Amsterdam's Airport Options: How Many Are There?

Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is served by several airports. The main international airport of the Netherlands is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, which is located about 9 kilometres from the city. It is the third busiest airport in Europe in terms of passenger volume and the busiest in Europe in terms of aircraft movements. In addition to Schiphol, there are several smaller airports in the Netherlands, including Rotterdam The Hague Airport, Groningen Airport Eelde, Eindhoven Airport, and Maastricht Aachen Airport. These airports offer both domestic and international flights and serve as hubs for various airlines.

Schiphol Airport's history and facilities

Amsterdam has one main international airport, Schiphol Airport, which is located 9 kilometres (5.6 miles) southwest of the city. Schiphol Airport is the third-largest airport in Europe in terms of passenger volume, handling over 72 million passengers annually, and is the world's third busiest airport by international passenger traffic.

History

Schiphol Airport was established as a military airbase and opened on 16 September 1916. Back then, the airport consisted of fields and four wooden hangars. The first passenger flight landed on 17 May 1920, marking the start of civil aviation in the Netherlands. This flight arrived from London, which remains the most popular leisure destination from Schiphol to this day.

At the start of World War II, Schiphol was used as a military airbase by the Germans and was renamed Fliegerhorst Schiphol. The airport was destroyed through bombing but was quickly rebuilt after the war, and in 1949, it was decided that Schiphol would become the primary airport of the Netherlands.

Facilities

Schiphol Airport has a single-terminal concept, with one large terminal split into three departure halls. The airport has approximately 223 boarding gates, including eighteen double jetway gates for widebody aircraft. Schiphol has large shopping areas, including a pre-security shopping centre called Schiphol Plaza, which connects the three terminal halls. The airport also has a library, an art annex of the Rijksmuseum, and a rooftop viewing area called the Panoramaterras.

Other airports in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is served by Schiphol Airport (AMS), one of the largest airports in Europe. However, there are several other airports in the Netherlands, besides Schiphol, that are close to Amsterdam. These include:

Rotterdam The Hague Airport

Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM) is located 60km from Amsterdam. It is the third-most notable airport in the Netherlands and serves over 50 international destinations across Europe. The airport is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and is used by both civilian and military aircraft. It is easily accessible by car and public transport.

Eindhoven Airport

Eindhoven Airport (EIN) is the second-largest airport in the Netherlands and is located 115km from Amsterdam. It serves over 80 destinations and is used by both civilian and military aircraft. The airport is easily accessible by car and public transport.

Groningen Airport Eelde

Groningen Airport Eelde (GRQ) is located 180km from Amsterdam. It is a small international airport that serves holidaymakers and business travellers. The airport offers domestic and international flights and is easily accessible by car and public transport.

Maastricht Aachen Airport

Maastricht Aachen Airport (MST) is located 210km from Amsterdam. It is a compact, regional airport and the second-largest hub for cargo flights in the Netherlands. The airport serves several international destinations and is easily accessible by car and public transport.

In addition to these larger airports, there are also over 15 smaller civil airports, 5 military airbases, 15 glider airfields, and several helicopter ports in the Netherlands.

The busiest routes to/from Amsterdam Airport

Amsterdam Airport, also known as Schiphol Airport, is the largest airport in the Netherlands. It is the third-largest airport in Europe and the world's third busiest airport by international passenger traffic. In 2019, it was the third-busiest airport in Europe in terms of passenger volume and the busiest in Europe in terms of aircraft movements.

In 2023, the busiest European routes to and from Amsterdam Airport were:

• London Heathrow, United Kingdom
• Barcelona, Spain
• Dublin, Ireland
• Paris Charles de Gaulle, France
• Madrid, Spain
• Copenhagen, Denmark
• Munich, Germany
• Manchester, United Kingdom
• London City, United Kingdom
• Frankfurt, Germany

The busiest intercontinental routes to and from Amsterdam Airport in 2023 were:

• Dubai International, United Arab Emirates
• New York JFK, United States
• Willemstad, Curaçao
• Toronto Pearson, Canada
• Atlanta, United States
• Detroit, United States
• Minneapolis/St Paul, United States
• Tel Aviv, Israel
• Boston, United States
• Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya

Amsterdam Airport has non-stop passenger flights scheduled to 272 destinations in 84 countries.

