Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Guide (AMS) – Amsterdam

Airport Overview

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) is the primary international airport of the Netherlands, consistently ranked among the top five busiest airports in Europe with approximately 71 million passengers per year pre-pandemic. Located 9 km southwest of Amsterdam city centre, the airport sits uniquely below sea level (about 3 metres) and is famous for its single-terminal design, which simplifies navigation compared to multi-terminal airports. Schiphol serves as the main hub for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and is a major SkyTeam network hub.

Terminals

Schiphol operates as a single terminal building, divided into three departure halls (1, 2, and 3) and multiple piers (B, C, D, E, F, G, and H). Despite being one building, the internal distances can still be considerable.

• Departure Hall 1 (Piers B, C): Primarily Schengen short-haul flights operated by KLM and partners.
• Departure Hall 2 (Piers D, E): KLM intercontinental long-haul flights and SkyTeam alliance partners.
• Departure Hall 3 (Piers F, G, H): Non-Schengen carriers including easyJet, Ryanair, Transavia, and various intercontinental operators.

WiFi Availability

Free WiFi is available throughout Schiphol airport under the network name "Schiphol WiFi". Connect by selecting the network and registering with your email address or social media login. The free service provides unlimited access with good speeds suitable for browsing, email, and video calls. Premium faster WiFi is also available for purchase for heavy data users.

Transport to City Center

Direct Train to Amsterdam Centraal

Schiphol has its own underground railway station — Schiphol Airport Station — directly beneath the terminal. Intercity Direct and regular intercity trains run to Amsterdam Centraal in approximately 15–20 minutes, with trains departing every 10 minutes throughout most of the day. A single fare costs around €5.60 using an OV-chipkaart or around €6 buying a paper ticket at the machine. The journey also connects to other Dutch cities including Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht.

Bus Services

Several bus routes serve Schiphol including the N97 night bus running to Amsterdam when trains are less frequent. Regional buses connect the airport to surrounding towns and suburbs. Bus stops are located in front of the Arrivals hall.

Taxi and Rideshare

Official taxis depart from the designated taxi rank in front of Arrivals. A metered taxi to Amsterdam city centre typically costs €35–€50 and takes 20–30 minutes (longer during rush hour). Uber operates from Schiphol and is generally slightly cheaper. Pre-booked shared shuttles are available for budget travellers.

Airport Lounges

Schiphol offers excellent lounge facilities, particularly for KLM and SkyTeam passengers, as well as Priority Pass options.

• KLM Crown Lounge (Pier C): Main KLM business class lounge for SkyTeam Elite Plus members and business class passengers, with hot food, showers, and views of the apron.
• KLM Crown Lounge Non-Schengen (Pier E, F): For KLM long-haul business passengers, offering premium dining and comfort.
• Aspire Lounge Schiphol (Lounge 52, Pier H): Priority Pass-accessible independent lounge with buffet food and bar.
• No. 1 Traveller (Departure Hall 3): Pay-per-use lounge accessible to Priority Pass members with solid food and drink selection.
• Air France Lounge (Pier E): For Air France premium passengers and Flying Blue Platinum members.

Hotels Near the Airport

• Sheraton Amsterdam Airport Hotel: The only hotel directly connected to Schiphol terminal via covered walkway, with spa and multiple restaurants.
• Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol: 5-star property directly adjacent to the airport with a pool, spa, and award-winning restaurant.
• ibis Amsterdam Airport: Budget-friendly option with a shuttle bus to the terminal, popular with early morning travellers.
• citizenM Hotel Amsterdam Airport: Design-focused affordable hotel near the terminal with stylish rooms and 24-hour dining.
• NH Hotel Schiphol Airport: Mid-range hotel near the airport with good amenities and free shuttle service.

Food and Restaurants

Schiphol has an impressive range of dining options, including Dutch specialties alongside international brands, many located in the airside shopping and dining area known as Holland Boulevard.

• Rijksmuseum (Airside): Uniquely, Schiphol features an actual Rijksmuseum exhibit with Dutch Golden Age masterpieces — a remarkable cultural experience between flights.
• Café Amsterdam (Departure Hall 2): Dutch brown café atmosphere serving local specialties including bitterballen, herring, and Dutch beers.
• Burger King / McDonald's (multiple locations): Fast food chains throughout the terminal for quick, familiar meals.
• Starbucks (Departure Halls 1, 2, 3): Multiple locations serving coffee, pastries, and snacks throughout the airport.
• Wagamama (Departure Hall 2): Asian noodles and rice dishes, popular with passengers waiting for long-haul flights.
• Seafood Bar (Pier E): Fresh Dutch North Sea fish and seafood dishes in an upscale airside setting.

Travel Tips

• Schiphol's single terminal makes navigation relatively simple — look for departure hall and pier numbers on your boarding pass.
• The Schiphol Plaza shopping mall (landside) is open to all visitors and accessible from the station concourse, featuring shops, dining, and services.
• Visit the Rijksmuseum mini-exhibition airside — it's free and features genuine Dutch Golden Age paintings, an unmissable experience.
• The train to Amsterdam Centraal is the best value transport option; buy an OV-chipkaart for the cheapest fares on Dutch trains and public transport.
• Security queues can be long during morning peak hours (06:00–09:00) — arrive early and check the Schiphol app for real-time queue times.
• Duty-free prices at Schiphol are among the most competitive in Europe, particularly for spirits, wine, and cosmetics.
• If you have a long layover, the airport's casino (Holland Casino Schiphol) is a unique diversion available airside.