Flights

First you need to get to the Netherlands and that means flying to Amsterdam. There are lots of flight options including many nonstop from the United States.

Flight time from US west coast direct is ~10 hours. That Premium Select seat you splurged on really pays off here! While not as onerous as going to Asia it is still a long flight. It is doable in economy but get an aisle seat whether that is on the window or interior so you can get up without disturbing anyone. Just make sure to stand every hour to stretch your legs.

We have direct experience with 3 KLM, Delta and British Airways the last is now getting stale.

Cost (LA or Seattle to Amsterdam): ~$1,500 for economy, ~2,500 for Premium Select, and $5,400 for Business. Of course these will vary by time of year and how far in advance you purchase.

Honestly KLM and Delta Premium Select are great products and this trend of offering something in between economy and business is very welcome. However if you just can’t afford that luxury taking Delta economy is a better option however there is not a direct flight from LAX.

British business and economy was okay although, the current Delta product is preferred to the now 10 year old BA experience.

Airport: Schipol

Schiphol as an airport honestly is pretty terrible these days compared to LAX in Los Angeles and SEA in Seattle. But it is really the only option here. It’s saving grace is the fact that it has a train station right out side the arrival gates that can take you anywhere in the Netherlands. See the blog post on how to use Dutch public transit.

Money

The Netherlands uses the Euro and most places accept Visa. That said, there are places that do not take cash at all and also places that only take what is called a pin card. If you are not Dutch then you don’t have one. Your ATM card does not count, it will NOT work. Even though American Express advertisements were plastered everywhere in AMS most places do not accept this form of payment.