Schiphol airport Amsterdam is one of the most important airports in Europe. The airport consists of 4 main sections, namely Departure, Arrival, Baggage and Panorama Terrace. The uniqueness that often confuses many travelers is the division of the Schengen and Non-Schengen areas at the airport during transit. Not to worry, everything is explained here.
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Departure Hall
Departures are part of the airport from which the traveler departs. Schiphol airport has 4 departure locations namely Departure 1A, Departure 1, Departure 2 and Departure 3.
In principle, all departure locations are connected, and passengers can walk from one departure location to another. However, it will save more time if passengers get off at the correct departure location according to the airline used.
Generally, you will be advised to arrive at the departure hall no more than 4 hours before departure. However, Schiphol is a busy airport, so many travelers arrive early to avoid being late. If you are an early arriving traveler, it is recommended to wait at Schiphol Plaza until it is time to check in at the appropriate departure hall.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Arrival Hall
The arrival hall is the location where passengers arrive. If you’re coming to Schiphol to meet family, friends or someone else, Arrival Hall is the place to go.
There are 4 arrivals sections in the hall, namely arrival 1, arrival 2, arrival 3 and arrival 4. If you are hungry when you arrive at the airport, there are quite a lot of food/beverage vendors in this arrival hall, including Grand Café Plaza, De Koffiesalon , Urban Beans, Leon, De Verspillingsfabriek, Per Tutti, Stach, Happy Seafood, and Starbucks.
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Schiphol Plaza
Schiphol plaza is on the same floor as the Arrival hall. Once you enter the arrival hall, you will see the Schiphol Plaza sign in blue and orange. It’s not hard to find the location.
Schiphol plaza is accessible to the public.
Baggage Hall
If you have luggage with you, then the first thing you need to do after exiting the plane at the arrival gate is to proceed to Baggage Hall.
Follow the “Baggage Hall” sign directions, using the escalator or elevator provided. You are arriving at departure hall, and baggage hall is 1 level below at the same level with the arrival hall.
This Bagage Hall is available by dividing the luggage belt into three sections, namely belt numbers 1 to 7, then belt numbers 8 – 14 and the last belt number 15 – 23 are separately on the other side of this baggage hall, you can reach it on foot.
Panorama Terrace Schiphol Airport Amsterdam
Panorama terrace is a unique place in Schiphol airport. This location allows you to watch the movement of aircraft at this airport from arrival, preparation for take off, to the time of taking off.
Follow the sign “Panorama Terrace”, written in yellow. As long as you follow the directions, it’s not difficult to reach the panoramic terrace location. Keep in mind, Panorama Terrace has operating hours (see below):
Panorama terrace is open for public, and the entrance for public is at the Departure 1 Hall.
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How to Transfer at Schipol Airport Amsterdam
Follow the Transfer sign provided at the airport. The sign will look like below:
What Makes Transfer is Unique at Schiphol ?
Schiphol is divided into 2 areas, namely Schengen and Non-Schengen. Gates that are included in the Schengen area are gate B and gate C.
Non-Schengen Gates are gate D, gate E, gate F, gate G and Gate H.
The meaning of the difference between Schengen and Non-Schengen areas is that if you transfer from gate B to gate C, there is no passport control or security check. However, if you pass from gate B / gate C to gate E / F / G / H you must go through passport control.
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It’s the same if you only change gates within the Non-Schengen area (for example from Gate E to Gate F and so on), then there is no passport control and no security check. However, if you cross from a Non-Schengen gate to a Schengen gate, you must go through passport control.
If you are a passport holder from an EU (European Union) or EEA (European Economic Area) country, you can use an automatic passport control machine.
| Schiphol Airport Hotel | Information |
|---|---|
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YOTELAIR Amsterdam Schiphol Transit Hotel Distance from Schiphol airport: 0.05 mile (0,08km) Rate per night: $150 – $290 |
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Banana Island Resort Doha Airport Hotel by Anantara Distance from Schiphol airport: 0.17 mile (0.27km) Rate per night: $125 – $250 |
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CitizenM Schiphol Airport Hotel Distance from Schiphol Airport: 0.33 mile (0.53km) Rate per night: $95 – $145 |
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Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Distance from Schiphol Airport: 0.42 mile (0.67km) Rate per night: $150 – $250 |
If you are not a passport holder from the country mentioned above, then follow the “All Passport” instructions nearby, to do a manual passport check at Schiphol airport Amsterdam.
