Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the main international airport of the Netherlands and the hub of KLM, which together with Air France forms the Air France-KLM group. Its strongest point for travellers is access: the railway station sits directly beneath the terminal, and central Amsterdam is under twenty minutes away by train.
Terminal and airlines
Schiphol is organised as a single terminal building with several departure halls, all connected to the central arrivals and meeting area, Schiphol Plaza. KLM and its SkyTeam partners operate a large share of flights. Check your departure hall and gate on the airport’s flight information.
Transit and connections
Connecting passengers stay airside and follow the transfer signs. Whether you pass passport control depends on whether you are travelling between Schengen and non-Schengen destinations, so allow extra time for that. On separate tickets you will need to collect bags and check in again. Check your margin with our Layover Planner.
Passenger facilities
Schiphol Plaza, before security, has shops, cafés and the train station entrance. Airside areas have duty-free shopping, restaurants and lounges. See the airport website for current services and opening hours.
Official links
- Amsterdam Airport Schiphol: schiphol.nl
- Train to and from Schiphol: train information
Rules and services checked against official sources in October 2026. Airlines and airports change their policies, fares and services regularly: always confirm the details for your own booking on the official pages linked here before you travel.
Transport Links
From Schiphol's official train page:
- Train: the NS station is directly below the terminal; take the escalator or lift down from Schiphol Plaza. Trains reach Amsterdam Centraal in 14–17 minutes, about eight times an hour, and direct services also run to Utrecht, Leiden, The Hague, Delft and Rotterdam. There is a train service around the clock to several major cities.
- Paying: you can pay with a contactless debit or credit card or your phone. Tap in at the yellow card readers at the top of the escalators and lifts in Schiphol Plaza, and tap out at your destination. Ticket machines are also available.
- Bus: the Amsterdam Express bus (line 397, and the N97 at night) connects Schiphol with Amsterdam.
- Taxis wait outside the terminal, but the train is usually faster into central Amsterdam.
Compare options with our Airport Transfer Cost Calculator.
Traveler Information
- Remember to tap out when you leave the train if you paid by card or phone.
- Arriving by train for a flight? You arrive directly underneath the departure halls.
- Entering the Netherlands: check the Schengen entry rules for your nationality and read our Netherlands guide.
- Staying in the city? See our Amsterdam city guide.
