Amsterdam Schiphol airport has a number of airline lounges available which are mainly located airside on the upper (mezzanine) level. In the following article we review all the business lounges at Schiphol and how passengers can get access…
Firstly, it should be said that compared to other similar sized airports, Amsterdam Schiphol probably has slightly less lounge capacity available.
Schiphol airport is divided between Schengen departures (European) and non-Schengen departures (UK, Ireland, US and rest-of-the-world). You will find lounges located in both the Schengen and non-Schengen zones.
Schiphol lounges are generally denoted by a confusing lounge number. You can either follow the signs or check the maps of the airport which show the precise locations of the lounges.
| AMSTERDAM SCHIPHOL AIRPORT LOUNGE ACCESS OPTIONS SUMMARY Amsterdam Schiphol has the following lounges:
If you have a business class or first class ticket or airline elite status you should be entitled to lounge access before departure. Check with your airline which lounge is available. If you are flying KLM-Air France in economy class you can buy access to one of the KLM Crown Lounges via your booking for €50-€65. If you are flying a Star Alliance carrier in economy class you can buy access to the Star Alliance Lounge for €50. Are you travelling economy and want to buy lounge access? Paid entry to the Aspire lounge 26 is available for purchase from around €30.
Please note that such members could be turned away at peak times if the lounges have reached capacity. The 3 Privium lounges at Schiphol are also open to paying visitors – these cost €40-€60 and must be purchased over-the-counter, capacity permitting. The are NO arrival lounges at Amsterdam Schiphol. If you really need a shower you could make a short walk to the Sheraton hotel which has Fitness & Spa day pass for €35 – buy at the hotel reception. Transfer passengers in non-Schengen departures can buy a shower at Mercure Schiphol terminal hotel (€19.50) or the YOTELAIR (€17.50). There is free WiFi internet available throughout Schiphol airport. |
Aspire Lounges Amsterdam Schiphol – Lounge 41 and Lounge 26
There are 2 Aspire-branded lounges run by Executive Lounges (Swissport) located upstairs at Lounge 41 (non-Schengen) and Lounge 26 (European Schengen departures). Note, Lounge 41 is temporarily closed for renovation until 1 July 2023.
These Aspire lounges are open to all paying passengers including those flying economy class. Access is charged from around €30 by booking online.
Access is granted via a number of other channels including Priority Pass, DragonPass, Diners Club, ABN AMRO MeesPierson Private banking client and various travel agents.
Business class and elite passengers from the following airlines get access to the Aspire lounge Schiphol: Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Air Astana, Air Baltic, Air Lituanica, Air Malta, Air Serbia, American Airlines, Arke, Bulgaria Air, Croatia Airlines, Egyptair, El Al, Emirates, Estonian Air, Etihad, EVA Air, Finnair, Flybe, Garuda, Icelandair, Iran Air, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian, Singapore Airlines, Surinam Airways, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, United Airlines.
Note that the Aspire Lounge 41 is normally used by Star Alliance airlines for non-Schengen departures (when open).
The lounges offer newspapers/magazines, drinks and a few light snacks. The Aspire 41 lounge has large windows with some good views of the apron. It also has shower facilities (extra charge €17.50).
Opening hours for Aspire Lounge 26 at Amsterdam Schiphol is 0600-2100 daily.
The maximum permitted stay is 3 hours. UK and US bound passengers should normally use the non-Schengen lounge. Easyjet passengers to Schengen destinations are advised not to use Lounge 26.
Note, eligible One World passengers are directed to use Café Flor (near gate D7) instead of the temporarily closed Aspire Lounge 41.
KLM Crown Lounges Amsterdam Schiphol
Royal Dutch Airlines KLM has 2 flagship lounges at Schiphol – for Schengen departures (Lounge 25, upper level) and non-Schengen (Intercontinental Lounge 52, upper level near the F pier).
Free access is available to elite members – Flying Blue Platinum and Gold or Skyteam Elite Plus which includes up to 1 guest. KLM economy passengers can access the lounge on payment of a fee (€65 for Lounge 52, €50 for Lounge 25) or by using Flying Blue Award Miles.
Delta SkyClub members on Skyteam flights also get access.
Access is also granted to first/business class passengers of Air France/KLM Flying Blue and other Skyteam airline partners – this includes Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Europa, China Airlines, China Eastern, Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Garuda, ITA Airways, Kenya Airways, Korean Air, Middle East Airlines, Saudia, TAROM, Vietnam Airlines and Xiamen Air.
The revamped Crown Lounge facilities include bar and buffet, showers, free WiFi, comfy chairs and work areas. The intercontinental lounge includes the paid Blue bar and also special Sleep Cabins (at extra charge for 3-5 hours) which contain a bed, TV and sink.
KLM Crown Lounges are open daily 0445-2200.
Star Alliance Schengen Lounge
In the Schengen departures area can be found a well-appointed Star Alliance lounge which opened in 2019.
