I have a three hour layover in Amsterdam airport on KLM flight from U.S to Glasgow. Should I even try to get anywhere in town like Van Gogh museum or a cafe on a canal or should I just be content with airport fare? Any ideas? Just realized do I need a visa for Holland?
Posted by
1790 posts
You won’t even be leaving the non Schengen international transit area of the airport.
Posted by
OP
Tacoma, WA
18 posts
Thank you. Hadn’t considered that. I’m sure the airport will be entertaining. 😊
Posted by
9986 posts
Only 3 hours, absolutely stay at the airport.
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
3999 posts
Only leave the airport if you want to miss your flight to Glasgow. Queues to exit the airport and get back in can be hours long on busy days. Schiphol has plenty to entertain you depending on where your flight lands and departs - a small branch of the Rijksmuseum, an indoor park that plays bird song, good pastries, massage chairs. https://www.schiphol.nl/en/airport-maps
PS if you are American you do not need a visa for The Netherlands. If you left the airport and went through immigration you might need to complete the EES but that is an on-arrival process.
edited to add Nigel is correct you will need an ETA for the UK, be sure to use the official website to get one.
Posted by
Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England
36720 posts
but you do need an ETA for the UK entry
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
17051 posts
In case you didn't realize the ramifications of just staying in the non-Schengen area for your flight...you don't have to go thru Immigration OR Security. The transit from US to UK via Amsterdam is one of the easiest transits I've ever done.
You'll have time for a nice bite in one of the food areas and can walk around a bit. There are some lounge chairs up on a mezzanine area next to the Starbucks, lol.
IF you tried to go in to Amsterdam you'd go thru Entrance Immigration and then have to go back thru Exit Immigration and security. That could come close to eating your 3 hour time limit.