We will arrive at Schiphol at 6am. Our hotel is in Haarlem, but we are taking a foodie tour in Amsterdam at 11:30am. Should we bus to the B&B, check in and leave our luggage and return to Amsterdam; or store our luggage at the airport, begin exploring, and pick it up later? Ideally, our B&B wants us to check in between 1pm and 5pm, but they say we can leave luggage after 8am. We join our 21 Europe RS tour the next day. What would you do?
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6713 posts
Where does the tour start from? If it starts in a central Amsterdam location, take the train from the airport to Centraal Station, store your luggage there, and meet the tour. (Have coffee with your food to stay awake!) After the tour, go back to the station, get your stuff, and take the quick train to Haarlem.
Posted by
Austin, Texas, USA
572 posts
I agree with everything the other person said. Don't waste your time going to Haarlam and doubling back. It is sooo easy to get from Schiphol to the train station and there are plenty of lockers for your bags. Enjoy!!
Posted by
82 posts
Jana
May I ask the name of your foodie tour. We are spending a couple of days in Amsterdam before our Rick Steves tour starts. Your tour sounds like something we would like to do.
Thank you,
JoAnn
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Not a problem. The website is at http://www.hungrybirds.nl/
They are also reviewed on the Tripadvisor website under Amsterdam activities. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g188590-d4480916-Reviews-Hungry_Birds_Private_Amsterdam_Street_Food_Tours-Amsterdam_North_Holland_Province.html
We are looking forward to trying it!
Posted by
Calgary
2297 posts
Definitely stay in Amsterdam for the morning and don't loose time and energy by making a trip to Haarlem.
I'd spend the morning hours getting a cup of coffee first and then stay outdoors as much as possible. This helps adjusting to the time change. If you can find a canal cruise that sails at 9 am (they are usually less than 2 hrs) that might be a nice way to kill your wait time for the food tour, get a good overview of the city and a bit of sunlight.
Posted by
82 posts
Jana
Thanks for sharing the foodie tour website. It looks wonderful. Have an amazing time.
JoAnn
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10599 posts
I agree. Store your bags at the train station. Will you be staying in the same hotel in Haarlem for the beginning of your tour, or will you be changing hotels?