The best ways to get to/from the airport

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), also known as Schiphol Airport, is the largest airport in the Netherlands and the third largest in Europe. It is located about 9km from the main city and is recognised as one of the best airports for long layovers.

There are five modes of transport available to get from Amsterdam Airport to the city centre: taxi, Amsterdam Airport transfer, train, express bus, or public bus. Here is a detailed breakdown of each option:

Taxi

The fastest route to the city centre is by taxi or private transfer, as these services are door-to-door. The ride takes around 25 minutes, and you can enjoy the privacy of your own vehicle. Official Amsterdam Airport taxis are available 24/7 from the ranks and are easily recognisable by their 'TAXI' roof lights and blue number plates. The airport's taxi rank is located right in front of Schiphol Plaza. The cost of a taxi from the airport to the city centre is typically between €45 and €55, but this can vary depending on tolls, traffic levels, and other factors.

Amsterdam Airport Transfer

Amsterdam Airport transfers, such as Welcome Pickups' personalised services, offer a comfortable and convenient option. You can pre-book your transfer and have a trained English-speaking driver waiting for you outside arrivals. The cost of a transfer from the airport to the city centre varies depending on the type of vehicle and time of day, with daytime rates for a sedan (up to 4 people) starting at €52, and a minivan (up to 8 people) starting at €73.

Train

The train is the fastest method of public transportation, taking around 25 minutes to reach Amsterdam Centraal Station. The Schiphol Airport train station is located beneath the airport, and trains run frequently, approximately every 5-10 minutes during peak hours. The Intercity Direct train is the fastest option, as it is non-stop. A one-way second-class ticket costs €5.90, and a first-class ticket costs €8.33. Tickets for children up to 11 years of age cost €2.50.

Express Bus

The Airport Express Bus, also known as Bus 397, is the best bus option, taking around 30 minutes to reach the city centre. The service runs 24/7, with the N97 Niteliner taking over during the early morning hours. The bus does not go to Amsterdam Centraal Station but has stops near Olympic Stadium, Museumplein, and Leidseplein. A single ticket costs €6.50, and a return costs €11.75.

Public Bus

The GVB public bus is a cheaper option, but the routes are longer and have more stops along the way. Bus 369 heads from the airport to Sloterdijk Station in about 35 minutes, while buses 245, 246, and 247 offer different routes with multiple stops. A GVB 1-hour ticket for these local buses costs €3.40 one-way.

The future of Schiphol Airport

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the largest airport in the Netherlands and the third largest in Europe. It is located about 9 km from the main city of Amsterdam. Handling over 72 million passengers annually, it is the 11th busiest airport in the world.

One of the key developments is the construction of the new Pier A, which is expected to open in April 2027. This new pier will provide "an important pillar" in the extra quality and comfort that Schiphol wants to offer passengers and airlines. It will have eight gates, including three for the largest aircraft, spread across three floors, and will resemble a terminal in its own right.

Other infrastructure improvements include major maintenance or renewal of Pier C, the baggage basement, climate-control systems, walkways, aircraft stands, and taxiways. Schiphol is also doubling taxiway Quebec to reduce queues and delays and expanding the Uniform platform to provide more space for widebody aircraft parking.

In addition, Schiphol is working towards becoming a more sustainable airport. It has achieved Level 5 certification in ACI's Airport Carbon Accreditation programme and aims to be emission-free by 2030. The airport has installed the world's first super battery at an airport, an Iron Flow Battery, which provides a reliable power supply for charging electrical equipment. Schiphol is also working on making all vehicles and associated processes on airside sustainable and autonomous by 2050 through its Autonomous Airside Operations programme.

With continuous improvements, modernizations, and a focus on sustainability, Schiphol Airport is well-positioned to maintain its status as one of the world's leading aviation hubs.

Frequently asked questions