Things to do during a layover at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (2023)

FAQs

Can you leave Amsterdam airport during a layover? ›

These factors may cut into your layover time. So considering all of this if you are left with 5 hours or more you can definitely leave the Amsterdam Airport. If you have 4 hours, you can leave but you will not be able to see as much. Under 4 hours I would not recommend leaving the airport, unfortunately.

Go to the Museum Quarter In Amsterdam

The Museum Quarter is where the most popular and best-known museums in Amsterdam are situated. The three famous museums are the Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art, and the Van Gogh Museum. You can book a guided tour to see the museums.

While 4 hours can allow you some time to see the city, we recommend at least a 6-hour layover in Amsterdam. A 6-7 hour layover will allow you to comfortably see Amsterdam without having to snap a quick picture of the nearest canal before rushing back to the airport.

"The minimum required transfer time at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is 40 minutes for Schengen flights and 50 minutes for non-Schengen flights. Please note, though, that if you travel to a non-Schengen country, you'll need to go through additional security and passport checks.

The short answer is yes. It is possible to exit and reenter the airport. Whether or not you should depends on a range of factors, including if you're traveling internationally or domestically and how much time you have between flights.

If you have some hours to spend at the airport while waiting for your connecting flight, hitting the lounge is one of the best ways to enjoy your time. These days, major airports offer a plethora of facilities like sleeping pods, gyms and spas. Some lounges also offer free drinks and snacks for all the members.

Yes, you can leave the airport during domestic layovers. For instance, if you're a US citizen and have a layover within the country, it is legal and safe to leave the airport. Be aware that you'll probably be getting two boarding passes if the domestic layover is more than an hour.

If you stay at Schiphol during your transfer, you do not need a new negative COVID-19 test result. The test result you had upon arrival at Schiphol remains valid during your transfer, including any potential delays.

Do airlines provide free hotels for layovers over 8 hours long? ›

Most airlines only provide free hotel accommodations for passengers that have a layover between 8-12 hours or overnight. However, each airline is different, so be sure to check your carrier's website.

Be sure your layover is at least five hours to give yourself time to explore and find your way back to the main train station (Amsterdam Centraal); the city is compact, but it's also easy to get lost in the maze of narrow, winding streets and canals.

If you do have an overnight layover and will be spending the night at the airport, remember your options. You can stay in an airport hotel both within transit or on the public side, you could sleep or rest in the airport terminal itself.

Amsterdam Airport Hotels, Sleep Pods & Day Rooms

Sleep pods, perfect for single travellers seeking some privacy, are also available. A number of nearby hotels can be found within walking distance or connected by free airport shuttles.

On a domestic flight you are limited to a 4 hour connection which does not leave much time to leave the airport for sightseeing. If you are connecting from an international flight to a domestic flight then a layover is defined by the airlines as no more than 23 hours and providing ample to time for sightseeing.

The minimum required transfer time at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is 40 minutes for Schengen flights and 50 minutes for non-Schengen flights. Please note, though, that if you travel to a non-Schengen country, you'll need to go through additional security and passport checks.

During these 4 to 6 hours in Amsterdam, we suggest you go to the red light district, as it's less than 5 minutes walking from the central station. It's the most famous (or infamous?) part of Amsterdam, and it's home to the oldest building in town – Oude Kerk (yes, a church, the old church).

For connecting domestic flights, you almost never have to exit and reenter security, though there are some exceptions at airports where the terminals aren't all connected. For domestic-to-international connection, it's still pretty rare that you have to exit and reenter security, even if you're changing terminals.

In general, if you're on a domestic flight, once you land for your layover, you'll pass through a transfer area that will take you to the gate for your next flight without having to check in again. Your bags will automatically pass through to the next flight without you having to collect them.

What are the rules for layover? ›

Most airlines define a layover as any connection of less than 4 hours on a domestic flight or less than 24 hours on an international flight. Rules about when stopovers are allowed varies by airline, and it will often depend on whether the ticket is an award ticket or a paid ticket.

A layover is a connection that lasts no longer than 4 hours for domestic flights and no longer than 24 hours for International flights. Layovers are fairly common, especially overnight layovers, but usually they aren't long enough to benefit you.

A layover is what happens when you take a flight from one place to another, with a stop in the middle. During a layover, your first flight will be to the layover destination, and then you can fly from the layover airport to your final destination.

How long does a layover need to be to leave the airport? Because layovers are your choice, you can leave whenever you like, but seasoned travelers, including McGee, seldom leave airports for less than six hours.

Consider On-Site Hotels and Sleep Pods

It's not uncommon to find popular chains such as Hilton, Sheraton and Hyatt inside airports around the world. In some cases, inside means the hotel is actually inside the terminal, bypassing the inconvenience of going through customs and/or security.

Many (but not all) countries that require visas do not require them if you're simply transiting through the airport. You bypass customs and immigration, so you never get stamped into the country, but you can't leave the airport during your layover.

