On my way home from Spain last month, I ended up with a five hour daytime layover in Amsterdam. It was a beautiful, sunny, Sunday morning and my bag was checked through to my final destination so I decided to be adventurous and leave the airport. I bought myself a train ticket from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal station and in less than 15 minutes I was wandering around the quiet streets of the city centre. I ate delicious pastry. I marvelled at the impressive bike lanes. I photographed the lovely canals.

In all my travels abroad, I have never left the airport during a layover before but I’m so glad I did. It was the perfect way to stretch my legs and pass the time. And it was easier than I could have imagined. Can’t wait to go back to Holland for a longer stay!

Have you ever done something fun on an airport layover?