Owais Crawford
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, known informally as Schiphol Airport, is the main international airport of the Netherlands. Located 9 kilometres (5.6 miles) southwest of Amsterdam, it is one of the largest and busiest airports in Europe and the world. With almost 75 million passengers annually, Schiphol is a major hub for several airlines, including KLM, Transavia, and EasyJet. The airport has a unique single-terminal concept, with one large terminal divided into three departure halls and six runways. Schiphol's history dates back to 1916 when it opened as a military airbase, and it has since become a pivotal aviation hub, paving the way for sustainable initiatives and ranking highly for passenger traffic and cargo throughput.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Amsterdam Airport Schiphol |
| Location | 9 kilometres southwest of Amsterdam |
| Municipality | Haarlemmermeer |
| Province | North Holland |
| Area | 6,887 acres |
| Terminals | 1 |
| Departure Halls | 3 |
| Runways | 6 |
| Airlines | KLM, Transavia, Easyjet, Ryanair, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Corendon Dutch Airlines, TUI fly Netherlands, Martinair, etc. |
| Year of Opening | 16 September 1916 |
| Initial Function | Military Airbase |
| Year of Opening to Civilian Aircraft | 17 December 1920 |
| Passenger Traffic Ranking | Third busiest airport in Europe, Eleventh busiest airport in the world |
| Passenger Volume | 71,706,999 passengers in 2019 |
| IATA Code | AMS |
| ICAO Code | EHAM |
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What You'll Learn
Schiphol Airport is 9km southwest of Amsterdam
Schiphol Airport is located 9km southwest of Amsterdam, in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer, North Holland. It is the main international airport of the Netherlands and one of the largest and busiest airports in Europe.
The airport is built on land that was once a large lake. After the lake was dredged in the mid-1800s, a fortification named Fort Schiphol was built, and the airport opened as a military airbase in 1916. It became accessible to civilian aircraft in 1920 and has since expanded to become one of the world's largest airports.
Schiphol Airport is known for its unique single-terminal concept, with one large terminal divided into three departure halls and six runways. Its proximity to Amsterdam, approximately 9km away, makes it a popular choice for visitors to the city. The airport offers various transportation options, including train, bus, and taxi services, providing easy access to the city centre and surrounding areas.
With a high volume of passenger traffic, Schiphol Airport is a major hub for airlines such as KLM, Transavia, and EasyJet. Its convenient location and efficient transport system make it a preferred gateway to Amsterdam and the Netherlands for travellers from around the world.
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It's the Netherlands' main international airport
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, known informally as Schiphol Airport, is the main international airport of the Netherlands. It is located 9 kilometres (5.6 miles) southwest of Amsterdam, in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer in the province of North Holland. Schiphol Airport is the third busiest airport in Europe in terms of passenger traffic, with almost 72 million passengers in 2019. It is built on what was once a large lake, and at three metres below sea level, it is one of the world's lowest airports.
Initially constructed in 1916 as a military airbase, Schiphol Airport opened to civilian aircraft in 1920. It has since grown to become one of the world's largest airports, with one terminal building split into three departure halls and six runways, one of which handles the majority of the air traffic. The airport is home to several intercontinental airlines, including KLM, Transavia, and Martinir, and is known for its efficient transit system.
The terminal at Schiphol Airport is divided into three sections or halls designated 1, 2, and 3, with approximately 223 boarding gates. The airport adopted a distinctive design, with the second jetway extending over the aircraft wing, hanging from a steel cantilever structure. Gradual refurbishments have replaced these jetways with a more conventional layout. The one-terminal concept means passengers never have to leave the building when changing planes, making navigation relatively straightforward.
Schiphol Airport has a range of parking options, including short-term, long-term, and valet services. It is easily accessible by car, located on the two freeways, A4 and A9. However, due to its proximity to Amsterdam, traffic jams can occur during rush hours. For travellers, the most convenient way to reach Amsterdam or other major destinations in the Netherlands from the airport is by train, with most destinations reachable directly or with one change.
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It's one of the world's busiest airports
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, known informally as Schiphol Airport, is located 9 kilometres (5.6 miles) southwest of Amsterdam, in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer in the province of North Holland. It is the main international airport of the Netherlands and is one of the major hubs for the SkyTeam airline alliance.
