Van Gogh Museum on arrival day timing

There is no passport control upon arrival because you will be staying within the Schengen Area.
If your incoming train is on time, your timing makes sense. But that’s a big if.
Personally I would save your visit to the Van Gogh Museum for the next day and book the earliest available time slot.

@Dutch_traveler Thank you for the reply! Sadly we only have 2 full days in the Netherlands (the majority of the trip will be spent in France but we are flying out of AMS). The first day will be spent in Keukenhof (so heading out first thing in the morning) and the second day we'll be visiting Holland (where my grandparents are from). I know we could do the museum the evening of the first full day but I don't mind only spending 1-2 hours there. I just want to make sure if we do 3pm we aren't underestimating how long it'll take for us to get there! Thank you :)

I agree with Dutch_traveler that there are a lot of variables that could foil that plan (late train), potential slow check in time at hotel (it happens), and unless you've been to Amsterdam before, you'll need to sort out public transit logistics/tickets/etc. That's a spendy risk if you aren't able to make your time slot, but since you indicated you have no flexibility on the day to go to the museum, I would purchase tickets for 4 p.m. at the earliest. In the off chance you're there on a Friday the museum does have later hours starting March 22. Good luck!

I would book it for 3:30 (I think 3:00 is pretty tight), knowing that you have up to 4 pm to enter. There are places to eat right near the museum, so if you head straight there from your hotel, then you will be able to judge how much time you have for lunch.

It's not a huge museum, so 2-2 1/2 hours should be enough time to see it.

I'd get food in Paris at Gard du Nord before you board your Amsterdam-bound train. There is a Paul bakery kiosk with premade sandwiches plus a couple of stores that sell prepared sandwiches. Eat on the train. This is normal!

I agree with the 330 entrance time. I have had them let me in a little early for my timed entry but you could not count on that. still, I'd ask if you do arrive before 330.

Good idea, Pam. For that matter, when we took the Eurostar from London to Paris, we were served meals on the train. Perhaps that is an option?

Follow up question, thanks for all the help so far! The canal tour we're doing after lets us bring food & drink on the boat. Can we buy these before the museum and carry them with us into the museum in my bag (but not eat or drink them in there)? Or should we leave time after the museum to pick these things up?

I would go with picking up a sandwich to eat on the train. I have been in several trains that were supposed to have a dining car but didn't, so I don't trust in that anymore.

There is a large Albert Heijn supermarket right next to the Van Gogh Museum. They sell all kinds of ready to eat food from salads to freshly made sushi. They also have all kinds of drinks from cold beers to wine to sodas. I would definitely buy those after your visit to the museum.

I Vote for Dutch Traveler's suggestion of the Albert Heijn grocery store AFTER the museum. Hint....it's underground, so go in the small building that doesn't look like it could hold a grocery store, hahaaha. Go down the escalators and there you are.

It is literally a 2-minute walk from the Entrance/exit to the Van Gogh Museum.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/nS4YfPjvk7eXd3QD7

Thanks Pam for adding that about the store. We were just there and I'm thinking I didn't see that.