Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) is the Netherlands' biggest airport and one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs.
It is situated 9 kilometers southwest of Amsterdam's city center and about the same distance southeast of Haarlem.
Schiphol serves as a key European gateway for long-haul flights with regular direct services to 5 of the world’s continents. With over 300 non-stop destinations it is the second-best connected airport in Europe and truly a global airport.
After handling almost 67 million passengers in 2024, Schiphol ranked as the fourth busiest in Europe and in the top 20 globally.
Major Airlines - KLM, Corendon, easyJet, Transavia, TUI fly Netherlands
Schiphol hosts over 70 airlines from around the world. This makes it one of the largest and most well-connected airports in the world.
Most notably, the Dutch national carrier - KLM Royal Dutch Airlines - is stationed at AMS and operates more than 10000 flights per month!
Another big Dutch airline that uses AMS as an operating base is Corendon. It offers scheduled and charter flights to various holiday destinations in Europe and the Caribbean. The charter carrier TUI fly Netherlands is also based in Amsterdam.
AMS is an operating base for 3 low-cost airlines: the British easyJet, the Spanish Vueling, and the Dutch Transavia. Together they connect Schiphol to over 100 cities with cheap flights.
On the full-service front, you can find most of the biggest airlines in the world to have at least a few flights weekly to and from Amsterdam. These include carriers like Turkish Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Air France, British Airways, Lufthansa, Emirates, and others.
See the full list of airlines serving Schiphol Airport here.
Terminal Layout and Gates of AMS
Schiphol operates under a single-terminal concept with multiple sections protruding from a central plaza called simply Schiphol Plaza.
The airport is divided into three departure halls. You can walk between most of them both airside and landside, with the exception of the M pier (for low-cost carriers), and past the passport controls for the non-Schengen flights in Halls 2 and 3. In total, AMS has 223 gates.
Departure Hall 1: Serves Schengen destinations and comprises Piers B (14 gates) and C (21 gates) and shares Piers D with Hall 2.
- Departure Hall 2: Caters to both Schengen and non-Schengen flights.
Pier D: spread on two floors with the lower floor handling non-Schengen flights (gates D59 and onwards) and the upper reserved for Schengen flights (gates D1 to D57).
Pier E: Fourteen gates dedicated to non-Schengen flights home to most of SkyTeam alliance member airlines.
- Departure Hall 3: Handles non-Schengen flights, encompassing 4 piers:
Piers F and G: serve non-Schengen destinations with a total of 21 gates.
Pier H: Low-cost airlines bound for destinations outside of Schengen.
Pier M: Low-cost airlines bound for destinations within Schengen. Once airside (after Security) you’re stuck inside this pier and cannot go to any other.
Although it may seem confusing at first glance, the airport is actually quite efficient and easy to navigate. You can think of the piers as three interconnected terminals, although distances are walkable and there is no need for shuttles or other transportation between them.
Connecting Flights and Transit at Schiphol
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has an international transit zone where most travelers in transit will spend their time. Whether or not you can stay in this zone depends on a few factors about your flights.
Generally, the information can be summarized in the following way:
Schengen to Schengen Transfers: No need to pass through passport control as the flights are treated almost like domestic. You can proceed directly to your next gate.
Schengen to Non-Schengen Transfers: You must go through passport control to exit the Schengen area before proceeding to your departure gate. You may need to change piers.
Non-Schengen to Schengen Transfers: You must clear passport control to enter The Netherlands (and by extension the Schengen area) then proceed to your new gate, potentially in a new pier.
Non-Schengen to Non-Schengen Transfers: Typically, you will remain within the international transit zone. This is true as long as your two tickets are booked together under the same PNR. You do not need to clear Immigration and will not be entering The Netherlands unless you want to (if eligible).
Minimum connection times are low:
Schengen to Schengen: 40 minutes between flights
Schengen to Non-Schengen: 50 minutes between flights.
