On our way from Vancouver to Madrid, we'll have a 6.5 hour stopover in the Amsterdam airport from 10:30 am to 5 pm on July 3rd. We've never been there before, and were wondering if there's any way we could fit in a brief visit to the city, or if we'd be risking missing our connection!
Thanks for any advice. :)
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7025 posts
It's certainly possible for a very short visit. If you actually arrive at 10:30, by the time you stash your bag (if it's not checked through) and get to the train and into Amsterdam central it will be 11:30-12:00. You would have time to walk around a bit, have a quick stand-up (take-out) lunch, maybe take a 1-hr canal tour, maybe one museum instead of that if weather is not ideal. You would have to take the train back to the airport about 2:00-2:30 for a 5:00 flight. It would be quick but maybe more fun than sitting at the airport. Although I must say that Schiphol airport has stuff to see/do that could occupy your time if you don't want to take the chance of leaving the airport, there's good shops and an art gallery, etc.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9099 posts
The museum art galley/museum no longer exists, but a short trip to the city center is doable. All the info you need to know is in this FAQ:
Posted by
4510 posts
Go into town and do something, you will have time.
Posted by
alameda, ca, usa
2602 posts
The Airport Express bus 197 for 5 euro will take you into Amsterdam in 30 minutes, stops at various areas you might want to explore, even the Museumplein if you want to pop into the Rijksmuseum for a quick visit. Van Gogh's lines are too unpredictable. Just don't cut yourself short when returning to Schiphol to check in for connecting flight, security can be quite a tedious, time-consuming process.
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
I would rather take a train than bus to the downtown. Bus can be prone to get stuck in traffic jam. Once I have over 6 hours lay over I almost always go to downtown - by train.