Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is one of Europe's main air gates, ranked fourth on the continent in terms of passenger traffic and is the base for airlines Martinair and Transavia. This airport also serves as a hub for Northwest Airlines.
Many passengers travel from Eastern Europe or Asia to Western Europe with a transfer at Amsterdam Airport. Let's try to figure out how transit is carried out and what restrictions a passenger may encounter during a transfer.
Procedure upon arrival at the airport
Upon check-in at the airport from which the flight is departing, the traveler receives boarding passes for the first and connecting flights, as well as a package of documents with information about the transfer conditions at Schiphol.
After arriving at Amsterdam Airport, the passenger must go to the transit counter and receive all the necessary information about the transfer. If for some reason the guest does not have a boarding pass for the second flight, he can also obtain one at the check-in counter. Transit counters are located in Concourse 1 (T2 + T3), as well as at Piers D (T4 + T5), E (T6), F (T8) and G (T9).
Passengers traveling with KLM or other Skyteam carriers can complete similar transactions at one of the self-service kiosks.
Duration of transplant
The transfer process at Schiphol Airport takes about 40 minutes for intra-European flights and about 50 minutes for intercontinental flights.
Airport terminals
The airport has one terminal, divided into three halls: 1, 2 and 3. From each hall you can exit to certain piers, inside of which there are gates. Passengers are able to move freely between different piers. An exception is made only for customers arriving at Pier M.
The Schengen area is served by piers B, C and M (the latter of which works with low-cost carriers) as well as pier D gates from 59 and above. For non-Schengen zone passengers, piers E, F, G, H (for low-cost companies) and gates 1-59 of pier D are intended.
Features of travel between Schengen and non-Schengen countries
Passengers flying between Schengen and non-Schengen countries must undergo additional security controls and customs inspection. Please be aware that these procedures can take a long time.
Procedure in case of missing a connecting flight
For a traveler who missed a connecting flight, a seat is automatically booked on the next flight in the same direction. New tags are affixed to the luggage, eliminating the need for passengers to check it in again. You can obtain information about a new flight and print out your boarding pass at a special self-service machine for transit passengers.
Moving luggage between flights
If the baggage has a barcode tag that corresponds to the final destination of the trip, the passenger does not need to pick up his bags and check them in again, as the baggage is automatically redirected to the connecting flight. If the cargo was marked only for Schiphol Airport, it will need to be collected and re-registered.
Airport guests wishing to stroll around the city or relax at the hotel between flights can leave their bags and suitcases in the luggage room or take them with them. But such a right is granted only if the luggage is marked. Otherwise, the passenger cannot receive his things. The cargo will be released only if the suitcase contains vital medications. But to prevent such situations, it is better to transport all the necessary things in hand luggage.
Leaving the airport while waiting for a flight
In most cases, the passenger has the opportunity to leave the airport while waiting for a connecting flight. At the air terminal, guests are offered a large selection of excursions to the city's tourist attractions located near the airport.
Leisure at the airport while waiting for a flight
Those passengers who do not want to leave the airport while waiting for their flight can visit the See Buy Fly shopping center, the casino or the Rijksmuseum, which displays ten paintings by famous Dutch artists.
Airport tax
Each transit passenger traveling through Schiphol pays €13.57 through their air carrier. This amount includes a fee for passenger services (6.10 €) and security services (7.10 €), as well as a fee of 0.37 € for persons with disabilities.
Author:How to get from the airport to the center, how long it will take, what you should definitely have time to see and where. Practical advice for tourists in such a situation.
If traveling to your final destination you are transiting through Amsterdam and have some free time at your disposal, this article is especially for you. We will tell you how to interestingly and usefully spend these few hours in one of the most controversial and interesting capitals of Europe. Choose a route depending on the amount of time you have or create your own based on our advice. Welcome to Amsterdam!
Amsterdam is famous for its canals, so if the weather and time are favorable, be sure to, on average each tour lasts about 1 hour, but it is better to check this when purchasing a ticket, the cost is 13 euros per person.