If you have less than an hour between flights, you are eligible for a Short Connection Pass allowing you to use a special lane for faster transit.
If you have a longer layover at AMS, consider leaving the airport and exploring the city. Check out the best things to do in Amsterdam.
Wi-Fi at Schiphol Airport
Connecting to the free Wi-Fi at Schiphol is pretty easy. Just select the "Airport_Free_Wifi" network, open your browser to access the login page, and agree to the terms and conditions to connect.
Once connected, you can browse the internet for 4 hours. After that, all you need to do is reconnect by following the same simple steps above.
Dining Options at AMS Airport
Schiphol is famous for its array of dining options. So much so that even local Amsterdammers sometimes go to Schiphol Plaza for a meal.
The Plaza is a huge area before Security with various restaurants, bars, and coffee shops to choose from:
Happy Seafood for fresh fish meals.
Grand Café Plaza for their all-day menu, beers, or just chilling with a cup of coffee.
Het Koekemannetje for the tastiest cookies out there.
HEMA Food for a quick takeaway hot dog or a sandwich.
Pizza Per Tutti! for Italian cuisine.
…and so many other delightful options.
But once you cross into the airside area, you will still have more than 40 dining venues to choose from:
Heineken Bar for an interactive bar experience in Lounge 2.
Joe & The Juice for fresh juices, smoothies, and cafe in Lounge 3.
Kebaya: an Asian brasserie on the Holland Boulevard.
Dammer’s Tap: A casual bar serving beers, snacks, and burgers in the B Pier.
Kiosco Comunal for various to-go items in the C Pier.
Moods Eatery & Bar: a cozy place serving healthy food in the F Pier.
Two Tigers for sushi and noodles in Lounge 1.
Dietary requirements are not an issue with many places serving vegan and vegetarian, halal, kosher, and lactose/gluten-free products.
Drinking water fountains are available throughout the airport.
Services at AMS Airport
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is designed for passenger comfort. Evidence of that is the many services to help the millions of travelers that pass by its premises every year.
Here are some of the most useful facilities at AMS:
A baby care lounge on Holland Boulevard after Security.
Multiple currency exchange desks both before and after Security.
A first aid and medical center in Lounge 2 after Security.
Luggage storage and lockers both before and after Security.
Holisteq treatment: a unique type of spa located in Lounge 2.
Massage-O-Matic: A weird-looking but extremely satisfying massage chair giving shiatsu massages. One is located in each B, D, and E piers.
A Meditation Center: A library, a church, or a place to be with your thoughts all in one. Located in Lounge 2.
A small annex of the Rijksmuseum.
Several pharmacies both before and after Security.
Showers in multiple locations after Security.
Lounges at Schiphol Airport
With 6 lounges and new ones being opened every few years, Schiphol is the place to be for premium fliers.
Currently, 3 lounges serve those that will remain within the Schengen area and 3 lounges are located in non-Schengen zones.
If flying within Schengen, you can pick from:
KLM Crown Lounge: Located on the 2nd floor of Lounge 1, near the D-gates. It is open to those flying premium with KLM or one of their partners and offers complimentary food, seating areas, premium Wi-Fi, and showers. Open from 06:00 to 21:00.
Aspire Lounge (aka Lounge 26): An open-access lounge located within Lounge 1. The entrance fee is set at 31 EUR. Open from 06:00 to 21:00. Showers are available for an extra fee.
Star Alliance Lounge: Located right beside the Aspire Lounge near Gates D. It’s available to those who fly with a Star Alliance airline from 05:30 to 21:00. Access depends on ticket class.
Those who are leaving the Schengen area can choose to relax at one of the following lounges:
Aspire Lounge (aka Lounge 41): Located in Lounge 2, near the E-gates. Open between 06:00 and 21:00 daily. Entry costs 31 EUR with showers an optional extra 17.50 EUR.
