I'm flying from Detroit to London-Heathrow with a connection in Amsterdam on November 26 (I wanted some more passport stamps). My flight arrives at 5:55 a.m. in Amsterdam, but doesn't depart for London until 4:50 p.m.

What's there to do for a few hours around the Amsterdam airport?

go into the city, the trains take less than 20mins to Centraal Station

FYI you dont get that extra passport stamp unless you leave the airport in AMS

So I should collect my bags and leave and check back in?

I don't think you'll need to collect your bags. Aren't they checked through?

Please follow this thread on our Western Europe Forum.
Thanks..
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

You can check them all the way through to LHR, you can re-check them at the airport before you head into the city, or you can store them in the luggage lockers at Schiphol.

Definitely head for the city center.

Once you get your Netherlands passport stamp, follow the signs for the train station at the airport. The trains are down an escalator, but the ticket machines are on the departure level, near the escalator. It's a lot easier if you use cash.

Trains leave for Centraal Station (Amsterdam CS) every 8-12 minutes during peak times. Some are faster than others, but they all get you there quickly. Pickpockets and petty thieves sometimes operate on this route, taking advantage of tired or distracted travelers. It's no problem as long as you stay aware.

At Centraal Station, you'll go down one level after arriving and then go towards town, which is right relative to the direction of train travel. Once outside the station, you have several choices for things to do for one or more hours. Across the first canal and to the right is one of several canal tours. It's a relaxing and interesting way to spend an hour, touring A'dam's canals and learning a bit about the history. There are several tour companies, and they're probably similar.

Also in front of the train station is a tram stop. Tram 20 (IIRC) is a circle line, and a very affordable way to tour the city. I believe it stops near the museum area, which has a nice park if the weather's reasonable. If you're really into Rembrandt or Van Gogh, you could take a quick look into the Rijkmuseum or the Van Gogh museum, but it's better to come back when you have some time.

Less artistic is the Heineken museum, but having a bar there more than compensates. Actually, it's pretty interesting. It's also near a tram #20 stop. Best to get a tourist map.

Another choice is the Anne Frank house. You can get there via tram, but I don't know which one, or with a 30 min walk from the station, or with a EUR10 taxi.

Or you can just walk down the main street from the train station to Dam Square and enjoy some fine Dutch beers in a cafe or pub.

My understanding is that you'll need to collect your bags to go through customs, so if you plan on leaving the airport be sure to tell the agent in DTW when you check in - otherwise your bags will be checked all the way through.

As was previously mentioned, you can recheck them before you head into the city, or you can leave them in a locker if you think you may want access to them before your next flight.

Any idea how much a short trip into the city and back might cost? I don't want to spend heaps of money in Amsterdam. I'm debating whether to shorten my layover and get more time in London before the conference begins or spend a little time in Amsterdam.

It's EUR6.20 for a roundtrip, about $8.

Not to be a party pooper... but it looks like you are getting in on a Sunday morning so I'm not sure how much activity will be going on and what shops are going to be open if you get to Centraal around 7am. We had to catch a train early on a Saturday around 7:30am this spring and while the streets weren't deserted, it was pretty quiet. It doesn't look like the sun is even going to rise until 8:20.

I'd still recommend heading into town but just suggest planning your time wisely. Museums are typically open pretty early daily. The markets are likely open early than the shops. And I wouldn't expect most shops to be open until noon. Personally, favourite thing to do in Amsterdam is just walking around the interesting steets & alleys along Damrak, Nieuwendijk, & Kalverstraat and around the intersting neighbourhoods like Jordaan.

No need to collect bags. Just have them checked through all the way to LHR. Once at AMS, you are free to leave and re-enter the international secure zone of the airport. Even if only for one minute to get that passport stamp.