AMS layover tips
 

I found a small article in the January issue of World Traveler on what to do when you have a long AMS layover (p.12). Timely article since I have one coming up in a week and this is my first AMS experience. Here are some ideas if you have more than 4 hours of layover, although these activities are probably suited for non-winter time.
* Boat tour of the city’s canals
* A guided tour of Rembrandt walk
* Stroll through Art galleries or library
* Botanical garden (Hortus) tour

Any other ideas?

Toke in the Grasshopper? :)

I read that article yesterday. My worry is this. most people are usually pretty burnt out at ams. you can easily jump on the train and be downtown in 20 min but the thought of trying to do something and then start worrying about trying to get back without missing your flight seems to much to bear. most people flying into ams are allowed a free stopover so why not stay a day and enjoy it. ps sometimes you can get lost for 4 hrs in town :D

I did a 7.5 hour layover (actually 5.5 hours, because JFK-AMS was 2 hours late) in AMS in November and had a very nice time. Took the train into town, got some lunch, went to the Rijksmuseum, and wandered back downtown in time to catch the train and be back at AMS with plenty of time to spare. It's a very nice way to break up the travel from NYC to points beyond AMS as long as you're not somebody who gets totally wrecked by an overnight flight.

I'm doing the same layover again with a friend at the end of February.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...terdam+layover
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I went to the Anne Frank House, one of many choices that you may want to see. If you go, go early or very late to avoid the lines.

If you want to be bad, secretly take a photo of the window girls in the red light district. I thought of it only because some windows have signs warning people not to take photos. Try taking one with the camera hidden in your palm and sleeve, 008.

Normally I would suggest heading straight over to the Rijksmuseum--however I'd skip it altogether until they are through with the remodel. I got burned this summer--they've kept the same entrance fee but you only get to see 1/10th of the collection at best (not even a single Huysem!) :mad:

When I was at the Rijksmuseum in May 2003, they'd closed off most of the museum for asbestos removal, but they'd also significantly reduced the entry fee for the remainder of the museum that was still open and were giving away the audio tour for free. This was within the first month after they closed it off, so maybe they've been able to reopen parts and feel justified to charge the regular fee now.

So would a 4-hour layover be enough time to duck into town and see some sights?

Four hours is plenty of time. The train station is right under the airport after you get out of baggage/customs. The train ride takes 20 minutes and trains leave every 7-12 minutes during the day.

Centraal Station is a beautiful station (from the outside) in itself and you can find plenty of cafes, coffeeshops, etc. right outside. Or, just outside is the canal cruise (though I don't think your layover is long enough for a worthy canal cruise).

Trip costs less than 5 euro for a return ticket. However, Schiphol is also a nice (and huge) airport to get lost in for awhile if you don't want to take the train.

Enjoy.

RM

Once again, great info here on FT.

I have a 3 hr layover in AMS in a few weeks, and in the past I have just gone to the KL club in the Schengen area while waiting for my outbound flight (to a Schengen country). Now I'll head into town and try to see some of what has been posted here.

In doing this, should I go thru passport control in the baggace claim area? Or just do what I have always done, which is go thru passport control inside security (using my passport and outbound flt boarding pass) and head into town from the Schengen area of the airport?

Thanks for the great info here.

Do any of the locals know about a picturesque neighborhood that is within walking distance of Schipol? A seatmate mentioned that one of his friends who lived in Amsterdam had told him about the spot that was well worth visiting and he planned to walk there.

When we laid over at Schipol, the time passed so quickly while shopping in the little grocery store. It that had very good deli items and the prices were reasonable for an airport. I found the info searching flyertalk.

That sounds great but how long will it take to get through customs and immigration? And how long should I budget to clear security once I return? I'm used to long security lines, etc., in the U.S. so four hours seems like just enough time to get downtown, step off the train, get back on the train, and get back to the airport to ensure I make my flight on time.

Did you try any of the links above?

What a novel idea. @:-) Sorry, it just didn't occur to me to do a bit of research. And me a grad student!