KLM Crown Lounge: Much the same as its Schengen counterpart but located in Lounge 3. Open from 06:00 to 21:00.
OneWorld Lounge: Located in Lounge 2, between D and E Gates. Serves passengers of OneWorld Alliance airlines based on ticket class. Open from 05:30 to 22:00.
Transportation links of Schiphol Airport
Being so close to the capital and largest city of the country - Amsterdam - and having a relatively central location within the Netherlands make Schiphol a very well-connected gateway into the country.
Trains
From Schiphol, most destinations within the country are reachable either directly or with one change. This is mostly thanks to the comprehensive Dutch train network and the huge Schiphol Airport Station:
Tracks 1 & 2: Domestic trains that go through one of the Amsterdam stations.
Tracks 3 & 4: Slow services bound for Hoofddorp.
Tracks 5 & 6: Domestic services towards Den Haag and Rotterdam as well as international trains going to Belgium, France, and England.
Second-class tickets can be paid for using a contactless debit card, but you need a special app or a ticket machine/kiosk for a first-class ticket.
Buses
Buses are another popular and affordable mode of transport. The bus station is located right outside the entrance to Schiphol:
Amsterdam Airport Express (bus 397): A daily bus bound for central places in Amsterdam. Only runs during the day.
Bus 97: The nightly alternative to the 397.
Bus 300: Connects Amsterdam Bijlmer to Hoofddorp and Haarlem via the airport.
GVB bus 369: Goes to Amsterdam Sloterdijk station.
Private Transport
With the 24/7 availability of fast and reliable public transport, taxis should be your last resort. But should you want a more private form of transport, they are readily available outside the terminal in an orderly line.
A ride to downtown Amsterdam will set you back around 50-60 EUR.
Alternatively, see your private transfer options from AMS here.
Car Rental
Several car rental companies operate at Schiphol. Their offices are located on the Arrivals Level of Schiphol Plaza. Most are open from 6 AM until 11 PM daily.
Bike
The Netherlands is the country of bikes and cyclists. There is a 15-km sign-posted bike route from the airport to Amsterdam.
The airport itself does not offer bicycle rental services but go to the city and finding a bike becomes very easy.
Parking at Schiphol
Plenty of parking spots await those who come by car to Schiphol Airport. Regardless of your need or length of stay, AMS has a parking option for you. Eleven car parks are available with these three being the most popular:
P1 Short-Term Parking: Located 4 minutes away from the terminal, this mostly covered car park is suitable for stays up to 48 hours. Fees are 2.50 EUR per 20 minutes or 55 EUR per day (100 EUR/day from day 3 onwards).
P3 Long-Term Parking: This sheltered car park is the most cost-efficient indoor parking available. The first day costs 55 EUR, the second one - 45 EUR, and 13.50 EUR per day thereafter. Unsheltered spots are also available at P3 with a minor difference of 10 EUR discount for the second day. A free shuttle connects it to the terminal 24/7.
P6 Valet Parking: You may drop off your vehicle near the terminal entrance for an extra fee. Both sheltered and unsheltered options.
You can reserve parking online for discounted rates and a guaranteed spot.
Hotels near Schiphol
Schiphol Airport is very accommodating to those in transit or with early flights. Several hotels inside or near the airport cater to various preferences and budgets.
If you’d like to have a short nap while in transit, your best bet is to rent one of the automatically operated hotel cabins of Yotelair Amsterdam Schiphol in Lounge 2. They can be booked by the hour (minimum 4 hours).
The only full-service hotel after passport control is Mercure Hotel Schiphol located in Lounge 3, on the Schiphol World Avenue. It is exclusively for transit passengers.
Outside the terminal, the nearest hotels are:
Sheraton Amsterdam Airport Hotel: Directly connected to the terminal via a covered walkway.
Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol: Accessible through a covered corridor.
citizenM Schiphol Airport Hotel: Located within walking distance, especially to Gates H, providing modern and hi-tech amenities.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
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