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Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport is more than just a transit hub. With its range of shops, restaurants, spas, and cultural attractions, it's an attraction in itself. If you have a long layover, you can even take a tour of Amsterdam or explore the city on your own. If you'd rather stay at the airport, you can relax in one of the lounges, grab a bite to eat, or visit the branch of the renowned Rijksmuseum. Schiphol also offers free WiFi, meditation centres, and designated rest areas. Outside of the airport, there are plenty of hotel options available. So, whether you're looking to explore, relax, or just pass the time, Schiphol Airport has something for everyone.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Relaxation | Lounge chairs, showers, spas, meditation centre, reclining chairs, bean bag chairs, pre-recorded birdsongs, designated rest areas, sleep cabins, GoSleep Pods, hotels |
| Food and drinks | Heineken Bar, Taste From the Lowlands Grand Café, Kebaya, Upper Floor Bar, various restaurants and cafes |
| Entertainment | Rijksmuseum, Library, shopping, live music performances, fitness centre, pool, wellness facilities, duty-free shops, boutiques, tourist items, electronics, souvenirs |
| Transport | Train to Amsterdam Centraal, Bus Line 397 Amsterdam Express |
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What You'll Learn
Visit the city centre and explore downtown Amsterdam
If you have a long layover at Schiphol Airport, it's worth heading into the city centre and exploring downtown Amsterdam. The airport is located a quick transit ride from the city centre, with trains connecting to the city centre every 10-15 minutes. The train is the cheapest and fastest way to get downtown, taking around 14-18 minutes to reach Amsterdam Centraal station. However, if your hotel is near Olympic Stadium, Museumplein, or Leidseplein, it may be more convenient to take the bus. Bus Line 397 Amsterdam Express picks up directly in front of the airport.
Once you're in the city centre, there are plenty of things to see and do. You can visit the Royal Palace, stroll through the Red Light District, explore the Anne Frank House, or visit one of the many museums, such as the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum. If you're short on time, you can purchase an IAmsterdam City Card, which includes free entrance to major museums and attractions. You can also join a canal tour, which leaves directly from Amsterdam Centraal station and offers a 1-1.5 hour highlights tour.
If you have a layover of at least 6 hours, you can book a tour of Amsterdam that includes pick-up and drop-off at the airport. You can also book a private walking tour with a local who will meet you at the airport. Alternatively, you can explore the city on your own by purchasing a return ticket for the train or bus.
There are also plenty of nearby cities that you can visit, such as Zaanse Schans, Volendam, Marken, or Edam.
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Relax in one of the airport's many lounges
Schiphol Airport has a variety of lounges where you can relax and unwind. Lounges are no longer exclusive to first or business-class travellers. You can purchase a pass online or take advantage of lounge membership programmes.
If you're a KLM passenger, you can access one of the two KLM Crown Lounges at the airport. The Schengen Crown Lounge offers working areas, WiFi, showers, and a buffet, while the Non-Schengen Crown Lounge provides sleeping cabins.
The airport also has two Aspire Lounges. Lounge 41, which reopened in February 2024, offers comfortable seating, a small buffet, and shower facilities. It provides excellent views of the airfield, and access starts at €40 for a three-hour stay. Lounge 26 is for passengers flying within the Schengen Zone.
For a more exclusive experience, Schiphol Airport offers a paid VIP service with access to private lounges at the dedicated VIP centre, designed by Marcel Wanders. This option includes luxury transfers to the aircraft and starts at €585 for the first passenger and €360 for each additional passenger.
If you're looking for a quiet place to rest, Schiphol Airport also has designated rest areas with reclining seating options near Piers E and F and an upstairs rest area near the D gates. Additionally, the airport offers various spa services, including haircuts, mani-pedis, and massages.
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$11.05 $12.99
Indulge in some retail therapy at Schiphol Plaza
Schiphol Plaza is a shopper's paradise, with dozens of shops offering a wide variety of products to indulge in some much-needed retail therapy. Whether you're looking for fashion, electronics, books, chocolates, toys, sports gear, accessories, or typical Dutch souvenirs, you're sure to find something to suit your taste.
One unique feature of Schiphol Plaza is the Planes@Plaza shop, which is shaped like an airplane. Here, you can explore the cockpit of a real aircraft, take memorable selfies in the DC-10 jet engine, and browse a range of aviation-themed products. It's an experience you won't find anywhere else!
If you're feeling hungry after all that shopping, Schiphol Plaza has you covered. Indulge in a delicious pizza at Per Tutti, or explore the world of bubble tea with their famous drinks. For a quick bite, there are also several bars and cafes throughout the airport, offering a variety of Dutch and international options.
In addition to shopping, Schiphol Plaza provides easy access to essential services. You can freshen up with a shower at the airport, or treat yourself to a haircut, mani/pedi, or massage at one of the spas. If you need a quiet space to relax, head to the Meditation Centre near Gates F or the Airport Park in Lounge 1, Airside, featuring bean bag chairs and peaceful bird songs.
