Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) is a major international airport hub which handles many transfer passengers.
If you have a connection layover at Schiphol airport then our guide below will help you make the most of your time – either at the airport or if heading into Amsterdam city itself.
What you can do during your Amsterdam Schiphol layover depends on a number of factors:
Time available between your flights – You now probably need at least 6-7 hours transit time to comfortably visit the city.
A standard flight connection is deemed as being under 24 hours – anything more is considered as a stopover and the flight ticket will likely be more expensive.
It could well be that you have an overnight connection at Amsterdam Schiphol which could require a hotel stay.
Time to get through the airport – Schiphol has 6 runways – if you land on the one furthest away (the Polderbaan) it could take 10-15 minutes taxi time to reach your gate.
You then need to walk from the gate to passport control and the luggage/customs area – this process can take anything up to 60 minutes, depending on gate location, immigration queues and number of border posts open. Obviously if you have checked luggage to pick-up this will slow you down a few more minutes.
As most of the transfer passengers will be flying KLM or Skyteam partners, there are transfer desks and self-service KLM transfer kiosks in each main pier where you can get info and/or check-in for your next flight.
Luggage – For layovers it is optimal to have your luggage already checked through to your next destination. Allow extra time if you need to collect, store and re-check bags.
There are Schiphol Baggage Storage points around the airport – 4 airside (after security) and 1 before security.
Costs are €6 (hand baggage), €9 (hold baggage) and €12 (odd sizes) for 24 hours to store luggage. Payment can be made only by debit or credit card. You get a receipt which you should keep safe (and take a photo of it as a back-up).
Passport control – You will need to go through a passport control if arriving from outside the European “Schengen area” or when departing to a country outside Schengen (such as UK or US).
Obviously transit passengers from certain countries who wish to make a quick trip to Amsterdam will still need a suitable Schengen visa to enter the Netherlands.
Schiphol airport has installed 78 automatic self-service passport eGates. Currently they can only be used by arriving passengers aged 14 or over who have various European ‘e-passports’ that contains a microchip.
However in our experience the eGates can sometimes be closed or only partially open.
Note: passengers with suitable e-passports from Australia/Canada/Hong Kong/Japan/Malaysia/New Zealand/Singapore/South Korea/UK/USA are able to only use the eGates on departure – but NOT on arrival.
Time of day – An ideal layover would be arriving on a sunny(!) morning, having a day in Amsterdam then departing in the evening.
Security – On peak travel days there can be long lines at security. It is now possible to pre-book security timeslots (in 15 minute arrival increments). You can see how busy the airport is on the day here
Time of year – Summer is the best time to visit as the days are long and the weather should be at its best although be prepared for rain! If you come in the winter months the days are short (dark by 5pm) and it can be very cold and windy – so ensure you have some warm clothing.
Overnight stays at Amsterdam Schiphol
If you have an overnight transfer then you will need to consider staying at one of the Schiphol Airport hotels
If you want to remain in the terminal during your layover you could consider taking a pod-like room at the YOTELAIR which is in the airside Lounge 2 terminal (non-Schengen departures). The minimum stay is 4 hours, hand-baggage only.
There are also 3 hotels located a short walk from the airport terminal. The budget CitizenM design hotel has small capsule-style rooms. The Sheraton is a very comfortable but more expensive option with spacious rooms and an atrium bar. Finally the Hilton is within walking distance and has modern rooms.
Schiphol layover greater than 6-7 hours: visit Amsterdam?
For a comfortable visit to central Amsterdam our recommendation would be to have at least a 6-7 hours transit. Travel to the city is best made by train or taxi. You can book a taxi in advance at a fixed rate with Sneleentaxi
Schiphol airport lies some 17km (11 miles) south-west of Amsterdam and there is a frequent train service to Amsterdam Central station which takes 15-20 minutes.
You need to buy a day return ticket which costs from €10.40 (2025 price).
For convenience you can pre-purchase Schiphol-Amsterdam round-trip train tickets online here in multiple currencies.
That way you don’t waste time buying tickets at the station – just hop on board (no need to scan at Schiphol) and simply scan the barcode to exit the gates at Amsterdam Central.
You could alternatively buy a 1 day Amsterdam Travel Ticket here (€18) which is valid for the train trip and gives unlimited city public transport on GVB trams/buses/metro. You can pick up the ticket at Schiphol.
With this card you need to check-in to the OV-chip card readers which are in the station hall – just before you go down to the platforms. At Amsterdam you should check-out at the gate barriers.
Do make sure you get on the correct train at Schiphol by checking the overhead platform boards (destination Amsterdam Centraal, the train may also stop at Amsterdam Sloterdijk and Amsterdam Lelylaan). See our Amsterdam Rail Map for an overview of stations.
There is a different train line going to Amsterdam Zuid station which has a metro station that connects to central Amsterdam. You would need an Amsterdam Travel Ticket or a separate metro ticket for connecting onto the metro.
As you arrive at Amsterdam Central station the city centre is located on your right side (facing forward). From the platform head down the stairs to the tunnels which take you to the main exit.
Things To Do in Amsterdam on a Short Layover
What you do during your time in Amsterdam is up to you and depends if you are a first time visitor.
If this is your first visit to Amsterdam then it is highly recommended that you take a canal cruise (rondvaart) on a glass-topped boat.
Lovers runs a 60 minute canal cruise from Prins Hendrikkade 25, conveniently located just outside Amsterdam Central Station – book your Lovers cruise here from €15.50. It has a GPS audio guide in 19 languages and free WiFi is available on board.
If you’re here overnight then the Amsterdam Dinner Cruise could be a great experience combining a 4 course meal and drinks with an evening cruise.
You should have enough time to explore around the city a little and perhaps make a flying visit to one of Amsterdam’s museums or attractions.
