As someone who regularly travels through Schiphol airport, I figured that it was time to write a guide to Schiphol Airport, one of my favorite airports in the world, with some insider tips to help others traveling through Schiphol more easily find their gate, find good airport food, and get to their destination as quickly as possible!
Contents
- 1 Index of this article
- 2 How to get to Schiphol Airport from Amsterdam
- 3 Schiphol Terminals: What you need to know about departures out of Schiphol Airport
- 4 How early to arrive at Schiphol before a flight
- 5 Currency Exchange and ATMS at Schiphol
- 6 Toilets at Schiphol Airport
- 7 How much can you do in a 12 or 24 hour layover at Schiphol Airport?
- 8 My #1 hack for saving money on souvenirs and food at Schiphol
- 9 The best food and drinks in Schiphol Airport before security
- 10 The best food and drinks in Schiphol Airport after security
- 11 Insider hacks for Schiphol Airport
- 12 Where to sleep in and near Schiphol
- 13 Where to take a shower during a layover at Schiphol
- 14 Transferring between terminals
- 15 Handy apps to have on your phone for flying through Schiphol
- 16 Flying on budget airlines out of Schiphol
- 17 Schiphol Passport Control
- 18 Baggage Claim
- 19 Best meeting points at Schiphol airport
- 20 Schiphol overnight and arriving into Schiphol late at night
- 21 Wifi and outlets at Schiphol
- 22 Any questions about Schiphol Airport?
Index of this article
- How to get to Schiphol Airport to/from Amsterdam
- How to get to Amsterdam from Schiphol Airport for free with the iAmsterdam Card
- What you need to know about taxis at Schiphol Airport
- Schiphol Terminals: What you need to know about departures out of Schiphol Airport
- How early to arrive at Schiphol Airport before a flight
- Currency Exchange and ATMs at Schiphol
- Toilets at Schiphol Airport
- How much can you do in a 12 or 24 hour layover at Schiphol Airport?
- My hack for saving money on souvenirs and food at Schiphol Airport
- The best food and drinks in Schiphol Airport before security
- The best food and drinks in Schiphol Airport after security
- Insider hacks for Schiphol Airport
- Where to sleep in and near Schiphol Airport
- Where to take a shower during a layover at Schiphol Airport
- Transferring between terminals
- Handy apps to have on your phone for flying through Schiphol
- What you need to know about flying on budget airlines out of Schiphol: Terminal M and H
- Schiphol Passport Control
- Baggage claim
- Best meeting points near Schiphol airport
- Schiphol overnight and arriving into Schiphol late at night
- Wifi and outlets at Schiphol
Notes about terminology: Schiphol Plaza is the part of the airport before you go through security and where you’ll find departures. This area is open to the public and where you’ll catch trains/buses.
From here, you’ll pass through security and passport control en route to the terminals for departure. If you’re arriving into Schiphol, you’ll arrive at the Terminals prior to going through baggage claim and passport control (if applicable) prior to exiting in Schiphol Plaza.
How to get to Schiphol Airport from Amsterdam
The fastest and best way to get from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam is by train. You can pick up a train ticket per way for about five euros (plus one euro for a single ride supplement) from the machines in the main area of the Schiphol public terminal. The journey takes about fifteen minutes if you get on an intercity direct to Amsterdam Centraal (no extra stops), but it on average takes about 20-30 minutes if you take a train that stops off at other stops (Sprinter).
A word of warning: Amsterdam has multiple train stations, so don’t get off at the first station that begins with Amsterdam. You’re likely to pass through Amsterdam Sloterdijk and Amsterdam Lelylaan depending on the train, so if you’re intending to get off at Amsterdam Centraal, stay on the train until your final destination.
Remember to tap your new ticket card in as you pass by the gates and to tap it out as you leave as it will open the gates! Don’t lose your ticket!
How to get to Amsterdam from Schiphol Airport for free with the iAmsterdam Card
If you’re planning on visiting quite a few museums in Amsterdam, the iAmsterdam card might be a good deal as it includes public transit as well as a canal cruise. However, the iAmsterdam card does not include the train from Schiphol airport, however it does include the bus.
To reach the buses, follow the signs out towards Schiphol Plaza. Go outside towards the buses. My bus of choice during the day heading to Amsterdam Centre is bus #397 with the final destination of Leidseplein (Amsterdam). If you’re staying in Amsterdam’s city center, you should be easily navigate to your hotel from here by tram, bus, or on foot. (If you have a lot, you can take a taxi from here!) If you’re arriving late at night, you can take the N97 bus follows a similar route.
What you need to know about taxis at Schiphol Airport: Avoid them if you can.
Schiphol has a problem with rogue taxis, some of whom have taxi licenses. I wish that I was kidding, but I also had drivers try to rip me off. Always ask before you get in if the taxi meter is on and if they accept credit cards.
If you’re keen on taking a taxi without blowing your budget, I recommend taking the train to Amsterdam Centraal prior to taking a taxi from there to your hotel. It’s usually about half the cost (even with two people) and this is what I do when I have large bags.
