Once you clear customs, you're free to leave the airport. Amsterdam is about 25 miles from Schiphol. If your layover is four or more hours, you can take the train, taxi, or private car into the city. I'd stick to the canal belt area (Grachtengordel) and see the sights in that area.

Yes, you are allowed to leave Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) during a layover, and it is one of the easiest airports in the world to do so. The airport is located just 18 minutes by train from the city center, and trains run every 10–15 minutes from the station directly beneath the main terminal. To leave, you must have a valid visa for the Schengen Area (or be a citizen of a visa-free country like the US or UK) and clear passport control. Travelers in 2026 are advised to only attempt this if their layover is at least 5 to 6 hours long; this allows roughly 2–3 hours for sightseeing, a canal boat tour, or a visit to a museum while leaving enough buffer time to clear security again. Schiphol is a massive airport, and security lines can occasionally be long, so you should aim to be back at the terminal at least 2 hours before your departure. If you have luggage, there are convenient storage lockers on the lower level of Schiphol Plaza where you can safely leave your bags before heading into town.