Bus from Schiphol Airport to Haarlem train station

Cool. Must have not been paying attention last year on the way to Den Haag, since Leiden didn't sound familiar. The past few years we've stayed in Haarlem or AMS. Will have to try other places next.

Yes that's a good idea. Suggestions for what? How to ride a bus? How to find a hotel? What to see?

Bus is the fastest way between the two. Look for #300 bus outside the main entrance/exit of the terminal at lane B6. Purchase your ticket from the driver, 4 euros. Travel time 40 minutes.

You can also go by train, changing at Sloterdijk. It is faster, despite the change of trains. On an incidental note, as someone living in The Netherlands I'll never understand this excessive fascination of people of this site with Haarlem. Sure, nice town, but far from being any better than other similar ones like Leiden, Zaandam etc.

Andre - I'm intrigued - how far by train are those towns you mention from Amsterdam? Tx.

Leiden is at the junction of the rail lines from Haarlem and Schiphol south of Amsterdam on the way to Den Haag. Zaandam is north of Amsterdam a short distance. Its where Zaanse Schans is, with the windmills. See Rick's book.

Bus was easy - #300. I agree about Harlaam- its ok but I found Leiden to be cooler and a bit.more happening. Great market on the river bank on Saturday. We liked Deft too.

@Andre: the excessive fascination with Haarlem is because Rick Steves promotes it. Plain and simple.

Rick promotes Haarlem because it is (1) convenient to Amsterdam with (2) many reasonable choices for lodging, and is (3) a "backdoor" that is, to Americans, culturally expressive and charming. It also includes (4) some good restaurants and (5) interesting historical and cultural sights, e.g. Frans Halls Museum, ten Boom house, and the second largest organ in Europe. It's really not a bad choice.

... and he says, and I agree, for people who want to be very close to Amsterdam without a lot of the crowds and mayhem, Haarlem is a great bedroom.