If you're hungry after your walk, Amsterdam is a concentrated city with something for everyone. We still advise you to try the local cuisine; for it, go to a traditional brown cafe on Leidseplein called Reijnders, which opened in the 19th century. If you don’t want to waste time in restaurants and cafes, in street stalls you can try herring, waffles and licorice, which are also symbols of the Netherlands.
Having refreshed yourself, head towards the museum quarter of Amsterdam, on the square of which the famous letters I AMSTERDAM are located. It’s better to leave going to museums until next time, but it’s definitely worth taking a walk around.
To feel the atmosphere of the city even more and look at the beautiful Dutch houses, go to the Jordaan neighborhood, the buildings near the canal were built back in the 17th-18th centuries. In this area there is the Westkerk Church, which you can visit if you wish, and the famous house-museum of Anne Frank, who is loved and revered in Holland, is also located here. Another pleasant area in Amsterdam that is worth a visit, Begijnhof, is a quiet and cozy area located in the heart of Amsterdam, where you can feel like a real Dutchman and stroll through a mysterious labyrinth park.
What is Holland without flowers? In the city center is the famous Amsterdam Bloemenmarkt, where you can buy bulbs, roses, peonies and other flowers of various varieties, or simply stroll along the beautiful canal. When talking about Amsterdam's business cards, don't forget about cheese. There are shops scattered around the city where you can buy and try the variety you like.
They are a separate attraction of Amsterdam. Here you can buy absolutely everything, from dishes and vintage clothing to fresh fruits and vegetables. The most popular:
Waterlooplein Flea Market(vintage clothing, accessories, dishes) and Farmer’s Market on Noordermarkt(organic products, fruits, vegetables). Each market has different opening days and hours, so make sure it's open before you go.
If Eastern culture is close to you, then for the atmosphere of the East and Asian food, go to the famous China Town. Here you can eat deliciously and inexpensively in Chinese or Indonesian restaurants. The area is located in the very center of the city, from where, after having lunch, you can move to any other part of the city.
In the evening, the city of canals and tulips is transformed beyond recognition and this is definitely something that any tourist should see. Finding yourself in Amsterdam in the evening, you can feel the true spirit of freedom. One of the most touristic and visited places, of course, is the Red line District. First of all, it is famous for its “priestesses of love” who stand in specially decorated “rooms” and invite tourists to come to them.
In the same area is the Marijuana Museum and Holland's very first The Bulldog coffeeshop. In addition, all kinds of intimate establishments are concentrated in the area. If you want to visit the Casso Rosso sex theater, we recommend buying tickets in advance, otherwise you will have to stand in a rather long line. Also popular tourist places are the Museum of Erotica and the Museum of Sex. If you want, there are sex shops throughout the area.
Next to the OudeKerk church there is a monument dedicated to representatives of the oldest profession, “Belle”, and on the opposite side there is a sculpture - a man’s hand rests on a woman’s chest, as a symbol of Yin and Yang.
Amsterdam is an amazing city that incorporates a combination of different cultures, eras and traditions. This city makes you constantly wonder and time flies here unnoticed. To avoid missing your flight, check the return train to the airport in advance. This can be done online, using the website or installing a free application on your phone (9292, ns). Also, when purchasing a ticket at the box office, do not hesitate to ask for the train schedule.
Many tourists, having seen Amsterdam, return here again to fully immerse themselves in this city. We hope our guide will help you create your first, albeit small, route in this city. Have a nice time and enjoy your flight!
Based on the above, it becomes clear that Schiphol Airport is simply huge. And yet it consists of only one terminal, which is divided into 3 large areas. From each you can go to certain piers where the gates are located. Passengers in the Schengen area are served by piers B, C, M and D (from 59), passengers in the non-Schengen area - by E, F, G, H and D (up to 59).
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If you have a transfer at Schiphol during your trip, you should be given a boarding pass for your connecting flight at your first departure point, as well as the necessary information on how to make a transfer at the airport.
