5h 45m Layover in Amsterdam

Hi all,

I'm going overnight from Singapore to Nice, France and will have a transit at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport for 5 hours and 45 minutes. The arrival date is 6 March 2011 in the morning. I'm thinking of going the city to walk around for a short time (even for only 1-2 hours), as I have never been in Amsterdam before. I'm bringing a daypack to the cabin, so I will have that from airport to the city and back.

The arrival time to Schiphol airport is at 07.50, and the departure time from Schiphol airport is at 13.35. So, here is the schedule that I'm thinking:

(1) Arrive at Amsterdam: 07.50
(2) Passport control: 30 minutes, finished at 08.30
(3) Train to city: 30 minutes, arrive at the Centraal station at 09.00
(4) Walking around the city for 2 hours from 09.00 - 11.00
(5) Train from city: 30 minutes, start from Centraal station at 11.00 and then arrive at the airport at 11.30
(6) Security check, re-check in, and passport control: 45 minutes, in the boarding room at around 12.15
(7) Depart to Nice: 13.35

Do you think it is doable? Any advise for this? Thanks a lot!

Seems like a realistic plan to me, just a few notes.

I can't seem to find a flight from Singapore arriving at that time of the morning, the only non-stop flights are KL838 (arrival 05:30) and SQ324 (06:35) according to the timetable for March on the Schiphol Airport homepage. The flight leaving at 13:35h is operated by KLM, I see, so I'll assume you arrive by KLM as well. In that case, I assume you travel on one ticket, your bags are checked through and you'll receive your boarding pass for AMS-NCE when you check in at Singapore. In that case you do not have to re-check in (step 6); since the Netherlands and France are both in the Schengen Area, you also do not have to go through passport control, only through the security check.

If you have bought two separate tickets for this trip, the situation is different since you'll have to pick up your checked bags in Amsterdam and drop them off at the KLM counter.

P.S. should you be looking for inspiration as for how to spend your time in Amsterdam, there are a lot of threads about stopovers in Amsterdam to help you on your way

I haven't flown from Schipol for a few years but the arrival time of 9.00 in central Amsterdam seems far too optimistic to me. You're taking into consideration no delays, no bus from plane to terminal, quick disembarcation of a large plane as well as you being able to quickly find the railway station in what is a pretty large airport. I know that Aribo knows Schipol better than me so maybe I'm wrong but I think that you'll take longer than you think to get to the centre.

Hi all, thanks for the prompt reply.

Aribo, I can see my schedule in KLM website and Schiphol airport website. The flight is by KLM from Singapore to Nice (via Amsterdam), depart at 01.15 from Singapore, arrive at Amsterdam at 07.50. And then depart to Nice at 13.35.

Okay, so as you mentioned I don't need to check in, because I will have two boarding pass (SIN-AMS and AMS-NCE) when checking in at Singapore airport.

As for the passport control, note that I'm using Schengen Visa to enter Netherlands and France. Correct me if I'm wrong here, but I think I still need to pass through the passport control in that case?

And for baggage, I have posted another topic specifically for my case: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2012427&messageID=18065031

I really appreciate if you can answer my question on that topic.

Blagger, yes my estimation is based on there is no delay. If there is a delay, I will then of course have to recalculate again the timing when arrive at the Amsterdam airport. If there is still 1 hours to 1.5 hours of free time that I can use in the city, I will still opt to go. Otherwise, I won't risk it, and probably just go around the airport. I read that there is a museum inside the airport :)

Another question is, using my plan above, will I see anything at 09.00 - 11.00 in the city at 6 March 2011? Or will it be heavy raining, as it is probably early spring, thus I won't be able to walk around the city?

Thanks!

Stewart, I agree it's probably worth it even if it's only for an hour/ hour and a half. Regarding the weather I think it will be impossible to say so far ahead : )

The flight is by KLM from Singapore to Nice (via Amsterdam), depart at 01.15 from Singapore, arrive at Amsterdam at 07.50
If that's what it says on your itinerary, I suppose that is the correct arrival time. I got my information from the website of Schiphol Airport and I'm not quite sure how often the long-term timetables are updated there.

no bus from plane to terminal
Larger aircraft such as those operating on the SIN-AMS route are, very exceptional cases aside, always parked on one of the gates with passenger boarding bridges (jet bridge/jetway/passenger walkway, whatever you call them), so you don't need to get onto a bus to reach the terminal building.