Don’t follow anyone who comes up to you in the terminal offering you a taxi. There is an official taxi line right outside of the airport. In many cases, the people offering you taxis do not have licenses and tourists have been basically held hostage until they paid up. In one case, a tourist was charged €595 for a thirty-minute ride to the capital. Luckily, the police got involved, but tourists get ripped off at Schiphol every day.
Make sure the meter is on and do not trust fixed rates. A typical fare that is reasonable from Amsterdam to Schiphol is about 40-50 euros to Amsterdam Centraal. You’ll pay a little more if you’re going outside of the city center, but you should pay less if you’re closer to Schiphol in Amsterdam West. If possible, ensure that Google Maps is on before you leave in the taxi, so you can verify the route.
Regarding the credit card comment, I write this as some taxis that “say” the credit card machine works will magically have it break mid-journey, so they can attempt to rip you off and/or they don’t need to report the journey to their employer. Both situations are bad, so verify both before you get in whether the meter and the credit card machine works.
I typically use the company Taxicentrale Amsterdam (TCA) and I will call them in advance if I need a taxi. Their phone number is +31 (020) 777 77 77. Operators speak English well.
Schiphol Terminals: What you need to know about departures out of Schiphol Airport
As soon as you step off the train, head upstairs and look on the big board of departing flights to see which terminal you’ll be flying out of. This make a big difference as you can lose a lot of time if you end up at the wrong terminal.
Once you determine your terminal, you’ll need to take the escalator up towards the terminal where your flight will take place. If you’re already checked in, I still recommend waiting in line to ask the flight attendant for the gate as that is not always announced in advance–and it’s often unclear until the last minute. This will avoid unnecessary walking in Schiphol.
From here, you’ll scan your ticket and go through the assigned security specific to your terminal. If necessary, you’ll go through passport control after this. From here, you’ll be in the main terminal area and you can follow the signs to find your gate. I include specific information about flying with budget airlines out of Schiphol as this is a bit different as the gate will not be announced until the last minute.
How early to arrive at Schiphol before a flight
For international flights, I recommend arriving 3-4 hours ahead. Immigration lines can be sizable if you’re flying at a popular time, especially in the mornings on weekdays.
For EU flights, you will have an easier time as you don’t need to deal with passport control. I typically arrive two hours ahead if I don’t need to check any bags. I add in an extra thirty minutes if I need to check a bag to be safe.
Currency Exchange and ATMS at Schiphol
In general, I do not advocate for exchanging your currency upon arrival. I find that you generally receive better exchange rates if you use the ATM at your destination, but sometimes this is unavoidable.
I typically use the ABN AMRO ATM in Schiphol Plaza (before security) near the Albert Heijn. (Hint: The Netherlands uses the euro, but dollars have been handy in a few destinations.) This ATM gives you the option of dollars or euros.
Once you’re through security, you’ll find several ATMs close to lounge 1, 2, and 3 as well as Terminal D. I generally use the ATM near Terminal D (close to the Starbucks) if I’m near there.
Within Schiphol Plaza (before security or upon arrival), there are several places to exchange currencies. The best, in my opinion, is ABN AMRO. They sit behind the Albert Heijn. For exchanges with a minimum value of 200 euros, the transaction is free at the rate posted. (They have 60 currencies on hand.)
Toilets at Schiphol Airport
Schiphol has free toilets! To be fair, they’re not so easy to find, especially before security. I recommend downloading the Schiphol app (iPhone / Android) to locate more toilets. If you’re going to fly out of Terminal H or M, try to use the toilet before you arrive in this area as there are fewer toilets.
How much can you do in a 12 or 24 hour layover at Schiphol Airport?
If you have a 12 hour layover at Schiphol Airport, you might be able to exit to briefly see Amsterdam. Just be aware of time as I recommend giving yourself 3-4 hours for international flights and it will take around 40 minutes to get to Amsterdam. You’ll need to choose your activities carefully, but at least you can get a taste of Amsterdam.
One closeby attraction is the Royal FloraHolland Aalsmeer flower auction. If you’re lucky enough to arrive in the morning on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday in time to arrive by 7am. This is when they hold a guided tour of the largest flower auction in the world. If you love tulips, you need to try to visit this!
During tulip season (April-early May), you can easily take the bus to Keukenhof to see the Dutch tulip fields. There is luggage storage at Keukenhof in case you want to maximize your layover. Read tips for visiting the Dutch tulip fields.
With twenty four hours in Schiphol Airport, definitely leave the airport. One day in Amsterdam is enough to see most of the major sights, even if you can’t go into the museums. I’ve created a self-guided walking tour of Amsterdam showing you my favorite parts of it.
My #1 hack for saving money on souvenirs and food at Schiphol
I love the Albert Heijn in Schiphol Plaza! I always arrive in Schiphol just a little early in order to have a meal before getting on the plane or to get a souvenir. Prices at this Albert Heijn are slightly higher than what you’d find in Amsterdam, however compared to what you pay after security, it’s cheap.
