Where do you go in Amsterdam if you only have a couple hours?

Question

I have about an 8 hour layover on Christmas Eve in Amsterdam...I'd LOVE to get out of the airport and look around but I know NOTHING of that city. Is there anything - some special shop place or whatever that I could go to not TOO far from the airport? I guess I need Euros there, right? Anyone have any idea how many Euros I would need for a cab from and back to the airport and getting some food and a few souveniers?

Thanks! :)

Answer 1

I would go to downtown of Amsterdam. You can take a train from the airport- it is fast and cheap (I don't know about cab). The shops are in the downtown and you can see a little bit of the life style, architecture ( Madam Tussaud museam is there as well)
I do not know how much many ( YES, Euros)you want to spend but you can still get something more atm or pay with your credit/ debit card.... but from what you said 200 would be enough.
Enjoy your trip. Stay safe.

Answer 2

You can take the train from the airport, 6 trains each hour, less than 20 minutes trip, cost is 6.20 Euro, or a little more if you buy at the ticket window.
The trains leave from the airport building, the main hall.
Ask before leaving the airport how long it will take to get through security, as it can take 2 hours or even longer when it is busy.

There is a shopping center there too.

If you travel Christmas eve, check before leaving the airport how often the trains run by the time you need to go back, as this is one of the days that the trains stop early.

Do not use a cab unless you have to, they are pretty expensive.

In town there are many things to do.
Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh museum and Anne Franks house each have a service that allows you to print tickets before coming, but consider if you think it is worth going there, you will only be in town for a short time.
This site gives you links to many museums in town, as well as information about the museums:
http://www.amsterdam.info/museums/

There are many shops in the center of town, all different kinds.
But your best bet is just wandering around, see what you like and enjoy a small but energetic town.

From the station, take a tram or walk into town, ask the people you see there what is the best place to go, they are more than willing to help you.
This site has a good map, allows you to zoom and to print: http://www.amsterdam.info/map/

If you do not need Euros for the rest of your trip, I would change about $50 or at most $100 at the airport and use a credit card for any bigger buys.

If you are an USA citizen you should be able to leave the airport, but if you have a different nationality, check this site for the need for visa:
http://www.delta.com/planning_reservations/plan_flight/international_travel_information/visa_passport_information/index.jsp

If you do not leave the airport, there is a 'tax free' shopping center, even with a little museum with quality paintings, at the airport, in the secure area.

Answer 3

Hi:
I would go try one or two of the following:
a) Rikmuseum (http://www.rijksmuseum.nl) has amazing works from masters such as Rembrandt. You can get tickets on line and have them printed out so you don't have to wait in line.
b) If you are a Van Gogh fan there is a great Van Gogh museum (www.vangoghmuseum.nl). You can get on line tickets before you get there.
c) Visit the Watermarkt church area where there are a lot of vendors and you can walk around. Visit a place called "Amsterdam's Smallest Gallery" and get some watercolors or T-shirts as souvenirs. The artist has some pretty cool stuff. It is pretty close to the Anne Frank House. You can also visit AF house if the line is not too long.
d) This airport is one of the nicest airports I have been to. There are lots to do there. You can even do some good shopping at the airport.

You can take a tram right from Schiphol airport. Not sure how much it costs but not that expensive. Never taken cabs there. Trams are pretty convenient. Most places take credit cards so you might not need to convert too much money - except some of the cab/tram.

Have fun.