As for the passport control, note that I'm using Schengen Visa to enter Netherlands and France. Correct me if I'm wrong here, but I think I still need to pass through the passport control in that case?
You will go through passport control upon arrival at Amsterdam, which is your entry point to the Schengen Area. There are no (regular) passport checks as such for intra-Schengen flights, regardless of your visa status. Security staff and (at the departure gate) KLM staff will want to see your passport too, but that's just to make sure the name on your boarding pass matches that in your passport.
When you get back to the airport, you can head straight to the entrance to the Schengen part of the airport (Departures 1), get in line for the security check (queues can be long there, but you should be able to get through in 15-20 minutes even when it's crowded), show your boarding pass to security staff, get through security and walk to the gate. More likely than not, it will take you around 10 minutes to get to the departure gate from the security checkpoint.

I read that there is a museum inside the airport
There's a museum between the E and F piers, but don't be too enthusiastic: you can have a good look at the exhibition in 15-20 minutes, if you take your time.

will it be heavy raining, as it is probably early spring, thus I won't be able to walk around the city?
As Blagger pointed out, that's impossible to say. Technically it's still winter, I remember a quite horrible day at Schiphol Airport in early March 2005 when heavy snow caused lots of cancellations and massive delays, but you could just as well arrive to find sunny weather and a pleasant 10°C (not quite Singapore, I know). Or it rains or drizzles and everything looks grey and depressing. No-one can predict that (but no matter how the weather will be, locals will be walking around the city).

Thanks a lot for the advices Aribo. It's great to have information from an "insider" :)

As for the weather, yeah no one knows for sure. And it seems that spring in Europe comes a bit late this year. I have never gone to a city less than 20 degrees C before, but I will have my jacket, coat, and scarf for layering in my daypack that I'll bring to the plane cabin.

Regarding the baggage, even though I have posted another topic for that, I'm just gonna ask again in here as no one has replied.

So I will have one suitcase checked in. And as mentioned above, I will arrive at Amsterdam airport by KLM at 07.50 and my next flight to Nice by KLM is at 13.35. There is, however, an earlier KLM flight from Amsterdam also to Nice at around 10am. I didn't book that 10am flight because I want a longer layover in Amsterdam.

My question is, will my checked-in baggage be placed in the same plane with me (which is at 13.35)? Or will it go with the first next plane (which is at 10am) without me?

Thank you so much!

For security reasons checked baggage is always on the aircraft as the passenger. Mistakes are made however, but in principle your luggage will be on the same plane you are flying on and not the earlier one.

-K

Wether in the Netherlands in march? As we say in Dutch: It can rain or snow. But 20 degrees and sunny is also an option. Hard to tell. But even in rain Amsterdam is nice. It's more quite so you can easily walk around. Buy an umbrella when leaving the train station ;)

your schedule is absolutely fine, and personally, with a boarding card in hand, i wouldn't hesitate to arrive at the airport at 12.30. But that's up to you, how comfortable you are with the risk. If you stick to your schedule you'll be very safe.

Thanks all for the comments.

kathfire, good to know that my baggage will fly with me. I prefer not to encounter the hassle of claiming my baggage in lost and found in Nice airport, if the baggage doesn't fly with me.

elrosso, yeah, I will be bringing my pocket umbrella in my daypack as well in case of rain :)

MTL, as I will already have my boarding pass, I'll see when I arrive whether I can extend 30 more minutes in the city or not.

I have questions about the train ticket from the airport station to Centraal station. I read that there will be ticket machine. Does the ticket machine only accepts Euro coins? I won't have coins at all, as that will be my first landing in Europe. And what about the ticket counters? Will the price be the same when purchasing the ticket on machine and on counter?

Aside from just walking around the city 09.00 - 11.00, are there some attractions which will already be open? Or like a boat cruise along the canal maybe?

Thanks all!

I read that there will be ticket machine. Does the ticket machine only accepts Euro coins?
Yes, annoyingly, even the newer machines only accept Euro coins (if they accept any cash at all, that is), Dutch debet cards and most foreign credit cards. More of a hassle, shops around the train station (and even the ABN Amro bank in the arrival hall, on several occasions) are reluctant to break down euro notes.

Will the price be the same when purchasing the ticket on machine and on counter?
The ticket price is the same, but a €0,50 "service charge" is added when you buy the ticket at the counter.

a boat cruise along the canal
Lovers ([http://www.lovers.nl/en/tickets-and-prices/day-canal-cruise/]), Holland International ([http://www.hir.nl/en/highlights-cruise]) and P. Kooij ([http://www.rederijkooij.nl/index_en.html]) all offer 1-hour cruises leaving from the square/construction site in front of Amsterdam Centraal. First departure for all three is at 10 a.m., so you'll get back to Centraal at 11 a.m., which should be early enough to get back to Schiphol in time.

Assuming you have one hour to play with before the cruise starts, a stroll around the Jordaan area ([
http://www.jordaanweb.nl/indexcom.htm]) would be a nice way to stretch your legs. If you head to the other direction from Amsterdam Centraal, the Red Light District, although mostly visited for its late-night attractions, has some of the most interesting architecture in the city.