For domestic flights within Europe you will need about 40 minutes, for external and intercontinental flights - about 50 minutes (provided that there are no force majeure events and there is no need to recheck your baggage). Despite the fact that the airport is truly one of the best in the world in terms of service and works like a clock, you should not take flights with a connection of less than 1.5 hours.
If for some reason you do not have a boarding pass for your next flight, you can get one at the check-in counter or at the self-service machines (we will talk about them later). You will also need to go through passport control, receive a Eurozone entry stamp and undergo pre-flight inspection (personal items, clothing, etc.).
Schiphol: transit at Schiphol airport, flight to America via Amsterdam. Useful tips
You should be aware that if you are traveling between Schengen and non-Schengen countries, you may have to undergo additional controls and baggage checks.
If you do not have time to board your connecting flight, you are automatically booked a seat on the next flight in a given direction, and new tags are affixed to your luggage.
The airport, despite its incredible size, is quite convenient, and it’s easy to get to the gate you need. All information at the airport is presented in English, and even if everything is not good with it, there are schematic symbols that “speak for themselves.”
Self-service machines (for KLM passengers and Skyteam members)
If for some reason you do not have a ticket or boarding pass for the next flight, or you need to obtain or clarify information about it, you can use self-service machines, of which there are about 100 in Schiphol. To do this, just present your passport or boarding pass (if there is one) to the machine, and it reads the information and displays on the screen everything you would like to know: flight number, gate number, start and end time of boarding, flight departure time, etc.
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Also, in the machines you can change your seat or find out about alternative flights that depart in a given direction in the near future if you do not have time to board. The machine displays information both on the screen and prints it out. If your ticket price includes drinks, food or other “bonuses” that can be obtained at the airport, the machine will give you a coupon for them.
Baggage
If, when departing from the starting point of your trip, your luggage is checked in to the final point of the route (this often happens if all your flights are from one air carrier), then no hassle. If the tag indicates that it only goes to Schiphol, then you will need to pick it up and re-register for the next flight. This can be done in 2 ways: at the check-in counter or independently (depending on your air carrier, you will be informed of the required method).
Schiphol is one of the busiest airports in Western Europe, ranking 4th in terms of passenger numbers. This is one of the main transit points in the European Union.
Main entrance to Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam
For passengers from Asia and Eastern Europe traveling to Amsterdam, a transfer at Amsterdam Airport will most likely become inevitable. Therefore, you need to know how to get to the center, what interesting things you can see. And also, in what cases is a transit visa to Holland needed and is it possible to avoid obtaining one?
When you do and don't need a visa for transit to Schiphol
It all depends on how long you will be staying in Holland, even within the Netherlands airport grounds. Do you plan to see the sights and take a walk in the surrounding area outside the transit area of the airport terminal?
If your stay does not exceed a day, and you will not go beyond the transit part of the terminal, then a visa is not needed for transit.
Also, conditions under which a visa is not required include waiver of:
- walks around the city;
- overnight stays in a hotel (except for two, which are located in the transit compartment);
- repossession of your luggage.
There is no need to collect luggage if you have 1 direct ticket for the entire route. This rule applies even if the next connection is with another airline. Your luggage is checked in and will not be seen until you arrive at your final destination.
If you stay at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport for more than 24 hours, then you will still need a transit visa to the Netherlands. You also need a transit visa to Amsterdam if one of the carrier companies is budget, such as Ryanair, EasyJet.
If you have two different tickets and there are no agreements between the airlines on the transit of personal belongings, it is better to clarify the details in advance. You can find out about agreements from airline representatives; ask if they can transport your cargo from one flight to another during a transfer.
Find out more about baggage check-in at Schiphol
If in your case it is indicated that your luggage will be delivered only to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, and this is your transit point, then you need to re-check your things for the next flight. There are 2 options in Schiphol:
- the first is at the registration desk;
- the second way is through a special machine, but you will be informed of the required method, it depends on the carrier company.
Checking in luggage through the machine is not difficult; you can select Russian in the menu.
