Getting to Amsterdam from Stockholm

Currently booked on June 2017 Scandinavian/Russia cruise that ends in Stockholm. Thinking of adding a cruise that leaves 3 days later from Amsterdam. What would be best way to get to Amsterdam? If flying - how difficult going through customs both places? Thanks!

You are talking about a similar distance as NYC to Miami. Flying is going to be the more practical option with non-stop flights taking about 2 hours. Other options such as bus, driving, train, etc. are going to take the better part of an entire day. Customs is not a big deal, but we assume that security is now going to be even more complex throughout Europe...so certainly allow extra time for check-in. Personally, we think that Amsterdam's airport is one of the best in all of Europe.

 

Hank

Customs will not be the issue but security pre flight will be as tight as ever or even more so. With 3 days between cruises you should have no problem arranging flight times and still having an extra day in each city. There are a number of carriers for this route, including both classic lines and low cost shuttles based in Europe.

More or less the only option will be flying. Any other transportation will take too much time.

Check SAS, they often have good deals on one way tickets. KLM unfortunately is often expensive with one way tickets.There are not many airlines on that route.

Customs is not a problem in Amsterdam.

From the airport into town, either get a cab (think Tinker too), or one of the regular trains if you have a hotel near Centraal Station and the cruise terminal.

If flying - how difficult going through customs both places?

Not.

 

A flight from Stockholm to Amsterdam is essentially a "domestic" flight for both immigration and customs purposes, because there is neither an immigration border nor a customs border to cross.

Try Norwegian air shuttle, http://www.norwegian.com/us.

 

ARN - AMS direct flight fare for June 2017 currently starts at 60 USD inc. tax., earlybird fares! Thursday and friday are the direct flights if I am not mistaken..

Currently booked on June 2017 Scandinavian/Russia cruise that ends in Stockholm. Thinking of adding a cruise that leaves 3 days later from Amsterdam. What would be best way to get to Amsterdam? If flying - how difficult going through customs both places? Thanks!

Immigration

For an American flying within two European cities, you'll probably need to present your passports when you check in. The passport will probably be checked again (or not) when you pass through the security checkpoint or gate control (varies depending upon the airport) to see where you entered Europe and where/when you will leave Europe. Again, this may or may not occur. As Sweden and the Netherlands are both Schengen countries, EU members may pass through without border checks. Length of time to pass through at respective check in EU/Non EU depends upon time of day, number of agents at arrival hall, number of flights arriving, number of passengers - on smaller planes used for most "domestic" Intra-EU flights = fewer passengers.

 

Customs, Duty, Tax

While every nations varies on its laws and limits, international travelers can sometimes purchase certain goods free of local taxes, up to a certain amount. Otherwise, goods are subject to taxes and tariffs, hence the question in old movies "anything to declare?" and filling out the requisite cards on planes and ships. The official terms concerning these taxes has always been referred to as Customs though it frequently becomes interchanged with Immigration and lately, Security. Customs takes no time anymore upon arrival, if any!

 

Security

Most of us have experience security in our years of traveling but of course, it changed forever 15 years ago to a major extent and it changes weekly or almost daily now in response to whatever goes on in the world becoming nearly impossible to predict. Bigger, modern metropolitan airports seem to cope quite well most of the time though on busy days or under tightened restrictions, there is NO easy way other than to allow plenty of time. It is what it is. For the most part, things tend to go alright. My last intra-Europe (London to Verona) flight was delayed 8 hours because the plane hadn't arrived - I had arrived two hours early to the airport at 06:00am. You just never know. Again, most of the time - things go alright.

 

I've never yet seen checks made on trains at borders, only on entering Eurostar (or similar high speed trains) terminals at check in, mostly for security and nationality/immigration only.

Whichever you decide, hope it's a wonderful addition to your holiday!

Edited July 6, 2016 by Host Bonjour

Immigration

For an American flying within two European cities, you'll probably need to present your passports when you check in. The passport will probably be checked again (or not) when you pass through the security checkpoint or gate control (varies depending upon the airport) to see where you entered Europe and where/when you will leave Europe. Again, this may or may not occur. As Sweden and the Netherlands are both Schengen countries, EU members may pass through without border checks. Length of time to pass through at respective check in EU/Non EU depends upon time of day, number of agents at arrival hall, number of flights arriving, number of passengers - on smaller planes used for most "domestic" Intra-EU flights = fewer passengers.

IME, if you're asked to present a passport or other ID, it'll probably be for revenue protection reasons - to make sure that the person whose name is on the ticket hasn't sold the ticket on to someone else in breach of the ticket's rules. Border-free travel within Schengenland is supposed to mean that, for everyone and not just EU nationals. There simply are no passport control desks; it's just like flying domestic. If you're flying wholly within Schengenland, the airline really has no business trying to see where you entered Schengenland or where/when you will leave. I have never seen separate check-in desks for EU nationals and non-EU nationals. And to be honest, you couldn't tell an EU national from a non-EU national, either by looking at them or listening to them talk, so the idea of discriminating between them is rather far-fetched.

Yup, free travel within the Schengen countries. When passing borders by car you will only notice the different asphalt and eventually different road signs. :)

Yes, absolutely no border checks (immigration or customs) on this route within Schengen for anyone - EU, non-EU or from Mars. You will be asked for a passport at check-in and boarding for identification purposes only. [sweden has reintroduced emergency border controls, as allowed under Schengen rules, but only in some sea ports in the south.]

 

Arlanda airport is some way out of Stockholm. There are an express train and bus routes serving the airport from the city centre.

 

I am not aware of any current special security measures at Arlanda, so not sure why previous posters have made an issue of this. Normal check in times apply.

Edited July 8, 2016 by Cotswold Eagle