Thanks for the info, Aribo.

I guess, 0.50 euro of service charge is not so bad. Also, will check out the cruise option that you mentioned.

You're welcome!

I was going to post a similar question but will piggyback on this thread.

I am looking at a flight with a 9 hour layover so time to get back and forth to the city not an issue. What I am wondering is will there be airport exit tax issues or other fees associated with breaking customs and returning? My flight would not involve any other Schengen countries and I carry a US passport.

Advice to those with layovers but not leaving airport: I just heard a piece on the radio (NPR) about a brand new library in Schiphol financed by the Netherlands government. It has English translations of hundreds of volumes of books by Dutch authors - fiction and non-fiction. Also works of art. You may check out the books for no charge and wander around the airport with them as you wish.

Edited by: globespinner

Hi globespinner, excellent question. I would like to know that as well.

My ticket price components already include all tax and fees. But I'm not sure whether I will still have to pay airport tax in Schiphol, CDG, and FCO or not. Perhaps Aribo or others can give an answer for this.

By the way, on my way back, I will also have similar layover time as you, mine will be 10 hours. :)

there is no airport tax to be paid in europe. it's already included in your ticket price

Thanks MTL for the info!

stewart_life

Note that buying your ticket at the counter could eat up some precious time. Do not forget to mention you want to buy a return ticket for the same day ("dagretour"), slightly cheaper than a regular return ticket. And congrats on your decision to walk into Amsterdam no matter what ! If you can print a map beforehand, that would save you precious time once in town. Or get a free pamphlet at the GVB office at the exit of the train station, immediately to your left, which explains how the transportation system works - in the middle of the pamphlet, there is a good basic map, with pinpointed points of interest. Ask the clerk to show you where the Jordaan is and off you go.

Aribo

You mention the time of departure of the canal cruises. Have things changed since my last visit, or do the tours still really start when there are enough customers on board (used to be told, before buying the ticket, that the boat was going to leave "soon") ? Not too sure about wild crowds awaiting the 1st tour of the day, on a Sunday morning ...

I sooo miss Amsterdam now : (

saskja, thanks a lot for the advices.

I'm seeing the weather forecast for Amsterdam, and it looks like the temperature is quite cold in the morning for this end of February (which I assume will be roughly the same for early March when I arrive), at around 4 degree celsius.

Now I'm worried that would be too cold for me, as I don't bring any winter clothes. I will only wear some light sweater and jacket, with jeans, and running shoes when arriving (probably a hat or cotton gloves). Not sure if that's enough.

And why did you too suggest Jordaan area to explore? Is it a really ideal area to take a morning stroll?

Thanks!

@ saskja: I'm not aware that tours only left after they'd gathered enough people (that's what you mean, right?), but I wouldn't dare to tell how common that is. Do you remember what company you used?

@ stewart: note saskja's heads up re the canal tours. For more information about the Jordaan area, see one of my posts above, where I included a link to more information.
As for the weather, I'm afraid no-one would bet how it would be when you're here. The past few days it's been close to zero degrees where I live (35km south of Amsterdam), with at times a wind chill making it feel even colder, this morning it's grey and foggy, and I'm sure it's chilly too. The coming days the wind will switch from N/NE to S/SW and that will bring lower temperatures (7-10°C) and a higher chance of rain, and according to the forecast I saw on the news this morning temperatures will drop below zero again during the night (and early morning) from next week.

A light sweater and jacket would definitely not be enough for me in when the morning temperature is around zero and the wind makes it feel even colder - I wouldn't go outside without my winter coat and a thick sweater over at least a t-shirt and possibly also a long-sleeved shirt. Jeans are okay, and I've never worn thermal underwear. You may want to protect your eyes, ears and hands if the forecast shows it will get really cold and windy.

Aribo, thanks a lot for the reply and info. I'm planning to use the 1 hour boat tour as well. As you mentioned before, the first boat is at 10am and it will be over at 11am. So I should still have enough time to get back to the airport right after the cruise finish.

And yeah, I think if the weather is too cold outside, I won't be exiting the airport then. Is there any way to quickly know what is the temperature outside of the airport once arriving there?

Sure there is: simply walk out of the airport into Schiphol Plaza, the square in front of the train station and feel for yourself. This would involve going through immigration, but at least it'll give you a better idea of what to expect than the lady at the information counter in the transit area telling you that it's x degrees or that it's "not so cold" - after all, a Singaporean will have a different idea of "not so cold" than us locals.
There's also an electronic sign on Schiphol Plaza showing the current temperature; anyway, if you can stand that windy square, you should be able to survive a stroll through Amsterdam as well. And if you can't stand the cold, the arrival halls of Schiphol have many shops and bars to while away a few hours.

I can only hope for a good weather when I arrive.

Thanks for the advice Aribo!