Staying in Amsterdam for 2 nights before heading back to the U.S. Questions: 1. Do we need air-conditioning in August in Amsterdam? 2. If we need to be at Schiphol airport at 6 a.m. due to a 9 a.m. international flight, should we stay at an airport hotel then take the train to the city to tour a little? 3. Or is it safe to stay inside Amsterdam and either call a taxi to take us to the airport at 5:30 a.m. or walk to Central Station and take a 5:30 a.m. train to the airport? Will we be able to get a taxi/train that early with no problem? Thank you.
Posted by
Orlando
516 posts
Weather in Amsterdam could be freezing rain or warm. Never felt it warm enough to have air. Always cools down in the summer at night. Taxis are always available. Between 40-50 euro depending on route and traffic.
Train is much cheaper.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9103 posts
1. I would never stay anywhere in August without AC
2. It's easy to reach Schipol Airport at 6am from the city center. The trains to the airport run 24/7. But less frequently at that hour so check the schedules for the exact departure time. Be sure to purchase your train ticket before hand as the ticket windows aren't open at that hour, and the machines only accept chip cards. There are guards at the entrance and you can't get to the platforms without showing a ticket. 3. Taxi are always available in Amsterdam but of course pricier than the train.
Posted by
2081 posts
hi, i dont know about the AC. but i think it will depend on where you want to stay. there are busses that travel to Schiphol and some trams, but im not sure about the times. for your information, if youre flying into Schiphol, i would look at your departure gate before you leave Schiphol. I tell you this because on my last trip there, i think they did some outside the box thinking. my flight back to the US had the security screen AT THE GATE so everyone and their mother did NOT have to go through security like here. They were only screening the people boarding the plane so to me it was fast! It also allows non travlers to use the shops/restaurants too. Also, the last 2 times i went back, i get to the airport approximately 2 hours before my flight and i havent had any issues. happy trails.
Posted by
Tilburg, Netherlands
2829 posts
I'd sleep at the airport (there are multiple hotels with direct (foot) access to the main hall) for peace of mind. I'd stay both nights at the aiport and then "commute" to the city (trains cost 3,40 Euro and depart every 8-11 minutes during the day and evening, and every hour late at night).
Posted by
Houston, TX, USA
153 posts
We were in Amsterdam recently and had a 9:00 AM flight (friends traveling with us had an 8:15 an flight). We stayed at the Canal House near the Anne Frank Huis and left the hotel by prearranged taxi for the airport at 5:40 and had plenty of time before our flights. There was very little traffic that early. My recommendation is to stay where you want in Amsterdam and enjoy the city.
Posted by
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
331 posts
I'm with Andre. Stay at an airport hotel and commute by train into Amsterdam at least for your last day. If you leave your hotel early, you can spend a full day and evening in Amsterdam the day before your flight and then return by train to your hotel. Because you are so close to the airport, you can sleep til 5:00 am without having to worry about your Taxi not showing up!