hours
do the reverse - 5 tram back to Zuid, then train back to Schipol. Again, travel time 30 mins.
Avoid the hell that is Amsterdam Central station.
Get a 5 tram to town, get off at Leidesplein. Total travel time 30 mins
Have fun in town for 2 hours
do the reverse - 5 tram back to Zuid, then train back to Schipol. Again, travel time 30 mins.
Avoid the hell that is Amsterdam Central station.
Mar 14, 2011, 3:21 am
#34
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Henkeybaby Blue Pills? he's a Scot. He'd get them on the NHS on one of his trips back home and they do not pay in Scotland.
What a good idea suggesting Helsinki when he wants to go to AMS. Personally I'd go to IST as its warmer at this time of year. I did ask one of our more outgoing Cabn Crew about what to do in Amsterdam and he said - well I cannot repeat it but it was basically immoral but vastly entertaining.
Whatever else I do here on Flyertalk never let it be said that I have led other posters - younger or older - into a life of vice. (Most have probably figured that out for themselves anyway, haven't they Stimpy??
Mar 14, 2011, 3:38 am
#35
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And how is it you know so much about little blue pills?
Mar 14, 2011, 4:36 am
#36
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you could always slack of AMS itself and head to Haarlem instead! Its an awesome little town, very cute shopping streets, great cafes for food and coffee. You could hire a bike there and bike to Bloemendaal en Zee, about a 15 minute ride and be at the beach! Depending on when you go the really cool beach cafes and bars may well have been built for the season, a great way to realx for a few hours before coming home!
Mar 14, 2011, 4:46 am
#37
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Mar 14, 2011, 7:10 am
#39
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Mar 14, 2011, 7:11 am
#40
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It will take you 30 minutes to get to the train station (if you're lucky) and at least another 30 minutes to get to Amsterdam Central Station (if you're lucky) so that is already one hour gone (if you're lucky). To get back you need to make sure not to take the latest possible train but one before meaning that you will arrive at least 1:30hr before your flight departs. So that is at least another 2 hours gone (if you're lucky). So, deduct 3 hours to get to the city and back.
That leaves you with either 2 or 5 hours in Amsterdam. The first would be way too stressy so at least take the 8 hour (net 5hr) option. You can walk to a lot of interesting stuff from the station. Just head out cross the busy 'square' and walk the length of the Damrak to the Dam. You can simply hang there for a bit, have a coffee or a beer and maybe even visit a museum. You can also keep strolling across the canals and enjoy the atmosphere.
Red light district: absolute nonsense to go there.
Canal Cruises: if you must. Might be an idea if it is raining. It is much nicer to walk though. Amsterdam's city centre is relatively compact. Not like London or Paris.
Walking around Amsterdam is best done when it is sunny. When it rains we all stay indoors.
That leaves you with either 2 or 5 hours in Amsterdam. The first would be way too stressy so at least take the 8 hour (net 5hr) option. You can walk to a lot of interesting stuff from the station. Just head out cross the busy 'square' and walk the length of the Damrak to the Dam. You can simply hang there for a bit, have a coffee or a beer and maybe even visit a museum. You can also keep strolling across the canals and enjoy the atmosphere.
Red light district: absolute nonsense to go there.
Canal Cruises: if you must. Might be an idea if it is raining. It is much nicer to walk though. Amsterdam's city centre is relatively compact. Not like London or Paris.
Walking around Amsterdam is best done when it is sunny. When it rains we all stay indoors.
When I tried out the public transport route from the airport to the Botel it was all brilliant - 10 mins max from picking up luggage to the platform (including stop to purchase ticket at machine) - train waiting at platform when I got down there and 15 mins to Centraal.
I waited longer for the ferry over to the Botel than i did for the entire trip from the carousel to the ferry base...
Mar 14, 2011, 7:31 am
#41
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you could always slack of AMS itself and head to Haarlem instead! Its an awesome little town, very cute shopping streets, great cafes for food and coffee. You could hire a bike there and bike to Bloemendaal en Zee, about a 15 minute ride and be at the beach! Depending on when you go the really cool beach cafes and bars may well have been built for the season, a great way to realx for a few hours before coming home!
There is a fast bus that runs every 6 minutes between Haarlem and Schiphol. It should take you ~45 min and drops you off in the centre of Haarlem. Tickets can be bought from the driver for E4 for a single.
In Haarlem there is an equivalent museum of the Anne Frank museum - Corrie ten Boom. Quite a few people prefer this as it is smaller. Beside
I am not sure that your 15 minute estimate from Haarlem to Bloemendaal aan Zee is correct - as the distance is 9 km and should be doable in 30 minutes.
Gajan
Gajan
Mar 14, 2011, 7:42 am
#42
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Perhaps this is not what you had in mind, but I would recommend a trip down to Utrecht. As near
as I can recall (I lived there about six years ago), it takes about 30 minutes by direct train from
AMS. Utrecht is a charming university town where you can take a canal ride, visit the Domplein
and take in a spot of lunch on the roof terrace at the V&D (Vroom & Dreesmann; connected to the
train station in the Hoog Catharijne shopping centre).
H
as I can recall (I lived there about six years ago), it takes about 30 minutes by direct train from
AMS. Utrecht is a charming university town where you can take a canal ride, visit the Domplein
and take in a spot of lunch on the roof terrace at the V&D (Vroom & Dreesmann; connected to the
train station in the Hoog Catharijne shopping centre).
H
Mar 14, 2011, 10:29 am
#43
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It will take you 30 minutes to get to the train station (if you're lucky) and at least another 30 minutes to get to Amsterdam Central Station (if you're lucky) so that is already one hour gone (if you're lucky). To get back you need to make sure not to take the latest possible train but one before meaning that you will arrive at least 1:30hr before your flight departs. So that is at least another 2 hours gone (if you're lucky). So, deduct 3 hours to get to the city and back.
HEL sounds interesting, but the fare structure is only economical if you are prepared to spend a Saturday night, meaning that Hotel accomodation comes into play.
At the moment I'm leaning towards an AMS daytrip + a UK domestic flight or 2 x AMS if I really like the place. The Hotline fares are really decent.
I don't think I'll be visiting the Red Light district or those famous coffee houses this time around - at least not intentionally!
Mar 14, 2011, 10:48 am
#44
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From Schipol, get the train to Amsterdam Zuid (one stop, 2.50 Euros)
Get a 5 tram to town, get off at Leidesplein. Total travel time 30 mins
Have fun in town for 2 hours
do the reverse - 5 tram back to Zuid, then train back to Schipol. Again, travel time 30 mins.
Avoid the hell that is Amsterdam Central station.
Get a 5 tram to town, get off at Leidesplein. Total travel time 30 mins
Have fun in town for 2 hours
do the reverse - 5 tram back to Zuid, then train back to Schipol. Again, travel time 30 mins.
Avoid the hell that is Amsterdam Central station.
I'm also toying with purchasing a Fodor's guide off Amazon.
I'm sure I'll have a great time.
Mar 14, 2011, 11:03 am
#45
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HEL sounds interesting, but the fare structure is only economical if you are prepared to spend a Saturday night, meaning that Hotel accomodation comes into play.
At the moment I'm leaning towards an AMS daytrip + a UK domestic flight or 2 x AMS if I really like the place. The Hotline fares are really decent.
At the moment I'm leaning towards an AMS daytrip + a UK domestic flight or 2 x AMS if I really like the place. The Hotline fares are really decent.
Seems crazy to me....I suppose being crazy is what makes you do such things in the first place.