My favorite gift/souvenir to bring abroad from the Netherlands are balls of Dutch cheese, which you can buy for a reasonable price at this Albert Heijn. You don’t need to refrigerate them if they’re sealed in wax. Otherwise, I love bringing a Tony’s Chocolonely (a fair-trade Dutch chocolate) with me as a gift for friends.
You can’t bring your drinks from Albert Heijn through security, but the rest of the food that you buy at the Albert Heijn can come with you! I know that it’s not great sushi, but I like the sushi from this AH. You can sit eating your food on the chairs near the exit.
The best food and drinks in Schiphol Airport before security
My favorite option for a delicious and healthy meal is at Leon, which is in Schiphol Plaza before you go up to Terminal 3. This to-go eatery is where I noticed a lot of KLM staff goes–and I was impressed with the vegetarian-friendly options. For a coffee, I usually head to Grand Café Het Paleis, which has a great outlet situation. For breakfast, I recommend Yoghurt Barn, which is vegan-friendly and not surprisingly sells yogurt. Their coffee is always delicious and I love the toppings for the yogurt!
The best food and drinks in Schiphol Airport after security
I’ll just give a short list of my favorites. I usually stop off at Amsterdam Bread Company for a sandwich although I warn that the sandwiches tend to be very dairy-heavy. My go-to place for healthy food is Harvest Market although I often stop off for a coffee at Starbucks once I’m through security.
Two newer restaurants are Jamie’s Deli and Fair Taste Cafe. For a slightly nicer meal, head to Kebaya for a delicious Asian meal if you’re in less of a rush. The other sit-down restaurant that I like in Schiphol is Tastes from the Lowlands, which stocks locally sourced Dutch basics (including frites).
Schiphol is trying out Deliveroo (a food delivery app for your phone) within the airport for certain gates. The idea is that you can order food from other places in the airport and your food will be delivered to you in about fifteen minutes!
For a quick bite, I usually stop at GrabandFly for a drink before I board as I typically bring some snacks with me from the Albert Heijn before security. Close to Terminal M, you’ll find Urban Food Market, another good place for sandwiches. If you have an empty water bottle, you should be able to fill it at one of the water fountains.
Insider hacks for Schiphol Airport
If you’re looking for some fresh air during your layover at Schiphol once you’re through security, you can head to the rooftop Airport Park for a breather. There’s wifi and exercise bikes. It’s absolutely free and close to Lounge 1.
Many people don’t know that the Rijksmuseum has a free outpost in Schiphol Airport. During the day (until 8pm), you can view ten paintings by Dutch masters for free at the exhibition between Gates E and F.
Where to sleep in and near Schiphol
It’s good to note that if you have a longer layover at Schiphol, you need to show proof of onward travel to remain in the terminal. Airport hotel prices near Schiphol can be expensive and rise even more closer to your date, so book your Schiphol hotel ahead if you’re likely to spend the night at Schiphol Airport.
If you have a longer short-term transfer, you can stay at Yotel, a pod hotel in the terminal, if you’re in need of a nap or a shower. Similarly, you can stay at the Mercure Terminal Hotel if you’re looking for a traditional hotel to sleep at. Both of these don’t have many rooms, so be sure to book ahead to save money.
There are numerous hotels close to Schiphol. Notably, the Sheraton Schiphol is a popular pick that is just outside of Schiphol Plaza. If you’re traveling on business, you’ll find all you need. Another large hotel that caters to business travelers as well as luxury travelers is the Hilton Schiphol Airport, which is just a short walk from the airport exit.
For those on a budget, CitizenM Amsterdam Airport hotel is a great pick just outside of the main building.. This modern “boutique hotel” has small rooms with some serious amenities, including 24/7 room service, a common area that is always open, free movies, blackout blinds, and fast wifi. Simply, all you need for a good night’s rest.
Check hotel prices near Schiphol Airport now!
If you have a little more time (12 hours) and you’re finding the prices at hotel prices in Amsterdam outrageously high, my insider tip is to look for hotels in Leiden. Leiden is just 15-20 minutes by train from Schiphol Airport.
This lovely day trip from Amsterdam is a stunning city in itself and you’ll find boutique hotels in Leiden around 40% cheaper than their counterparts in Amsterdam (Click for a self-guided walking tour of Leiden.) Expect the beauty of Amsterdam without the crowds!
Check hotel prices in Leiden now!
Where to take a shower during a layover at Schiphol
Several of the toilets once you pass through passport control have free showers although no soap or towels. You should be able to pick up soap at one of the airport shops although I’d recommend bringing your own miniature travel towel to dry off with.
If you’re desperate for a shower, you can pay for a shower at one of the airport hotels or pay for special access to one of the airplane lounges. The KLM Crown Lounge has showers, but you must have a business or first class ticket for the same day with a Skyteam, KLM, or Air France flight. Those part of KLM’s Flying Blue program as well as SkyTeam Elite Plus and Delta’s SkyClub program can access this lounge.
