RE: leaving the airport

yes, you can. i would check your baggage all the way thru in case it isn't done. You can take the train to downtown pretty easily. Takes approx 20 mins. You might lose time in the coffee houses...becareful!

There's nothing around the airport....take the train to go downtown and enjoy!

im going to be at the airport for 7 hours before making off to cairo.
can i leave the airport in amsterdam??

ok, cool thank you very much!
what do you mean by checking my baggage all the way thru ?
getting back into the airport isnt a problem like with security ?

again thank you i can't wait!!

ok, cool thank you very much!
what do you mean by checking my baggage all the way thru ?
getting back into the airport isnt a problem like with security ?

again thank you i can't wait!!

If you are ticketed all the way from your original departure airport via Amsterdam to Cairo then your luggage will be taken from the plane in Ams directly to the Cairo plane so you can forget about it untill you get to Cairo. You also get a boarding card for your Cairo flight when you first check in so don't have to check in at Ams.

If, on the other hand, you've booked 2 separate flights with 2 different carriers you will have to collect your luggage in Ams before checking it in again for Cairo. If that is your scenario it cuts considerably on any time you have for a trip into the city.

If you are ticketed all the way through you have plenty of time to get into the city. You should be in Amsterdam itself easily in an hour from landing. That will give you about 4 hours in the city before setting back to Ams in plenty of time for you to get through security and get to your boarding gate.

..all this for ppl. that don't need a visa for entering the Schengen area of course.
And of course you will have to pass security on your way bach into the airside part of the airport.

The ppl. that check-in your luggage whereever that is,will tell you if it is checked thru (and the tag wil say CAI and AMS (smaller leters)). If it only says AMS the luggage has to be collected and checked in again in Schipol

thank you.
i have one ticket.
is security bad there?
thank you all again.

"is security bad there?" - please explain what you mean?

well some airport ive been to it takes a long time to get through.
is this the case in amsterdam ?

Normally not - unless rushhour or big travel day - in my experience, but it IS a place where rules are followed.
Do not know if the is "bad" or "good" security?
Many connetions to the US so they have to fullfill both US and EU standards - and does so as far as I can see. So relatively strict.But not harassing more than the US/EU rules implies.

ok thank you all again.
i have another question how much does the train cost from the airport to downtown ?

It's a 15 min. train ride - it costs next to nothing.

It costs between 3 and 4 euros each way if I remember well. Like someone already said, don't get lost in the coffee houses, ask someone to go right to the train. The journey is 15-20 minutes.

The train costs 7.60 return. I suggest you take the train in (20 minutes) and jump on one of the canal cruises that leave from central station. They all take an hour and would be a great way for you to get an idea of Amsterdam.

Security at the airport is above average in terms of speed in my opinion, especially because a lot of flights have the security at the gate.

For flights to Cairo you'll have to pass through a central passport control, but the security check will be at the entrance of the gate (only for flights within Schengen you'll have to go through a central security checkpoint that can get crowded during peak hours).

As for coffee shops - there are much better ways to spend 7 hours in Amsterdam and please keep in mind that you might get kicked off your flight to Cairo if you arrive back at the airport totally wasted.

ok thank you.

hahahah do you know how much the vice van gogh museum cost ?
and about all would that take me to get to from the airport ?

Are you from a country that has a visa waiver agreement with the Netherlands?
The van Gogh museum is 12,50 euro (unless you're under 18).

im not sure.
im from the US.

If you have a US passport you don't need a visa when staying less than 90 days.

Hello All,

Was wondering if "ishalliah1224" ended up leaving the airport and had a walk-around Amsterdam? My flight also detours via Amsterdam w/ an 8 hour layover before heading onto Cairo.

Any and all comments on what to see and do with 4 to 5 hours in Amsterdam would be greatly appreaciated.

Cheers,
Travel Chic

#29 this question comes up pretty regularly, have you already done a search for "Amsterdam stopover" or something like that?