Is that enough time to do a little bit in the city? Flying from the US to Paris via Amsterdam. Since it's EU flying from Schiphol to CDG is like flying domestic, right? I.e. you don't have to get there as early as you would if you were flying back to the US.

Based on my experience there, which in full disclosure was one trip, I wouldn't risk it. We flew home from Florence through Schiphol summer before last. We had a tight connection in Schiphol, but I figured we would be fine because it was an EU to EU country flight. Well, the plane from Florence was small, so it dropped us off on the tarmac rather than at a gate. A bus picked us up and took us back to the main entrance of the terminal, which meant we had to go back through security with everyone else. And their security looked a lot like our TSA. They were hand-inspecting all carry on bags, and the agents were moving about as fast as the sloths in the DMV scene in Zootopia. Then, after security, we had to go through passport check/control. Which for some reason, unknown to the employees, had been completely shutdown. We were standing in a mass of people and going nowhere while two agents sat in their booths with no instructions.

I had already asked the security agent if he could give our bag check priority since our connection time was so close. When he looked at our ticket and saw we still had about 45 min, he said we had "plenty" of time. Thankfully, an employee working the passport control line took pity on us, escorted us to the front of the line, and the passport control agents let us through even though they weren't allowing anyone else to pass.

The airport is quite large, so we had to run to our gate. We made it just in time to board. I would fly through Schiphol again (our flight to Rome that connected there had no issues), but I would leave at least two hours to catch a connecting flight. And I certainly wouldn't leave the airport if I only had 5 hours.

The airport is not super close to tourity Amsterdam. No chance it would be enough time to see anything or experience it. You looking to just run out and smoke a j, then get on another plane? Seems like a lot of work for that.

Lol no, not smoke a J. Just hang out and walk around, maybe in a park or something. Not even hit the big touristy sites. On a map the airport looks relatively close to the city, at least closer than Heathrow or something. Thought it would be enough time to do a bit of exploration.

It's doable but don't expect to see much. The trains takes off right from center of schiphol and takes about 30 minutes to 30 minutes to get to Amsterdam central. It is a massive tourist cluster right outside the train station. You probably have time to go to one bar and have a beer and some bitterballen. I like the area right around the Anne frank house. Find a bar near the giant line to go into the tiny Anne frank house and laugh at the tourists. I would only do this if the weather is sunny and worth sitting outside. If it is nasty then stay in the airport and drink a Heineken.

sounds tight. Guess is you will have less time than you think.

You can take a bus 197 that goes to Leidsplein area, get off in front of Marriott. It leaves every 7 min from the airport and costs $5 eu. There is a ticket seller in front of the bus stop.
Once you get off at Leidpslein you can walk the canals and then take the bus back or walk to central station...maybe 30-45 min and get train back to schipohl .

The train to central station is every 5-10 min from Schipohl. It is $3 eu? Each way. Get off at central station and walk out front of station, lots of tourists places but can walk around, see some of the canal areas etc .

You could easily spend 2 hours and be back in time to airport.

Just pre check your luggage on your flight to Paris.

There are also plenty of taxis...$25 to central district. I think Amsterdam is beautiful and worth getting a glimpse .

Think I'm gonna do the Schiphol train. One time I had a 6 hour layover in Heathrow and took the tube into town and had a beer. Probably wasn't smart but I got back with plenty of time to spare.

And Amsterdam is smaller, and the airport is much closer. I think I'll be fine. Yes Amsterdam is a gorgeous city.

I live in the Netherlands so Im in Schipohl quite often. You probably have time spend an hour in the city. If you want to take the train, just take one of the many trams outside the Amsterdam train station to Leidsplein, as the area around the train station is just a big tourist trap. You can buy the tram ticket on the tram from the driver, should be like 2 euros. Even though you're flying to Paris, I would still get there at least 2 hours early. There have been random times that Schipohl has been unbelievably busy, but I think this is more common in the morning when the international flights are going out. Also, it is possible that you could have a 25 minute walk to your gate once you're through security.