Time of day to fly in

I would say it depends...if there is a large travel time from the airport into the city,I would say go for the early time. However Amsterdam isn't far from the airport, and the airport is easy to maneuver around, so you will get into the city in a timely manner. But you might not be able to get into your hotel, B&B, apartment that early, which means having to store your belongings, sucking it up and going out to look for breakfast/coffee/tea, til 1-3pm; all you will want to do is shower,unwind, plan for your day, maybe mini nap (sometimes not the best idea). Most sights won't open til after 10. We arrived into Amsterdam at 6:30, walked to our B&B, the lady held our bags but we could not access our room. So we bumbled around, sleepy, feeling scuzzy til our check in time.
If you arrive by 10:30, you might be more able to access your room a bit more early and be on your way with sight seeing with most sights open and available. I am one to take advantage of my first day so I would like to get in as early as possible but will have to deal with luggage storage, things not being open. If you know where you are going to stay, you can as your host if early check in would be possible. Or make sure they can store your luggage. Knowing this can help you choose the right time to land.

I would choose the flight that arrives at 10:30 a.m. As Kelly mentioned, the trip from the airport into town is easy and fast. Most hotels or B&B's will store your bags if it is too early to check in. I always keep moving and spend as much time as possible outdoors on my arrival day. It helps to avoid or minimize jet lag. Maybe you could find a walking tour. That will help orient you to the city.

I prefer the later flight time just because I simply can't sleep on the plane when I'm leaving early in the afternoon. If I get a true night flight with a later departure I might get at least a couple of hours of sleep before landing in Europe to face the day. I'd spend the first day exploring Amsterdam by foot or taking a canal cruise. For that half a day is just right. Don't hit the museums! You'll fall asleep inside the dimly lit rooms.

The time you arrive won't matter much for jet-lage purposes, because you likely won't have experienced much sleep on the airplane and your circadian clock will be out of sync. For most of us, jetlag is an inevitable consequence of flying across the ocean, but many travelers have worked out a routine through trial and error to help mitigate the effects. But what works for me may not work for you.

I would vote for the one that arrives in the afternoon. By the time you get to your hotel/B&B you will probably be able to check in and then go out in the sunshine. In Sept I connected on Delta thru MSP to Heathrow and got in at 1230. It was 230 by the time I got to my B&B and that was just perfect. Had time to walk a little, have a meal and then go to bed at my usual bed time. In addition, if you get up at your usual time you will be tired by the late take off time and might be able to sleep on the plane.

Caroline, If this is your first trip abroad, then you will have to do some experimenting with jet lag. So far the 3 times i go over there im just excited the jet lag doesnt hit until later that day. unlike you, i dont have alot of choices for direct flights to Europe. The one i have is on Delta/KLM and its a direct to AMS from PDX. Leaving around 1400 and arriving around 0830. Even if i have a choice, i would probable take this time since it gets me there early. I noticed on my most recent trip i was able to check into my hotel around 1130 ish after clearing all of the BS at AMS. Also, this is the way i see it, i like to make the most of my sight seeing time so i tay to make it into my hotel early so i can do the tourist thing as much as i can. of course that will depend on you and you want to do it. happy trails.

I would go for the 7:25 non-stop departure. It gives you a much better chance of getting some sleep than those with stops and layovers.

Hi, Without regard to a distinct price hike, I would take arriving prior to 11 am any day over arriving in the afternoon. Jet lag has got nothing to do with it when I land either at FRA, or Paris CDG or London Heathrow. In your case arriving in Amsterdam at 06:30 or 10:30 really makes no difference.

We just did a late night (10:25) Delta departure from Detroit to London arriving about noon London time and found that we had nearly no jet lag issues. We had no choice in the matter but based on this lat trip we wopuld gladly try the late departure again. Good luck and nave a great trip.

Thanks for all the advice! I think I will take the 7pm-10am flight, assuming it keeps being the same price as the other times... (I'm hoping the price will go down a bit before I book, I'm looking at next summer)

Caroline, With all things being equal (price, length of flight, etc.), I'd also suggest using the flight departing at 19:30. I find that's a good time for arrival. By the time you actually get to your hotel, it may be about 12:30 which provides a better chance that your room will be ready. I always like to clean and freshen up a bit before heading out touring, so prefer getting into the room right away. Happy travels!

Hello Caroline. I think : being in an airplane that arrives at the airport of Amsterdam at 6:30 A.M., or at 10:30 A.M. does not make much difference. If it were my trip, and if I could reserve a room in a hotel at Amsterdam that would let me check in at the hotel at any time that I arrive there, I would prefer to be in an airplane arriving at the airport of Amsterdam at the earliest time : 6:30 A.M. I would go from the airport to the Hotel, check in, shower, sleep in my room for two or three hours, and awaken at about 12:00 Noon (Amsterdam time).
Thus, I would not feel tortured by sleep deprivation, I could do some sightseeing in the afternoon, and I would be able to sleep at Amsterdam that night. I did that, flying to an other city in Europe.

I suck at math- is the 9:50pm departure a lot longer travel time than the others? A late departure like that would increase the likelihood of getting several hours' sleep on the flight. In general, the more sleep you get on the plane, the easier your jet lag will be.

I have had the experience of flying both options you have mentioned, and have always preferred the late night departure with the mid-day arrival. I don't have to take off work on the day of departure. Once in flight, it allows for a natural sleep time on the plane, and a decent arrival time for check-in, afternoon tea time, sightseeing/walkabout, dinner, perhaps a nightcap, and then sleeping. I find that I deal with relatively little jet lag with that option.
Only reason to choose the earlier arrival time: you are planning to travel to another locale than where the plane lands on the day of arrival.