Transiting at Schiphol

I wrote about amenities at Schiphol Amsterdam Airport (AMS) a few years ago (June ’08, pg. 61). In April-May 2012, I passed through Schiphol four times in the space of three weeks and each time found it more interesting.

AMS is well organized, and signs in English aid you in reaching your destination. It may take 20 minutes or more to reach your gate, even with the moving walkways, but that’s not unusual at a large airport.

To reach my hotel in the city’s center, I used the shuttle bus provided by Connexxion Schiphol Hotel Shuttle. Tickets can be obtained at Schiphol’s Arrivals Hall 4 or Departures Platform 7, from the shuttle driver, at many hotels or from a tourist information office. The list of hotels and their timetables can be found on the website.

The shuttle ride cost €26 (near $33) round trip or €16 one way. Return reservations must be made at least two hours in advance. You don’t have be dropped off and picked up from the same hotel. When the driver was helpful, I would tip one euro.

On my last journey, going from the city to the airport at 9:30 a.m., it seemed I was the only one traveling; rather than a bus, they sent a Mercedes sedan!

The train, too, goes to the airport, but I prefer the bus when carrying baggage. If you want to go somewhere on the train, the website www.ns.nl will give you information on costs and connections when you enter your point of origin, the destination and date and time of travel. For short hops, second class is fine.

People staying at hotels in proximity to the airport, such as the Novotel, Mercure and Ibis, can catch a FREE shuttle that stops at the curb outside Arrivals hall A9-A13. Follow the bright-yellow signs that say “Hotel Shuttle.” (Inquire by e-mail whether or not your hotel offers this service or what other options are available.)

I stayed at the Novotel ($147 plus $6 tax), which was lovely and about a 10- to 15-minute ride by private bus from the airport. The shuttle ran every 30 minutes.

En route to the US from Turkey, I had a 4-hour layover at AMS. During that time, I visited the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Schiphol exhibit. (Accessible to passengers only, it’s located on Holland Boulevard and behind passport control between E and F Pier. Open daily 7 a.m.-8 p.m.; admission is free.) About 18 paintings by Dutch Masters from the 16th and 17th centuries were on display. The content changes every few weeks.

JOYCE BRUCK
Ocean Ridge, FL