Find direct flights from the United States, Europe or many global destinations. Visit one of the museums on the Museumplein. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is one of the busiest airports in Europe, and it's a great place to spend a layover. 8-hours is plenty of time. Can you store your bags at Schiphol Airport? Feeling lucky? Some countries, for example, allow individuals with a special transit visa to leave the international zone for a short period of time. ), Travel Books & Electronics, and Say Cheese dedicated to all sorts of cheese. Did you check in for both flights before the first leg of your journey? First, if your layover is longer than 24 hours, you will need to get a transit visa. There are a few airports in the city that are close to the center. When you take a canal tour of Amsterdam, you will be able to gain a truly unique perspective of the city. We dont mean just take a stroll though you certainly could. If your main goal is to have one unforgettable meal on your short Amsterdam layover visit you should think about trying out the locally famous Rijsttafel, which is a Dutch combination and interpretation of Indonesian food, served in sort of a personal buffet style. Schiphol is just fifteen minutes from the center of Amsterdam by train or thirty minutes on the express bus service. If you have a layover in Amsterdam you'll more than likely find yourself in Schiphol Airport. Includes. It was definitely worth leaving the airport. Why wait inside when there is so much to see and discover. By the time we arrived at Amsterdam Centraal Station, we were hungry! If you have a long layover at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, you may be wondering if you can leave the airport to explore the city. Most of the older posts say it's totally possible to do a short day trip to Amsterdam with a 7-10 hr layover. Straight-ahead and going away from you is the Damrak, which is the central main street that connects the main square (Dam Square) with Centraal Station. It also allows you to add new cities and countries to your itinerary at a low cost. >>more information on Amsterdam canal cruises. They are at 84 Rokin, which is what Damrak turns into as it continues south past Dam Square. To find baggage storage inside the airport, follow the Baggage Storage signs. Actually I would have missed it had it not been delayed. It is known as an easy target for pickpockets. For the very latest official guidelines and health requirements for visitors to the Netherlands please refer to the Dutch government portal here and Schiphols page here though most restrictions have been removed. Just a note: when I tried to purchase my ticket at the ticket booth with a credit card, it kept asking for a pin number. The town of Hoofddorp is just 5 minutes train ride from Schiphol. This modern hotel is home to 330 rooms, all featuring a large bed, 42-inch HDTV, seating area, desk and free Wi-Fi. Standing in front of Centraal Station looking forward you are in the busiest part of Amsterdam, although its not exactly the heart of the city. If you've got an overnight layover in Amsterdam, you're lucky. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) is conveniently located a mere 15 kilometers from the city center, making a layover in Amsterdam pleasant, enjoyable and generally quite effortless. So nothing more to do, you can go out and later get back for Lisbon flight. I dont personally know anyone whos had this problem, but Im sure hundreds of stoners each year miss their flights because they lose track of time while chilling out in paradise. Under 4 hours I would not recommend leaving the airport, unfortunately. The world is now your drinking oyster. This will make your arrival and departure in Schiphol much faster as you don't have to collect your bags and then drop them off. Be realistic with the timing. So considering all of this if you are left with 5 hours or more you can definitely leave the Amsterdam Airport. I wanted to indulge in something uniquely Amsterdam, and a delicious looking stroopwafel was just the answer! Posted September 5, 2011. If you plan to spend the entire layover in Amsterdam, it is best to spend time canal hopping. I like it alot more so you can wonder all over the airport and leave it w/o having to go thru security. What you do during your time in Amsterdam is up to you and depends if you are a first time visitor. While catching the train into the city center might appear the best option, you'll find Bus 397 may take a few minutes longer but will leave you in the Museumplein, which is five minutes walk from the Van Gogh Museum. Don't worry you do not need cash euros for your overnight layover. Across from Centraal Station and a bit to the right youll find a couple of touristy places that arent bad, but you are better off marching straight into the Red Light District. Just because the airline says you have a certain amount of hours, doesnt mean that will be true. Okay, I put this