Haarlem & Delft

The U.S. has very strict regulations on submission of passenger manifests for flights arriving here, which affect check-in times. Also, foreign airlines have joined our own in saving money anywhere they can-including on number of gates rented from airports. I would never recommend arriving at the gate for a coach flight back to the U.S. later than three hours before departure. There are places to eat in the secure part of the concourses, but Shiphol's reputation for "things to do" rests on the non-secure concourses. Don't count on a high-end dining experience inside security (as you know, the SECOND long line you'll have to wait in.

Sounds like noon would be more the order of the day.

Could we at least count on a slice of pizza and a glass of wine?

I do hope you know where Schiphol is location. Tapas and pizza may not be high on the available food list in the Netherlands.

Give yourself plenty of time at the airport for TSA-style screening, the full "security theater" experience to make you feel safer. ;) The airport website, https://www.schiphol.nl/Travellers.htm, shows lots of eating places (under "shopping"), including a pizza place, but I can't tell which side of the security theater they are. But can't recall being in a major airport without some kind of sit-down eating in the gate area.

What I really should have said was a heavy snack and a beer/wine... Didn't really mean literally pizza and didn't mean high-end dining and I just meant small plates in referring to tapas ( I do know tapas is Spanish).... Most important is to arrive with plenty of time and not feel rushed... So, we will leave a little early. Any opinions on my day trip question? I appreciate your kind responses.

We just came back this spring. Look at the Dutch train site and their journey planner. The trip from Haarlem to Delft seems to be 41 minutes. We have been a few times to the Netherlands and several towns, first time to Delft this Spring. If I did one it would be Haarlem, which just struck me as prettier all around. Also the fantastic Frans Hals Museum. But Haarlem is not large. If you can manage a very full day, I guess you could spend a few hours in Haarlem and then down to Delft and return to Amsterdam late. Trains are very frequent. Travel times are short. Not sure why you regret staying in Amsterdam...it is fabulous! I like Haarlem but I love Amsterdam. If you want to do both, have at it. We did not spend a full, long day in Delft I do remember. And over there, they call it " Del-ift", or so it sounded to my Ohio ears. Lastly, good news: no matter what you do, you'll have a great time! Safe travels!

Thanks ,Denny. I am so excited. I know all of it is fantastic!

If you arrive at airport at one pm that gives you four hours before flight, plenty of time for a five pm flight. We did Haarlem and Delft in the same day,was long but worth it. We went to Haarlem specifically for the Ten Boom museum, highlight of the day. I think it was only maybe fifteen minute walk from train, I seem to remember the tour only took about an hour. It is at most a block from the main square where we had early lunch outside, saw the church. Then on to Delft for rest of day and back to Amsterdam by early evening. If you plan to visit Anne Frank museum, I think you can get tickets on line to save waiting on line. Good luck and enjoy. I don't know whether they still have it, but we took a great canal trip from Boom Chicago, a small "skiff" where we took our own wine,cheese,etc. and was so relaxing, only had eight people and two years ago was only fifteen euro each.

Thanks Gail, That is very helpful. I would enjoy those things that you suggested.