How to Make the Most of a Layover in Amsterdam
On long-haul journeys, clever layovers can be an incredible way to break up a travel day by giving you a chance to stretch your legs and explore somewhere new. For us, making the most of layovers and short stays have given us great opportunities to discover new places that we may not have travelled to as a final destination.
A couple of months ago, we got the chance to travel via Amsterdam, and it topped our list of European cities to enjoy a layover in. Schiphol full of quirky services and amenities which include an airport library, a meditation centre, and a smaller sampling of the 19th century Dutch art you’d be able to find in the city’s iconic Rijksmuseum. Best of all, the airport’s location and transport links make it super accessible to venture into the city centre, making a long layover an adventurous one if you want it to be.
Many of Amsterdam’s most notable tourist sights are within walking or cycling distance from Amsterdam Central Station, making it easy to see a lot on your layover if you do choose to venture into the city.
6 hours…
…. is the minimum amount of time we recommend having on a layover to head into the city centre. Although this time is widely know as the travellers rule of thumb for venturing out of the airport, it is still highly dependent on the country you’re transiting (and whether you’ll need a visa to leave the airport), the time of day your layover is, and it’s location (how far away it is from the centre/ sights, etc.).
For Amsterdam, 6 hours minimum is spot-on. Getting in/out of the city doesn’t take a lot of time via the train (it’s only 14-17 minutes in between the airport station and Central station), but Schiphol can get insanely busy and you’ll need to navigate through security queues when you get back to the airport.
Stretching our legs and going on a nice long walking tour around the canals was much preferred to sitting in the airport prior to our 10 hour flight. It allowed us to get an initial impression of the city while sampling some of the local cuisine.
How to get to/ from the city centre from schiphol
Schiphol Airport Train Station is conveniently located directly below the terminal building and is right on one of Amsterdam’s central train lines. With trains frequently heading into the city and only taking between 14-18 minutes to get there, the train is definitely the most straightforward and cost-effective way in/out of the city when on a layover.
Pro Tip, before leaving the airport, we recommend using one of the many storage lockers accessible in the terminal and only take a small day bag with essentials into the city. It’ll save you loads of time coming back in through security and it will also save you lugging around unnecessary baggage in the city. Just make sure to use a solid point of reference in the terminal to where your locker is to save time when you’re back.
Once you’ve arrived in terminal, head for the exit and be prepared to first go through customs. The Netherlands is part of the Schengen Zone, so make sure you check your visa requirements ahead of time and be prepared if you do want to leave the airport.
Once through customs, follow signage to the “Schiphol Railway Station”, located right below the terminal building. Use the ticket machines to choose a return ticket from Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam Central (when we visited in late 2022, our tickets were €9,40 return, which we thought was quite good) and then look to catch the next ‘Intercity direct’ train into Amsterdam Central (it’ll be the quickest).
If you’re on an overnight or if you’re taking a few days in the city, consider an Amsterdam Travel Ticket, which would allow you unlimited public transport use and is worthwhile if you’ll be using other forms of transport such as tram, bus, metros and/or ferries.
Put on your GPS or Strava after you’ve exited Central Station to get your bearings, and give yourself plenty of time to make your way back - you’ll be looking for another Intercity direct train “via Schiphol Airport”.
Getting around the city centre
Amsterdam is renowned for being one of the most cycle-friendly cities in the world.
There are a few ways to get around once you’ve arrived at Central Station!
You can either walk, rent a bicycle by the hour or half day, opt for an hour-long canal cruise, or a mix of all three. Depending on how long your layover is, how much ground you’d like to cover, and what your budget is, choosing your own experience is always the best way to go.
If you’ve opted for an Amsterdam Travel Ticket (more above), or an
I amsterdam City Card (more below), make the most of your included public transport and canal cruises, the latter can be a fantastic way to see the canal districts in a relaxed setting. If you’re wanting to cycle, there are plenty of options as Amsterdam is renowned for being a cycle-friendly city (and you’ll see more cyclists than pedestrians and cars combined). Opt for Yellow Bike, Black Bikes, or one of the other rental shops in/around Central Station.
Our recommendations
Strolling through the UNESCO listed canal district was without a doubt our favourite part - it’s a fantastic place to people watch, has the most charming architecture, and is so unique to the city.
Quite a number of the most popular tourist sites and must-dos are in Amsterdam are conveniently located within walking/ cycling distance from Central Station, which is fantastic for getting a glimpse into the city.
If you have a particularly long layover, you could consider getting an
I amsterdam City Card, which offers a 24 hour/ 48 hour (and up) to many of the city’s sights and is worthwhile to get if you are trying to pack a lot in. Other than all public transport, the card will give you access to iconic sights such as Rijksmuseum and the Heineken Experience.
From our afternoon strolling the city centre, here are our top recommendations to choose between:
Visit Museumplein (Museums Quarter)
Museumplein is absolutely worth a visit, with the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Musuem, and Stedelijk Museum (among many others) all located within the area. If you have the time to dip into one, absolutely do, but the district itself is beautiful to explore in it’s own right, with the public square hosting different attractions throughout the year (when we visited, an adorable pop-up ice rink was featured).
Shop & Cafe-hop in De 9 Straatjes (The 9 Streets)
Shops, galleries, eateries and boutiques, this charming little area within the canal belt is renowned for being one of the best places to explore in Amsterdam’s city centre. The area refers to the small streets in between the Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengrach canals, and is best explored by ducking into the shops that catch your eye.
Stroll through the Bloemenmarkt
The world’s only floating flower market, this centrally located attraction on Singel Canal is the perfect way to pick up a souvenir or to simply experience Dutch tulips within the city centre. Head to the market from Central Station via Dam Square, a good bearings point in the city, which is home to the Royal Palace and National Monument.
Cycle to Vondelpark and enjoy the green space
If you’re like us and are drawn to a city’s green space, head straight to Vondelpark on foot or by bike. Stop off along the way to get some pastries and coffee (or dip into a cafe/restaurant located in the park once you’re there) and enjoy either a relaxed stroll or picnic.
Grab a drink in Jordaan
This popular neighbourhood is known for it’s charming shops, eateries and markets, and you’ll definitely have your pick of quirky pubs/cafes to duck into if you’re wanting a more relaxed layover.
Visit Anne Frank House
If you have a longer layover, the Anne Frank House is only 1.5km away from Central Station (Prinsengracht 263-267), and an hour is the average visiting time, making a visit absolutely possible on a layover if you’re wanting to plan ahead. You will have to be organised though, as tickets can only be bought online and for a specific date and time slot.
If you have the time to on your next layover, choosing to venture out and explore the city centre is absolutely worth the trouble. Although you’ll only be scratching the surface, it can give you a good idea of where to spend more time when you make your way back.
Do you have a favourite city to layover in?
Happy Travels,
Sam
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