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Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Tips
Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) is one of the more pleasant airports in Europe with its light and spacious terminals. Schiphol has become a major connecting hub for many air travellers, especially those using Air France-KLM and partner airlines. Excellent onward transport options include the Dutch rail network, Thalys high speed train to Brussels and Paris and Deutsche Bahn services to Germany. |
Here are a few tips on getting the most out of Schiphol airport:
• Panorama Terrace - Schiphol has a large outdoor panorama terrace situated upstairs on the public side between arrivals 1 and 2. It has some good views of the aircraft gates and a couple of the runways. There is an indoor cafe up there if the weather is not too good. Open daily between 0900-1700 in the winter, 0700-2000 in the summer (April-October).
• Shopping - Schiphol Plaza is the shopping retail area which lies on the public side and is open daily between 0700-2200. It houses a variety of stores including Dutch favourite Hema, and the likes of Nike, H&M, SuitSupply and Mexx. Planes@Plaza is the popular aviation themed shop selling aircraft models and other air memorabilia. There is a reasonable sized supermarket called Food Village plus 2 small Albert Heijn To Go outlets.
On the departures side of the airport there are the See Buy Fly tax-free shops selling the usual airport fare. Premium Dutch delicacies can be purchased although you can get them a lot cheaper in town.
• Onward Travel - There is a station directly under Schiphol with trains to Amsterdam and other cities in Holland. For more detailed info see Schiphol to Amsterdam central. International rail connections are possible to Brussels, Paris and Berlin.
• Eating - On the arrivals side there is a La Place Express outlet (decent self-service food though limited choice), a Flemish chip shop (Vlaamse Frites), a Starbucks coffee bar and a number of other cafes and bars. Over the departures side, amongst others there is the striking Bubbles Seafood & Wine bar, the Shirasagi Sushi Bar, a Sport's cafe and Murphy's Irish pub.
• Lounge Around - There are a number of very comfy lazy chairs available on the departures side if you have a long wait for your flight. They are popular and finding a vacant one can be difficult. If you get one take care not to fall asleep for too long! The upstairs level is generally quieter with less people - this is where the (invitation-only) airline lounges are located. These include KLM Crown Lounges, a BA Terraces lounge, an ABN Amro bank lounge, Servisair/Menzies (Priority Pass) lounges and the lounge from Singapore Airlines. |
• Schengen vs Non-Schengen - Netherlands is part of the Schengen European open border agreement. Passengers transferring or travelling to/from outside the Schengen zone (this includes the UK, US, Asia, Africa) will have to go through a border control checkpoint. Queues at Schiphol are normally reasonable and you should only have to wait 5-10 minutes at the most.
Examples - a passenger flying from Amsterdam to Barcelona would normally have no passport control at either end. A passenger flying London-Amsterdam-Barcelona would need to go through a border control at Amsterdam Schiphol to enter the Schengen departure area. Once through they would have no further passport checks on their journey.
• Showers - You can freshen up by taking a shower at the first floor of the Mercure Hotel (located at lounge 3 departures side) for €15. This includes soap, shampoo, shower cap, towels, hair dryer and a drink. If you don't want to pay and have your own towels / soap then some of the public toilets upstairs near the lounges have free showers available.
• Doing Business - On the 3rd floor of departures 1 you will find Exchange Avenue - which has 8 meeting rooms of various sizes. Regus has an office/meeting facilities at Schiphol on the 8th floor of the Skyport office building at departures 1. Free wifi Internet from KPN is available throughout the airport - limited to 1 hour. Premium paid wifi service is also possible. KPN Internet Centres provide computers for web browsing plus basic printing and copying service - located in both departures 1 and 2 and open 24 hours.
• Relax - You can have a chair or water massage at Back To Life; various massage and beauty treatments at the XPress Spa at pier D. There is also a Meditation centre located upstairs.
• Art museum - The compact Rijksmuseum Schiphol is located on Holland Boulevard between piers E and F (Schengen departures side) and houses works of art painted by old Dutch masters. Open daily between 0700 and 2000, admission is free and this small exhibition is changed every few months. Next to the museum is the Schiphol library - where you can read books in many different languages and relax on comfortable seating.
• Casino - For those that fancy a flutter there is a Holland Casino outlet at departures 2 between piers E and F.
• Schiphol Hotels - If you have an early flight from Amsterdam then consider staying at the CitizenM hotel located just a few minutes walk from the station / terminal. It offers uniquely compact and hi-spec rooms from about €80 per night, much cheaper than the other onsite Schiphol hotels (Hilton and Sheraton). Check our Schiphol Airport Hotel Guide for other options.
• City Tours - If you have a layover at Schiphol of more than a few hours consider taking the train into the city (15 minute ride) and doing some sightseeing, shopping or having a meal. You can take a 1 hour canal cruise from just outside central station. It is also possible to purchase different organised tours at the airport although these will be more expensive than doing it yourself.
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