Setting the timer off: Off to Amsterdam Schiphol – Train vs Plane!
In this … comparison. Yes. Let’s call it a comparison.
- Train vs Plane? What the blazes is this?
- Off to St Pancras on the Early Train (Virgin Trains Birmingham to London Euston), St Pancras Departures Lounge
- Eurostar train 9114 London St Pancras to Amsterdam Centraal
- A walk around Amsterdam
- Setting the timer off: Off to Amsterdam Schiphol
- A light bit of spotting at Amsterdam Schiphol
- British Airways Terraces Amsterdam Schiphol
- BA441 Amsterdam Schiphol to London Heathrow
- Into London, stopping the stopwatch and Chilterns home
- Who wins?
With me in front of the station, it was time to set off the timer again, as I began the slog home.
It wasn’t less than 2 hours since I was here…
With time against me – I headed back to the train station. As before, outside the train station, I hit the start button the stop watch, and headed in.
Inside Centraal.
It me.
The first order of business would be to get a train ticket – and thankfully, the vending machines are there to help you. A ticket would set me back €4.30+€1 for a one-time OV-ChipKart.
Thankfully, one thing that is good with the NS vending machines is that they support contactless payment – so ApplePay and Contactless credit cards are all good. With a tap, a ticket was issued, and I was on my way again. And like before, you need either a bar code or a valid contactless ticket to get through the barriers at Centraal.
Once through, I checked for trains, and settled for a local service onto Schiphol. With 3 stops, it wouldn’t make much of a difference away in terms of time.
NS Sprinter
International checkout.
So a Sprinter. Those of us in the UK know what a Sprinter is – it’s a 2 to 3 class diesel train that’s seen more than its best-by date no matter how much they’re done up.
The Sprinter here is an electric train that’s designed with accessibility in mind, with comfortable seating options and space to stand.
Rubbish bins at every quad seat.
2nd Class.
So nothing like an old fashioned British Railways Sprinter.
Safety information
The train made its way towards Schiphol.
Pulling out of Centraal
Twenty minutes after I had left Centraal, I was on the escalator into Schipol Airport.
Welcome to Schiphol.
Everyone out!
The waiting departure and guard.
Unlike Centraal, there are no barriers to tap in or out on that I could see – so remember to find one if you’ve got a return ticket.
Heading up
I made a quick stop to pick up some Stroopwaffles from the office. Once that was done, it was onto my next target for this visit – the model airplane shop. It’s reasonable good value too, with 1/200 models starting at €15.
You can’t miss it – it’s near an engine.
As for model planes, there’s a fair selection here.
KLM Models in abundance. The orange and blue one might had made it home with me…
Other airlines are avalible. At €19.95 – not too bad value.
Everyone knows that I tolerate Hello Kitty. There’s one country you don’t tolerate kittychan. And that’s The Netherlands. Why? Miffy (or Nijntje) is queen here.
Miffy invites you to add her merchandise to your collection.
AeroMiffy is here to help.
FlyMiffy.
I would now swap trains for planes…. And get the camera out to shoot some pictures.
With the stopwatch on pause for a while, I decided to have some fun, and head out to the Panorama Terrace.
Why? I needed pictures of blue planes…
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