Answer 4

the airport is in schiphol, which is a nearby town (so its not exactly in amsterdam) youll have to get a 15 min trainride to visit amsterdam on a layover. a return ticket will cost € 6,20

as for things to do. there are numerous. Museums, Cafes, Bars markets. old buildings etc to see.

if you like museums id reccomend, the ann frank house, or the rijksmuseum.
if you want to soak up the atmosphere, go to leidsche plein or rembrandtplein. those are the squares to be when it comes to cafes, bars and clubs
i wouldnt reccommend getting in a tourboat, or a tour trolly, those are major tourist traps, and a big waste of your time.

read up a bit online, decide where you want to go, and plan what public transport you can use in advance. youll get around perfectly.

if you want to eat a good, cheap meal, i highly reccommend a chinese/surinamese diner at the end of the warmoe street. its a 5 min walk from the trainstation, and the food is excelent. its called Kam Yin. and the entrance looks like this: http://p.vtourist.com/1/3220288-Surinam_Restaurants-Amsterdam.jpg

there are touristy shops all around, and tbh id realy be supprised if you wernt able to find a shop that sold souvernirs. most souvenirs are typical stuff only tourists might buy, such as the 'i love weed' things 'i(L)amsterdam' etc. in my opinion theyre far to expensive. ird recommend you take about 50-70 euros for a daytrip.

do not get a cab from the airport to amsterdam, it will cost you an arm and a leg.

Answer 5

It's a 20min train ride from Schiphol to Amsterdam Central Station (6.20 euros round trip) - the train station is right under the airport (you'll see the signage - it's escalator number 1 as you get out into the arrivals section - tickets are purchased at automatic kiosks), In my opinion the train is the cheapest and most convenient way to get to the heart of the city - and you won't wait more than 20 mins for another train to go back to Schiphol.

From Central Station it's about a 35-40min walk to the Rijksmuseum (great selection of Dutch art including Rembrandt, Vermeer and Delft), Van Gogh (pretty self explanatory) Museum and Diamond Museum (they're all around the same plaza).
You can also visit the Anne Frank Museum (which is in another part of the city) although there is usually a huge line-up in front - although maybe in the winter there will be less.

Leidesplein is also a great place to go to - nice cafes and shops - about a 10min walk from Rijksmuseum. And close-by, if I remember correctly - just after the Casino, there is a good waffle / pancake (more like crepes) place. As for souvenirs, you can get some funny t-shirts (I got one for my brother that said "iPOT") for about 15-20 euros and other little trinkets like a little pair of cute ceramic clogs in the Delft style (you'll see them everywhere).

I have to agree though with the poster above me - some of the best shopping in Amsterdam is in the airport itself...You'll see the characteristic "See, Buy, Fly" duty free shops everywhere offering top quality products - from food (dare you to try smoked eel - you might be surprised how good it is) to electronics to leather.

Anyway...you can get a city map either from the airport, the central station or any souvenir shop (shouldn't cost more than 3 euros).

Well I hope you enjoy your time in Amsterdam.

EDIT: I am a Canadian citizen and was allowed out of the airport as was an American who accompanied me. Of course if you are from an E.U. country, you'll also be allowed out of the airport.

As well, I recommend you take about 50 euros in cash with you just in case, although credit and debit are widely accepted.

Finally, if you can't get out to the Rijksmuseum, they have a little outpost set up in the airport with a small exhibition that changes every couple of months and a museum store. Believe me Schiphol airport (also known as Airport City) is amazing - one of the best airports in the world in my opinion - you may not want to leave it as there's so much to see and do there (Although I still think it's good to get out in the city a little too.)

EDIT: One more thing on food...besides waffles, you can find pretty good Shawarma places starting from Dam Square (where Madame Tussaud's is - but don't waste your time with that) to the Central Station - actually you'll see a few pedestrian streets branching off from Dam Square and that's where you'll find them (although they are scattered throughout the city) - oh and there will be numerous souvenir shops along there too.

Oh and one more thing...watch out for anybody who comes up to you with a map asking where Central Station is or another landmark is...they may be trying to pick your pocket...it's a classic scam - they huddle close beside you with the map and while you're busy trying to find the place, either the person or an accomplice slips into your bag or pocket...so just be wary...but honestly you really don't have to be overly concerned for your safety in Amsterdam.

Again enjoy...and please, don't go into any of the "coffee houses" (i.e. where the marijuana is) especially, if you're under the age of 20 - that's better left for visits of a couple of days.

Answer 6

Chk out http://www.letusexplore.com/Netherland/majorcityguidesAmsterdam.html