Amsterdam Schiphol airport guide — everything you need to know

Schiphol at a glance

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (IATA: AMS) is consistently ranked among Europe’s top three airports for service, efficiency and connectivity. It handles around 70 million passengers per year and serves as KLM’s main hub.

Unlike most major airports, Schiphol has a single terminal building rather than multiple separate terminals. Departures, arrivals, shops and the railway station are all under one roof — which makes orientation much simpler than airports like London Heathrow or Paris CDG.

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Terminal layout

Arrivals

Arrivals are on the ground floor. There are three arrival halls:

• Arrival Hall 1: Most KLM intercontinental flights, some European carriers.
• Arrival Hall 2: Non-Schengen arrivals including many non-EU carriers.
• Arrival Hall 3: EU/Schengen arrivals from within Europe.

Each hall has dedicated exits to Schiphol Plaza (the central hub), taxi ranks and public transport. Customs and passport control are inside the hall before you reach Schiphol Plaza.

Departures

Three departure halls fan out from Schiphol Plaza:

• Departure Hall 1: Gates B, C (mainly KLM and SkyTeam partners)
• Departure Hall 2: Gates D, E (mainly non-Schengen, intercontinental)
• Departure Hall 3: Gates F, G, H (mainly European/Schengen short-haul)

Airside, all departure halls connect through a central lounge, so you can walk between them once through security. The walk from Hall 1 security to the farthest gates can take 15–20 minutes — allow time.

Schiphol Plaza

The central hub connecting everything. Contains:

• NS railway station (ground floor, below Plaza)
• Check-in desks (rows numbered 1–16 by airline)
• Supermarkets and food court
• Currency exchange (GWK Travelex — expensive, use ATMs instead)
• Tourist information
• Hotel shuttle bus stops

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Getting to and from Amsterdam

The train to Amsterdam Centraal is the best option for almost all travellers. See our detailed Schiphol to Amsterdam centre guide for a complete breakdown.

Summary:

• Train (NS): 15–17 min to Centraal, ~€4.40 one way, every 5–10 minutes. Platform directly beneath Schiphol Plaza.
• Bus 397: 35–45 min to Leidseplein/Museumplein, ~€5.50. Good if hotel is near the museum quarter.
• Taxi: 30–50 min (traffic dependent), €30–50. Official rank outside Arrivals.
• Uber: €20–35. Pick-up from designated zone.

If you are connecting to other Dutch cities — Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht — trains depart directly from Schiphol to all these destinations without needing to go via Amsterdam Centraal first. Check the NS board.

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Shopping and food

Inside security (airside)

Schiphol is famous for its duty-free shopping. The retail area after security offers:

• Holland Heineken House — official Heineken store with memorabilia and merchandise
• Dutch souvenirs and Delftware at multiple shops
• Books and electronics (relatively good prices)
• Moooi and Dutch design stores
• Tax-free alcohol, perfume and cosmetics

Food options airside include sit-down restaurants, cafés, fast food and a Burger King. Prices are airport-level (expect to pay €12–15 for a main course, €5–7 for coffee and cake).

Landside (before security)

Schiphol Plaza has a supermarket (Albert Heijn) open early until late, sandwich bars, a V&D food court and several coffee chains. These offer better prices and quality than airside options. If you have time before check-in, eat or stock up here.

Tip: The Albert Heijn at Schiphol Plaza sells local snacks, stroopwafels, Dutch cheese and bottled water at normal supermarket prices. A great last stop for gifts or a pre-flight meal.

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Luggage storage

Luggage storage is available at two locations:

Schiphol Plaza storage desk: Near Arrival Hall 2, open approximately 07:00–21:00. Prices around €6.50 per item for the first 24 hours.

Self-service lockers: In Schiphol Plaza, available 24 hours. Small lockers €6.50/24h, large lockers €10/24h. Take your receipt — you need it to retrieve your bags.

Amsterdam Centraal storage: If you arrive early and want to explore the city before checking in, the left-luggage facilities at Centraal (Stationsplein entrance) store luggage for €6–8 per item per day. More central and easier if you are heading straight into the city.

