I have a long trip coming up that will take me over 24 hours with a four-hour layover in Amsterdam. Would like to fit in a run during the layover. Will this be possible? Anyone have experience trying? Since I have four hours, would I be allowed to just go outside and then come back in through security?
And then there's the whole issue of not losing my bags...
Would love to hear people's feedback/ideas.
your best bet would be to just find a gym at the airport and run on a treadmill. Its just one run right? Not too sure whats at the amsterdam airport, but maybe one of the hotels there would have a gym. Quick google search shows you can get (albeit pricy) a day pass to the gym at the Sheraton.
I've done a couple layover runs, but always with a friend who lives nearby, and never at an airport where I had to go through immigration/customs.
A four hour layover isn't actually that long. You may have 3 hours or less outside of the plane. Plan carefully to avoid wandering or wasting time. If you encounter any delays, you may need to abandon the run.
Where are you coming from/going to? Assuming you start in the US, you'll need to pass through immigration and customs before you can leave the airport. Depending on where you're going, you may need to go through immigration again when you return to the terminal. Obviously you'll also have to clear security on your way in.
Check most of your baggage through to your final destination, and carry on 1 small bag with you running stuff and whatever you want to bring on the plane. The smaller the bag, the easier it will be to stash. (You may need to research a bit and make sure it's possible to through check bags on your itinerary).
If you have access to an airline lounge, it likely has a shower. You can also ask them to hang on to your bag for a few hours (but they might say no). You can typically buy a one day pass to airline lounges, but it might cost $50.
Alternatively, you can shower and stash stuff at an airport hotel. Looks like Schiphol has one or two hotels in the terminal transit area, plus a few more on or near the airport grounds, one of which has a gym. You can definitely stash your stuff and shower there. Not sure how much it will cost.
You'll need to find the fastest route from the terminal to somewhere runnable. It may be possible start running at the terminal, but pedestrian access to airports is usually either poorly marked or non-existent.
Leaving Schiphol on a layover:
http://www.amsterdamtips.com/tips/amsterdam-airport-layover.php
Airport Sheraton with gym:
http://www.schiphol.nl/Travellers/Shop/ShoppingSchipholPlaza/Wellness.htm
Honestly, unless you are already very familiar with the airport, your best bet is probably to take a day off, or maybe swing by the Sheraton gym.
OJ it, man!!
I've done it in the past. Lots of us did. It was easier then. Airports had lockers you could rent and store your things in and then go and run. Back then you didn't need a boarding pass to get back in either.
Most recently I ran at LAX but my family was along. Getting back to the gate works fine IF you have your boarding pass. All of us went outside the gate and they looked after my things, and boarding pass, while I ran. Without someone to look after your stuff though it could be tough. You could find a way to carry the boarding pass as you run but you'd have to leave anything you were taking onto the plane with you in the terminal. If it wasn't stolen I'd imagine it would be confiscated as they always threaten to do with unattended bags.
I suppose if you were travelling really light you could have all your stuff in a backpack and just strap it on for your run. I know that Ron Hill has done runs inside airport terminals. Depending on how crowded it is, that might be a possibility. With a long enough layover you could take a cab to a gym and run there. It probably can be done but it seems like a huge hassle now.
What a geek!
These answers are all very helpful. Thanks everyone
And for anyone immersed in my storyline, the Schiphol fitness lounge sounds like the best option.
HRE is right, it was a lot easier pre-9/11. I ran from DC, Denver, San Fran and Boston airports before then, all while traveling solo, thanks to rentable lockers.
I ran inside Heathrow in 2006, but was with my wife, who could watch my stuff (and who said, "For the next half hour, I don't know you.").
I still don't understand why a good gym isn't part of every major airport.
No, but I've never been chased by one.
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smd wrote:
HRE is right, it was a lot easier pre-9/11. I ran from DC, Denver, San Fran and Boston airports before then, all while traveling solo, thanks to rentable lockers.
I ran inside Heathrow in 2006, but was with my wife, who could watch my stuff (and who said, "For the next half hour, I don't know you.").
I still don't understand why a good gym isn't part of every major airport.
Space in the terminals is at a premium. There are few shop setups that could be converted - and the conversion would be a pain and expensive.
N008 wrote:
I have a long trip coming up that will take me over 24 hours with a four-hour layover in Amsterdam. Would like to fit in a run during the layover. Will this be possible? Anyone have experience trying? Since I have four hours, would I be allowed to just go outside and then come back in through security?
And then there's the whole issue of not losing my bags...
Would love to hear people's feedback/ideas.
Run up the down escalator.
Sure you're going for a run. You're gonna run get some of that stuff that's not legal yet in your US state.
Don't bring it back to the airport with you, let alone your destination country