Lois Larson
Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is served by Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, which is located 9 kilometres (5.6 miles) southwest of the city in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer in the province of North Holland. It is the third-largest airport in Europe and the fourth busiest in terms of cargo tonnage. The airport was opened in 1916 as a military airbase and has since expanded to include three departure halls, 223 boarding gates, and eight concourses.
Airports in Amsterdam
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Amsterdam Airport Schiphol |
| IATA | AMS |
| ICAO | EHAM |
| Location | 9 km (5.6 mi; 4.9 nmi) southwest of Amsterdam, in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer in the province of North Holland |
| Year opened | 16 September 1916 |
| Terminals | 1 |
| Halls | 3 |
| Concourses | 8 (B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and M) |
| Public transport | Train, Amsterdam Airport Express Bus, taxi, private transfer, or rental car |
| Train frequency | Every 7.5 minutes |
| Train travel time | 13-17 minutes |
| Bus ticket price | €6.50 single, €11.75 return |
| Environmental initiatives | Advocating the prohibition of private jets, restricting takeoffs and landings during night-time hours |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
The airport is built on the single-terminal concept: one large terminal divided into three departure halls, designated 1, 2, and 3, and eight concourses: B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and M. The terminal has approximately 223 boarding gates, including eighteen double jetway gates for wide-body aircraft and two gates with a third jetway for handling the Airbus A380. Schiphol Airport also has large shopping areas, primarily on the ground floor, including a large pre-security shopping centre called Schiphol Plaza, which connects the three terminal halls. The first floor hosts the luggage check-in lines and duty-free refund booths.
The airport's history dates back to the mid-1800s when the lake in the polder of Haarlemmermeer, where the airport is now located, was dredged. A fortification named Fort Schiphol was built in the area, and Schiphol opened as a military airbase in 1916. Civil aircraft began using the field in 1920, and by the end of the First World War, the airport transitioned to civilian use, eventually losing its military role entirely.
Today, Schiphol Airport offers various transportation options for travellers to and from Amsterdam. The most popular choice is the train, which is fast, inexpensive, and provides a direct connection without transfers. Trains depart from an underground train station accessible from the main arrivals hall and run to Amsterdam Central Station every 7.5 minutes during the day and once an hour between 1 am and 5 am. The second most popular option is the Amsterdam Airport Express Bus (Bus 397), which costs €6.50 for a single ticket and €11.75 for a return ticket.
Fort Lauderdale Airport: A Sprawling Transport Hub
You may want to see also
Explore related products
How to get to the airport
Amsterdam's main international airport is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), which is located 9 kilometres (5.6 miles) southwest of the city, in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer in the province of North Holland. It is the third-largest airport in Europe and the fourth busiest in terms of cargo tonnage.
By Train
The train is the most popular way to get to the airport. It is fast, inexpensive, and provides a direct connection without transfers. Trains depart from an underground train station easily accessible from the main arrivals hall. Trains to and from Amsterdam Central Station run eight times an hour, or once every 7.5 minutes. Depending on which train you catch, the ride takes 13-17 minutes. In the evening there are fewer trains, and during the night, between 1 am and 5 am, one train an hour leaves for the airport.
By Bus
The second most popular choice is the Amsterdam Airport Express Bus (Bus 397). This bus does not go to Central Station, but it stops near many hotels and guesthouses. At each of these stops, you can transfer to nearby streetcars or taxis. Tickets are €6.50 single and €11.75 return and are valid for up to 14 days. You need to purchase them in advance, either by printing your voucher or using a mobile ticket to board.
By Car
You can also get to the airport by taxi, private transfer, or rental car.
EWr Airport: Free Wifi Access for Travelers?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The airport's history
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the main international airport of the Netherlands and is one of the major hubs for the SkyTeam airline alliance. It is located 9 kilometres (5.6 miles) southwest of Amsterdam, in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer in the province of North Holland. It is the third-largest airport in Europe in terms of passenger volume, with almost 72 million passengers in 2019, and the busiest in Europe in terms of aircraft movements.
Civil aircraft were allowed to use the airfield from December 1920, and the airport began to grow during the interwar period, with the number of runways increasing to four by 1940. These asphalt landing strips were rather short by today's standards, with none exceeding 1,020 meters in length. However, these runways have since been extended or replaced to accommodate larger and heavier aircraft.
Over the years, Schiphol Airport has continued to expand and develop. In 1977, a new D-pier was opened to handle the increasing number of wide-body aircraft using the airport. The airport's first railway station also opened in 1978. As the airport expanded, a new air traffic control tower was constructed in 1991, as the old tower no longer had a view of the entire facility. Today, Schiphol Airport features six runways, with five serving commercial operations and the sixth serving general aviation, private jets, and helicopters. The airport has approximately 223 boarding gates, including eighteen double jetway gates for wide-body aircraft.