at the end, but I know this is really what you were looking for the whole time. Remember that Schiphol is effectively partitioned into 3 zones: Or, let your mood dictate, with food options including traditional Dutch, Chinese, American, Irish, Italian, Japanese, and more. Don't forget though that getting through passport control, customs, and collecting your bags can take an hour or more, so keep that in mind when making your layover plans. Its also an active residential neighborhood so there is no reason to feel embarrassed passing through. Breezy kiosks serve up cold-pressed juice and organic options. Our Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Guide has details on locations and services. One of the best things about having a long layover is the chance that you can actually get out of the airport and explore. By Natasha Bruno, readersdigest.ca Updated: Feb. 14, 2020. . Its pretty dead on Sundays and Monday mornings, but otherwise its usually jammed with people, which makes walking quickly nearly impossible. They have 9 lines inside and its often crowded, but they do give away free maps if you need one. While the airport itself is charming and enticing, if your layover is over five hours, consider hopping on an express bus or . If you come in the winter months the days are short (dark by 5pm) and it can be very cold and windy so ensure you have some warm clothing. Lovers runs a 60 minute canal cruise from Prins Hendrikkade 25, conveniently located just outside Central Station book your cruise here from 16. Can You Substitute Granulated Sugar For Course Sugar In Baking? A 1-hour, bus tour called Schiphol Behind the Scenes lets travellers peek into working aircraft hangars, the fire station, and other airport locales typically closed to the public. Options for a quick visit to Amsterdam and surrounding attractions. Has anyone been through Amsterdam recently that has not been vaccinated? If youve got a bit more time or if you arent much of a walking-tour person then here are some additional possibilities below. THE TOP 10 Layover Tours in Amsterdam (w/Prices) | Viator Home Things to do in Netherlands Things to do in Amsterdam Amsterdam Tours Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises Tours by Duration Layover Tours Questions? Because airports in the United States do not have international zones, there is a distinct difference between them and other countries. Heard about the crazy delays at the airport. Its like adding an extra city to your trip. Along the Damrak youve got a bunch of tourist-oriented places that are mostly quite mediocre. Recently renovated, Holland Boulevard is an immersive experience that offers travellers a bit of Dutch culture without leaving the airport. Those who have traveled to a foreign country during a layover may wish to take a special tour. The layover time was 22 hours so I would like to exit the airport, see the city, and return to the airport for the flight home. A Dutch airport transit visa does not allow the holder to enter the Netherlands nor any other Schengen area country. Tip: Just be cautious of your belongings on the train. If you have 4 hours or less (from plane touch down to your next flight) I dont think you would have enough time to leave the airport to explore Amsterdam. 2007-2023 AmsterdamTips.com - All Rights Reserved, Intercontinental Flight Routes from Amsterdam, Getting to Amsterdam from Schiphol Airport, do note that many museums these days require you to make a reservation in advance. That all depends on your interests and the amount of time you have at your disposal. Prices range from 6 to 9, and you can store your bags up to 7 days. You could also buy a 1 day Amsterdam Travel Ticket here (18) which is valid for the train trip and gives unlimited city public transport on GVB trams/buses/metro. You can get coffee at these places, but if thats all you want just look around for a caf and youll be set. If you have a layover in Amsterdam you'll more than likely find yourself in Schiphol Airport. Things to do in Amsterdam 8 hours layover Amsterdam Be sure to visit Amsterdam if you have a stopover at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol during your trip to or from Europe. FIND A TOUR Purchase tickets at the Planes@Plaza store in Schiphol Plaza. If it is domestic or international. It's not much, but it's enough time to be able to go into Amsterdam without giving yourself a nervous breakdown. If you are determined to visit any one of those you might be able to pull it off with about 5 hours in the city. If you have not yet visited one of these places you might be interested in the Amsterdam coffee shops FAQ, which should answer every question about this whole phenomenon. We are a group of 4. Here are some things I need to check off my bucket list: visit Van Loon Museum & Rijksmuseum, try some fried and garlic sauce atVlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx, and explore the neighborhoods of De Pijp and Jordaan. Getting