Arriving By Plane--An airliner descending into Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (tel. 0900/0141; www.schiphol.nl), 18km (11 miles) from the city, has to descend a little further than would be the case for most any other airport on earth, because the runway is 4.5m (15 ft.) below sea level on the floor of what was once a lake. Schiphol (pronounced skhip-ol) is the main airport in the Netherlands, handling just about all of the country's international arrivals and departures. It's easy to figure out why frequent travelers regularly vote Schiphol one of the world's favorite airports, for its ease of use and its massive duty-free shopping center.
After you deplane, moving walkways take you to the Arrivals Hall, where you pass through Passport Control, Customs, and Baggage Reclaim. Facilities like free luggage carts, currency exchange, ATMs, restaurants, bars, shops, baby-rooms, restrooms, and showers are available. Beyond these, Schiphol Plaza combines train station access, the Airport Hotel, a shopping mall (sporting that most essential Dutch service--a flower store), bars and restaurants, restrooms, baggage lockers, airport and tourist information desks, car-rental and hotel reservation desks, check-in for scheduled domestic flights (also available are charter and air-taxi aircraft, including helicopters), and more, all in a single location. Bus, shuttle, and taxi stops are just outside.
For tourist information and to make hotel reservations, go to the Holland Tourist Information (HTi) desk in Schiphol Plaza (tel. 0900/400-4040), open daily from 7am to 10pm.
The airport has multistory parking garages within walking distance of Schiphol Plaza and a network of short- and long-term parking lots linked by frequent shuttle to the passenger terminal.
Getting To Amsterdam--The Dutch Railways' Schiphollijn (Schiphol Line) trains for Amsterdam's Centraal Station (with stops at De Lelylaan and De Vlugtlaan stations in west Amsterdam) depart from Schiphol Station, downstairs from Schiphol Plaza. Frequency ranges from four trains an hour at peak times to one an hour at night. The fare is 2.95€ one-way; the trip takes around 20 minutes.
An alternative route serves both Amsterdam Zuid/World Trade Center station and RAI station (beside the big RAI Convention center). Be sure to check which one is best for your hotel (including any tram or bus interchange). If you're staying at a hotel near Leidseplein, Rembrandtplein, in the Museum Quarter, or in Amsterdam South, this route may be a better bet for you than Centraal Station. The fare is 2.95€ one-way; the trip takes around 15 minutes. From Amsterdam Zuid/World Trade Center, take tram no. 5 for Leidseplein and the Museum Quarter; from RAI, take tram no. 4 for Rembrandtplein.
The KLM Hotel Bus shuttles between the airport and Amsterdam, serving 16 top hotels directly and many more that are close to these stops. The fare is 8€ one-way, 14€ round-trip. No reservations are needed and buses depart from in front of Schiphol Plaza every 20 minutes from 7am to 6pm and every 30 minutes from 6 to 9:30pm. Check at the KLM Hotel Desk for information. If you're not staying at one of the above hotels, the clerks can tell you which shuttle stop is closest to your chosen lodgings. In addition, many individual hotels near the airport and in town have their own shuttle service.
Bus no. 197 departs every half hour from in front of Schiphol Plaza for Amsterdam's downtown Marnixstraat bus station. The fare is 3.40€. This bus is a lot slower than both the train and the KLM Hotel Bus.
Taxis are expensive, but they're the preferred choice if your luggage is burdensome or if there are two or more people to share the cost. You find taxi stands at both ends of the sidewalk in front of Schiphol Plaza. Taxis from the airport are all metered. Expect to pay around 38€ to the Center. Remember, a service charge is already included in the fare.