Each airline, and even sometimes each airport, will have different rules about what is and is not allowed. As a general rule, most airlines will NOT automatically check your luggage through for an overnight connection. You will normally need collect your luggage when you land, and re-check it the following morning.

Can you book a connecting flight and get off at a layover? You need to not check any bags, AND it needs to be on the last leg of your itinerary. If you check bags, they will go to the destination you are ticketed for. If you don't board your connection, the airline will cancel any remaining portion of your itinerary.

If you are transiting through 2 different Schengen airports for onward travel to a country outside Schengen and the first transit airport is in the Netherlands, you need to apply for a short-stay Schengen visa.

Do I need a transit visa using KLM? ›

If you are flying with KLM, you may need a transit visa depending on your destination. Please check with the embassy or consulate of your destination country to see if you need a transit visa.

It's important that you get tested on time before arriving at the airport. It's also possible to take a PCR or rapid antigen test at Schiphol, but you will need to make an appointment first at Test2fly.

In most cases, a 30-minute layover for domestic flights and an hour for international flights is considered a minimum, or short, layover.

What happens if a flight is delayed and you miss your connection? If you miss your connection due to a delay, usually the airline is responsible for providing you with a replacement flight to your destination. They will have to book you on the earliest possible flight available.

You then need to walk from the gate to passport control and the luggage/customs area – this process can take anything up to 60 minutes, depending on gate location and immigration queues. Obviously if you have checked luggage to pick-up this will slow you down a few more minutes.

10 hour layover in Amsterdam

If you don't spend too long browsing Van Gogh's amazing paintings you'll have time for a swift tour and tasting or two at the House of Bols Cocktail and Genever Experience. To enter the Van Gogh Museum you need to pre-book online and state the starting time of your visit.

Many airports where layovers are common include these facilities as they want the layover passengers to feel comfortable. You can get your batteries charged and energized by having a hot shower or getting yourself a massage to relax after a tiresome flight.

A lounge can be a great way to pass the time on long layovers since they're often much less crowded and quieter than the general terminal, giving you a chance to relax, work or even nap between flights.

Many of the best Priority Pass lounges in the world are open 24/7, which makes catching a cat nap (or more) very easy. Keep in mind that some lounges frown upon people sleeping there, and many also have time limits on how long you can stay, so factor this into consideration when planning out your night.

In most airports, you have to two options: sleeping on the bench seating, or taking to the floor. You may need to explore a few gates or terminals to find the right spot. The best bet would be armrest-free rows of seating or recliners you can stretch out on.

Do airports have resting rooms? ›

Airport Sleeping pods (sometimes called nap pods) provide travelers with a place where they can rest and sleep. These sleep pods are capsule-shaped beds, built-in different airports across the world.

Yes, and you can also fly if you have not (yet) been vaccinated. A coronavirus vaccination is not a requirement to be able to travel. However, do check the travel advisory for your destination before departure. You can find it on Netherlandsworldwide.nl or you can contact your airline.

The short answer is yes. It is possible to exit and reenter the airport. Whether or not you should depends on a range of factors, including if you're traveling internationally or domestically and how much time you have between flights.

During these 4 to 6 hours in Amsterdam, we suggest you go to the red light district, as it's less than 5 minutes walking from the central station. It's the most famous (or infamous?) part of Amsterdam, and it's home to the oldest building in town – Oude Kerk (yes, a church, the old church).

If you are transiting through 2 different Schengen airports for onward travel to a country outside Schengen and the first transit airport is in the Netherlands, you need to apply for a short-stay Schengen visa.

Normally, when layover flights are booked with the same airline, your baggage will be automatically transferred through to your final destination. However, if the two flights are with different airlines, you may have to claim and re-check your baggage during your layover.

If you live in India and want to apply for an airport transit visa for the Netherlands, find out about the rules and how to apply. As of 17 September 2022, there are no longer any COVID-19 entry rules for travellers to the Netherlands.

On a domestic flight you are limited to a 4 hour connection which does not leave much time to leave the airport for sightseeing. If you are connecting from an international flight to a domestic flight then a layover is defined by the airlines as no more than 23 hours and providing ample to time for sightseeing.

Yes, you can leave the airport during domestic layovers. For instance, if you're a US citizen and have a layover within the country, it is legal and safe to leave the airport. Be aware that you'll probably be getting two boarding passes if the domestic layover is more than an hour.

For connecting domestic flights, you almost never have to exit and reenter security, though there are some exceptions at airports where the terminals aren't all connected. For domestic-to-international connection, it's still pretty rare that you have to exit and reenter security, even if you're changing terminals.

Does Schiphol Airport have sleeping pods? ›

Luckily Schiphol airport has some nice comfortable sleeping pods to make sure that flyers can feel refreshed on their return to flying once again. Staying in a sleeping pod is a completely new experience for some people and it is like moving from economy class to first class for first-timers.