If you’re not a member of any programs, you can pay for a shower as an extra fee at Lounge 41. This comes with a towel. You’ll pay about 27 euros to get in although those flying with certain airlines (Star Alliance) will gain access if they have business class/first class flights.
Transferring between terminals
Schiphol is a fairly easy airport to transfer at and it has good signage in English. I’ve transferred a couple of times although I do warn that it is much bigger than many people realize. You’ll have some good food options as well as toilets close to your gate, so don’t dally–and get to your flight area before settling in.
There are transfer desks where you can check for information using a screen or by asking a flight attendant. There are moving walkways, but it can take as long as 30 minutes to do your transfer at Schiphol depending on which terminals you’re switching between. If you require assistance, ask the flight attendants!
Handy apps to have on your phone for flying through Schiphol
The Schiphol app is very helpful for locating your flight information as well as finding things in the airport. For figuring out transportation to your hotel, I recommend having Google Maps and Reisplanner Xtra (iPhone / Android) on your phone. Reisplanner Xtra is the official app from the Dutch railways with real-time updates about the trains and routing to your destination.
Flying on budget airlines out of Schiphol
If you’re flying with a budget airline out of Schiphol airport, expect to fly out of Terminal H or M. This is the furthest terminal. You fly out of Terminal M when it’s a EU flight and Terminal H when it’s not. It generally takes at least 20-30 minutes to walk out there, so don’t dally.
Once you arrive, you’ll realize that you can’t go to your gate as it’s not open. Gates for budget airlines are only opened once it’s time for boarding and there are no seats until you get on the plane. You’ll need to wait in an area with strange seating watching a screen waiting to see where your flight will be boarding. There aren’t many announcements, so you need to pay attention.
Be sure to use the toilet while you’re in this common area when you have the time as there’s just two toilets along Terminal M–and you don’t want to miss your flight. I like the Urban Food Market for a quick sandwich. Once it’s time for your flight to board, you don’t typically have that much time as the flight will be boarding. The walk down to the boarding gate can take 10-15 minutes, so hurry down.
After this, you’ll wait in a line with no seating, possibly waiting on the stairs, until you’re allowed on the flight. Standing waiting in line can take about 20 minutes. If you have issues with standing for 20+ minutes, flying budget out of Schiphol may be an issue and it might be worthwhile to notify the airline/Schiphol beforehand to ensure that they can accommodate you.
Schiphol Passport Control
If you’re flying to/from outside the Schengen area (even if it’s EU), you will need to go through passport control. If you’re simply transferring with one ticket, you won’t need to go through passport control, unless you leave the airport.
If you’re departing from Schiphol, you’re likely to pass through the passport control area where EU citizens as well as certain nationalities (including Koreans and Americans) can simply scan their passport while a machine checks your photo. Remember to get a stamp from the immigration if you’re non-EU to ensure that there’s physical proof of your exit.
In general, there’s two lines: one for EU citizens and one for non-EU citizens. In theory, if you’re a non-EU Dutch resident, you should be able to skip the non-EU line for the EU line, but sometimes the agents don’t allow this. It typically takes about 20 minutes to get through immigration, but I’ve had it take up to 45 minutes when a big international flight was departing.
Upon arrival, it works similarly. I find that the non-EU line can take between 15-45 minutes on average. I recommend having your paperwork in order prior to arriving at immigration as agents have the right to ask you questions about what you intend to do in the Netherlands as well as relevant information about where you intend to stay, etc.
Baggage Claim
Once you go through passport control (or not), you can pick up your bags at the baggage claim. There’s a toilet there in case you need one, however right after, you exit into Schiphol Plaza. For Dutch residents, I often use the OVchipkaart machine to top up my OVchipkaart there to avoid the lines for the train ticket machines in Schiphol Plaza.
Best meeting points at Schiphol airport
Meeting up at Schiphol can be a bit tricky as people don’t always come out of the same area as where you’d expect them to come out. A lot of people wait with banners, however you’ll need to stand waiting at what you think is the correct arear and when my mom recently visited, I ended up missing her as she exited the baggage claim from another exit.
I tend to use the airport shops as my meeting points and I find that the Starbucks near the toilet and Arrivals 4 is the best meeting point for international guests who have long journies. There are some seats, so it’s a good place to sit and relax while waiting for family. It’s best to agree on a Arrivals number or meet at another landmark (e.g. McDonald’s or Arrival 1).
Schiphol overnight and arriving into Schiphol late at night
Schiphol overnight is a bit weird. As someone who has been stranded at Schiphol Airport due to the train problems as well as slept at Schiphol Airport, I’m very familiar with Schiphol late at night. It’s mostly quiet and nobody bothered us. If you arrive too late or get unlucky, the trains might not be running.