Schiphol Airport is one of the world's busiest airports. In 2017, it was ranked as Europe's third busiest and the world's eleventh busiest by total passenger traffic. By 2023, it had risen to become the world's third busiest airport by international passenger traffic. With almost 72 million passengers in 2019, it is the third busiest airport in Europe in terms of passenger volume and the busiest in Europe in terms of aircraft movements. The airport covers a total area of 6,887 acres of land and has approximately 223 boarding gates.
The airport is built on the single-terminal concept: one large terminal is split into three departure halls. Schiphol Airport is home to KLM, the world's oldest airline still operating under its original name, as well as the airlines Transavia and Martinir. It is one of only eleven airports worldwide that are below sea level, with its lowest point sitting at 3.4 metres below sea level.
The airport includes a large shopping centre, a variety of restaurants and fast-food places, and even a small annex of the Rijksmuseum, which can be visited free of charge. Schiphol has a convenient public transport system, making it a popular airport for travellers.
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The airport was a former military airbase
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, located 9 kilometres (5.6 miles) southwest of Amsterdam, is the main international airport of the Netherlands. It is one of the world's largest airports, covering a total area of 6,887 acres of land.
The airport was initially constructed in 1916 as a military airbase, with a few barracks and a field serving as runways. The first military aircraft landed on 19 September 1916, marking the start of Schiphol's service as a military airfield. By 1917, Schiphol was one of the largest airports in Europe. After the First World War, Schiphol remained a military base, but the fighter planes were used to transport cargo, mail, and passengers.
In 1920, the airport opened to civilian aircraft, and it was often called Schiphol-les-bains. The Fokker aircraft manufacturer started a factory near Schiphol Airport in 1919. On 1 April 1926, ownership of the airport was transferred from the Ministry of War to the city of Amsterdam. This transfer of ownership was in preparation for the 1928 Olympic Games, which were to be held in Amsterdam. The airfield and access roads were improved, a new concrete platform was built, and the first terminal was constructed, along with an air traffic control tower.
During World War II, the airport was captured by the German military and renamed Fliegerhorst Schiphol. Despite the installation of anti-aircraft defences and the construction of fake decoy airfields, the airfield was extensively bombed by Allied forces. A particularly heavy attack on 13 December 1943 rendered the airfield unusable as an active base. After that, it served only as an emergency landing field until the Germans destroyed the remnants of the airfield at the start of Operation Market Garden.
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It's accessible by train, bus, taxi, and car
Schiphol Airport is located in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. It is easily accessible by several means of transportation, including train, bus, taxi, and car.
By Train
The train is a popular option for travellers going to and from Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam Central Station. It is inexpensive, fast, and provides a direct connection without transfers. Trains depart from an underground train station, which is easily accessible from the main arrivals hall, and arrive underneath the airport. There are eight trains per hour, and the journey takes approximately 13 to 17 minutes.
By Bus
The Amsterdam Airport Express bus, also known as Bus 397, is another option for travellers. During the day, it departs every 7.5 minutes between 7:20 am and 12:44 am. At night, the Niteliner N97 bus runs every 30 minutes between 1:15 am and 4:44 am. The bus ride from the airport to the city takes about 41 minutes.
By Taxi
Taxis are also available to and from Schiphol Airport. Official Schiphol Taxi offers a smart, safe, and relatively affordable way to travel. You can book a taxi online, providing your contact information and flight details, and receive a confirmation and invoice via email.
By Car
Travellers can also opt to rent a car at Schiphol Airport or in Amsterdam. However, driving in the city can be challenging due to construction projects, detours, and steep parking fees. It may be more convenient to use a rental car for travelling outside of Amsterdam rather than within the city itself.
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Frequently asked questions
Schiphol Airport is located 9 kilometres (5.5 miles) southwest of Amsterdam, in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer in the province of North Holland.
There are several ways to get to Schiphol Airport from Amsterdam. You can take a train, bus, taxi, or drive. The train is the most convenient option for most travellers, with direct services to the airport from Amsterdam Centraal (Central) and Amsterdam Zuid (South).
The IATA code for Schiphol Airport is AMS.
Schiphol Airport offers a variety of shopping, restaurant, and rest options. It is also known for its efficient transit system, with clear signage and minimal queues.