to Amsterdam central station, downtown Amsterdam, is really easy! Furthermore, if anything goes wrong, I can rest assured that my belongings are secure. Stash your baggage in a luggage locker then catch the Amsterdam Airport Express (Bus 397), they depart every seven minutes or so from Stop 17, and as well as getting to the city center, you'll get a sightseeing tour too as it passes all the main attractions. How long does layover? A layover happens when you have two or more flights and you land in another airport somewhere along the way. Did I have to check it out on my layover? They have free maps that detail the public transportation in the city. The canals in this area are particularly gorgeous and there are a couple of famous churches and frequent outdoor markets here. Language: English En Taking the train is cheaper, and will get you to the city center in just 20 minutes. Luggage For layovers it is optimal to have your luggage already checked through to your next destination. Time of day An ideal layover would be arriving on a sunny(!) PCR won't be necessary as of the present rules. What is the best way to get out of the layover in the US? GoSleep Pods (Concourse D) are a good option to grab a quick nap. We will not be. Make sure you get your OV-chipkaart at the airport. Its rare that a conductor will even come by to ask to see your ticket on this short journey, but being caught without one is both expensive and humiliating. You will find the cutest homes and quaint streets. It is cold, so bring an extra layer. We get in at 2:20pm and leave the next morning. #2 If you can't check your luggage, there's storage in Schiphol airport. Enjoy a private tour around the highlights of Panama during your layover. The train will take you directly to Amsterdams Schiphol Airport. The world-famous Rijksmuseum has an airport outpost, featuring 17th-century Dutch paintings in a proper museum setting that magically feels like youre not in an actual airport. If you layover in the same country as your final destination, customs and immigration will not be an issue. Home of the best people to have walked the earth. Flights to Amsterdam Find a variety of flights to Amsterdam from our 300+ destinations worldwide. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hey there! 2 Kalverstraat Shopping Cross the street in front of Centraal Station and just to your right is an enormous pedestrian-only shopping district, although its hidden from view until you actually reach one of its many streets, with Kalverstraat being the central artery. For the specifics on exactly how this all works so you can visit a coffeeshop without feeling really weird about it check out the advice on the main Amsterdam Coffeeshop page. Because the train back takes only 20 minutes, it is critical that you have plenty of time to retrieve your luggage and check in for the next flight. So, the only people going thru them are the passengers. Amsterdam is one of the few cities where even a short layover can be turned into an inspiring look at the heart of town. In addition to being the countrys busiest airport, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol serves as the Netherlands primary gateway for international travelers. Half a Day in Amsterdam. Save. Take the first right and another quick right onto Warmoesstraat. Of course, youll find a McDonalds and more than one Starbucks. Most places here are quite small, and there are no hookers along this street so theres no reason to feel strange here, but if you do want to see a few girls in the windows just head down Warmoesstraat a few blocks and turn left and youll see a few windows with the friendly girls behind them. Youll find mostly trendy and youthful clothing stores, but there is a little bit of everything. If your flight lands early or the Customs lines look empty, you can actually have a meaningful visit even if you have to be back at the airport exactly two hours later. Obviously if you have checked luggage to pick-up this will slow you down a few more minutes. morning, having a day in Amsterdam then departing in the evening. They have the TSA/security at the gates. It's a great way to see Amsterdam illuminated at night as long as you're not afraid of heights. Trains operate between 0600 and 0030; there is an hourly night train service as well. 1. Do be aware that Schiphol employs WiFi and Bluetooth tracking of devices for data analysis. If youve got a few hours in Amsterdam and you want to include a nice meal you might want to check out either the Rembrandtplein area or (if youve got a bit more time) the Leidseplein area. For something more budget-friendly, there are several chair massage options spread throughout the airport, offering automatic massages for just a few Euros. The majority of airports are quite far away from major cities and their attractions. You should see at least a couple that list Schiphol as their first destination. 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