AMS · Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands · International Hub

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Guide

Terminals, minimum connection times, ground transport, parking, lounges, and layover advice for Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), every figure cited to the airport's own data.

Quick answer

  • Terminals: 1 terminal, airside-connected
  • Minimum connection time: 40 min domestic, 50 min international to domestic
  • Arrive: 1 hr 30 min before domestic, 2 hr 30 min before international
  • To Amsterdam: about 15 min one-way
  • Free WiFi: Yes · Showers: Yes · Sleep pods: Yes

Terminals & connections

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has 1 terminal. All are airside-connected; you can transfer between them without re-clearing security. Best-in-class single-terminal design; all piers airside-connected.

Single terminal (Piers B, C, D, E, F, G, H, M)

16 airlines: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Air France, United Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, and more

Single-terminal design with 8 piers; KLM's global hub. Schengen/non-Schengen split at passport control.

Minimum connection times

Domestic to domestic
40 min
Domestic to international
50 min
International to domestic
50 min
International to international
50 min
Transfer system
Walking / moving walkways (all piers airside-connected)
Airside connected
Yes

Layover helper

Interactive tool

Enter your layover details and we will tell you whether you have a tight connection, a comfortable connection, or enough time to leave AMS.

Security & TSA

Typical TSA wait at AMS is 30 minutes at peak and 10 minutes off-peak. Arrive at least 1 hr 30 min before a domestic flight and 2 hr 30 min before international.

TSA PreCheck
Not available
CLEAR
Not available
Global Entry
Not available

Schiphol Privium (paid) for expedited control. E-gates for many non-EU passports including US.

Lounges

1 notable lounge at AMS, including airline-branded clubs and third-party options accessible via Priority Pass or day-pass. Check your credit card benefits (Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X) before paying a day-pass fee.

KLM Crown Lounge

Non-Schengen (Lounge 52)

KLM / SkyTeam

Access: Business Class, SkyTeam Elite Plus

Amenities: Showers, Bar, Workspaces

Amenities

7 of 7 core amenities available at AMS: showers, sleep pods, free WiFi, nursing rooms, chapel, pharmacy, pet relief. Free WiFi quality is rated very good. Dining options span 1 terminal.

Showers

Available

KLM Crown, Aspire, YotelAir

Sleep pods

Available (from $50/hr)

YotelAir Lounge 1 airside

WiFi

Free (very good)

Unlimited free WiFi.

Nursing rooms

Available

Multiple locations

Chapel

Available

Meditation Centre

Pet relief areas

Available

Pet relief areas

Dining highlights

Lounge 2: Bubbles Seafood & Wine Bar, Mercator

Ground transport to Amsterdam

AMS is about 15 min from downtown Amsterdam by the fastest transit option.

Option Cost Time
NS Intercity to Amsterdam Centraal
Train
Direct NS train (€5.90). Every 10 min; 24/7.
 $6-$7 15-20 min
Uber/Bolt
Rideshare
 $35-$65 20-45 min
Connexxion 397
Bus
Express to central Amsterdam.
 $7 30-40 min

Parking

AMS parking ranges from $20/day economy to $100/day short-term. Short-term is expensive; use P-long stay. Prices in approximate USD.

Short-term
$100/day
Long-term
$35/day
Economy
$20/day
Valet
Not available

Can I leave AMS during a layover?

Yes, AMS is close enough to Amsterdam that a 3-hour layover is workable. With 6+ hours, you have time to see part of Amsterdam. Round-trip to the city center is about 30 min plus re-screening on return.

15-min train to Amsterdam Centraal makes 3+ hour layovers viable for a quick canal walk.

Overnight layover hotels

  • citizenM Schiphol Airport
    On-airport, walkable
    $$
  • Sheraton Schiphol
    On-airport, walkable
    $$$

Frequently asked questions

How early should I arrive at AMS?

Arrive at least 90 minutes before a domestic flight from AMS, and 150 minutes before an international flight. Peak-time TSA waits at AMS can hit 30+ minutes, so add buffer.

What is the minimum connection time at AMS?

AMS requires at least 40 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 50 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. All concourses are airside-connected, so you do not need to re-clear security when changing concourses.

How long does it take to get between terminals at AMS?

Budget 10 min for same-terminal transfers and 15 min for different-terminal transfers at AMS via Walking / moving walkways (all piers airside-connected). Best-in-class single-terminal design; all piers airside-connected.

Can I leave AMS during a 3-hour layover?

Yes, AMS is close enough to Amsterdam that 3-hour layovers are workable. Round-trip to the city center is about 30 minutes plus re-screening. 15-min train to Amsterdam Centraal makes 3+ hour layovers viable for a quick canal walk.

Does AMS have showers?

Yes, AMS has showers at KLM Crown, Aspire, YotelAir.

Does AMS have sleep pods?

Yes. YotelAir Lounge 1 airside offers private sleep rooms starting around $50/hour.

Is WiFi free at AMS?

Yes. AMS offers free WiFi throughout the airport. Unlimited free WiFi.

What is the cheapest way to get from AMS to Amsterdam?

The cheapest option is typically NS Intercity to Amsterdam Centraal at $6-$7, taking 15-20 minutes. Direct NS train (€5.90). Every 10 min; 24/7.

Is there TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at AMS?

AMS does not support TSA PreCheck and does not have CLEAR. Typical peak-hour wait is 30 minutes. Schiphol Privium (paid) for expedited control. E-gates for many non-EU passports including US.

Where should I eat at AMS during a layover?

Notable dining at AMS includes Bubbles Seafood & Wine Bar (Lounge 2), Mercator (Lounge 2).

How much does parking cost at AMS?

AMS parking rates: $100/day short-term, $35/day long-term, $20/day economy. Short-term is expensive; use P-long stay. Prices in approximate USD.

Is there a hotel at AMS for overnight layovers?

Yes. citizenM Schiphol Airport is on-airport (On-airport, walkable) in the $$ price band. This is the easiest option for overnight layovers or early-morning departures since you can reach the terminal on foot without a shuttle or rideshare.

Are there pet relief areas at AMS?

Yes. Pet relief areas.

Is there a chapel or prayer room at AMS?

Yes. Meditation Centre. Non-denominational.

Compare AMS to other airports

See how AMS ranks against the other 69 airports in our dataset.

Best for layovers AMS ranks well for quick layovers With sleep pods AMS has YotelAir Lounge 1 airside from $50/hr Shortest MCT AMS dom-to-dom: 40 min · intl-to-dom: 50 min

Airlines operating at AMS

Look up baggage policies for any airline flying out of AMS.

Pack for your Amsterdam trip

Destination packing lists for cities served by AMS.

Compare other airports

Sources & verification

Verified 2026-04-14. Airport operations, parking rates, and amenities change; always confirm with Amsterdam Airport Schiphol before flying.