Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Traveler's Guide: How to get Around!

Travelers! Read the latest from FlightDeck powered by @pilotplans
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Traveler's Guide: How to get Around!
Here are all the deets you should know about the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), including getting around from the airport, covid-19 testings, transfers, and all the other useful facts to help you navigate around the airport!
Written by:
Advertisement

Flying into Amsterdam soon? If you are, you’ll get to arrive via Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (airport code AMS if you’re curious what your checked luggage tag might say). For some travelers, airports are exciting, and for others, they might be stressful, but regardless of what category you fit into, we want to help you navigate the airport in Amsterdam.   

Schiphol Amsterdam Airport Departures 2 door.
Photo by Ben Koorengevel on Unsplash

Amsterdam Airport Map

Amsterdam airport has one large passenger terminal, with three departure halls, and six concourses (B-G). If you are arriving at Schiphol Airport, you’ll arrive at ground level, whereas if you’re departing, you’ll leave from the first floor. There is also a panorama terrace on the third floor if you’re interested in getting a view while at the airport. 

AMS Airport Layout of the main terminal and concourses.
Image Courtesy: iFly.com

Getting to the city center

As with many airports in Europe, the Amsterdam airport isn’t actually located in the city center. As such, you have to make your way into Amsterdam itself. There are a couple of ways you can do this depending on your budget, and how quickly you want to get there.

Taxi

If time is your main constraint, you can take a taxi to the city center. There is a taxi rank in front of Schiphol Plaza where you can catch a licensed taxi to take you into town. A taxi will cost you approximately €45, although this price could increase based on where in Amsterdam you want to go, and how busy travel is.

Train

You can also take the train to the city center! You can catch the train at the Airport Train Station, located directly below the terminal building. It will take 15-20 minutes to get you to Amsterdam Central Station. You can buy your ticket at a kiosk or desk in the arrivals hall, or online in advance. A one-way, second-class ticket will cost you €4.60. You must have a ticket to board the train.

Bus

The last way you can use to make your way into the city center is via bus. There is an Airport Express bus run by Connexxion. Bus 397 will take you approximately 35 minutes to get into the city center, but with buses departing every 7.5 minutes, it’s pretty convenient. You can catch the bus from platform B17 at Schiphol Plaza, and the three main stops in the city center are Museumplein, Rijksmuseum, and Leidseplein. Tickets cost €7.50 one way and €11.75 return.

Amsterdam AMS airport express bus ticket purchasing booth.
Image Courtesy: Schiphol Airport

Airport hotels

If you’re looking to stay at a hotel near Schiphol Airport, you have so many choices. You can choose between hotels in the airport or ones up to a 15-minute bus ride away. If you’re trying to sleep in the airport, but are willing to pay for it, here are your two choices:

Mercure Hotel Schiphol Terminal

Located directly after security in Departures Lounge 3. You can stay in this hotel so long as you are booked on a flight departing the day you plan to check out, but you can also book a room during the day (10:00-17:00) for a quick snooze or shower. 

YOTELAIR

Located after security in Lounge 2, and is accessible to anyone, even if you’re just transiting in AMS. This hotel is more expensive than Mercure Hotel, as well as some of the other options a little further away, but is a convenient way for any traveler to catch some shut-eye during a long layover.

Mercure airport hotel in Schiphol Airport Amsterdam Terminal.
Image Courtesy: Schiphol Airport

Sleeping in Schiphol Airport

While sleeping in a hotel is a great way to handle a long layover, that might not fit into your budget. If you’re looking to save some money, you can opt to sleep in the airport itself while you wait for your next flight. Based on travelers who have slept in the airport, it’s more comfortable to do so air-side if you can than land-side. 

Sleeping is only allowed in the airport overnight so be aware of the flight operating hours while you’re there if you’re hoping to catch some shuteye in the airport. According to Sleeping in Airports, security guards will check for a boarding pass starting at midnight if you’re attempting to sleep landside, and if you don’t have one, you won’t be allowed back in until 4 am. 

Airside there are plenty of comfortable chairs you can use to sleep between concourses E and F, and another popular sleeping spot is right before the D gates. To guarantee the nicest chairs and most comfortable sleeping arrangements, be sure to stake out your area as early as possible. 

Waiting for the airplane in Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Terminal.
Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash

Airport Covid transfer

If Amsterdam is your final destination, you’ll have to adhere to Dutch guidelines and requirements for Covid testing. However, what if you’re just transiting through the airport in Amsterdam? The rules can be different in this situation depending on where you’re coming from or your vaccination status.

Starting from March of 2022, People traveling to Amsterdam or the Netherlands through Schiphol Amsterdam Airport aren't required to present a negative COVID-19 test result. Similarly, if you're traveling from the EU/Schengen area, you also no longer need to show a negative test result.

Keep in mind that rules can change, so make sure you double check with the Netherlands government before you fly!

Schiphol Airport Amsterdam COVID 19 Testing centre.
Image Courtesy: Schiphol Airport

Prepare for departure!

Hopefully, you feel a little more prepared for a journey involving Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam now! If Amsterdam is your final destination, and you’re still trying to figure out what to do, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Read all about our suggestions here!

Whether Amsterdam is your dream destination or a stop on a European adventure, we want to make sure you can check off your travel bucket list.

Pilot - A Social Trip Planner - Banner
Pilot is a social trip planner to discover and build travel itineraries connecting you to resources everywhere, for free. Pilot makes it fun and easy to create and share your favorite travel moments.

Collaborate stress-free with your travel companions and have all the features you need all in one place with Pilot. It’s completely free and ready for you to try it out now!

Disclosure: Pilot is supported by our community. We may earn a small commission fee with affiliate links on our website. All reviews and recommendations are independent and do not reflect the official view of Pilot.

Miriam Jaffe Blog
Written by:
Miriam Jaffe
linkedin logoInstagram logo
Pilot Icon in White

Satisfy your wanderlust

Get Pilot. The travel planner that takes fun and convenience to a whole other level. Try it out yourself.

Get started
Get started
Pilot Icon in White

Satisfy your wanderlust

Get Pilot. The travel planner that takes fun and convenience to a whole other level. Try it out yourself.

Get started
Get started

Make the most of every trip

Join 22,000+ travelers and Pilot your next adventure!
Get the app
Get the app
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Pilot Plans web app product images

You won’t want to plan trips any other way!

The trip planner that puts everything in one place, making planning your trip easier, quicker, and more fun.

Get the app
Get the app
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Close button
Pilot Plans web app product imagesClose button
Get the app
Get the app
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.