Here are a few tips and ideas:
- do note that many museums these days require you to make a reservation in advance. If you wish to visit either the Anne Frank House or Van Gogh Museum then this is absolutely essential.
- Body Worlds Amsterdam has a fascinating display of 200 human body ‘plastinate’ specimens. It is located only 400m from Central Station, about 5 minutes walk.
- You could jump on a free GVB ferry at the waterside of Central Station. Cross the IJ river to “Buiksloterweg” where you can see the white EYE Film building. There is also the A’DAM Lookout for a fine panoramic view and This Is Holland virtual 5D flight attraction.
- Or take a longer free ferry ride to NDSM wharf which takes about 15 minutes. This is a quirky area of former shipyards, some cafes and home to STRAAT, the world’s biggest street art and graffiti museum.
- Heading on foot down Damrak from Central Station gets you to Dam Square – which has the Royal Palace, the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church), Madame Tussaud (celebrity waxworks), Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, Bijenkorf department store and the Kalverstraat, Amsterdam’s main shopping street.
- If continuing further down Rokin to Muntplein/Rembrandtplein, in this area you will find the Amsterdam Dungeon, Allard Pierson Museum, the Begijnhof, the main bookshops around Spui and the Flower Market.
- Head down Zeedijk (from Central Station) for Chinatown, Nieuwmarkt, Op Solder Museum and Oudekerk (Old Church) – do note, this area has the red-light district.
- For boutique shops head west – either around the Negen Straatjes (9 streets) and Jordaan areas or down the Haarlemmerdijk street.
Train back to Schiphol Airport – Head back to Amsterdam Central in good time for your train back to Schiphol Airport. These run up to 10x hourly and usually go from platforms 10, 13, 14 or 15.
Trains operate between 06:00 and 00:30; there is an hourly night train service as well. Be aware that most trains will have a destination beyond Schiphol Airport.
Alternatives to Amsterdam
The town of Hoofddorp is just 5 minutes train ride from Schiphol. Whilst this modern town is nothing special there are good shopping facilities about 15 minutes walk from the station including a large supermarket (Albert Heijn XL) and all the major Dutch chains.
Keukenhof is the world famous tulip and flower garden park open only in springtime (late March to late May). It is located near the town of Lisse, about 35 minutes travel from Schiphol by using Arriva bus 858.
Keukenhof is open for 2025 (76th edition) from 20 March to 11 May 2025. Book Keukenhof 2025 entry tickets here
Leiden is a wonderful historic city about 16 minutes train ride west of Schiphol.
Schiphol layover less than 6 hours: stay at the airport
There is not really enough time to consider a trip into the city. You will have to entertain yourself at the airport. Amsterdam Schiphol happens to be an excellent airport with many things to do.
Remember that Schiphol is effectively partitioned into 3 zones:
[1] the public area outside which includes the Schiphol Plaza shopping mall. [2] the Schengen terminal area for European departures/arrivals. [3] the non-Schengen terminal area for departures/arrivals outside the European Schengen area. You need to go through Dutch passport control to move in/out of the non-Schengen terminal.Things to do at Amsterdam Schiphol during transit
• Lounge about on the easy chairs, many of which are located in the terminal’s upper level.
• Browse the web – free WiFi is available throughout the airport – under the “Airport_Free_Wifi” network. Do be aware that Schiphol employs WiFi and Bluetooth tracking of devices for data analysis.
• Relax at the Schiphol Airport Library which has a selection of books to browse while you wait for your flight. The library collection has some 500 titles translated from Dutch authors and also includes children’s books and coffee table style books on art, design, architecture, history and Amsterdam.
The library is open 24 hours and can be found on Holland Boulevard in the non-Schengen departures area.
• Take a shower at either the Mercure hotel (€22.50) or YOTELAIR (€17.50-€22.50) which both include towels and toiletries. You can also take a free shower at the facilities located at the EF Filter, 2nd floor of Lounge 2-3 – but bring your own towel/toiletries.
• Head up to the panorama terrace (public side, departures 1) to look at the planes.
• Take a selfie at the city’s last remaining permanent ‘I amsterdam’ sign, which is just outside the main station hall.
• Visit one of the Schiphol airport lounges if you have access.
• Have some quiet time at the Meditation centre on the upper level of Lounge 2. A church service is held there on Sundays at 11:00.
• Get a massage or a spa treatment at XpresSpa – open 07:00-21:00 at 3 locations around the airport. There are also Massage-O-Matic self-service massage chairs around the airport.
• Work out at the Sheraton Hotel Fitness & Spa (€39 day pass), on the public side close to Schiphol Plaza/station hall.
• Have a look at the small Rijksmuseum Schiphol which features 17th century paintings from Dutch Masters. Located between Lounges 2 and 3 (past security), it is open 24 hours per day with free entry for passengers.
• There are a number of shops at Schiphol – the See Buy Fly are on departures terminal side while the Schiphol Plaza mall on the public side includes a supermarket and various chain stores.
• There are over 40 places to eat and drink at the airport! On the terminal side, places of note include: Murphy’s Irish Pub (D pier), Grand Café Het Paleis, Dutch Kitchen, Bar & Cocktails (try a raw herring), Bubbles Seafood & Wine Bar, Harvest Market and the Park Café which has an outside patio.
The public side includes a La Place Restaurant, La Place Express, Happy Seafood, HEMA food (Dutch smoked sausage) and TOKO To Go (Indonesian).
• Meeting rooms are available at the Spaces Lounge (public side, near the panorama terrace).
• The airport has plenty of ATM machines to get out some euros and various bureau de change counters.
Check out our Schiphol airport guide with more details.
This article was originally published in 2013 and has continuously been updated. Last update 13 February 2025.
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