Transfer to Amsterdam: What to do at Schiphol Airport

Arrivals and transfers

Based on the above, it is clear that Schiphol Airport is simply huge. And yet it consists of just one terminal, which is divided into 3 large zones. From each you can go to certain piers where the gates are located.

If your trip includes a connection at Schiphol, you should be given a boarding pass for your connecting flight at the first point of departure, as well as the necessary information on how to make the connection at the airport.

For domestic flights within Europe it will take you about 40 minutes, for external and intercontinental flights it will take about 50 minutes (provided there are no force majeure events and you do not need to check in your luggage again). Despite the fact that the airport is really one of the best in the world in terms of service and works like clockwork, you should not take flights with connections of less than 1.5 hours.

If for some reason you do not have a boarding pass for your next flight, you can obtain one at the check-in desk or from the self-service machines (more on these below). You will also need to go through passport control and a pre-flight security check (personal belongings, clothing, etc.).

If you miss your connecting flight, you will be automatically booked on the next flight to the specified destination and your luggage will be tagged with new tags.

You can book a hotel in Amsterdam with a discount of up to -65% on the website.

Despite its incredible size, the airport is quite convenient, and it is easy to find your gate. All information at the airport is provided in English, and even if you are not fluent in English, there are schematic diagrams to help you find your way around.

Self-service machines (for KLM and Skyteam passengers)

If for some reason you do not have a ticket or boarding pass for the next flight, or you need to get or clarify information about it, you can use self-service machines, of which there are about 100 in Schiphol. All you need to do is put your passport or boarding pass (if you have one) in front of the machine, and it reads the information and displays everything you would like to know: flight number, gate number, boarding start and end times, departure time, etc.

You can also change your seat at the machines or find out about alternative flights that are departing to a given destination in the near future if you do not have time to board. The machine gives you information both on the screen and prints it out. If your ticket price includes drinks, food or other "bonuses" that you can get at the airport, the machine will give you a coupon for them.

Baggage

If your luggage is checked to the final point of the route when you depart from the starting point of your trip (this is often the case if all your flights are from the same air carrier), then there is no hassle. If the tag says that it is only to Schiphol, you will have to pick it up and check it in again for the next flight. You can do this in 2 ways: at the check-in desk or on your own (depending on your airline carrier you will be informed of the necessary method).

In Amsterdam has a unique system of automatic self-check-in of luggage — Drop off baggage, thanks to which every passenger can check and check in his or her luggage at an automatic counter within 5 minutes. There is no need to worry: the procedure is easy, the machine serves in many world languages, there is an instruction manual, and there are always airport staff nearby to help you.

How does it work? You place your luggage on the machine’s conveyor belt, then select your language, scan your boarding pass, and check the details displayed (passenger name, flight number, destination airport, etc.). If everything is correct, you confirm it. Then you answer a few security questions, the machine issues a baggage tag, you attach it and confirm this action — and voilà! — the machine “swallows” your luggage.

If you have plenty of time between flights, you can leave your luggage in storage lockers and enjoy more pleasant activities.

What to Do at the Airport

Schiphol is not just an excellent airport but a true entertainment hub, featuring museums, a science center, a children’s playground, spa centers, a gym, a library, cafés, and a Duty Free zone. In short — a real mini-city. Here’s what you can do:

• explore art: without even leaving the airport building, you can visit one of the Netherlands’ most famous art museums — the Rijksmuseum. The museum in the terminal is officially recognized as a branch of the Rijksmuseum, and you can see many iconic works by renowned artists there.
• expand your knowledge: on the same Holland Boulevard, there is a small library offering books in Dutch, English, and German.

• head up to the roof: not everyone knows this, but you can access the panoramic terrace on the second floor and spend time watching planes take off and land. You’ll also find the Fokker 100 Experience — a real Fokker aircraft converted into the airport’s museum.
• relax: no matter how hard you try, it’s difficult to truly unwind in a waiting lounge. That’s why Schiphol has a spa center offering massages and restorative treatments. A more affordable option is the relaxing massage chairs located throughout the airport.
• work out: if you get tired of sitting and feel like moving, there’s a fully equipped gym available. Afterwards, you can unwind in the sauna.
• grab a bite: if your flights don’t include meals, the airport offers dozens of options to satisfy your hunger — various cafés, restaurants, fast-food outlets, shops with ready-made meals and everyday groceries, and even bars with live music and dancing.

• go shopping: what airport would be complete without everyone’s favorite Duty Free?! Shops with perfumes, cosmetics, clothing, sweets, and gifts — the airport’s retail area is sure to delight you.

Many travelers wonder about Wi-Fi availability. Yes, free Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport. However, it is free only for the first hour after registration; after that, the service must be paid for.

If your layover in Schiphol is quite long (from 5-7 hours or more), there are several alternative options for your time:

• rest in a hotel

If you are tired and dream of sweet sleep and silence, there are 6 hotels (Sheraton, Hilton, CitizenM, etc.) at your service, which are located within walking distance from the airport. Some are even connected by special tunnels to its building, and you can walk to the front desk in 5 minutes.

• Take a tour

If you have a rather long layover (5 or more hours) and would love to walk the streets of Amsterdam, why not do it? At Schiphol Airport there are several excursion bureaus that can easily organize a 2-3 hour tour of the city for you, and the drive from the airport is not far - you can get there in 15-20 minutes.

All additional information about the airport can be found on its website.