Amsterdam Airport Departures

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

Schiphol Airport is the major Dutch airport, also ranking among the busiest airports in Europe. Modern and technologically advanced, it provides streamlined services, ensuring a smooth and pleasant travel experience for all passengers. The airport is located in the Haarlemmermeer area, about 21 km/13 miles from Amsterdam’s center. Housing a large number of airlines and handling flights to domestic, European, and intercontinental destinations, AMS Airport often gets busy, making procedures more time-consuming. Therefore, you should take a look at the Departures procedures and familiarize yourself with the available options to complete the process on time and hassle-free.

The Terminal Building

Amsterdam Airport is a single-terminal aviation hub. Its impressive terminal building houses both Departures and Arrivals for Schengen and non-Schengen destinations. Schiphol Plaza, the large shopping mall featuring shops, dining facilities, and meeting points, is centrally located, while Departures are divided into three sections, often referred to as separate terminals even though they are interconnected. They are spread across the terminal’s first floor. Departure Hall 1 houses Gates B, C, and D, while Departure Hall 2 shares part of Gates D with Hall 1 and also features Gates E. Finally, Gates F, G, and H/M are located in Departure Hall 3. Four lounges can be found among the Departure Halls, that is, waiting areas equipped with shops and eateries. Finally, the terminal’s Level 2 hosts several lounges and services, along with shopping and dining facilities. Passengers also have access to Gates D, E, F, and G from that floor.

Airlines Present at Schiphol Terminal

How Early to Arrive at Schiphol Airport

While the standard recommendation is to arrive at the airport 2 hours before a domestic or Schengen flight, and 3 hours before a non-Schengen air journey, this estimated time depends on various factors, such as the time of the day or the year (is Schiphol Airport busy during these hours and days?), whether you’ve checked in online or have luggage to drop, if you have booked a security timeslot, whether you want to explore the terminal’s airside services and facilities, and more. You can check the time your check-in opens through the airline’s app or the airport’s website. As long as you are at the airport when check-in opens, you should enjoy a stress-free travel experience without worrying about waiting lines. That being said, unless you arrive at the airport by train, you should also take traffic conditions into account when planning your journey to Amsterdam Airport.

Departure Procedures at Amsterdam Airport

Ready to start your journey from Amsterdam Airport? First, you should check which Departure Hall you’re leaving from so that you can proceed to the correct part of the terminal. The first step in flying from the airport is check-in. You have three options for your check-in. Online check-in is generally recommended to save time at the airport. Even more so, you should opt for web check-in if you don’t have luggage to drop off, as you can head directly to the security checkpoints. Online check-in typically opens 1-2 days before the flight. You can print your boarding pass or keep it on your electronic device, ready for scanning. Please note that some airlines may charge passengers a printing fee when using the check-in counters. In any case, check-in counters are available in all departure areas, where travelers can check in and drop off their baggage. The check-in desks assigned to each flight are indicated on information boards throughout the Departures area, as well as via the website and Schiphol app. Your last option is the self-service check-in, offering a much speedier procedure than checking in at the counters. Self-service check-in machines can be found in the check-in zones. The yellow self-service machines are dedicated to passengers flying with KLM or a SkyTeam member airline, while the blue machines serve passengers traveling with other airlines. Self bag-drop points are also available. However, not all airlines offer this service.

Regardless of the check-in method, the next step is security screening. All passengers, along with their hand luggage and personal items, must be scanned for security reasons. Schiphol Airport is equipped with CT scanners. Thus, electronics can remain inside bags and don’t need to be removed and placed in trays. To speed up the process, you can book a timeslot up to 3 days before your flight. Note that, depending on passenger traffic at the airport, available timeslots may be limited. Therefore, it is advised to book your timeslot well in advance. Have you booked the most suitable available timeslot for your flight — the airport suggests the best option? You must arrive at the security checkpoint 15 minutes earlier or up to 15 minutes later than this time. As soon as you reach the security control point, you’ll scan your boarding pass and proceed to the Timeslot line. The airport staff will scan your QR code and begin the process. You can book a timeslot for yourself or even for your family or travel companions at once.

Travelers flying to non-Schengen destinations must also go through border control after completing security screening, where their passports and any other documents required by the destination will be checked. For example, you may need to issue a visa, or an ESTA if you’re flying to the USA, while if you’re traveling with a minor, you’ll be asked to present a parental permission form. It’s important to keep in mind that travelers flying to the USA may have to go through a second checkpoint as well. Hence, if you’re traveling to the USA, you should allow some extra time just in case.

Passport control is operated by the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, a branch of the Dutch Armed Forces. Note that your passport may need to be valid for a certain period beyond your flight, depending on your destination. Make sure to check the requirements of the country you’re traveling to. EU citizens traveling with a passport equipped with a microchip, who are 14 years of age or older, can use the automatic passport scanners (eGates) and speed up the process considerably. If you’re eligible to use the service, make sure you join the correct waiting line.

Are you a Privium member? If you hold a Privium Card, you can enjoy priority security screening and border control, along with other privileges and services provided.

