After a day of flying in the US, we will fly overnight to Amsterdam and then leave to another non-Schengen country. Our layover is 1 hour 20 minutes. Is that enough time to find one of the hotels with showers for rent, especially in the morning? I've never transferred in Amsterdam before, so I don't know how far apart the gates are, how early we need to arrive at our departure gate, or if there will be long lines at the hotels with other tired travelers wanting to freshen up. If it's not possible, I'd rather skip trying to find the hotels and walk to our next gate.
Posted by
St. Louis , MO
228 posts
Hotel Yotel at the airport , behind passport control , 2nd floor , at the beginning of Pier D.
A shower cabin is 15- euro for one hour . They are geared to transfer passengers who wish to freshen up .
Their e-mail address is : customer@yotel.com
Hope this is helpful . Happy trails !
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
If you are flying from the USA to a "non-Schengen country", and you are doing it all on one booking (through ticket), your luggage will go through to your final destination. But, more importantly, you will stay "Airside" and not go through immigration, therefore you cannot access any hotels.
In general 1h20 does not allow any free time. From that time, you have to allow for taxiing (up to 15 mins), getting off the plane (~10 minutes), and getting from one end of the airport to the other (~15 mins.). Not much contingency for a late arrival, and no time to go through immigration (passport control) and back out again.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9100 posts
But, more importantly, you will stay "Airside" and not go through
immigration, therefore you cannot access any hotels.
Not so. The airport Yotel is air side. So it can only be accessed from inside the transit area before immigration (http://tinyurl.com/q3ltj93):
"...YOTEL has two shower cabins where passengers in transit can relax and refresh before their onward journey. The shower rooms can be booked for an hour and cost only 15 euros. YOTEL can be found is located in the 'airside' or 'transit' area of the main terminal...."
Unfortunately due to the renovation going on at the airport the hotel is temporarily closed until August 15:(
Posted by
Nashville, TN, USA
795 posts
The Hotel Yotel is in the airport and you can do so there. You can rent for an hour. No need to leave the airport.
Posted by
OP
San Antonio, TX
334 posts
Perhaps I should clarify my question. I found the basic information about the hotels within the airport with showers here: http://www.schiphol.nl/Travellers/FoodRelax/AfterPassportControl/Relax/FreshenUp.htm
This statement is what I was curious about: "If you are in transit at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and have the time, a refreshing shower is the perfect way to break your journey." I'm trying to gauge what "have the time" means given that I have never traveled through this airport before. When I walk into the terminal, would I "have the time" if I see 80 minutes until my departure? What if I only see 60 minutes? I assume that if it's under 60 minutes, it would be impossible.
It will be a moot question anyway if my flight to Amsterdam is late, or takes a while to taxi, or if anything else happens that reduces the connection time.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9100 posts
IMO you will need at least a 2 hour layover to have time for the shower. Be aware the hotel is closed until August 15. Schipol is considered one of the best airports in the world to make a connection. The terminal is in one enormous building with a single corridor which connects the various piers to the gates.
The airport is well signed and impossible to get lost.
Posted by
OP
San Antonio, TX
334 posts
Thanks. That's similar to what I was already thinking that I'd need at least a two to three hour layover. But it never hurts to ask.
Posted by
St. Louis , MO
228 posts
Mike Schneider is right . First , you have to try hard to get lost at Schiphol . Taxiing takes a looong time . As soon as the wheels touch the ground it counts as having landed. ( Good for the on-time statistics ) .They don't tell you that you then get a half hour tour of the field before you arrive at the gate. My experience with the early USA - Amsterdam flights is that they usually arrive early , and if they leave the US a bit late , they make up the time.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area
5697 posts
Sounds like carrying some baby wipes might be your "freshen up" alternative until you get to the final destination ;-)
Posted by
OP
San Antonio, TX
334 posts
You're not far off. The backup plan is no rinse bathing wipes. While they are usually intended for camping, they are better than nothing. I'm surprised that I haven't seen them mentioned elsewhere.
Posted by
Iowa
68 posts
You can also consider using one of the airport lounges. I have used Deltas sky lounges before in Atlanta for a shower, wifi, and snacks. You might be able to get cheaper or free admission based on miles or credit card status. I don't think that 80 minutes is enough time to justify it but if you get in early or are delayed it is an option. If you don't have enough time I second the baby wipes option. Some people like a dry shampoo but I would try it at home. Sometimes changing into clean dry clothes, brushing your teeth, and putting on deodorant can make you feel much better. I remember the bathrooms in AMS being somewhat crowded but someone might have a suggestion of less popular bathrooms.