7 hr layover in Amsterdam- worth going into the city?

We did the same but headed to Leiden to use up some of our long layover. The manned luggage storage area was easy to use. Yes, go enjoy your time!

Whether or not it’s worth it, depends on when this is exactly. I mean the date and time.

I do not think you will have 7 hours to visit Amsterdam. Is your journey on one ticket? And will you be checking luggage or doing carry on only? Assuming the plane lands on time you will need at least an hour for deplaning and leaving the airport. As you, I assume, are heading back to the US so you will need to be at the airport 3 hours in advance of departure. The train takes 20 minutes to get from the airport to Amsterdam and runs 4 to 6 times per hour. If everything works you could maybe have a couple of hours in the city itself.

I know we will only have about 2-3 hours of actual time in Amsterdam between getting off the plane from Athens, storing our bags, taking the train to and from and then getting through security when we get back to the airport but we thought it could be fun. We arrive in AMS in the morning and leave at 4pm, so it will be daytime. Does the security line typically move along fairly quickly when you get back to the airport? Since we will be coming in from Athens (within the Shengen zone), I assume we will not have to go through immigration when we land. Is that correct?

Since we will be coming in from Athens (within the Shengen zone), I assume we will not have to go through immigration when we land. Is that correct?

if you are flying back to the USA leaving Schengen from Amsterdam then you have to go through Passport Control Immigration. Just make sure you are checked in and on your way to gate 2 hours before the flight

Does the
security line typically move along fairly quickly when you get back to
the airport? Since we will be coming in from Athens (within the
Shengen zone), I assume we will not have to go through immigration
when we land. Is that correct?

Schiphol security and passport control can be an absolute nightmare and it can also be just fine. It is highly dependent on the day you travel - busy weekends or peak summer travel. You can check the anticipated crowds at the airport about two weeks ahead of your flight: https://www.schiphol.nl/en/my-travel-day/today If you don't get your USA bound boarding passes in Athens, make sure to print them out at a transfer desk before you leave the airport. Double check gate when you return. I wouldn't be at the airport any less than 2.5-3 hours before departure, as USA bound flights boarding process is more detailed.

I'm a little unclear - are you wanting to store just your carry on bags? If you check bags in Athens they should be checked through to USA, so you wouldn't be able to retrieve them. The temporary storage lockers are easy to find - there are several in the terminal before security, but probably the one after security would be better choice just in case your gate moves. https://www.schiphol.nl/en/at-schiphol/services/luggage-storage/ If you used the staffed luggage drop off, it can have a long line so make sure to allow time for that. The train station is under the airport. Tickets are on the arrivals floor level, station is below.

When you return to airport, the travel planner will tell you how busy security is. Some days the wait can be an hour or more. You can reserve a time slot to speed things up: https://www.schiphol.nl/en/page/timeslots/

Assuming everything is on time and goes to plan, you'd have maybe 2 hours to walk around central Amsterdam. Whether that is "worth it" is up to you - I personally think Amsterdam is worth more time and there are too many potential glitches that could make you late for returning to catch your flight. But if you're up for it, there are plenty of websites with detailed suggestions for how to spend layovers.

I am facing the same issue. Athens to Amsterdam , 7 hour layover, flight to US. My flight is scheduled to leave Athens at 5:45 am, so a very early start for me! I decided to rent a room airside at the Yotel for that period of time. As a solo traveler, I can lay down and take a nap in a secure area without worrying about purse, carryon. I will have my own bathroom……

No need to go through security,etc.

That was my solution.

Carol- That's funny, we are from Seattle and also leaving Athens at 5:45am, going through Amsterdam for 7 hours before our final leg to Seattle. Looks like we have the same itinerary!