7 Hour Layover in Amsterdam: What To Do On a Long Layover 2024
You have a 7 hour layover in Amsterdam. Is it worth exploring the city? 7 hours between flights is a long time to be waiting around at an airport. How should you spend your layover, and is it enough time to leave the airport?
Believe it or not, it’s a tricky question to answer, but by the end of this post, you will know what the right decision is for you.
In this post, I will provide tips on what to do on a 7 hour layover in Amsterdam if you decide to leave the airport, including the fastest way to get to Amsterdam from the airport and the best ways for estimating wait times at security.
Also, if you decide to stay at the airport, tips for getting rest during your 7 hours at the airport, and more.
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What To Do on a 7 Hour Layover in Amsterdam
You have a 7 hour layover in Amsterdam. You may be wondering what to do during your long layover. Well, you have two options. Either stay at the airport and get some rest, or you can leave the Schiphol Airport to explore the city.
The honest truth, what to do on a 7 hour layover in Amsterdam is not a straightforward answer. If you are planning on leaving the airport, there are a couple of things you should consider to see if it is worth it for you.
Such as what time of day your flight arrives and departs, can you and your group quickly leave the airport, do you need to go through customs, and most importantly, whether there is enough time to do what you want in Amsterdam. If you only have a few hours to explore Amsterdam, is it worth it to you?
Can I Leave the Airport During a Layover in Amsterdam
You are absolutely allowed to leave the airport during a layover in Amsterdam. However, keep in mind that when you return to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, you will have to go through security and customs again.
Be mindful of when you are traveling, the high season in Amsterdam is between the months of May through August. As a result, there could be longer lines at the airport.
Is a 7 hour Layover Enough Time to Leave the Airport in Amsterdam
Technically, during a 7 hour layover, you do have enough time to leave the airport in Amsterdam. However, you might not get as much time to explore the city as you think. Let me explain.
I would plan for an hour to depart your plane, get through customs (if you need to), and arrive at your transportation to the city. Schiphol Airport is enormous and very busy, so be prepared for a decent walk and to be weaving in and out of crowds.
Then depending on how you choose to get to the city, I would budget 30 to 45 minutes from the airport to Amsterdam Centraal. And an additional 30 to 45 minutes to get back to the airport from the city.
⭐ Now here is the tricky part. Schiphol Airport is one of the busiest international airports, and throughout the year they can experience extreme check-in and security lines. Depending on when you are traveling, you might need to arrive back at the airport 3 to 4 hours before your flight.
Obviously, this does not give you as much time in the city as you may have wished for. Taking all of this into consideration, you may only have an hour, maybe two hours, to see Amsterdam.
Looking for More Amsterdam Content:
🚗 Is There Uber in Amsterdam 2022: Tips to Get From Airport to Amsterdam
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Tips for Estimating Security Wait Times at Amsterdam Airport
The security and check-in wait times at Amsterdam Airport vary and depend on numerous factors. Such as the time of day your flight is and the day of the week. Fridays through Mondays are generally the most crowded days at the airport.
One strategy would be to check the airport’s home page before your trip. It will provide you with estimated wait times based on specific flight information and if you should expect a busy travel day.
Another tip would be to join the Facebook group Schiphol Live in English, which monitors the lines at the airport in real time. Travelers share wait times, delays, and tips on when to arrive at the airport for your flight.
How Much Time Do You Need to Leave the Airport
A 7 hour layover in Amsterdam is cutting it close, especially with how busy and understaffed the Amsterdam Airport has been. I think if you have a layover that is 9 hours or more, it is a safer bet to leave the airport to tour Amsterdam.
It will give you enough time to grab some food and famous stroopwafels. Also, you could book a quick tour, like a canal cruise.
A canal cruise is an incredible way to see and learn about the city in a short period of time. This is the one that we did and really enjoyed!
✅ Amsterdam: Open Boat Canal Cruise
Fastest Way to Get to Amsterdam From the Airport
The fastest route from the Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam city center is by train. It is your cheapest option of transportation as well.
The train runs departures every 10–15 minutes between 6 a.m. and 1 a.m, and a direct train ride to the city is about 15 minutes. In comparison, if you take an Uber or Taxi to the city, the drive is 30 minutes without traffic. Also, there is usually a long line at the Taxi platform.
You can purchase your train tickets at either the Train tickets & Services desk or the yellow and blue Public Transport Tickets machines. The transport ticket machines accept credit cards or Euros.
Here you can find an updated train schedule and book your tickets in advance here. One-way tickets to Amsterdam Central (known as Amsterdam Centraal or Amsterdam CS) cost €5.70 for standard 2nd class or €8.85 for 1st class.
What To Do With Your Luggage On a Long Layover in Amsterdam
There are a couple of options for you to store your luggage while you explore the cobblestone streets of Amsterdam. You can safely leave your baggage at the airport, train station, or a luggage storage service in the city.
Amsterdam Centraal train station has baggage depots called Bagagekluizen, where you can store your bags for one hour to 72 hours.
The self-serving luggage lockers at the Central Station are in the East wing of the station. The lockers come in two sizes, the smaller is 90x45x40 cm, and the larger locker is 90x60x40 cm.