Schiphol Plaza mostly shuts down after midnight although technically, it’s still open to the public. Shops generally start opening up around 6:30 am. We were able to just plop on the ground close to the Albert Heijn, near an outlet, prior to taking turns sleeping. If you have the choice, opt for an airport hotel as I promise that a hard floor is not fun to sleep on.
You’re not allowed inside the airport early before your flight is ready to board. If you arrive overnight into Schiphol, you will not be allowed to stay at the airport unless you can show proof of transfer for a flight within a reasonable length of time.
Wifi and outlets at Schiphol
There’s free wifi at Schiphol although you’ll lose the signal and need to reconnect if you’re walking around the airport. The wifi is only good for three hours. If you’re looking for slightly more secure internet or need more high-speed wifi, you can pay a little extra for the private wifi network.
The outlet situation at Schiphol is improving, but not great still. I generally recommend having a fully charged phone as they’re adding outlets, but they’re still harder to find on the terminal side. In Schiphol Plaza, there are limited outlets as well although they recently added an emergency phone charging station near arrivals.
Any questions about Schiphol Airport?
Hello! Thank you for such an informative article! I have a layover of 7 hours coming up soon and I am looking into the shops at the airport. I am confused about one thing- I see that the airport has a lot of shops before as well as after security. Is there a preference or advantage for shopping before vs after?
Hi Tarika, I think that the shops before security are way better and more affordable. Food options are better, however it should be noted that most of the airport before security is closed overnight with things opening around 6:30-8 am before security. There are certainly shopping options after security, but the markup is higher. Hope that helps!
I am traveling from USA and wondering if I go to customs first or passport control? I will be staying for a few days in Amsterdam.
Passport control is first. Then, you get your baggage and go through customs (if you have anything to declare). Hope that helps!
Thank you for your soon to be helpful guide!
I’m going to travel from Schiphol in March and have a question about staying at the airport at night. I’ll arrive by train at midnight and my plane will depart at around 8 am. Are eight hours too long for a stay in the airport building? Do your think, they’ll send me away?
Hi Anna,
Honestly, I’ve slept at Schiphol Plaza after having a similar situation with disconnected flights. It might be worth getting a cheap room nearby if sleep matters to you as I didn’t sleep well on the ground myself. If you have proof that you have a flight in the morning, you should be okay supposedly. Please let me know how it goes!
Best,
Karen
Everything went well! I arrived about half an hour before midnight (they close from 12 pm till 4 am, I believe) and I could stay on a bench, somewhere in this huge airport building (Don’t ask me where exactly) with a handful of other people getting some sleep. Unfortunately the air conditioner was active the whole time, which made sleeping even more difficult. At some point a couple of security guys were walking around, asking one or two people why they were “sleepsitting” there – that was all.
Hi my Mum is travelling from Argentina in June. as it is going to be her first time taking a plane and in Europe, she has not idea how to move inside Schiphol airport. I booked her the special assistance from KLM Airline.
do you know which area of the airport she will be left waiting for the connexion? as she has to wait at the airport for 5 hours. is there a specific waiting point at the airport? her journey finishes in Glasgow International. I’m planning to go to Amsterdam to meet her at the airport so we can both wait there for the connexion as she does not speak any English, she only speak Spanish.
my concerned is that I might not be able to meet her inside unless I know a specific point where she might be waiting. is there any thing or advice you can give on what to do? do you think if I phone KLM they might be able to give advise?
Thanks, maggy
Hi Magda,
It depends on her flight and I can’t say for certain. You should contact KLM directly, however I’m skeptical that they will allow you into Schiphol simply to meet her during a connection unless you also have a flight. It would be good to notify KLM that she is a non-English speaker and hopefully, they will be able to accommodate her needs.
Within the airport, you might want to plan to meet in a specific terminal at a certain gate. Maybe Amsterdam Bread Company would be a good place to meet.
Best,
Karen
Hi
I must appreciate your intention to provide so much information and replying everyone’s query.
I am from India and I will be travelling to Canada on 7th May with my wife and we have 8-9 hours of halt in Schipol airport. we’ll be arriving in morning between 8-9AM. I have couple of things in my mind that I am not sure about.
if there will be any issue If I use US dollars on airport for having meals or for shopping, or I have to bring Euros?
If airport has free sleeping areas, will it be comfortable or should I go for buying rooms in “Yotelair” or “Mercure Hotel”?
Can you suggest me good restaurant where I can enjoy good vegetarian food?
Any tip for spending good time at the airport since we have lot of hours to roam around inside airport. ?
Hi Aram,
You can pay with credit or debit cards. Euros are only accepted, but a card should be fine!
You won’t really find a comfortable place to sleep without being on the floor and I’d recommend booking a room in the hotel overnight. You can also check Citizen M if you are open to leaving the airport and have a Schengen visa.
The miniature Mauritshuis museum is within the airport, but it was being renovated. I’m not sure if it’s yet reopened. Otherwise, there’s good wi-fi and lots of bookstores. 🙂
Best,
Karen
I arrive at 6:00 a,m and was hoping to get a few hours sleep before heading into the city. Can I get my bags before using one of the hotels (yotel)? thanks!
