Onward Travel
Firstly by train to Amsterdam Central (and beyond):
Getting from plane to train is incredibly simple - the railway station is inside the arrivals hall; purchase your tickets from the machines on ground level (they takes credit and some debit cards as well as cash, but only coins not notes), go down the moving walkway or lift to the platforms and you're ready to go. If you are unsure of where to go or which train to get after your long flight then you can also buy tickets at the large ticket desk in Schiphol Plaza above the platforms. This will incur a 0,50 euro charge per ticket but might stop you getting lost.
Here's a handy web demo of how the ticket machines work so you don't look like a tourist trying to work them out. (Sorry this is temporarily unavailable so here is the link to the step by step method)
http://www.ns.nl/en/travellers/arrang...
The easiest way to get your tickets is to go directly to the ticket counter because the ticket machines do not always take the cards. Some people have reported having trouble getting the ticket machines to work with MasterCard or with debit cards. So just get yourself some Euros and go to the train ticket counter - they are very helpful and will also be able to tell you when your train is leaving and where to catch it.
As of January 2012, the journey to Amsterdam Central costs € 3,80 2nd class for a single trip and € 6,50 1st class. Round trip (return) tickets are not available except for day returns (dagretour) and weekend tickets valid from 1900 on a Friday to 0400 Monday morning. There is no need to travel 1st class on this journey which only lasts 17 to 20 minutes. 2nd class is perfectly comfortable. Do not leave sight of your cases on the train. Most trains are double decked but you can usually get some kind of seat by the door to avoid dragging your case up or down the stairs. There are seven trains per hour to CS. Some are direct trains and some are stop trains which also stop at Amsterdam Lelylaan and Amsterdam Sloterdijk. Always check the boards as not all trains go to Amsterdam CS. Nearly always the trains will leave from platform 1, 2 or 3. Please note that there are a number of train stations serving Amsterdam and it may be that if your hotel is on the south side of the city. the Amsterdam Hilton for example, then it may be quicker and easier to connect via Zuid/WTC station and take tram 5.
By Bus. Just outside the terminal, beyond the taxi rank, there is a number of bus stops where you can get connections to various places that are not directly served by train. Getting to Haarlem is quicker by direct bus for example. If your hotel is to the south west of the city or in the Leidseplein area then it may be worthwhile looking at taking the bus. Both the 370 Interliner and the 197 Schiphol Sternet bus (red one) stop just by the Leidseplein. This is very handy for the Marriot, the NH Amsterdam Centre or the American Hotel. Much more convenient than the train and tram combination and these busses have plenty of room for luggage. Approximate cost in 2012 is 4 euros one way.
Schiphol Airside
Amsterdam airport is divided into two sections; Schengen and non Schengen. The Schengen area includes most EU countries eg France, Spain, Italy etc. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen... . All intercontinental flights leave from the non Schengen area which includes Piers D (although not all gates), E, F, G & H. For all these piers (apart from H but that is only used for short haul budget carriers) security checks and searches are carried out at the individual gates. Just be careful not to buy drinks or water etc to take on the plane as these will be confiscated at security. Also note that if you are a transit passenger then do not buy liquids/gels etc over 100ml at your originating airport as these will also be taken off you at security. The only liquids you can take through here have to be 100ml or less or have been purchased in Schiphol and sealed in a security bag. For flights originating in Amsterdam to another Schengen country the security scanners are centralised after check in so you can buy whatever you like airside and take it onboard.
Schiphol is a large busy airport but very well designed with lots to do & see including some genuine Rembrandts, Vermeers and other old Dutch masters from the Rijksmuseum. If you did not get the chance to see any of Amsterdam's world class museums then check it out for free between piers E & F.
For the smokers among you don't worry. There are designated smoking areas on all piers, normally in an enclosed area of one of the many cafe's and bars.
http://www.schiphol.nl/Travellers/AtS...
Airside there's mostly tourist-item and usual airport shopping, a couple of bars, a bookshop selling English-language books; a McDonalds with a small wifi work area; an ocean-themed bar and a few other small places to eat. You have access to small trolleys to push your hand-baggage about the terminal, which is a really nice touch.
If you have a long layover at the airport they have recently built a pod type hotel called the Yotel where you can rent a room in four hour stretches. Great to just chill out and get away from everyone, have a shower or just relax and watch TV or surf on your laptop.
As a recent addition in 2011 wi-fi is now free for an hour throughout the airport. A Public library has also been added to the airport with ipads. There is a selection of Dutch and English literature.
Luggage storage
There is a convenient luggage storage facility at Schiphol Airport. Located on the lower level between the major arrival halls are lockers in various sizes. Locker sizes range from small (for carry-on bags) to very large (for pullman size bags). You can store 4 pilot style wheeled bags in one medium size locker. The first minimum hours are paid in advance but your luggage can remain for additional days and be paid for with credit card at the locker. There are convenient tables for repacking if necessary. There is also a money exchange booth. The area is accessible by elevator or stairs from the ground floor. A good option if you have a layover and would like to make a luggage-free journey into the city or are taking an overnight stay but don’t need all your gear or the hassle of hauling excess bags for a short stay.
http://www.schiphol.nl/Travellers/AtS...
Getting to Amsterdam town from the airport
When you get to Amsterdam airport you need to follow the signs to the station. The station is actually part of the airport. You will see the ticket office in the far left hand corner, don't bother about the automatic ticket machines they are quite complicated. The ticket office is open 24 hours. Buy return tickets if going back to the airport later. Get the train to Amsterdam central station the ticket clerk will be able to tell you the time and platform.
Some trains run straight through to Amsterdam Central but most stop a couple of times journey takes about 15 mins. During the day trains run about every 15mins. When you get to Amsterdam Central the ground level is below the train platforms so you need to go down the stairs. Turn left at the bottom and go straight on through the doors to the open air paved area. You will probably see the the tourist building directly opposite you. The Tourist Office closes around 18:00. You can get a good street map of Amsterdam in the tourist office for about 3euro. It there is a queue for the tourist advisers the same map is dispensed by a machine. This map is more detailed (i.e. gives all street names) than the one give away free by hotels etc.
For $15 euro you can take a shower at the Mercure hotel (second floor) in the main arrivals hall before you pass through immigration.