Does Amsterdam Airport Have Lockers for Luggage
If you have extra luggage you do not want to take with you on your long layover in Amsterdam, you can temporarily store it at baggage storage or in a locker.
You can find the lockers before security at Departures 1 and after security in the transfer area. The lockers are for smaller pieces of luggage that will fit in a 40×40 cm locker with a depth of 70 cm.
The Amsterdam Airport also offers a Baggage Storage area that will look after both hand baggage and checked baggage. It is located on level -1, between Arrivals 1 and Arrivals 2.
If you have already checked your luggage and your trip is booked on one ticket, your luggage will be checked through to your final destination. If you have an exceptionally long layover or have booked with third-party sites like Kiwi, I would always double-check with the airline first.
Top Things To Do in Amsterdam on a Long Layover
Amsterdam is worth a visit! So if you decide to leave the airport during your long layover, what are the top things to do in Amsterdam? Luckily the central train station is located in the heart of the city, and you will be able to do most of your exploring from there.
Here are some tips and ideas on what to do in Amsterdam on a long layover:
Try Some Famous Dutch Foods
One of my favorite things to do when visiting a new city or country is trying their food! Some traditional Dutch favorites are poffertjes (mini pancakes), bitterballen (meat based deep fried balls), patat (Dutch version of french fries), dutch cheese, and of course the most popular, the stroopwafel.
Go on a Canal Cruise
One of the most popular things you can do when visiting Amsterdam is to go on a canal cruise! A canal cruise allows you to see the city from a different and unique perspective. Also, it is a great way to learn about the local history as you sail past the many quintessential sights along the canals.
There are numerous canal cruises and tour groups to choose from. I have created a guide of 7 Unique Canals Tours in Amsterdam that offer different experiences, such as a dinner cruise, all-you-can-drink cruise, cheese and wine cruise, evening cruise, or an open boat cruise.
Go to the Museum Quarter In Amsterdam
The Museum Quarter is where the most popular and best-known museums in Amsterdam are situated. The three famous museums are the Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art, and the Van Gogh Museum.
You can book a guided tour to see the museums. Or if you do not have enough time to go inside, it is still a beautiful location to visit in Amsterdam.
✅ Book your ticket to go to the famous Van Gogh Museum here
Visit the Anne Frank House
If you have a longer layover in Amsterdam, another must thing to do is visit the Anne Frank House. The house is where she lived in hiding with her family during World War II. It is now a museum dedicated to Anne Frank where visitors can read quotations from her diary, and see historical documents, photographs, and film images.
Tickets for the Anne Frank House can only be purchased on the official website. I highly suggest you book your tickets in advance. Every first Tuesday of the month, all tickets for the following month become available. Once they sell out, there is no waiting list for tickets.
You can also add on an additional guided tour to the Anne Frank House. Your tour guide will walk you through the Jewish Quarter and the historical city center of Amsterdam while sharing Amsterdam’s WWII history and stories of Anne Frank.
✅ Book the Anne Frank & World War II Tour here
Walk Along the Floating Flower Market
Located in the city center is where you can find Amsterdam’s one of a kind floating flower market. Since 1862, the famous flower market, also known as Bloemenmarkt, has been a staple of Amsterdam and is the world’s only floating flower market to exist.
The lineup of greenhouses sells an assortment of gorgeous cut flowers and bulbs. Walk along the eccentric market that is bursting with vibrant colors and the wonderful smell of freshly cut flowers. Also, the market is a great place to buy small souvenirs.
What to do at The Amsterdam Airport Schiphol On a Long Layover
A long layover at any airport can be grueling and so exhausting. Fortunately, there are a couple of ways you can get some needed rest while waiting for your flight at Amsterdam Airport.
Book a Sleeping Pod
YotelAir Amsterdam Schiphol Airport offers sleeping pods or cabins for guests in transit at the airport. Each individual cabin offers a luxurious bed, a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and a private bathroom with a shower. Having the chance to take a shower and lay in a comfy bed is a total game changer after a long flight.
The Yotel Air Hotel is located in Lounge 2 inside the transit area of Schiphol Airport. Booking a sleeping pod is a little bit on the expensive side, but you can’t beat the location and convenience it offers.
✅ Book your stay at YotelAir Amsterdam here
Visit an Airport Lounge With a Single Day Pass or Membership
Another option is to spend your long layover in Amsterdam in a lounge. We have done this on numerous occasions and it is a great way to fuel up on some free snacks, get some rest, catch up on some work on our laptops, or freshen up in one of their showers.
Check your credit card. Some of them already have access to many lounges at different airports. Such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Amex Platinum Card. Or you could pay for a lounge pass for the day.
You will need to visit the individual lounge website to get the price and details, but passes will typically range from $45 to $75. If you have a long layover visiting a lounge can be so worth it! Especially if you can score one of the sleep rooms.
In Conclusion: 7 Hour Layover in Amsterdam
After our experience in Amsterdam and the current status of the Amsterdam Airport, I would not recommend leaving the airport for your 7 hour layover in Amsterdam. At the moment, there are too many risks of missing your flight because the lines at security have been so long. To me, it is not worth the stress to only get an hour or two in Amsterdam.
The Amsterdam Airport is actively working to improve its employment conditions and delays. I think once they get a handle on that, a 7 hour layover in Amsterdam would be enough time to leave the airport.
