Off to Amsterdam

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Member for

20 years 5 months

Posts: 5,019

Hi all,
I am off to AMS hopefully on the 28/07/05 for the day. I don't know what to do.

* Go for a weekend instead

* Which airline to fly with (BA,BD,EZY,KL)

* I have checked fares with EZY and BD and fares are roughly the same. I have a feeling BA and KL will be more expensive but will have better service.

* Is there a viewing area inside Schipol or any where.

* Also I am not sure wheter to go to CDG or FRA even....

Can I have some help please on what airline to fly with, where to view at AMS....

Original post

Member for

20 years 8 months

Posts: 3,394

I think tenthije would be the best person to ask about AMS spotting. :cool: ;) :D

Member for

20 years 10 months

Posts: 9,401

Alot of these questions are ones you need to answer yourself.

'Should I go for a weekend'? - Up to you depending on time/price.
'Which airline should I fly with' - again entirely up to you, pick the best compromise of date/times/price. You will have to search the websites and find out info yourself.
There is a viewing terrace as well as numerous spots around the perimeter, search for AMS on this and other sites such as airliners.net for loads more info.

* Also I am not sure wheter to go to CDG or FRA even... - Once again up to you, depending on price/convenience, FRA and AMS are meant to be the better of the 2 for spotting.

Member for

20 years 5 months

Posts: 5,019

Thanks Tom...(LBARULES)....I know its up to me but the fares are roughly the same from BA to AMS and CDG and FRA

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 4,887

I think tenthije would be the best person to ask about AMS spotting
Here I am! Any chance to plug my site, I'm there!

Go for a weekend instead
Depends on your financial situation more then anything I suppoce. But I would advice you to do so. Most of the heavies come in the morning so that's the time you would want to stand next to the runway.

BTW, you will get next to the runway. I'll make sure you get a ride in my car (if it is the weekend) or at least I'll leave detailed bus instructions.

At my site there is a list with hotels and even a camping. Though I have not visited any of them, I have heard a lot of good comments about the Ibis Hotel and the NH Hotel / Golden Tulip. Been in the NH hotel in FRA and it was quite nice. No doubt the hotel in AMS is a carbon copy.

Which airline to fly with (BA,BD,EZY,KL)
From my personnal experience I would have to say that British Midland is usually cheapest followed by easyJet. So depending on which airport (LHR/LGW) you are closest too I'd pick one of them.

I have checked fares with EZY and BD and fares are roughly the same. I have a feeling BA and KL will be more expensive but will have better service.
You get the occaisional low fare, but again BD and EZY tend to be cheapest.

Is there a viewing area inside Schipol or any where.
You'll love it. Airside there are large windows which are usually kept quite clean. Slightly tinted though.

Landside there are more possibilities then there are at all London airports combined. At the huge official observation terrace or various official and "semi-official" spots around the perimeter. The spots around the perimeter are best. The Kaagbaan is used most and can be accessed by bus. The other runways are not as easily accessible by bus, or not worth it.

Also I am not sure wheter to go to CDG or FRA even....
Been to both CDG and FRA.

FRA has a nice landside platform but faces the sun almost all day. Not the best of options when you are into photography. There is also a platform tour, but I found it to be disappointing, facing the sun with dirty windows and lot's or ramprats.

You can also go into the approach. I have been there and the view is great, but am not sure if you can go there by foot. Apparantly it is possible, but you might want to ask someone else (Seahawk?).

For CDG, been there once standing along the taxiway. Views are nice but dull. All day long having planes taxi by with mostly AF 737s and 320s get boring (but then, perhaps I'm spoiled with action at AMS ;)). Not sure if you can get in the approach. Apparantly it is possible when you have a car, but have not tried to do so myself.

Also, this year there is the Paris Air Show. So you might want to take a 2 day trip to visit both CDG and the air show. Just a thought, I'll be doing so.

Can I have some help please on [...] where to view at AMS....
A good start is my website, www.schipholspotter.com. If you have any questions left I'd love to hear them, this way I can amend my site and make it better.

Member for

20 years 9 months

Posts: 661

AMS is a great place for spotting have go around once a year. Its not quite as busy as FRA or CDG but is still excellent. CDG is very complicated for a first timer as the terminal area is so enormous. FRA and AMS are similar
Large terrace at AMS which I think is still free? Ok food at the resturant at the terrace entrance(10euros for maincourse and a beer). A small snack bar seems to open at lunchtimes if you are lucky. The central (european )stands and 1/2 long haul are easily seen. The commuter ramp and 1/2 long hauls as well as 2 runways are out of sight. But you will see 95% of movements. Once airside you can walk the (long) length of the terminal.
I have used the Etap hotel a couple of times and it is fine, and cheap at 57euros, the Ibis next door is 79 euros. There is no resturant, or breakfast but I eat at the airport.

Member for

19 years 9 months

Posts: 441

Hi Guys

Hope Airline Owner doesn't mind but i'm thinking of going to Amsterdam later in the year probably around September or October with my wife and daughter I was wondering if tenthije can tell me anywhere reletively cheap to stay around the Vondelpark area as thats where I stayed a few years ago (in the Youth Hostel) and I can't walk as good as I used to due to my mobility difficulties prefer somewhere near transport links etc.

Again hope you don't mind me hijacking your post for a little bit Airline Owner

And thank in advance for any responce

Jim

Member for

19 years 9 months

Posts: 441

no problem thanks anyway

Jim

Member for

20 years 5 months

Posts: 5,019

Again hope you don't mind me hijacking your post for a little bit Airline Owner
Jim

No not at all.
...
...
...
...Thanks tenthije. I'll probably be coming out there in June...maybe may. I've heard about the Kaagbaan...a couple of things though...

1. Does a bus go there direct from the terminal?

2. What happens if the weather decides to be crappy...is there any shelter around or anything.

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 4,887

1. Does a bus go there direct from the terminal?
Buslin 191, 193 and 198 go closest, but you will still need to walk 10 to 15 minutes to get to the action. It's worth it though!

2. What happens if the weather decides to be crappy...is there any shelter around or anything.
No shelter, no toilets and food and beverages can only be had during the weekend. So before you go here you might want to check the weather forecast, and if you come during the week you might want to bring something to eat/drink with you.

Again, as long as the weather is dry(-ish) this spot will be worth it!

Member for

20 years 5 months

Posts: 5,019

cool,...thanks for the info.