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Airport lounges

KLM Crown Lounge: In all three departure halls, plus dedicated non-Schengen lounge for intercontinental travellers. Access via KLM Gold/Platinum status, SkyTeam Elite Plus, business/first class tickets.

Aspire Lounge (Hall 1 and Hall 2): Pay-per-entry lounge, approximately €40–50 per person. Includes food, drinks, showers and quieter seating. Can be booked in advance online for a small discount.

The Lounge (non-Schengen): Additional pay lounge in the main non-Schengen area. Similar pricing.

Lounge access is generally available for 3–4 hours before your flight. Arrive at the lounge at least 90 minutes before boarding to get full value.

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Hotel at the airport

Sheraton Amsterdam Airport Hotel connects directly to Schiphol Plaza via a covered walkway — no outdoor exposure needed. Useful for early morning flights, night arrivals, or long layovers. Rates start around €150–200 per night.

For a cheaper overnight option near the airport, buses connect Schiphol to several hotels in the Badhoevedorp and Hoofddorp areas.

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Security and check-in tips

Check-in times: Most airlines recommend arriving 2 hours before departure for EU flights and 3 hours for intercontinental. During summer peak season (July–August), allow an extra 30–45 minutes as queues at security can be long.

Biometric gates: EU/EEA passport holders can use ePassport automated gates for faster immigration on return. Have your passport ready (not in your pocket or bag).

Liquids rules: Standard EU rules apply — liquids in containers of 100ml or less, in a single transparent zip-lock bag per person. Duty-free liquids bought at the airport are in sealed bags and should be allowed through connecting airports, but check requirements for your final destination if flying onwards.

Shoes: Unlike US airports, Schiphol does not require you to remove shoes for security. Belts and metal items go in the tray as usual.

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Transit and connections

Schiphol is a major connecting hub for KLM and SkyTeam. If you are transiting without leaving the airport, the minimum connection time is 40–50 minutes for most Schengen-to-Schengen connections, and 60–80 minutes for non-Schengen connections. Check your airline’s minimum connection time (MCT) for your specific route.

Visa-free transit: Many nationalities can transit Schiphol without a Schengen visa if they do not leave the international transit area. However, if your connection involves a Dutch overnight, you need to clear immigration.

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Arriving in Amsterdam with the I amsterdam Card or transit pass

If you plan to buy an Amsterdam Travel Ticket (train from Schiphol + unlimited GVB), buy it at the NS vending machines on the platform before boarding. If you plan to use the I amsterdam City Card for museum entry during your stay, you can collect it at the Amsterdam Tourist Information desk in Schiphol Arrival Hall 2 or at VVV offices in the city.

See our I amsterdam City Card guide to decide in advance if the card is worth it for your itinerary.

For broader planning, see Amsterdam first time guide and our how many days in Amsterdam guide.

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Frequently asked questions about Schiphol airport

Does Schiphol have multiple terminals?

No. Schiphol has a single terminal building with three departure halls (1, 2, 3) connected airside. All arrivals, departures, shops and the train station are under one roof at Schiphol Plaza. This makes it much easier to navigate than multi-terminal airports.

How early should I arrive at Schiphol?

For European/Schengen flights: 2 hours before departure. For intercontinental or non-EU flights: 3 hours. During peak summer (July–August), add 30–45 minutes as security queues can be long. Note that some gates are a 15–20-minute walk from security.

Is there a supermarket at Schiphol?

Yes — Albert Heijn has a large branch in Schiphol Plaza (landside, before security). It is open from early morning until late and sells food, drinks, snacks and Dutch souvenirs at normal supermarket prices — much cheaper than airside options.

Can I store luggage at Schiphol for a few hours?

Yes. Luggage storage is available at the Schiphol Plaza storage desk (opens around 07:00) and via 24-hour self-service lockers. Prices start at €6.50 per item. If you want to store luggage and explore Amsterdam, storing at Amsterdam Centraal is more convenient.

What is the best way to get from Schiphol to Amsterdam on a budget?

Take the NS train from the station directly below Schiphol Plaza. The journey to Amsterdam Centraal takes 15–17 minutes and costs €4.40 one way (paid contactless). This is significantly cheaper and faster than any taxi or shuttle option.