Starting a trip to Australia by flying from London to Amsterdam feels a bit unhinged, I know. But it’s mostly a money thing — long-haul flights are way cheaper from some European cities than from London, and I am simply not above that.
There’s also a low-key symbolic reason. Abel Tasman, a 17th-century Dutch explorer, was the first European to spot New Zealand. He would’ve set off from Amsterdam or somewhere nearby, and Tasmania is literally named after him. So honestly? This felt kind of on brand.
So it’s onwards to Nederland. We flew out of London City Airport, which I love. It’s tiny, security doesn’t kill your spirit, and the take-offs/landings are kinda spicy in a “umm are we good??” way.
The vibe here is different. One main lounge, mostly solo male business guys. Hardly any kids. No small talk—just people deep in their phones. There’s this long corridor that leads to the gates with decent seating and actually nice runway views.
That said, cabin crew showed up late so we left 20 minutes behind schedule 🙃 But once we were up, it was smooth—straight above the cloud blanket into blue skies and a proper late-afternoon sunset moment. Not even that long later, we were already descending. A little turbulence as we dropped back through the clouds into that weird white nothingness, then boom—fields, roads, cars moving like ants. Airport lights popped up: red, green, then blue. Touchdown was thud, brakes slamming us forward, very immersive. Taxiing took forever, then finally the chunky control tower appeared and we pulled into Schiphol… 15 minutes late.
Everyone online was dramatic about Schiphol. Like: avoid at all costs, and if you can’t, arrive way too early, bring snacks, download shows, emotionally prepare. Honestly? Getting to immigration was a bit confusing but not full chaos. Non-EU line was long, but after that it was fine.
Hotel shuttle eventually pulled up at stop A9. We checked in and ate at the hotel restaurant—Moldovan chicken soup, roasted veg, sweet potato fries. Surprisingly solid. One glass of Malbec though? Yeah… not it.
It’s cold in Amsterdam. After weeks of cold and rain, we’re very ready for warmth. This is basically a positioning flight anyway—not a city moment. We’re just here to catch a long-haul flight tomorrow.