Amsterdam arrival

Its very easy. The train station is in the airport, and there will be signs directing you. You can buy a ticket in the station for Amsterdam Centraal. Its about a 15 minute train ride. You could probably look up a map of the AMS airport if it makes you feel better--

Train tickets from Schiphol to Amsterdam can be bought at the station for 5.30 euros or for 4.20 euros from https://www.discoverholland.com/Ticket/13/Schiphol-Airport-to-Amsterdam-train-ticket (which is a website from Dutch Railways).

The tickets bought at the station, from the counter or a ticket machine, need to be touched in at Schiphol and touched out at Amsterdam Centraal. The e-ticket from the link needs to be printed. On it is a QR code you'll need to open the ticket barriers at Centraal.

When you come out into the arrivals area near the big red and white checkered meeting point, you will see bright yellow/blue machines where you can buy your tickets. You will have the option for English on the ticket machine. You want to buy one way second class tickets and get on one of the train cars marked with a 2. Our first trip over we stopped at an ING atm on our walk to arrivals and withdrew some funds. I believe there is also an ABN Amro ATM in arrivals. These are bank owned atm's. You need coins for the machine if your credit card won't work in it and you can get that by buying a little something if need be. I think there are two escalators down from the arrivals area to the train tracks (I think of it as the basement lol) so look at the sign and make sure it says Amsterdam Centraal or Amsterdam CS. Just before you get on the escalator down there is a machine right there to scan/touch your ticket to. That checks you into your ride. It will beep and the light will turn green. Keep your ticket. You could have your ticket checked on the train and it is an instant fine if you don't have it so put it someplace safe and handy. You also need the ticket to check out. At the bottom of the escalators are the train tracks. There was an NS attendant there when we arrived to tell us which side of the platform our train would arrive at. We had to move down a bit from the escalator to spread ourselves out. Once you board the train keep a close on your stuff. We each sat in a seat alone across the aisle from each other and put our bags by the windows, keeping an arm looped through the strap. Neither did we sit right by the door. Not to scare you, but pickpockets love the trains to and from the airport so be careful with your belongings. It seems it was about a 20 minute journey into Amsterdam.
Once you get off your train, follow the exit (uitgang) signs and walk toward the front of the station. You will have either stairs or an escalator to get down to the shopping area/exit unless you arrive on the innermost track and are able to walk to the very end of the building where there are outdoor stairs down to the station front. Just depends on which track you come in on. Follow the signs to Centrum, which is the station exit you want. There are all kinds of shops in here for drinks, snacks, etc. There will be several turnstiles as you reach the front of the station with the green light showing on your side, showing that those turnstiles are operational for you. Touch your ticket to the scanner and then push through the turnstile. Then you are home free to find your way to your houseboat. Are you walking to it or riding a tram?

Thank you all for the info; Nance your response is GREATLY appreciated. This is our first time to Amsterdam and have no idea how we were going to get where we needed to go. We are walking to our accommodation as the owner said it is only a 9 minute walk.

Glad I was able to help. I just tried to give the kind of explanation I would appreciate. Download the Ulmon off line map app for Amsterdam onto your phone and make sure you are able to access the city street map before you leave home. That will help you get around. Also use google to look at your route from the station to your houseboat. After you've done that it might help to use the street view to walk it so you can see what buildings you will pass. If you are staying over in the canal area near Noorderkerk might I strongly, strongly suggest a visit to Winkel's 43 for apple pie with fresh whipped cream? It is unlike anything you've ever eaten. I promise. There is also a big market across the street from Winkel's on Saturday mornings that is wonderful! They have some ready made foods as well as fresh meat/produce, and a ton of flea market items that might hold a nice souvenir. Have a fabulous trip and you are welcome to pm me if you have further questions about things.

You can also watch this video. I would start it at 2.00 minutes. I often watch a you tube video about how to use ticket machines when I about to arrive at an unfamiliar spot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3l-dwhVAOk

Thank you all again! And Winkel is definitely on my to do list!!

Carol, what a great idea! We're not Youtube savvy; that is, we seldom think to check it. But we have friends who use it regularly for home repairs, car maintenance, etc.

Carol thank you so much for the youtube link!!!!!

Is there any benefit to buying a round trip ticket from Sciphol to Amsterdam and then back for departing flight two days later?

A return ticket must be used on the same day. And it's anyway exactly twice the price of a single ticket.