I am flying to Bologna, Italy by way of the States and have over an eight hour lay over in Amsterdam. It seems that the city center is not very far away. I would like to leave the airport spend a few hours in the city and was just wondering if the commute into the city is as easy at the web sites I have looked at seem to make it? Also if I am only there for a very short time ..what should I absolutely see? (I know ...I know.....SO not in the fashion of slowtrav...however I can't waste an opportunity to take advantage of my time and try to see a little taste of Amsterdam!

Yes, it is very easy to make a quick trip in to Amsterdam. The train ride is about 15 minutes and the train runs frequently. Here is the Dutch train website. Schiphol is your departure and Amsterdam Centraal is the main Amsterdam train station (and end of the line).

I had a 4 hour layover. I landed around 7:30 and I was about able to get through customs, on the train and into Amsterdam by 8:30. I just walked around the canal area because it was still to early for stores and museums to be open. Most everything opened at 10am and I wanted to start back to the airport by then. If I had had more time, I might have taken in a museum. My two recommendations are either the Anne Frank House or the Van Gogh museum. The Anne Frank is probably about 15 minutes from the train station and I think you might be able to get tickets on-line. Otherwise, there can be a long wait depending upon the season. Van Gogh Museum is a longer walk (30 minutes) or you can go by tram.

Otherwise, it is fun to walk around. It can be tiring after the flight from the US. It might not be as long for you from the East Coast but it is a 9 hour flight from Seattle so it was good to stretch my legs but it would have been nice to sit and eat. Breakfast is not popular in Holland so I didn't stop and eat.

Another option is to get a short-term hotel room and sleep.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Marta,

Thanks Marta for the information. I get in at 11 a.m. and my next flight is at 9pm. I should have a good six and a half hrs to play in the city before I would need to be back at the airport on time. I know there are some famous gardens in the city as well as several musuems so I hope to see as much as I can with the little time that I have. Let me know if you think of any other suggestions for me.

What are your interests? We might be able to give some more specific recommendations depending upon what you are interested in. Also when are you traveling?

Directly in Amsterdam, there is only small garden that I can think of - the Begijnhof.

Bellissima -

Do it! We had about 4 hours and we went in to town, walked around, visited the Anne Frank house and went somewhere for a café. It was morning and the city seemed kind of sleepy...it was beautiful. Even the train ride into Amsterdam itself was pretty.

The airport also has rental lockers if you have things you wish to store. You could look on the airport website to see if they are still open. We were there 2 years ago.

Laura

Hi Marta and Chachalaca,

I will be arriving the morning of April 7th. I think it would be great to go to the Anne Frank house. I was an art history major so probably the Van Gogh museum. Then maybe just walk around the streets ....I heard there is a windmill somewhere close to the city center that I could go and see? Would love to hear any other thoughts you may have.

Bene Grazie,
Bellissima

quote:

Originally posted by BELLISSIMA:
I was an art history major so probably the Van Gogh museum. Then maybe just walk around the streets ....I heard there is a windmill somewhere close to the city center that I could go and see?

Here is the only publically open windmill in Amsterdam proper. the only other nearby public windmills are in Zaansdam (north of Amsterdam).
The van Gogh Museum is small and compact. A great place to spend a few hours. The museum is near the Rijksmuseum and the Stedljik (modern art).
You have time for a canal boat ride. Well worth it.
How about the Bloemenmarkt? The floating flower market.
Try a lunch of savory or sweet pannekoeken or some poffertjes.

Canal boat ride. It's extremely illuminating and the best way to understand Amsterdam. You don't realize what a pretty city Amsterdam is, I think, until you get out on the canals. If you don't take the boat, at least walk in the canal district.

You may want to consider the hop on/off canal tour. It stops near Dappermarkt (where you can see the windmill - its part of a restaurant/brewery now and not in the countryside) as well as near the Van Gogh and Anne Frank. You can also walk from one side of the city to the other in 20-30 minutes, but the streets can be confusing if you aren't used to them...
Hope this helps!

The Van Gogh museum is easy to reach from the Central station. Take tram 2 or 5 out in front of the station and there is tram stop right in front of the museum.

Bill

The Rijksmuseum is very near the Van Gogh also.
Seeing The Night Watch really impressed me. I nearly missed my flight back to the US because I spent too much time in the Rijksmuseum.

Bill

The Rijksmuseum is still undergoing major remodeling. When we were there we saw a sort of "best of" the collection in the Philips Wing. It is definitely worth seeing.

Also, did you know that they have a "widget" that you can put on your computer that displays a different work from the collection each day? I have it and it's kind of fun. It's on their website .

-Krista

Is 3 hrs good enought for the Rijksmuseum?

I remember I spent 3 hrs at the Louvre and that was hardly enough because it was just so MASSIVE! I am someone who loves appreciating art and sculpture but not a connosieur/collector or anything like that , so I'm wondering how much time is good?

3 hours is reasonable as long as you don't also have to wait in line.

Elly

VERY EASY TO JUMP ON TRAIN. I HAVE BEEN ALL OVER AMSTERDAM AND MY VERY FAVORITE PART IS ANNE FRANKS HOME AS WELL AS VAN GOUGH MUSEUM. NOW IF YOU WANT FUN, THEN GO TO HEINIKEN AND TOUR AND GET YOUR 2 FREE DRINKS OR TAKE A CANAL RIDE ALL AWAY AROUND THE CITY. THE ONLY OTHER SIGHTS OF INTEREST ARE, RED LIGHT DISRICT, NICE TO WALK THRU AND SAY YOU SAW. THE TRAM IS ASO VERY EASY TO HO ON. MY SISTER JUST DID IT LAST MONTH ON ONLY A 4 HOUR LAY OVER BEFORE HEADING HERE. GOOD LUCK.

Trains from Schiphol airport to Central station usually run every 15 minutes or so, and take about 15 minutes. The present cost for a single ticket is €3.50 - you can buy them at the automated machines in the airport concourse and they take all major credit cards, etc, as well as cash.

The best value for tram tickets is a Strippenkaart - the easiest way to buy one is outside Central station at the GVB office (transport authority for Amsterdam). You can buy tickets on each tram but they're somewhat more expensive than buying in advance.

I agree that the Van Gogh museum is ideal for your time-frame, as it will also allow some "wandering time" - a must in Amsterdam!. I love the Rijksmuseum, but would worry about missing the flight!!