Hi Erin, Yotel is still within the airport. I’m not sure that it’s the best option in your case! You might want to look up Citizen M if you need to get your bags first!
Hi Karen, I am a U.S. citizen and plan to take a 10:00 am British Airways flight from Amsterdam to Heathrow on a Tuesday morning. I have a bag to check. I am staying near Spuistraat and Heisteeg. I plan to walk to Amsterdam Centraal, and take the train to Schiphol Airport. After reading your travel tips, I should arrive at the airport by 7:30 am. The train will take 30 minutes so I should be on the train by 7:00 am.
How often does the train depart Amsterdam Centraal and how early does the train start running on a Tuesday morning? Will the train be crowded at 7:00 am? Is British Airways considered a budget airline? Thank you for any advice.
Hi Helen,
I recommend checking Google Maps. You should be fine taking the train at 7am. I’ve taken it earlier and hopefully it won’t be crowded. No, British Airways is not a budget airline.
Hi Karen,
I have an 8 hour layover coming in from Accra and heading the New York. Would like to see a bit of Amsterdam if I could. What would you recommend for transportation, sights, and return time to AMS. Thank you.
Zeema, please check my website for my one day in Amsterdam guide. You might need to shorten it depending on your time (maybe 4 hours) as I’d say to ensure you have at least a few hours to get through security. (Just verify that you do not require a visa to leave the airport beforehand as some people cannot as they do not have a Schengen visa.) I have posts also about how to get to Amsterdam from Schiphol, so please search my website as I have tons of information about Amsterdam here!
How long doe take to cleae Immigration ans Customs. I have a 7 hr. layover?
It really depends on the day as Schiphol is quite bad lately.
Hi Karen,
I will be studying in Amsterdam for a semester and will be arriving at the airport around 10:30PM. My program provides a shuttle that will come the next morning, and I would like to stay at the airport until the shuttle arrives. Do you think it will be okay to stay overnight at the Schiphol Plaza even though I don’t have a flight the next day? (I noticed there were some 24 hour shops that I was planning to stay at/near)
Thanks for all the information!
You can sit there, but I would not recommend this. It’s not particularly comfortable and you won’t sleep basically at all. I’ve done it once. We ended up sitting on the floor unable to sleep while people cleaned around us. I regretted htis. If you have any extra money, I’d recommend getting a nearby hotel. Look up easyhotel if you’re on a budget. It’s safer and more comfortable. 🙂
Hi Karen,
Have really enjoyed reading your blog and I wonder if you can help as I seem to be going round in circles. I fly into Amsterdam on Singapore Airlines from Australia at 0645 and Ithen need to change airlines to KLM to fly onto Norwich in the UK at 0905. I believe because these flights were booked separately I cannot simply transit through (as the airlines differ also) do I need to collect my luggage, clear immigration then check in with KLM at departures and go through passport control again? It seems a bit crazy in this day and age that transiting is not easier. Please let me know your thoughts as to whether this is possible in the timeframe? Many thanks.
Hi Alex,
I would contact Singapore Airlines/KLM to see if they can help you with the transfer in any way. I’m honestly not sure that it’s possible to make the transit given that you may need to collect your bags, drop off your bags, go through security, and go back through passport control. In theory, it might be possible, but one thing taking too long might make you miss your flight. I’d still also see if you can buy a second flight a few hours later as not to get stranded… It would help if you can check-in in advance for KLM, but I’m not sure what to say except try to wear good shoes, so you can run!
Hello Karen,
So much wonderful information. Thanks.
I am flying in from Johannesburg to School and have 7.5 hrs to wait before heading to Canada with Delta..
I wanted to go to the House of Bols and buy a liqueur that I can’t get here nor at the airport they said. Do I have enough time to leave, take the train, go to Bols ( which train station?), return by train, and fly home?
I have commuting flights. Can they check my luggage through or do I have to collect it and store it in a locker before I leave School?
Thanks so much!
Hi Sue, You should contact the airline, but generally if you have connecting flights, your bags will go straight to the destination. You cannot bring liquids larger than what you’re allowed for carry-ons not purchased at duty-free onto the plane, so you might have some issues bringing your purchase onto the flight. For a tasting, I highly recommend Wynand Fockink (instead of House of Bols) and it should be feasible to visit it during your layover. I have more information about it on my website.
Is hand luggage ever weighed? Also if I’m checking my own bags in, can my checked bag be a little heavier?
Yes, it can be weighed. It depends on the airline, so please check with your airline on their policy. Some have weight limits…
Hi! What a useful article. I’m Dutch and Schiphol can be quite a challenge. This article seems to cover almost every question you could have. Well done and thanks for sharing!
Hi. I wonder if Schipol Airport offers lockers for luggaages since we plan to fly budget overnight to Munich, Germany? If none, whats the best thing to do? THANK YOU
There’s a baggage storage area near Arrivals 1 and 2 🙂
Hello, Karen!
