AMS Layover
 

Hi all,

I did a Google search, but was unable to find anything specific. I have a 7+ hour layover in AMS and am wondering if there is any hope of going into the city. Also, what sort of customs issues would I have to be concerned about?

Any help would be great.

Thanks!

There's a company that specializes in layover "mini-tours" if you want something organized. Otherwise, it's easy to go on your own. There are lockers by the F gates if you want to store some of your carry-on luggage at the airport. Clearing immigration is generally a breeze, and you just walk right through the "nothing to declare" line at customs. I've never been questioned--or seen anyone questioned--in the dozens of times I've been through there. There's a direct train service from the airport to Centraal Station in town, and you can walk or take a tram to anything you'd like to see. The trains run frequently all day, but check on your return train in advance, just to be sure.

7 hours is more then enough to get into the city do some stuff and get back. You can store your bags (and your money) in lockers inside of security. Take the train to Amsterdam Centrum is it fast and runs 3-4 times per hour.

If it is warm and sunny bypass Amsterdam and go all the way to the beach (only about 10 more minutes by train). If you want just want beer and food bypass AMS Centrum and go to Haarlem. It is great midsize town about 3-5 minutes further where the food/beer is less expensive and you are less likely to be accosted by homeless or pickpocketed then Amsterdam.

Definitely. That's more than enough time. The trains run directly from the "basement" at Schiphol to Centraal Station (Amsterdam's city center) every ten to fifteen minutes. Total travel time each way is approximately 20 minutes. A one way trip is under 4 Euros. From Centraal Station, you can either walk the city on foot (it's a great walking city), take the trams, or rent a bike (probably the best biking city in the world with all the bike lanes; rent a bike at the eastern side of the station at MacBike).

If your bags are checked all the way through and you already have a boarding pass, then you can probably wait until about 2 hours before your departure to catch the return train to Schiphol in order to maximize your time in the city center.

None, really. Like MJLogan, I find Schiphol's immigration to be a breeze.

Just did this last week, very easy and beats staying in the club all day. If you're flying NW there are lockers just across from the E pier (next to crew security). They take credit cards for the 4 Euro fee and the trains to Centraal run every 10 minutes (it takes about 15 minutes to get there). Round trip is 6 Euro. If you don't have coins or a Master Card, go to the ticket counter where the line moves quickly. They charge a 1 Euro service charge, however.

Returning to Schiphol the trains run at (after the hour)
:05 track 15b
:13 Track 13a
:29 track 13a
:35 track 15b
:43 track 13a
:59 track 13a
(a dead giveaway that you're on the right train is the KL flight attendants in uniform on their way to work :) )

Coming back into the airport follow the signs for the B/C gates through security. You end up closer to the E pier than if you follow the E signs. Total time from Centraal back to the lockers (through passport and security) was 30 minutes on a weekday afternoon. You may want to allow a little more time just in case.

I recommend having an idea of what you want to do when you get into the city (there was a good article in the NYT on Sunday, you can probably get it online or on IHT Travel Roport). If you are going to any of the museums, stop at any larger hotel and get advance tickets. This enables you to jump the line and ticket price is the same as at the museum (you may not have time for the Ann Frank museum, the line is always long).

If it's a nice day and you want to see some charming small towns, the trains to Delft and Haarlem are a short ride.

More to be found in Localtalk-Europe Amsterdam

good stuff here

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/archi.../t-394739.html including lots of links and info

Thank you all for your information. I am really looking forward to Amsterdam now! I thought I would just spend it in a lounge, but its good to know that I can go out and see the city. Thanks again!

agree with the others
 

It is so super-easy to get to Centraal there is no reason not to step out and enjoy some of this beautiful city. Enjoy your lay-over.

Amsterdam layover.
 

When will you be there.
I am arriving at 7.35 am Sat. April 9/05, staying at the Sheraton Schiphol.
Not doing anything till late at night, if you where arriving on Saturday I could give you some guidance.

Casey.

I'm there on April 30 (6.5 hours), May 7(7 hours), and May 21st(10hours) if anybody wants to go on an outing together...The last time I did a MR there, I just sat in the lounge and watched a movie...I have a small fear of not making it back to airport on time...I RAN through LAX (I felt like OJ in the Avis commercial) one time and arrived with about 1 minute to spare (it was a 1am flight and the screener looked at my boarding pass and said you better hurry, they have been paging you!!), so I tend to be conservative on my timing.

How is this topic related to the Northwest WorldPerks program?

Why has this thread been allowed to remain on this forum while Northwest-related topics are transferred to other boards?

