I will have a 9+ hour layover at Schiphol airport in Amsterdam (arriving from Berlin & departing for Atlanta on KLM) & plan to leave the airport & go into the city. Since I will be leaving the secure area, how much time do I need to allow to get to my gate? (I will try to find a locker to store my carry-on so will have to retrieve it.) Which Pier & Gates does KLM use for flights to the US? From which level do the trains leave/arrive? The train ride is about 30 minutes to/from the Central station in Amsterdam. I'm too old to run (!) so want to allow plenty of time yet want to see as much of the city as I can. I would appreciate any help anyone can give me. Thank you.
Posted by
Tilburg, Netherlands
2829 posts
Schiphol airport has a main hall where everyone converges to. They are also changing their layout, using 3 central "security and screening islands" instead of having the procedure done near the gate as today.
Trains leave from an underground station beneath this major hall (called Schiphol Plaza). The trip between Amsterdam Centraal and Schiphol takes 14-22 minutes depending on the train you take, there are 6 to 10 departures per hour.
For peace of mind, I'd schedule my errands such that I'd be boarding a train back to Schiphol 3 hours before the departure time on my boarding card. That allows room to get around some train cancellation, and not be in a hurry through security and finding my gate.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9099 posts
There are lockers spread all over different parts of the terminal. Be sure to use the lockers in the public area of the station after baggage claim/customs. If you use the lockers near the gates you may not be able to access that area when you reenter the airport. Here's an FAQ about visiting Amsterdam during a layover: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g188553-c79954/The-Netherlands:Schiphol.Layover.html
Enjoy the city and especially the trams & trains, they are a fun way to get around!!
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
I'm pretty sure KLM to Atlanta uses the same pier as Delta, based on the uniforms and partnership.
E Pier, nS side.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
Looks like you're on the right track with the advice above.
Posted by
OP
Mississippi USA
7 posts
Thank you all so much for your replies. I'm still a little nervous about it all but your answers help a lot. My friend and I would like to try to see both the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam & the Corrie ten Boom house in Haarlem.
Our plane arrives from Berlin at 7:25 & I will make reservations at both houses to avoid the lines. Each tour takes about an hour but the Frank tours are every 20 minutes so we will probably take bus #300 to Haarlem first, do the 10:00 a.m. tour (only other English tours are 11:30 & 1:30 - I'd love to do the 1:30 but afraid it wouldn't allow us enough time to get back to Schiphol) then do Anne Frank & stroll around Amsterdam & have lunch. Any other/better suggestions? I'm open. Again, I really appreciate your responses.
Posted by
OP
Mississippi USA
7 posts
OR after re-reading Michael's reply & link, probably best to do our strolling & lunch in Haarlem, if we even have time for lunch! I'd certainly rather see both houses than eat!
Posted by
Fernandina Beach, FL
2 posts
Andre - I'm curious how your 9 hour layover turned out. We have a similar one coming up and we are trying to do a similar run into town. We plan to visit the VanGogh museum ourselves. Thanks!