Thank you for the very helpful information! I wish I had discovered it sooner. Can you tell me please where to pick up the #397 bus at Schiphol to Amsterdam (Leidseplein) and if there is room for luggage on the bus—we are two seniors traveling with 1 luggage each. Thank you!
Hi L., there’s some luggage space on the bus! You’ll go into the main train area then go outside to find the bus. It’s clearly marked. Enjoy your trip!
Arriving from US Sunday, trying to meet up with another couple arriving within a few minutes.
We arrive at ten am on air canada, they arrive at 10:25 am on Delta.
should we go thru passport and then go to the Delta luggage claim?
Try for the Starbucks?
We are not sure if our phones will work, or it would be easy.
If you both download Whatsapp, you can both get on the wifi to contact each other for free without incurring charges. After passport control might work for you all if you’re both arriving from non-Schengen locations!
hello Karen:
I am an US citizen. Arriving in Schipol Airport at 6:00am on Delta. I have a layover of 7 hours before transfer flight with KLM to Prague (flight itinerary are all in one ticket) I booked a room with Yotel hotel. Do I need to go through Passport control to get from arrival gate to Yotel and from Yotel to departure gate?
Yotel is within the airport terminal before passport control!
Our plane arrives at 16.20 p.m. in Schipol. We would like to immediately go to Brugges. How long should we need (carry on luggage) to get to the train terminal? We are considering purchasing our train tickets in advance and were looking at a possible 17.40 departure. Would we make it?
I would recommend giving yourself more time if you have to deal with passport control and in case your plane is delayed. An hour seems tight if anything goes wrong and a last-minute train won’t be cheap. Two hours seems a bit longer, but then you’re not rushing.
Thank you for your advice. We will go with a later train.
This website is AMAZING! Great tips and tricks – can’t wait to go to Amsterdam this weekend!
Q1. Besides the Rijksmuseum outpost at Schiphol Airport- is there any other museum outpost at the Schiphol Airport ? Are the Duty Free shops good after Security ?
Q2. Airport Bus #397: What are the stops for this bus ?
I understand that the Connexxion company also has a Airport- hotel shuttle ? Is that so ? Cheaper than a taxi but more expensive than the Airport bus.
Can you give me some info on this ?
Hi, Karen,
I will be transiting through Amsterdam: flying from Glasgow to Amsterdam to Detroit to Chicago. My question: I will arrive on KLM from Glasgow. I will be departing on a Delta flight to Detroit. How exactly do I maneuver this? I’m trying to get my flight changed as I have only an hour and 25 minutes but Delta is having problems finding a flight (or so they say). I will have only carry on luggage. When I arrive, do I find my way to Passport Control and then race to the gate? I checked for flights on the same numbers for today and it looks like the KLM arrives at Gate A8 (could not find it on the maps) and the Delta flight leaves from D43. Is the hour and 25 enough time? I’m 73 and am concerned that I cannot walk that fast as I am guessing the distance is a bit. Any info (as in going upstairs, downstairs…will be helpful for me to get an idea of how this should work).
I usually end in Amsterdam, but international arrivals from outside the Schengen zone generally remain outside of the Schengen zone, so hopefully, the transfer should be quite smooth with that amount of time. I hope that your travels went well and apologies about the slow response!
I’m traveling through Schiphol Airport from the US. I have a 3hr layover before I travel onto Manchester UK. I purchased my ticket directly from KLM website, even though one leg of my trip is on Delta, so it’s one booking.
When I get to Schiphol, will I need to get my luggage from baggage claim or will my luggage go directly through to Manchester? Will 3 hrs be enough time?
I hope that your travels went well, but you should not need to get your luggage en route!
I wish I had read your before departing from Schiphol airport. Arriving was easy. departure was awful. Didn’t give ourselves quite enough time, barely made flight. Security was the most disorganized I’ve ever seen. I thought De Gaule airport was bad. Endless lines and RUDE security people. At least three security people told us “I don’t care” when we expressed concern about missing our flight! Not I’m sorry or ican’t help you. The people running the body scanning machines seemed untrained. The entire security area needs to be expanded When traveling I want efficiency in arriving and boarding. Other facilities are nice but secondary to getting where I need to. Will try to avoid flying out of here at all costs.
It is especially bad right now due to strikes. Sorry to hear that it was so bad! Usually it’s quite smooth!
Hi Karen, thank you for your article!
I’m flying on KLM this summer from Canada and transiting in Amsterdam to Manchester, UK. I’ve been trying to follow the KLM and Schiphol sites to figure out the process and keep going in circles, so hoping you can give some advice 🙂
Do I have to collect bags and use self-check in? or should I go to passport control/security to continue on to my non-Schengen flight? Are you aware of any kind of map that shows how the passport/security part works? A couple of years ago I was due to fly the same route on KLM and I could have sworn they had a little video showing the whole thing, but can’t find it now for the life of me.
Thank you!