After security screening — and passport control for non-Schengen travelers — passengers reach the airside part of the terminal. There, they can spend their spare time exploring the airport’s dining and shopping options, as well as discovering the available services and facilities. Make sure to allow sufficient time to walk to your boarding gate. Overall, you’ll need about 5-12 minutes to reach the departure gate from the security checkpoint. Moreover, you should keep in mind that while boarding gates are displayed on the flight information screens (as well as on the website and Schiphol app) about 40 minutes before the flight, they may change without prior warning. However, you can receive notifications via WhatsApp and the Schiphol app.

Our Tip: The airport’s website and the Schiphol app provide useful information about every step of the Departure procedures, including the Departure Hall, the check-in desks assigned to your flight, waiting times at check-in, bag drop, and security control, as well as the boarding gate, the aircraft type, how you’ll reach it (for example, if a bus is needed from the gate), and the gate number. Gate changes are also provided, and you can activate notifications about your itinerary from check-in to boarding, either via WhatsApp or through the Schiphol app.

The Terminal’s Services and Amenities

Do you have some time to spare before your flight? While Amsterdam Airport is one of the few airports offering several retail and dining options landside (at Schiphol Plaza), it also features a number of facilities airside. Apart from the wide variety of shopping and dining options, the airport offers play areas, a library, several art collections, and the famous Rijksmuseum Schiphol. Additionally, the interactive touch-screen Future Case provides a fascinating insight into aviation history, while you can also unwind at the meditation center, work at the terminal’s workstations, or make use of the meeting rooms. Massage chairs, spa establishments, lounges, shower facilities, and airside-located airport hotels are also available. Last but not least, Amsterdam Airport houses the Panorama Terrace on the terminal’s upper floor, ideal for planespotting, as well as the Airport Park, an oasis with trees, recorded bird songs, and exercise bicycles right inside Lounge 1 of the AMS terminal.

How to Arrive at Amsterdam Airport

How will you make your way from Amsterdam to Schiphol Airport for your flight? Travelers looking for comfort usually pick up a taxi, opt for a ride-hailing service, or book a luxurious private airport transfer. Alternatively, Bus 397 connects the city to AMS Airport, while other bus lines offer connections from different parts of Amsterdam and its surrounding areas. Night routes are also available. Additionally, buses travel from other Dutch cities as well as from various European destinations, with Schiphol Airport among their stops. That being said, train rides are one of the most favored options to reach the airport. Trains run frequently from  Amsterdam Centraal Station, located centrally in the city, to Schiphol and offer journeys that are unaffected by traffic conditions.

The Kiss & Ride Zone

If you want to drop off passengers for an upcoming flight from AMS Airport, you should bear in mind that parking in front of the terminal is prohibited. Thus, you have two options when arriving at the airport. If you want to take your time to drop off the passengers and perhaps escort them to the Departure Hall, you should use the P1 Pick-up and Drop-off Car Park, located just a few minutes from the terminal’s doors. The area is partially covered, monitored, and features charging stations for electric vehicles. Parking spaces are generally available; thus, you don’t need to make a prior reservation. As soon as you enter the parking lot, you’ll receive a parking ticket, which you’ll need to use to pay your parking fees once you’re ready to leave the airport. The parking lot charges 2.50€/2.70$ for every 20 minutes of parking.

Alternatively, if you want to just drop off travelers and unload their luggage, you can use the Kiss & Ride zone. It is located right outside the Departures area. Drivers can stop there for a short period of time, just for passengers to get out, but they are not allowed to leave the vehicle. Parking there is restricted and may result in a fine. You can use the area free of charge, without a previous booking. Numerous road signs will show you the way to the Kiss & Ride zone as soon as you enter the airport’s premises.

Departure Changes & Cancellations

Stay updated on all changes to the flight timetable at Schiphol Airport and plan your journey for your upcoming flight accordingly. Why arrive early at the airport and waste your time waiting? Although AMS offers ample shopping, dining, and other services, keeping track of flight delays and cancellations lets you spend only as much time as necessary enjoying the facilities. Therefore, check our flight status table and make your arrangements for a stress-free trip to the airport.

Alternatively, the airport’s website and the Schiphol app can offer you useful information on Departure procedures. By selecting your flight from the departures timetable, you can access your itinerary and check the procedures that must be followed, the waiting time during each step, gate changes, and more. In fact, if you want to receive constant updates, you can activate notifications via WhatsApp or the Schiphol app.

FAQs

How early should I arrive at Amsterdam Airport?

Overall, passengers are advised to arrive at Schiphol Airport two hours before departure for a flight to a domestic (or Schengen) destination and three hours before an international (non-Schengen) flight. That being said, you can check the opening times of check-in desks through the airport website or the Schiphol app. If you are at the airport when check-in for your flight opens, you will have adequate time to complete departure procedures.

How many departure terminals are there at Amsterdam Airport?

Amsterdam Airport is a single-terminal airport. Still, although departures and arrivals are located in the same building, Departures, covering its first and second levels, are spread over three areas (Departure Hall 1, Departure Hall 2, and Departure Hall 3), often referred to as different terminals. However, they are part of the same terminal and are interconnected.

How do I check in at Schiphol?

The most popular option for travelers flying from Schiphol Airport to check in is online. This way, they have their boarding pass on their mobile or electronic devices and don’t need to wait at the counters. Still, check-in counters can be found in all Departure Halls. Moreover, self-service check-in machines are located nearby, allowing passengers to issue and print their boarding passes themselves.