Hi, a friend and I will have about four hours to spend in Amsterdam next month and were wanting ideas on ways to spend our time. Any suggestions?
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10612 posts
Is the 4 hours the time you have between one flight landing and the next flight taking off? If you have 4 hours max you don't really have time to leave the airport in my opinion. I've only landed there and left the airport so I've never had to spend a layover there, but I seem to remember mention of a museum located in the airport.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
I know the airport and the city well.
When you start adding up the increments, at best you have one hour from Centraal to Centraal. The station ain't exactly in the middle of the action.
I tried it once on a four-hour plus a little. Dumb move.
The airport has a museum and a casino, free wifi for an hour, and it's not bad just for walking around.
Posted by
OP
7 posts
Well, the four hours include getting back two hours before my next flight has to take off. I actually have six hours from flight to flight.
Thanks everyone for your help! I may just hang out at the airport.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9110 posts
At six hours between flights you do have time for a quick visit to the city center.
This FAQ will give you all the details:
A few things to add: if you need to store your carry-ons be sure to use the lockers in the public area of the airport. There are lockers in the boarding/gate areas, but when you reenter the airport you may be in the wrong half of the terminal to reclaim them.
I would take the train to Centraal Station, walk through the beautiful canal areas of the Jordaan neighborhood. Then walk to Dam Square check out the annual World Press Photo show at New Church (Nieuwe Kerk). If it's open also check out the Royal Palace next door, then do a walk through the Red Light District on the other side of Dam Square, and then back to Centraal for your train to the airport. Very easy to do in six hours.
Alternatively you could go to the Keukenhof Gardens. They are very near the airport and there are frequent and direct shuttle buses from the terminal to the main entrance: http://www.keukenhof.nl/en/
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Schiphol pales in comparison to a real city, but is my favorite airport where I've spent a few hours layover. They have some very comfy lounge chairs, some restrooms that make you think you're at the seaside, and a small, free gallery of art on loan from the Rijksmuseum: http://www.schiphol.nl/Travellers/FoodRelax.htm.