Tanya
Hi Tanya,
In theory, you should not need to collect your bags if it’s all through KLM. You would likely remain in the non-Schengen terminal and there’s no reason why you would need to pass through passport control unless you leave the airport.
Great article! We are traveling back to US in three weeks. I understand lines are horrific right now due to a number of reasons. To make sure I get in the correct line, is there a designated security line for first / business class passengers? Schipol website says not to arrive more than four hours before – nervous that isn’t enough time.
Best-
Jenny
I hope that you made it through!
Hi Karen,
My friend and I have a 5 hour layover at Schiphol Airport is it advisable to venture out by train to take a quick look at the canal?
Not at the moment! Hope you had a good trip!
Thanks!
Hello Karen. Your article was most helpful. I am american and will be flying from Amsterdam to Geneva. As it is not in the schengen area it looks like we will need to go through passport control. I wanted to double check as I thought it may be different for Switzerland. I would very much appreciate your assistance so I know for certain. I look forward to your response. Thank you!!!
Sorry for the delay! Yes you will need to!
Hi Tanya – Thanks for this amazing post. Such great information! We will be visiting Amsterdam next month (Sept) from the US. We are booked through SAS (is that a budget airline?) with a layover both directions in Copenhagen. Our departing flight heading back home leaves at 7 am on a Friday morning. So if we arrive to airport 4 hours prior (3 am?), will we be able to catch a train from Amsterdam to airport at that time of night?
Also, our layover in Copenhagen is only 1 hour. Will we have to go through any passport control or other procedures there or just a simple switching of planes? I’m worried the 1 hour is too tight!
Thank you!
I hope that you made it as September was a terrible time for Schiphol. 3am is not a great time for trains in general.
Karen, thank goodness we found a place and a person to ask our question to. Thank you in advance for any help you can give us
We have been concerned on how to handle this. We are flying from Los Angeles to Amsterdam on September 4 arriving Monday, September 5. We are flying on KLM. We arrive in Amsterdam at 12:15 PM Monday, September 5
We are connecting to Iceland air from Amsterdam
And departing 2:10 PM.
That gives us only a two hour layover.
We Were told that we have to customs then collect our luggage, and then recheck in again to icerland air
What do you think is the most efficient way for us to deal with this short window of layover time. And also do you think that it actually is enough layover time to accomplish this ?
If not any suggestion would help
Very gratefully yours Sandy Lee
I hope that you made it! I would recommend staying at Schiphol. I am about to update the article as the airport has been such chaos lately.
Hello, I have an overnight layover in December. I arrive from Venice 19:55 and leave the next morning at 10:40 to the United States. Is it worth staying in Amsterdam overnight and check out some sites? I know Anne Frank house closes at 22:00. I was thinking to take a train to Amsterdam Centraal and staying at a hotel close to the train station. Any suggestions on things to check out late night? Would leaving by train around 6:40 be enough time to get through the airport? Thank you in advance 🙂
It is definitely possible for sure, but give yourself enough time to have at least 3 hours at Schiphol!
Hi, Karen. Great article! Any important points for picking up a rental car (pre-reserved) on arrival? IE finding the counters any challenge, I’ve left 2:15 between scheduled arrival and reservation – does that seem OK? Thank you!
It should be enough time, just be sure to provide your flight info to the rental agency in case of any delays as they can check if you are late. Hope that you had a great trip!
Thanks!
Can you please help? I need to fly from Schiphol to Hamburg, and I need the 8AM Eurowings flight (so, presumably, terminal M). But I can only arrive to Schiphol by train at 07:16 (I travel from Breda, and this is the earliest possible IC Direct). Is there a chance, if I run really fast, to make it in time for the flight?..
It is best to give yourself at least 2 hours!
Hi Karen,
My wife and I are traveling in February to Lisbon from LAX arriving at 12:20 with a 8:50 layover in Amsterdam. Do we have enough time to make a run into the city and catch the plane connecting to Lisbon? What does our schedule look like out/in from airport and then number of hours left in the city.
Schiphol has had some issues although things are better now. 8:50 is a long layover and you can probably at least leave for a little. Leiden is also close!
Hello
Thank you for writing this post. I love that it’s so thorough. We are coming from Copenhagen and arrive in Schipol. Our idea is to go straight to Keukenhof using the #858 bus. In order to do that bag-free, we are thinking of leaving our luggage bags at Schipol. We will then at the return #858 bus back to Schipol before catching the express train to Amsterdam Central station. Does you have nay thoughts or suggestions on this plan?
Thank you
Pualine
You would need to find somewhere to drop your bags at Schiphol, so I am not sure how realistic this plan is given how much time you intend to take. I hope that you did get to enjoy the tulips!
Hi! Thank you for your ongoing advice and expertise. I have an upcoming Swiss Air 0700am flight Schiphol to Zurich, then connecting there. Traveling on an American passport. I’ll be carrying on, no checked bag. Any thoughts on timeframe I should allow at the Airport? Is two hours prior to flight sufficient?
All the Best, Marty from San Francisco