Whether you're a seasoned traveller or just passing through, Schiphol Plaza offers a diverse range of shopping and entertainment options to enhance your airport experience. So, whether you're treating yourself to something special or simply browsing, make sure to explore all that Schiphol Plaza has to offer!
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Take in some art at the airport's branch of the Rijksmuseum
If you're looking for something to do during a layover at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, you can take in some art at the airport's branch of the world-famous Rijksmuseum. The museum is located in the Schiphol terminal, in the area behind passport control, at Holland Boulevard, between piers E and F. It is free to enter, but identification is required. The museum is open from 7 am to 8 pm.
The airport outpost of the Rijksmuseum features 17th-century Dutch paintings in a proper museum setting. The exhibit space is small, but the exhibits are fantastic, featuring excellent examples of Dutch art, including paintings by Vincent van Gogh. The museum is a quiet oasis in the middle of the airport, and the museum shop offers high-quality souvenirs and gifts.
The Rijksmuseum Schiphol has featured various themes over the years, including "Sunny Skies in the Golden Age", "Brueghel in Business", "The Art of Flying - Bird Pieces by Melchior d'Hondecoeter", "Holland & Japan: 400 Years of Trade", and "Dutch Cows - Symbol of Prosperity".
If you have a layover of at least four hours, you can also head into Amsterdam's city centre and visit the main branch of the Rijksmuseum, along with other attractions such as the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House.
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Enjoy a drink and a bite to eat at one of the airport's bars and cafes
If you're looking for a place to sit down, relax, and enjoy a bite to eat and a refreshing drink, Schiphol Airport has a wide range of restaurants, cafes, and bars to choose from. Whether you're in the mood for a quick coffee, a hearty meal, or a relaxing drink, you'll be able to find something to suit your taste.
For coffee lovers, there are several options to choose from, including Sango Specialty Coffee, highly praised by customers for its amazing coffee and food, and De Koffieschenkerij, which serves delicious apple pie with cinnamon. Other popular cafes include Singel 404, where you can enjoy coffee, tea, or chocolate, and Greenwoods, known for its delicious caramel stroopwafels and friendly staff.
If you're feeling hungry, you can explore the extensive food and beverage options available at the airport, both before and after security. Indulge in Dutch cuisine at the Heineken Bar or Taste from the Lowlands Grand Café. For those craving Asian food, Kebaya offers a variety of dishes, from sushi to dumplings. Schiphol Plaza is home to a diverse range of dining options, including Café Rembrandt, Crossroads, and Happy Seafood.
In the mood for a drink? Head to the Upper Floor Bar for a refreshing beverage with a view of the planes. If you're looking for a unique airport experience, visit Holland Boulevard, which offers travellers a taste of Dutch culture. Here, you'll find the Dutch Kitchen, Bar & Cocktails, as well as an outpost of the world-famous Rijksmuseum, showcasing 17th-century Dutch paintings.
Schiphol Airport also has options to suit various dietary preferences and needs. For healthy options, the Health Food Wall in Schiphol Plaza is open 24 hours. For seafood lovers, Bubbles Seafood & Wine Bar in Lounge 2 offers a range of drinks and dishes. And if you're craving a burger, Burger King has multiple locations throughout the airport, including Schiphol Plaza and Lounge 1.
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Frequently asked questions
Schiphol Airport offers plenty of activities and amenities to keep you entertained during your layover. You can visit the branch of the renowned Rijksmuseum, which showcases Dutch art and culture. You can also explore the Airport Library, which offers a peaceful environment with comfortable seating and a collection of Dutch writers' works. If you want to relax, there are various lounges and wellness facilities available, including spas. For food and drinks, the airport has several restaurants and cafes, including the Heineken Bar and Taste From the Lowlands Grand Café.
The airport is located near the city centre, which you can reach by train or bus. The train departs every 10-15 minutes from under the airport terminal and will have you downtown in under 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the Bus Line 397 Amsterdam Express, which picks up directly in front of the airport.
Schiphol Airport offers a wide range of shopping options, including fashion, electronics, books, chocolates, toys, sports gear, accessories, and souvenirs. Schiphol Plaza, the public area before security, has a variety of shops and boutiques, including designer brands.
Yes, the airport has the Mercure Schiphol Terminal Hotel located airside in Lounge 3, offering overnight stays or day rooms. YotelAir in Lounge 2 provides sleep cabins in 4-hour increments. Both options provide shower facilities.
Schiphol Airport provides free WiFi throughout the airport. There are also rest zones with reclining chairs, a 24-hour Meditation Centre, an Airport Park with bean bag chairs, and the Panorama Terrace, offering views of aircraft. The airport also has spas and salons, providing services such as haircuts, mani/pedis, and massages.
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