Access is granted to Star Alliance business and first class passengers including Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Austrian Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, SAS, Swiss and TAP Air Portugal – which all serve the Schengen departures.
Business class passengers on other Star Alliance airlines (non-Schengen departures) will generally be directed to the Aspire Lounge 41. However they are welcome to visit the Star Alliance lounge but need to go through a border control to reach the non-Schengen gates.
Access is also available to Star Alliance Gold members, United Club and eligible Air Canada Maple Leaf Club members.
Paid access for €50 is available to economy passengers flying on a Star Alliance carrier.
The lounge has modern decor and capacity for 150 passengers. There are bar/dining facilities, business area, comfy seats, international newspapers/magazines but no showers.
The Star Alliance Lounge 27 is open 0530-2100 daily. It can be found next to Aspire Lounge 26.
Privium Lounges at Amsterdam Schiphol
Privium is a subscription service available at Schiphol for nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland. It allows members to pass through Dutch passport control via an iris scan.
Members are issued with a chip card on which the biometric data is stored rather than on a central database.
Privium Plus members (€260 per year) get access to the 3 Privium lounges at Amsterdam Schiphol as long as they are flying on that day.
If you have a Netherlands-based American Express Platinum card (apply here) you get complimentary Priority Pass and Privium Plus membership included.
Note, due to the ongoing situation at Schiphol airport, there are delays with registering and activating Privium membership.
Members can access the lounges as long as they can show a departing or arriving boarding pass. Guests are charged at €30 per person and any children must be 12 or over.
Non-Privium members can access the lounge by paying €40 (Privium ExpressLounge), €50 (Privium ClubLounge Departures) or €60 (Privium ClubLounge West).
Privium ClubLounge Departures
The 600m² Privium ClubLounge Departures is located before security between Departures 1 and 2, behind check-in desk row 9. It can be entered immediately after passing through the iris scan gate. With contemporary white decor, the Clublounge offers drinks and snacks, work places, an open fireplace and a “Light Energy” cabin. Note, the lounge does not have any windows.
Opening hours are 0530-2100 daily.
Privium ClubLounge West
The Privium ClubLounge West was opened in 2021 following a redesign and expansion of the previous Privium Airside lounge. It is found past security in the non-Schengen area on Holland Boulevard at pier E behind Dutch Bar & Kitchen. The lounge has a Northern Lights design theme and has a food/drink bar, individual workstations, shower and hand spa.
Opening hours are 0530-2100 daily.
Privium ExpressLounge
The Privium ExpressLounge is another Privium lounge located after security at Lounge 1 (second floor) near the start of the D pier (Schengen area).
It is open daily 0530-1300.
NOTE! The British Airways Lounge at Amsterdam Schiphol has been permanently closed.
NS International Lounge – Regus Express
Schiphol has an underground train station with both domestic and international rail services. If you have a first class international rail ticket from Amsterdam Schiphol or a Railteam elite loyalty card then you (and 1 guest) can access the small but stylish NS International Lounge – Regus Express.
It is located at the Arrivals 4 area near the HEMA shop. A variety of drinks (but no snacks) are available plus a selection of magazines and newspapers. Open 0730-1930 Mon-Fri, closed weekends. There are also meeting rooms available for hire.
Book an onward international train ticket here
Schiphol VIP Service Lounges
Amsterdam Schiphol airport offers a paid VIP service for departing, arriving and transfer passengers travelling on any airline. This gives access to a select range of private lounges at Schiphol’s dedicated VIP centre.
The stylish lounges are designed by Marcel Wanders and include food and drinks.
Reservations are possible for groups up to 20 people. VIP access has its own security channel, baggage check-in and all transfers to aircraft by luxury car. Location of the VIP centre is at Arrivals 4 at the end of Jan Plezierweg, next to the Excellence Parking facility.
Rates for departing/arriving passengers: €510 (first passenger) plus €230 (each additional passenger).
Rates for transfer passengers: €690 (first passenger) plus €340 (each additional passenger). Prices exclude Dutch VAT at 21%.
Schiphol Arrivals Lounges/Showers
There are no dedicated arrivals lounges at Amsterdam Schiphol for passengers. Privium Plus members can use the Privium lounges as an arrivals facility on production of a valid boarding pass. Skyteam premium/elite passengers with a same-day ticket can technically access the KLM Crown lounge.
For Schiphol transfer passengers there are shower facilities at the Mercure Schiphol terminal hotel on the upper level of Lounge 3 between piers E and F (non-Schengen) – it costs €19.50 for a shower. The YOTELAir on the upper level of Lounge 2 (piers D/E) offers showers for €17.50.
For arriving passengers, paid showers can be found at the nearby Sheraton hotel, a short walk across from the arrivals/train station hall. A Fitness & Spa day pass costs €35 from the hotel reception.
Overnight stays at Amsterdam Schiphol
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.
This article was originally published in 2014 and has regularly been updated. Last update 15 March 2023.
