Schiphol Airport Layover

Schiphol Airport is a popular place to change planes in the middle of a long journey. This is good news because Amsterdam city centre is close enough to turn your layover into a sightseeing trip.

If you have more than three hours at hand a trip to Amsterdam is definitely your best option. Count on 45 minutes to reach Amsterdam centre. This includes going through customs, buying a train ticket (have euros ready) and the train journey. Trains leave every 10 minutes.

Pick up a street map from the Tourist Office right opposite Amsterdam Centraal Station. One of the best things to do is a canal boat trip. This one-hour trip will show you the best of Amsterdam. The good thing about it that you need not be active at all and a perfect way to fight jet lag. Boats leave from the quay opposite Centraal Station.

If you are in a silly mood go to the Sex Museum and soak up the museum’s naughtiness. But if this is not to your liking visit Museum Amstelkring, a secret church tucked away in a 17th century canal house.

Dam Square and the Royal Palace

 Have your map ready and go on a DIY walking tour:
Damrak, Dam Square, Kalverstraat, Muntplein and Flowermarket, Niewe Doelenstraat, Kloveniersburgwal, Oude Hoogstraat, Oudezijdsachterburwal, Korte Niezel, Oudezijdsvoorburgwal, St Annenstraat, Warmoesstraat, Brugsteeg, Damrak.

Be sure to be back at the airport in time for your outbound flight. Queues at customs and security check can be very long. Schiphol Airport is vast and it can take up to twenty minutes to reach your gate.

photo credit: personal collection