Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) is a Schengen airport with one large terminal. Some nationalities need a Schengen or Dutch airport transit visa even to stay airside, and connecting to another Schengen country means passport control at AMS. Allow at least 60–90 minutes. The airside YOTELAIR is handy for overnight connections.
Do you need a transit visa for AMS?
It depends on your passport and whether you stay airside (inside the international transit area) or want to leave the airport, which always requires entry permission for the Netherlands.
AMS terminals
Single terminal (Departures 1, 2, 3)
One building with piers B–M. Schengen and non-Schengen areas are separated by passport control.
How transfers work at AMS
Follow the 'Transfer' signs. Non-Schengen to non-Schengen connections stay airside with a transfer security check. If your next flight is to a Schengen country, you pass passport control at Schiphol.
Not sure your connection is long enough? Try the layover calculator →
What to do on a layover at AMS
- 2–5 hours
Stay airside
Browse Holland Boulevard, grab Dutch snacks (stroopwafels, cheese) and rest in a lounge.
- 6–10 hours
Canal-ring walk (if you can enter Schengen)
Take the train 15–20 minutes to Centraal and walk the canal belt. Be back 3 hours before a long-haul departure.
- Overnight
Sleep airside
Book YOTELAIR for a few hours of sleep, or a landside hotel if you can enter the Netherlands.
Where to sleep at AMS
- 🛏️ YOTELAIR Amsterdam SchipholAirside: no visa neededAirside cabins after passport control, bookable by the hour.
- 🛏️ Landside airport hotelsLandside: entry neededSeveral hotels walkable from Schiphol Plaza. Schengen entry permission needed.
- 🪑 Relaxation areasAirside: no visa neededReclining chairs in quieter parts of the lounges and piers.
Lounges at AMS
| Lounge | Who can get in |
|---|---|
| KLM Crown Lounges | KLM / SkyTeam premium passengers and elites |
| Aspire lounges | Pay-per-use or lounge membership programs |
No status? See how to get lounge access without flying business.
Getting from AMS to Amsterdam city centre
| Option | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Train (NS) | ≈ 15–20 min to Amsterdam Centraal | Station directly below the terminal. Trains run frequently. |
| Taxi | ≈ 25–35 min | Official taxi rank outside Arrivals. |
Only leave the airport if your passport allows entry and you have enough time. Aim to be back 2.5–3 hours before departure.
Insider tips for AMS
- Passport control queues to Schengen flights can be long at peak times. Allow extra time.
- Walking distances between piers are long. Check your gate as soon as you land.
AMS layover FAQ
Do I need a visa to transit Amsterdam Schiphol?
Citizens of countries on the EU or Dutch airport transit visa lists may need one even when staying airside, unless exempt. Others can usually connect airside without a visa. Connecting to another Schengen country requires Schengen entry permission.
Is there a hotel inside Schiphol's transit area?
Yes, YOTELAIR is located airside, so you can use it without entering the Netherlands.
Official sources
Last checked against these sources on 3 November 2026. Rules change, so always confirm with the official source or your airline before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.