12 Hour Layover in AMS 2000-0800

[Justprettynpink]

We will need a little sleep. Hotel in City Centre or by the Airport?

 

 

Besides the Red Light District what should (can) we see?

 

 

We are traveling in July on a Tuesday. Should we plan to arrive at the airport at 5? (flying back to USA) or can we sleep in a little bit? (0530 ish)

 

 

Thank you in advance for your help!

[CruiserBruce]

Given your schedule, I would get a hotel at the airport, and be back to the airport no later than 5:30.

[capriccio]

With that schedule I would stay at one of the hotels located at the airport. There are lots to chose from: http://www.schiphol.nl/Travellers/AtSchiphol/AirportFacilities/HotelsAtSchiphol.htm.

 

Check in time recommendations are also on the Schipol website (http://www.schiphol.nl/Travellers/AtSchiphol/CheckinControl/Checkin.htm):

As a general guideline, we advise you to plan for the following check-in times:

• For European destinations: at least 2 hours prior to boarding.

• For destinations outside Europe: at least 3 hours prior to boarding.

[Ine]

We will need a little sleep. Hotel in City Centre or by the Airport?

 

 

Besides the Red Light District what should (can) we see?

 

 

We are traveling in July on a Tuesday. Should we plan to arrive at the airport at 5? (flying back to USA) or can we sleep in a little bit? (0530 ish)

 

 

Thank you in advance for your help!

 

Because of your early departure an airporthotel might be best. Mercure Hotel is a hotel right at the airport after customs. Citizen M and Hilton are walking distance, Sheraton is connected to the airport.

If you choose a different hotel check is their shuttle is availbale that early.

Schiphol airport has frequent trains in to the city (less during the night), all schedules and info here: http://www.ns.nl/en

The RLD is walking distance from Centraal Station. At night a lot of people will be walking around there, looking at and visiting the girls. (Never take photos of them!). Of course there will be some sex theatres too.

The location at the canal itself is quite nice, but the atmosfere at night can be ""cheesy"".

Around Centraal Station canal boatrides of about 1 hour are offered.

Depending the weather you will see many terraces open for food or drink, many of them around Rembrandtsplein.

[Justprettynpink]

Because of your early departure an airporthotel might be best. Mercure Hotel is a hotel right at the airport after customs. Citizen M and Hilton are walking distance, Sheraton is connected to the airport.

If you choose a different hotel check is their shuttle is availbale that early.

Schiphol airport has frequent trains in to the city (less during the night), all schedules and info here: http://www.ns.nl/en

The RLD is walking distance from Centraal Station. At night a lot of people will be walking around there, looking at and visiting the girls. (Never take photos of them!). Of course there will be some sex theatres too.

The location at the canal itself is quite nice, but the atmosfere at night can be ""cheesy"".

Around Centraal Station canal boatrides of about 1 hour are offered.

Depending the weather you will see many terraces open for food or drink, many of them around Rembrandtsplein.

 

 

Thank you for the suggestions :-) (everyone!!!)

 

We were at the Hampton Airport but I was concerned about the time getting there...I was able to get the Hilton at the Airport with points and cash for the same price so now we just have a 15 min walk then we can head to the city :-)

 

 

How late do the Canal Tours run?

 

 

Looking forward to getting a brief taste of the city!!

[Ine]

Thank you for the suggestions :-) (everyone!!!)

 

We were at the Hampton Airport but I was concerned about the time getting there...I was able to get the Hilton at the Airport with points and cash for the same price so now we just have a 15 min walk then we can head to the city :-)

 

 

How late do the Canal Tours run?

 

 

Looking forward to getting a brief taste of the city!!

 

As far as I know till 10 pm., more info here, also about various options:

http://www.lovers.nl/en/

and https://www.canal.nl/en/holland-international-canal-cruises

Both leave more or less opposite Centraal Station.

Edited May 18, 2016 by Ine

[FreestyleNovice]

Flying in from another EU member state at 20:00/8pm?

 

The Hilton is great, it just re-opened but it's actually a new build hotel. You might still smell the fresh paint!

 

It's an indoor walk with moving walkways, from hotel to Schiphol Plaza (where you might want to catch the bus to Amsterdam or a cab) is under 8 minutes, might be even 5 with a pace.

 

Some shops might be closing around the time you arrive in the evening, there's a good bookstore in Arrivals 3/4 with a decent English selection of books if you want something to read on your day flight back to the States. Also icecream (that one always closes too early IMO lol), Burger King, pizza & pasta, sandwiches, Starbucks and a large grocery store Albert Heijn and some smaller Albert Heijn To Go's (think 7eleven) for anything you might need.

Most airport restaurants open 5 or 6am so your morning coffee and pastry are waiting after check in! Enjoy Amsterdam!

[Justprettynpink]

Flying in from another EU member state at 20:00/8pm?

 

The Hilton is great, it just re-opened but it's actually a new build hotel. You might still smell the fresh paint!

 

It's an indoor walk with moving walkways, from hotel to Schiphol Plaza (where you might want to catch the bus to Amsterdam or a cab) is under 8 minutes, might be even 5 with a pace.

 

Some shops might be closing around the time you arrive in the evening, there's a good bookstore in Arrivals 3/4 with a decent English selection of books if you want something to read on your day flight back to the States. Also icecream (that one always closes too early IMO lol), Burger King, pizza & pasta, sandwiches, Starbucks and a large grocery store Albert Heijn and some smaller Albert Heijn To Go's (think 7eleven) for anything you might need.

Most airport restaurants open 5 or 6am so your morning coffee and pastry are waiting after check in! Enjoy Amsterdam!

 

We are flying from Athens...

 

I want to get enough of Amsterdam to make us want to come back and spend more time :-)

 

 

Thank you all for your information!!!

[FreestyleNovice]

I said bus or cab but train might be the fastest, return fare for a paper ticket (only at the staffed desk) is about 9 Euro per person. Ticket is valid up to 4am the next morning and as Ine said there's one Schiphol bound night train every hour at night. Last regular train somewhere after midnight/before 1am.

 

No difference in trains btw, just the timetable.

 

About checking in, I would use online check in with the airline and check out at the hotel at 5am, walk over to the Plaza and up to the Departures level above it and be there around 5.15/5.30. There's not much going on before 5am except some vacation charter flights shattered throughout the night. Expect lines after 5.30/6am.