This is what an automated baggage check-in counter looks like
The registration process itself through the automatic check-in counter looks like this:
- you need to place your luggage in the machine;
- select language;
- scan the ticket and verify the data;
- if everything is correct, confirm;
- easy safety questions to answer;
- the machine will give you a tag that you need to stick to your luggage;
- Confirm automatically that you have already glued it;
- the machine takes your luggage.
Follow the instructions; if any difficulties arise, the airport terminal staff will help you.
About transfers in Amsterdam and what to do if you are late
Schiphol Airport is very large, its area is 650 square meters and there are as many as 6 runways for take-off and landing, one of which is located in the distance and it takes about 15 minutes to get to the terminal building. Therefore, in order to be on time, you don’t need to hesitate and be distracted by all sorts of services, Duty Free.
Detailed map of Schiphol Airport
During initial check-in, along with your air ticket, you must have all the necessary coupons, which will be needed further at transit points, such as transfers in Amsterdam. But even if for some reason you do not find the one you need, then you need to immediately go to the registration desk and present your ticket to receive a coupon. There you will find:
- passport control;
- a stamp indicating that you have entered Europe;
- pre-flight check.
There is no transport between the piers at the airport; everything will have to be covered on foot. Don't be distracted by anything, as the journey may take about half an hour.
If you are late, do not rush to despair, airliners are usually waiting. Therefore, if you are in a hurry, you have 15 minutes to spare, but it doesn’t always work that way. If you still didn’t make it in time and the reason was a simple lack of time, then that’s okay too; for such passengers, seats are reserved on the next flight with a similar destination.
The baggage is tagged with new tags corresponding to the flight, and there is no need to go through the check-in procedure again. You can get all the information you need through a special machine that works for transit travelers.
Amsterdam is considered the most multicultural and tolerant city in Europe. It combines the features of an ancient European town with an ultra-modern center. Walking along the canals or Dam Square, you will feel the atmosphere of this city. And don't forget to check out the floating flower market!
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is the main airport in the Netherlands. This is one of the most important “air gates” in Europe. It is included in the list of the oldest airport complexes. It was rebuilt in 1916, at the dawn of aviation. Millions of passengers pass through the airport every year.
It is located 17.5 km from the capital of the country, southwest of it. Its complex includes six runways, and construction of a seventh is planned. The airport terminal is one terminal, which will be expanded in the future.
Its name comes from from the name of Fort Schiphol. The area where the airport is located used to be a polder. There was a large lake here.
Six incidents, including and, occurred on its territory.
Terminal complex
If you look at the plan of Schiphol Airport, you will see that it consists of from one terminal, which in turn is divided for three halls and numerous piers, where passengers depart from and where they arrive. Piers for tourists from countries belonging to the Schengen Union and for those arriving from all other countries are located separately from each other.
Schiphol airport map.
A complete diagram in Russian of Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is presented below. note that in the first hall there are piers B and C. They service flights to Schengen countries. In the second departure hall - piers D and E. The first of them includes two levels. It accepts flights from any country. E is intended only for those passengers arriving from countries outside the Schengen Agreement.
Schiphol scheme.
In the last departure hall there are 4 piers - F, G, H and M, of which N and M are engaged in servicing flights of low-cost airlines.
Infrastructure Schiphol
If you bought a flight with a transfer at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, then consider yourself very lucky. Spas, shops, restaurants, gym and even a prayer room- everything is here.
In addition to standard services for all airports in the world, there is a morgue and the opportunity to get married. There is also a shopping center “Schipnol Plaza” on the territory of the complex.
There is a gorgeous terrace on the roof of the building, from where you can watch planes taking off and landing.
ATMs and medical centers are open 24 hours a day. If you need to work on the road, the airport has special office space for this.
There are several hotels and parking lots near the airport terminal. Parking in the parking lot first 15 minutes- free.
Conclusion
Schiphol - this is a huge airport complex, where everything is provided for the convenience of passengers. It is located 17.5 km from Amsterdam, which is a 20-minute drive. You can read about how to get to Schiphol from Amsterdam and back in this article. The complex consists of one large terminal and six runways. The airport meets all international standards of safety and comfort.
