Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (IATA: AMS, ICAO: EHAM) is the main airport of the Netherlands, located 9 kilometers (5.5 miles) southwest of Amsterdam in the Haarlemmermeer municipality, North Holland. It is just a 20-minute drive from downtown Amsterdam. Schiphol is the 3rd busiest airport in Europe, with 68.5 million passengers passing through the airport in 2017.

Runways and Area

Schiphol has six runways:

  • 3800 m
  • 3500 m
  • 3453 m
  • 3400 m
  • 3300 m
  • 2014 m

The airport covers an area of 2787 hectares and is one of the world’s lowest European airports, situated 3.4 meters (11 feet) below sea level.

Terminal Concept

Schiphol operates under a ‘one-terminal’ concept divided into three sections (halls) with eight interconnected piers. Note that Pier M does not allow passenger entry to other halls. The airport separates Schengen and Non-Schengen areas.

  • Boarding Gates: AMS has 165 boarding gates, including 18 double jetway gates for widebody aircraft.
  • Flight Capacity: The airport handles up to 500,000 flights annually, serving 301 destinations across Europe, North America, and Asia.

Schiphol Plaza

All three halls are connected through Schiphol Plaza, which serves as a central hub. This area includes a shopping center and a railway station, generating additional revenue for the airport.

Management and Airlines

Schiphol is managed by the Royal Schiphol Group and serves as a hub for:

  • National Airlines: KLM, KLM Cityhoppers, Corendon Dutch Airlines, Transavia, TUI fly Netherlands, Martinair
  • European Airlines: Jet Airways, Vueling, EasyJet

Amsterdam: A Brief Overview

Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, though the government seat is in The Hague. Located in North Holland, Amsterdam is not the provincial capital, which is Haarlem. The city’s name comes from a dam on the Amstel River, and it connects to the North Sea via the North Sea Canal.

  • Population:
    • City proper: 851,373
    • City Region of Amsterdam: 1,351,587
    • Metropolitan area: 2,410,960

Amsterdam is the historical and commercial capital of the Netherlands. Recognized as a global/alpha city by the Globalization and World Cities (GaWC) study group, it was ranked the 5th best European city for international business. The city is known for historical sites, lively nightlife, festivals, and attractions like the Amsterdam Canals and the Defence Line of Amsterdam, both UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Location of the Airport

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is located at:

  • Address: Post Office Box 7501, 1118 ZG, Schiphol, Netherlands
  • Distance: 9 kilometers or a 20-minute ride southwest of Amsterdam in the Haarlemmermeer municipality.

Duty-Free Shopping

After Security Control, passengers can shop at tax-free prices. A boarding card is required for Duty-Free purchases. Tobacco prices differ: tax-free for flights outside the EU and standard prices for flights within the EU. Shops operate 1.5 hours before the first flight until 0.5 hours after the last one and are located in Lounge areas 1, 2, and 3.

Duty-Free Sections

  • Perfumes and Cosmetics
  • Chocolates, Liquor & Tobacco
  • House of Tulips on Holland Boulevard

Available Shops

  • Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Bvlgari, Coco, Dutch Discoveries, Drugstore, Electronics, Fine Chocolates, Gassan Trends, Gucci, Hermes, Kiehl’s, MAC Cosmetics, Montblanc, Omega, Rituals, Rolex, Say Cheese, Swarovski, Swatch, Victoria’s Secret, and more.

Transfers

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol offers transfer services to hotels or any desired destination. A professional driver will meet the passenger at the airport for a smooth journey. Transfer details must be indicated in advance to avoid confusion.

Transfer Prices

  • Minivan (8 people):
    • One-way: At least 75 euros
    • Two-way: Approximately 150 euros
  • Regular Taxi (4 people):
    • One-way: Around 60 euros
    • Two-way: 120 euros