Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Also known as: Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam Airport, Schiphol, AMS Airport.
Private transfer from AMSSee pricesSee pricesAbout Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) is the main international airport of Amsterdam and the Netherlands, in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer. It is the hub of KLM, which flies to cities across Europe, Africa, the Americas and Asia, and a base for Transavia, easyJet, TUI fly Netherlands, Corendon Dutch Airlines and Vueling. Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Emirates, Singapore Airlines and dozens of other carriers also serve the airport.
Schiphol has one terminal building with three departure halls, connected airside to the piers and lounges, all radiating from Schiphol Plaza. A railway station sits directly under the terminal.
The airport is about 9 km (5.6 miles) southwest of central Amsterdam. Trains reach Amsterdam Centraal in about 16 minutes, and the station also has direct services to Utrecht, The Hague and Rotterdam, plus international trains to Brussels and Paris.
From the airport, most travelers head to central Amsterdam and its canal ring, the Museumplein and Leidseplein area, Haarlem, Utrecht, The Hague and Rotterdam.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Operator
Royal Schiphol Group
- Passengers per year
About 68.8 million in 2025
- Runways
Six runways, including the Polderbaan and Kaagbaan
- Main airline
KLM, which has its hub here
- Location
Haarlemmermeer, about 9 km southwest of central Amsterdam
Arrival tips for Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
If you arrive from outside the Schengen Area, you go through passport control before baggage claim. Non-EU travelers are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), fully operational since 10 April 2026; the planned ETIAS travel authorization is not yet in operation. Flights from other Schengen countries arrive without a passport check.
After collecting your bags and passing customs, you come out into one of the arrival halls, which all open onto Schiphol Plaza. The arrival hall for your flight is shown on the screens in the terminal and in the Schiphol app.
In Schiphol Plaza, the meeting point is where most pre-booked drivers and friends wait. The train station is one level below the plaza, and the official taxi stand is outside in front of Schiphol Plaza. Use only taxis from that stand and decline taxis offered to you without asking. Uber and Bolt cars use the separate App pick-up point.
The Netherlands is on Central European Time and uses the euro. Weather is mild and often wet and windy, so a rain jacket helps year-round.
Ground transportation
The train suits most travelers headed to central Amsterdam and other Dutch cities, while a taxi or private transfer is easier with heavy luggage or a group.
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Book a transfer from AMSTrain to Amsterdam Centraal
The station is directly under Schiphol Plaza, and trains to Amsterdam Centraal take about 16 minutes. Direct trains also run to Utrecht, The Hague, Rotterdam, Brussels and Paris; trains can be busy at peak hours.
Taxi from Schiphol
The official taxi stand is in front of Schiphol Plaza, with no reservation needed. Registered taxis must run a meter and accept cards; avoid drivers who approach you unasked.
Rideshare
Uber and Bolt pick up at the App pick-up point, which is signposted in the terminal. It is a short walk from the arrival halls and can be busy at peak times.
Bus 397 Amsterdam Airport Express
Bus 397 leaves from stop B17, to the right as you exit Schiphol Plaza, every 10 minutes toward Museumplein, the Rijksmuseum and Leidseplein. Night bus N97 runs hourly; the bus is slower than the train in traffic.
Private transfer
Pre-booked drivers meet you at the meeting point in Schiphol Plaza and drive you straight to your address. It needs to be arranged before you land.
Terminals
Main Terminal
A single terminal with departure halls 1, 2 and 3, joined airside, serving all airlines. Schengen flights use piers B, C and M, non-Schengen flights use piers E, F, G and H, and pier D handles both.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Air Canada, Air France, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Corendon Dutch Airlines, Delta Air Lines, easyJet, Emirates, Etihad Airways, KLM, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Royal Air Maroc, Singapore Airlines, Transavia, TUI fly Netherlands, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Vueling
Airlines and destinations
Frequently asked questions
How far is Schiphol Airport from Amsterdam city center?
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is about 9 km (5.6 miles) southwest of central Amsterdam. Trains from the station under the terminal reach Amsterdam Centraal in about 16 minutes. Bus 397 runs every 10 minutes to Museumplein and Leidseplein, and taxis leave from the official stand in front of Schiphol Plaza.
Is Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam?
Not quite. Schiphol lies in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer, just outside Amsterdam, about 9 km southwest of the city center. It is still Amsterdam's airport and is closely linked to the city by train, bus 397 and taxi. Haarlem, Leiden and the western suburbs of Amsterdam are also nearby.
How many terminals does Schiphol have?
Schiphol has one terminal building. Inside it are three departure halls, connected airside, and several arrival halls, all opening onto Schiphol Plaza. Schengen flights use piers B, C and M, non-Schengen flights use piers E, F, G and H, and pier D handles both. A new pier A is under construction.
Which airlines fly from Schiphol?
KLM has its hub at Schiphol and flies to cities across Europe, Africa, the Americas and Asia. Transavia, easyJet, TUI fly Netherlands, Corendon Dutch Airlines and Vueling have bases here. Delta, United, American Airlines, Air Canada, Emirates, Etihad, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines and many others also serve the airport, all from the one terminal.
Where do I find a taxi at Schiphol?
The official taxi stand is outside, in front of Schiphol Plaza; follow the taxi signs and floor stickers from the arrival halls. Registered taxis use an on-board meter, accept cards and give receipts, and no reservation is needed. Avoid drivers who offer you a taxi without being asked inside the terminal or at the exits.
How do I take the train from Schiphol to Amsterdam?
The railway station is directly under Schiphol Plaza, one level down from the arrival halls. Trains to Amsterdam Centraal take about 16 minutes, and the station has services around the clock. Direct trains also run to Utrecht, The Hague and Rotterdam, and international trains go to Antwerp, Brussels and Paris.
Can I use Uber or Bolt at Schiphol?
Yes. Uber and Bolt cars pick up at a separate stop called the App pick-up point, which is signposted inside the terminal. The waiting area outside has free Wi-Fi. If no app car is available, registered taxis are always waiting at the official stand in front of Schiphol Plaza.
What do I need to enter the Netherlands at Schiphol?
The Netherlands is in the Schengen Area. Arriving from outside Schengen, non-EU travelers pass passport control and are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), fully operational since 10 April 2026; the planned ETIAS travel authorization is not yet in operation. Check visa rules for your nationality before you travel.
How do I get from Schiphol to The Hague or Rotterdam?
Direct trains run from the station under Schiphol Plaza to The Hague and Rotterdam, so most travelers go by rail without changing in Amsterdam. Taxis from the official stand and pre-booked transfers are door-to-door alternatives, which suit groups or heavy luggage. Check the train schedule in the station for the next departure.
How do I get from Schiphol to Museumplein and Leidseplein?
Bus 397, the Amsterdam Airport Express, runs every 10 minutes from stop B17, to the right as you leave Schiphol Plaza, to Museumplein, the Rijksmuseum and Leidseplein. At night, bus N97 runs once an hour. You can also take the train to Amsterdam Centraal and continue by tram, or take a taxi.
What time zone and currency does Amsterdam use?
Amsterdam is on Central European Time (UTC+1) and moves to Central European Summer Time (UTC+2) from late March to late October. The Netherlands uses the euro, and cards are widely accepted, often more than cash. The weather is mild, often wet and windy, so a rain jacket is useful in every season.
Who operates Schiphol and how busy is it?
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is operated by Royal Schiphol Group. It handled about 68.8 million passengers in 2025, up from about 66.8 million in 2024. The airport has six runways, including the Polderbaan, and is the hub of KLM. It first opened as a military airfield in 1916.