As far as customs go, AMS is a breeze. Just don't try to bring any "goodies" from AMS into another country where they might not be as tolerated. ;)

Because 90% of people that are in this situation are NW (frequent) flyers and the greatest liklihood of getting helpful information. I have personally benefited from this having a similar situation this fall, and do not regularly read other sites that might have had this thread.

Mods, should this be moved to the AMS forum? Seems more appropriate there.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=543

Seems just fine where it is.

<<<<<Mods, should this be moved to the AMS forum?


NO!!!!

I read only one forum. This one. That's because I am a NW elite. Concomitant with being a NW elite, I transit AMS several times a year. I'll bet you that nearly everybody interested with AMS layovers who clocks into FlyerTalk is in this very analogous situation.

Please cease and desist with your skewed, inappropriate, unbalanced, and hideously misguided harping on personal obsessions to the disadvantage and denigration of all other posters on topics like this in this forum!

I agree also.. there are MANY times topics will effect NW fliers more than the general public and if the topic is put in another forum it will NEVER be seen by many of us...

Sorry guys, I just figured that if we were moving posts ABOUT Northwest into other forums, that surely a post about the Amsterdam airport belonged in the Amsterdam airport forum.

Thanks for the support dwh!

ditto!

what they said-

Advice - Layover in Amsterdam - Time Needed?
 

I am flying from the US (Phila) to Prague. I have a 6.5 hr layover in Amsterdam.

I plan to take the train to Centraal, then back (for the flight to Prague.)

Could anyone let me know what I'll have to do (customs, passport check, etc.) when getting off the plane in Amsterdam (before going to the city,) and also what I'll need to do before getting back on to Prague? The flight to Prague is a different flight/airline. About how much time will I need to give myself to do everything (check back in, etc.) for the return flight to Prague?

THANKS TO EVERYONE. Help is much appreciated!!!

Mike

Last year, I had a 3 hour layover to Rome. I was able to check out Centraal with no problem. But I almost missed my plane. Luckily, it was on Virgin Express and they let me board 15 minutes before departure. :p As to Customs, what customs? The customs might as well not have been there in AMS. The train to Centraal took longer than expected. If you haven't been to AMS b4 it's best to familiarize yourself with the train schedule. Personally, it was confusing at first. I had to ask the locals for help. With almost 2x the time, I don't think you'll have any problems checking out Centraal.

You'll have to get your passport checked (very quick usually), retrieve any checked luggage, and clear customs (expect to walk throught the "nothing to declare" line uninterrupted). Once outside the baggage claim area, I suggest you check in for your AMS-PRG flight and either check your luggage or store it in one of the luggage lockers (4 Euros per 24 hours; maps available at http://www.schiphol.nl/ under Airport Information/Maps).

Now, having checked in for your flight and with a boarding pass in hand, you will know exactly how much time you have to explore Amsterdam. Purchase a second class ticket to Amsterdam Centraal Station at one of the kiosks. It'll be 6 Euros for a day return (roundtrip); 3.40 Euros each way if bought separately. Having change is helpful if you want to avoid dealing with a human being which I believe now comes with a surcharge.

The trains from Schiphol to Centraal Station usually depart from platform 1. New airport-style monitors will tell you what time and from which platform the next departure is. Some of them (Intercity, usually) are nonstop; others make one or two stops. In any event, they typically run every 15 minutes and the total train ride will take 15-20 minutes.

I would recommend returning to Central Station approximately two hours before your departure from AMS so you can be at the airport around 90 minutes before departure. That should give you ample time to comfortably make your flight. Return trains from Centraal Station to Schiphol usually depart from platform 13 or platform 15. If you have to buy a one way return ticket, the code for Schiphol is 1117.

Welcome to FT. Now if you actually click on the links in the posts of page one of THIS thread, you will find everything you need and way more than you need.

cAAl : Your post should be manatory reading. If there is ever a permanent "AmsterdamTips" sticky, it should be at the top.

"AMS Layover Tips" :
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=394739


Watch Out For Pickpockets !
On the train to Centraal , groups of youths wander through the train playfully jostling each other as they try to pick your pockets .

Beware of street people/junkies who ask you if you speak English , 'cause they'll cling to you to beg and won't stop. Just ingore them or say 'Niet'.

The KLM forum has more detailed info. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=493

Don't be alarmed about the "retrieve your checked luggage" statement above--if you're connecting, and your luggage is checked through to your final destination, you don't have to go through a U.S,-style luggage check in AMS. If you DO have to get your checked luggage at AMS and recheck it for your next flight for some odd reason, that would eat up a nice chunk of your layover.