Lima Airport: Understanding its Vast Size and Importance
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The terminal and its facilities
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the main international airport of the Netherlands and is one of the major hubs for the SkyTeam airline alliance. It is located 9 kilometres (5.6 mi; 4.9 nmi) southwest of Amsterdam, in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer in the province of North Holland. It is the third-largest airport in Europe in terms of passenger volume, with almost 72 million passengers in 2019. The airport is built on the single-terminal concept: one large terminal divided into three departure halls, designated 1, 2, and 3, and eight concourses: B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and M. The piers and concourses of each hall are connected, so it is possible to walk between piers and halls on both sides of security or border inspection. However, border control separates Schengen from non-Schengen areas, and the low-cost pier M is an exception, as passengers cannot access other areas once they have passed security. Schiphol Airport has approximately 223 boarding gates, including eighteen double jetway gates for wide-body aircraft and two gates with a third jetway for handling the Airbus A380. The airport has a distinctive design, with the second jetway extending over the aircraft wing, hanging from a steel cantilever structure.
Schiphol Airport has a wide range of facilities to accommodate travellers. The airport features large shopping areas, primarily on the ground floor, including a large pre-security shopping centre called Schiphol Plaza, which connects the three terminal halls. The first floor hosts the luggage check-in lines, with many automated options, and various duty-free refund booths. Notable public artworks in the airport include the Schiphol clock by Maarten Baas, where a man behind a translucent screen appears to paint the minutes of an analog clock by hand.
The airport is easily accessible by public transport, with the underground train station located beneath the main arrivals hall. Trains to and from Amsterdam Central Station run eight times an hour, or once every 7.5 minutes, and the ride takes 13-17 minutes. Schiphol Airport is also served by the Amsterdam Airport Express Bus (Bus 397), which does not go to Central Station but stops near many hotels and accommodations. Tickets for the bus must be purchased in advance and are valid for up to 14 days.
In addition to its transport connections, Schiphol Airport offers a variety of other services to enhance the travel experience. These include the Delta Sky Club and partner lounges, providing comfortable waiting areas and exclusive benefits for eligible passengers. The airport also provides comprehensive information on flights, baggage, and travelling, ensuring that passengers have access to the latest updates and can navigate their way around the airport with ease.
Exploring SFO Airport's Pet Policies: Can You Bring Dogs?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Other airports in the Netherlands
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) is the main international airport of the Netherlands and the third-largest airport in Europe. It is located 9 kilometres (5.6 mi; 4.9 nmi) southwest of Amsterdam, in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer in the province of North Holland. It is the third busiest airport in Europe in terms of passenger volume, with almost 72 million passengers in 2019.
There are several other airports in the Netherlands, including:
Rotterdam The Hague Airport
Formerly known as Zestienhoven, this airport is located in the city of Rotterdam, which is in the south of the country. It is a smaller airport that offers scheduled passenger service.
Groningen Airport Eelde
This airport is located in the north of the Netherlands, serving the city of Groningen and the surrounding area. It is a small airport with a limited number of scheduled passenger flights.
Eindhoven Airport
Eindhoven Airport is located in the south of the Netherlands, in the province of North Brabant. It is a small airport that offers scheduled passenger service and is known for its low-cost carrier flights.
Maastricht Aachen Airport
Maastricht Aachen Airport is a small regional airport located in the southeast of the Netherlands, close to the German border. It offers some scheduled passenger flights, as well as charter and freight services.
In addition to the airports listed above, there are several former military airports in the Netherlands, such as Twente, De Peel, Valkenburg, and Soesterberg, which are now mainly used by gliders or have an uncertain future.
The History of Chatham Municipal Airport: Its Age and Story
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, also known as Schiphol Airport, is the main international airport in Amsterdam.
Schiphol Airport is located 9 kilometres (5.6 miles) southwest of Amsterdam, in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer in the province of North Holland.
You can get to Schiphol Airport from Amsterdam by train, bus, taxi, private transfer, or rental car. The train is the most popular option as it is fast, inexpensive, and provides a direct connection without transfers.
Schiphol Airport has large shopping areas, primarily on the ground floor, which serve as a source of revenue and an additional attraction for passengers. Notable public artworks in the airport include the Schiphol clock by Maarten Baas, in which a man behind a translucent screen appears to be painting the minutes of an analog clock by hand.
![Airport: The Complete Collection [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81-nvGF8wgL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
