Amsterdam's Airport Options: How Many Are There?

Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is served by several airports, both domestically and internationally. The city is a popular choice for travellers, with its many attractions, including over 50 museums, 1200 bridges, 165 canals, and 881,000 bicycles. But how many airports are there in Amsterdam?

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the nearest airport to Amsterdam

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the closest airport to Amsterdam, located just 7 miles from the city. It is one of the largest and busiest airports in Europe, serving as a hub for many different types of transport. With 79 airlines operating at Schiphol, the airport offers flights to 232 destinations worldwide. It is also one of the world's lowest airports, built three metres below sea level in 1916.

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is easily accessible by train, with the Schiphol Airport Train Station located right underneath the airport. It is also just a short lift or escalator ride from Arrivals and a two-minute walk to Departures. Dutch cities offering direct train connections include Amsterdam, Utrecht, Leiden, The Hague, Delft and Rotterdam.

For those travelling to the airport by car, there are several parking options available, including short-term, holiday, long-term sheltered and unsheltered, basic, and valet parking. Taxis are also readily available at the airport.

Schiphol Airport is known for its exceptionally high passenger capacity, handling over 70 million passengers annually. The airport consists of six runways and five main terminals, which are functionally linked but considered separate entities.

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is also a popular choice for travellers due to its proximity to the city of Amsterdam, famous for its cultural attractions, creativity, and colour. The city boasts over 50 museums, including the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Anne Frank House. Amsterdam is also renowned for its canals, with the four main canals forming concentric belts around the city and earning it the nickname "Venice of the North".

Schiphol is a global hub with 6 runways and 5 terminals

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is a global hub with six runways and five terminals. It is the main international airport of the Netherlands and is one of the largest and busiest airports in Europe. Schiphol is located 9 kilometres southwest of Amsterdam, in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer in the province of North Holland.

The airport is built on the single-terminal concept: one large terminal split into three departure halls, known as Departure Hall 1, Departure Hall 2, and Departure Hall 3. These halls are further divided into piers and concourses, with a total of approximately 223 boarding gates. The terminal is also divided into Schengen and non-Schengen areas.

The six runways at Schiphol are:

• Polderbaan
• Kaagbaan
• Buitenveldertbaan
• Aalsmeerbaan
• Zwanenburgbaan
• Oostbaan

The Polderbaan, Schiphol's most frequently used runway, is located 5 kilometres from the terminal building, resulting in taxi times of around 15 minutes. This runway has its own air traffic control tower due to its distance from the main terminal. The Polderbaan is used for departures and arrivals from and to the north due to noise restrictions.

The other runways are also named after key neighbouring villages or words related to the airport:

• Kaagbaan, named after the village of Kaag
• Buitenveldertbaan, named after the neighbourhood of Amsterdam called Buitenveldert
• Aalsmeerbaan, named after the town of Aalsmeer
• Zwanenburgbaan, named after the village of Zwanenburg
• Oostbaan, the most eastern runway, with "oost" being Dutch for "east"

Schiphol's high passenger capacity, with over 70 million passengers handled, has led to the development of one of the most modern and effective handling systems in the world. The airport also has a large shopping area, Schiphol Plaza, which connects the three terminal halls and offers various facilities.

As a global hub, Schiphol serves over 100 airlines and provides flights to more than 230 destinations worldwide. It is the principal hub for airlines such as KLM, Martinair, and Transavia, among others.

Schiphol is 1 of 5 civil airports in the Netherlands

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, or Schiphol Airport, is one of five civil airports in the Netherlands. The airport is located in the province of North Holland and the Haarlemmermeer municipality, and is the country's largest and most important international airport. It is also one of the largest and busiest airports in Europe, serving as a hub for many different types of transport.

