garrisonbight
|
5 hours isn't enough time to get a drink at the bar, let alone take the train into downtown. You need to allow a couple of hours just for going through all the immigration and customs sites... that leave you 3 hours to sighsee... and you will burn that up in a hurry.
If you REALLY want to visit Amsterdam... then make a separate trip to do it... don't try to wedge one in because YOU WILL BE SORRY. |
|
leatherbiker040
|
Yes you can, and I think you should do!
Others were talking about customs: if you leave your luggage on the airport, it won't take long to pass customs.
Visit the dutch railways website: www.ns.nl for a train plan. They have an English version. You will see that it takes less then 20 minutes to travel from Schiphol to AMS central Station. Schiphol train station is in fact in the hall off Schiphol, less then five minutes walk from customs. AMS central is really in the center of the city: 300 m from the shops; 300 m from the bars and red light district. |
|
Magic Bus Driver
|
Why not just take a taxi into Hoofdorp. I think there's a smoking coffeeshop there and you'll see a dutch town thats only 5 minutes from the airport. |
|
Toxteth O'Grady
|
Nope - taxis are plentiful but the travel time makes this impractical, if you consider checkin times when you return.
It's not that great for things to do at the airport either but getting around will soak up loads of time - just head for the bar! |
|
Gigi
 |
I would try if I were you but you won't have much time. There is a railway station in the terminal’s central hall, under Schiphol Plaza; direct trains run to Amsterdam Centraal Station journey time: 15 minutes. Try to do your check in (if you need to) to your flight before you leave the airport, this way you can come back and go directly to the security. I don't think the airports in europe are as strict and busy as the ones in the USa so it might be much faster than here. However allow at least 1 1/2 hours at the airport...
The cafes are not far from the rail station. and if I remeber correctly the Red Dictrict (you know the windows with the girls) are not far either... just walk around a bit in Amsterdam at least you will have some experience there. |
|
Brian V
|
I don't think you are looking for cafes |
|
David W
 |
It depends what passport you have. If its an EU passport, you should be able to get out. If its not an EU passport, you may need a visa. The airport is about 35 minutes by train from the city. The station is in the concourse. You could take a taxi, but it probably won't be much quicker. |
|
EJ
|
You will be able to leave. I think a lot depends on where you are coming from. Make sure your passport is in order and not expired. The train that takes you into Amsterdam is actually in the airport (Schiphol). Even if you take the train out and turn right around and take it back, you will see some nice scenery.
http://www.schiphol.nl/ Has a lot of information. I think there is even a guided tour you can take from the airport.
Be sure to leave plenty of time to make it through security. Again it depends on where you are going. If you are connecting to another EU country it doesn't take as long as if you are going to the US or some other continent. |
|
farien3
|
Of course you can, if you have a passport.
It's about an hour to the downtown area from the airport, depending on traffic. If you're smart and you move fast, you should have at least an hour or more of free time in the city. |
|
Floris v
 |
I agree with the people who say no. Becaus intercontinental ore not it will take u at least 3 hours checking in and out. Than u will need to go to the train station and find whats the first train too take (wich is very easy but for a tourist whos first time at the schiphol NS station it can take some time) trains leave every 15 minutes. the trip takes u arround 20 minutes so in wors case scenario thats up and down 1 hour and ten minutes so that means 50 minutes to kill in the center of Amsterdam. Even that everything is small and wonderfull its not worth it in my opnion caus it will mean u can walk up and down the main street and u need to head back again. And beside it will caus so much extra stress and the last thing u need on a trip is STRESS. Next time try to get an 8 hour lay over thats plenty of time. |
|
Thetawaves
 |
Your really cutting it short, but if you head straight to The red Light Distrect once you get of the train in the city centre then you should have time for a couple of spliffs at least.
Planning it will save time and effort. If you can find out the train times and are not bothered about a bit of running around then all well and good, have fun! |
|
tonalc1
|
Just piling on here--
Taking into account the travel time to and from the city, plus the fact you have to be at the airport two hours before your flight to go through security, you wouldn't really have enough time to see anything. |
|
postal p
 |
NO! Are you crazy? Remember you will have to go through customs, then you will have to go through security again upon your return. Are you a blond? |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
News
Travel Topics
Travel Forum Travel Directories
Dictionary 
Travel
Forum 
Europe 
No Spam
Adult 
Gambling
Unfinished
Deception
Plagiarism
Not English
