Dates: April 6-8, 2022
Airports: LTN, AMS
Airlines: easyJet ⭐⭐️⭐️
Hotels: IBIS Styles Central Station Amsterdam ⭐⭐️⭐️1/2
Pictures: Facebook
I got to travel again!! I am so excited!! And boy, was it stressful to put my mind back into the mode of travel. After two years of a locked-down world and about one year after my move to England (more on this later), it was so odd to put my mind back into travel again. This was a short trip, only 3 days, to get back into the mode and the trip was only a 1-hour flight. I traveled from London Luton Airport (LTN) to Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) and flew easyJet for the first time.
First, London Luton AIrport (LTN). I live very close to the airport, so I wanted to use this particular airport for such a short trip. There is a huge uproar about the possible expansion of this airport (what is it with me and being around airports that want to expand, but the locals do not want it). The funny thing about the airport is that, in my perspective, is very well situated to not bring a lot of attention to itself. You only "see" the terminal once you are right up close to it. It is not like Atlanta, Cleveland, or LAX where you can see it from miles away.
I was really pleased with the airport. You can get a meal for £4.15 (three halves of a sandwhich, a big bag of chips (crisps), and a 500ml soda. Thanks, Boots! That's a crazy deal. The inexpensive options for food blew me away. I also, unexpectedly, needed to get a hoodie as I forgot mine on my dinner table and was able to buy a Nike one (2XL) for £60. Way to go me!
The gates at LTN are not assigned to particular airlines. There are no waiting areas by the gates unlike American airports. There is main area where everyone sits and can watch the display boards. This is the only place where I think LTN can grow. The Airlines updated their apps and had gate information much faster than the airport. You really have to pay attention as there are not as many annoying intercom messages in England. I only worry about disabled passengers that would want to fly...there are lots of stairs at the airport. How would they get to the gates? It seems like there are ways the airline and the airport makes accomodations for these passengers, but it must not be easy.
Now easyJet. They are a budget carrier. You pay for everything extra (seat assignment, carry-on bag, checked-in bag, etc.). My only advice here is to read a lot about the carrier and know what you need to buy and when. You save by planning ahead and pay out the nose if you try to do anything at the airport itself. That being said, the airline staff were very nice and the chairs (though extremely hard) were new. No entertainment. No free beverages. If you know this ahead of time, you can plan and the airline actually encourages this. I left some copies of the evacuation card below as well :)
Upon arrival at AMS, the passport control section was quick and I was through very quickly. I did not check any bags due to the short trip and got a new Gilbert Gym bag for the gym and for my short travels around Europe to come. The train station is right at the airport, so it was an easy and short walk to the train to the Central Railstation in Amsterdam. I purchased my rail ticket ahead of time on the NS APP.
I stayed at the IBIS Styles Amsterdam Central Station hotel very close to the rail station. There are many IBIS hotels, so the one CLOSEST to the Railstation confused me...mine was across the canal. It was very comfortable, clean and I am a huge fan of their pillows (going to buy some via their website in fact..they are THAT good).
I had the famous patatje oorlog - dutch fries with peanut satay sauce and their fry sauce (a sweet mayo). I could eat this all day. The food costs around the city were a bit high. I was a little sticker shocked to be honest. I stayed in a touristy area and the prices really were not exaggerated online. I was lucky to be near a Albert Heijn grocery store that had much more cost effective meal options that I took advantage of. But you have to try the local FEBO with all of the different burgers and croquets. They even have their own clothing line!
I spent the next day walking around and seeing the sites. The city is VERY walkable. I did walk to see the Anne Frank house, but did not go it. I wanted to use this trip as a way to get a grasp of the city for return visits. I am adding the pictures below.
I will say this, the trip was a bit last minute on my part. I did not learn any Dutch and I think I am a bad tourist for it. I always think it is important to learn some of the language of the country you are visiting. I am thankful that most people new English, but I do not ever want to be *that* tourist that thinks the world revolves around the English language. I am leaving some pictures of my trip below. Enjoy and please leave some comments for me. As always, see you at the gate...
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