Schiphol Airport is unique in that it is built three metres below sea level. It is also one of the world's oldest airports, having been opened in 1916. Since then, it has expanded significantly, now comprising six runways and five main terminals. The airport is extremely busy, handling over 70 million passengers annually, with a passenger capacity that often leads to bottlenecks. This high volume of people and luggage requires one of the most modern and effective handling systems in the world.

In addition to Schiphol, the other four civil airports in the Netherlands are:

• Rotterdam The Hague Airport: Located in Zestienhoven, this airport is part of the Royal Schiphol Group and is open 24 hours a day, all year round. It is a civil airport for scheduled, charter, and business flights, with one runway and several parking options.
• Eindhoven Airport: The largest regional airport in the Netherlands, Eindhoven Airport is both a military and civil airport. It is the second-largest airport in the country, serving over 6 million passengers annually to and from 89 destinations.
• Maastricht Aachen Airport: This compact, regional airport in Beek, Limburg, is the second-largest hub for cargo flights in the Netherlands. It handles around 430,000 passengers annually to 23 destinations, with two parking options available.
• Groningen Airport Eelde: A small international airport in Eelde, near Groningen, this airport caters to holidaymakers and business travellers. It welcomes around 185,000 passengers annually, with three parking options within walking distance of the terminal.

Schiphol is 18km from the centre of Amsterdam

Amsterdam is served by Schiphol, one of Europe's biggest airports. It is located 18km from the centre of Amsterdam, in the southwest direction. It is the main airport of the Netherlands and the closest to the city of Amsterdam.

Schiphol is easily accessible by train, bus, taxi, or car. The Schiphol Airport Train Station is located directly below the airport, with escalators and lifts connecting it to the arrival and departure halls. The train ride to Amsterdam Central takes around 15-20 minutes, and a one-way ticket costs EUR 5.50 for second class and EUR 8.34 for first class.

If you prefer to take a taxi, you can find the taxi stand outside the airport at the taxi rank in front of Schiphol Plaza. Official taxis in the Netherlands are metered, and the ride to Amsterdam will cost around EUR 50-60.

For those driving their own cars, Schiphol can be reached via the A4 and A9 motorways. There are several parking options available at the airport, including short-term, holiday, long-term sheltered and unsheltered, basic, and valet parking.

Public transportation is also a convenient option, with frequent bus connections from various cities in the Netherlands. The bus station is located at Schiphol Plaza, right outside the arrival and departure halls.

Whatever your mode of transportation, Schiphol is a busy and bustling airport that serves as a gateway to the beautiful city of Amsterdam.

Rotterdam The Hague Airport is 71km from Amsterdam

The Netherlands is a small country with more than one airport. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, located in the province of North Holland, is one of Europe's biggest airports. However, it is not the country's only civil airport. The Netherlands has five civil airports: Schiphol, Rotterdam The Hague Airport, Groningen Airport Eelde, Eindhoven Airport, and Maastricht Aachen Airport.

Rotterdam The Hague Airport is located 6km from Rotterdam city centre and around 60km from central Amsterdam. The airport is 71km from Amsterdam, and it is easily accessible by car and public transport. If you are travelling by car, the airport is situated next to the busy A13/E19 motorway.

If you are travelling by public transport, you can take the local RET bus 33 to Rotterdam Central Station, and from there, you can take an intercity or intercity direct train to Amsterdam Central Station. The journey by train will take around 40 minutes on a dedicated high-speed track. Alternatively, you can take the local RET bus 33 to Meijersplein and then take the metro line E to Rotterdam Central, The Hague Central, or other Rotterdam metro stations. This option will also allow you to get to Amsterdam, although it will take longer than the direct train.

Rotterdam The Hague Airport is the third busiest airport in the Netherlands. It is a minor international airport serving Rotterdam, the country's second-largest city, and The Hague, its administrative and royal capital. The airport is located 5.5km north-northwest of Rotterdam in South Holland. It is also used extensively by general aviation and has several flying clubs, a skydiving club, and a flight training school.

Frequently asked questions