• Schiphol Airport at night
    Provided by: Rita Candeias/unsplash
  • air traffic control tower of Schiphol Airport
    Provided by: Rob Vesseur/unsplash

Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.​

*this will be downloaded as a PDF.

Price

€4,95

Purchase
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) is a modern, efficient and traveller-friendly airport. 90 airlines depart from Schiphol to over 250 destinations worldwide. The easiest and cheapest way to travel from the airport to Amsterdam is by train. This takes about 20 minutes to the Central Station and trains leave at least every 15 minutes during the daytime (less frequently at night). The train station at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is located directly below the airport. Tickets are for sale at the NS service desk or ticket machines. Taxis to the city centre cost significantly more and can take a while, depending on traffic conditions.
Read more
Passport & Visa

Passport & Visa

Citizens of European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries do not need a visa to enter The Netherlands, only a valid ID. Many other countries, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Australia, and New Zealand, benefit from visa-free entry for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Visitors from visa-exempt countries must hold a valid passport and, starting in late 2025, will need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) authorisation online before travelling. For those requiring a visa, such as travellers from some Middle-East, African or Asian nations, a Schengen visa must be obtained prior to arrival. All travellers should ensure their passport is valid for at least three months beyond their intended stay.
Read more
Best Time to Visit

Best Time to Visit

Most tourists tend to plan their trip to Amsterdam for the summer, so if you want to avoid the crowds — come in April–May or September. You'll get mild temperatures, blooming flowers in spring and golden trees in autumn. Be ready for rain regardless of the season. April and May are considered part of peak tourist season. Locals use websites like buie.nl to predict when the weather down to minutes. Summer is high tourist season in Amsterdam, so be prepared to wait in long lines when visiting popular attractions. The summer months are also the most expensive when it comes to accommodation. Hotel prices and tourist population drop in autumn and winter months, as does the temperature. This is the best time to visit Amsterdam's many indoor attractions, such as museums and cafes. The city covered with a white blanket of snow is a marvellous sight. If the winter happens to be particularly cold, you can ice-skate on the frozen canals. Some cafes set tables and chairs straight on the ice.
Read more
Public Transport

Public Transport

Public transport is the perfect way to visit all the attractions and to explore the city. Visitors arriving by car are advised to park the car at the Park and Ride sites at the city limits and to use public transport. In Amsterdam, 15 tram lines, 33 bus lines, 10 ferry connections and 5 metro lines take you to a wide range of destinations throughout the city. The most convenient transport ticket is the GVB day or multi-day ticket. These tickets entitle holders to transport on all GVB lines, including the night buses, and are available at GVB Tickets & Info and tourist offices. Drivers and conductors also sell 1-hour and 24-hour disposable OV chip cards on trams and buses. No cash is accepted on buses or trams.
Read more
Pharmacy

Pharmacy

In the Netherlands, there is a distinction between drug stores (‘drogist’) and pharmacies (‘apotheek’). Dutch drug stores (‘drogist’) are consumer-focused shops that stock most of what you need for your health although you cannot get items with a prescription here, typically. Popular brands are Kruidvat, Etos, Hema, DA, DIO and Trekpleister. You won’t find prescription drugs here Pharmacies (‘apotheek’) are typically open during regular business hours. Dam Apotheek is centrally located on Dam Square and DA Apotheek on Leisestraat has one of the best opening hours. OLVG (Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis) hospital is good for emergencies and has a 24-hour pharmacy. There’s also a pharmacy within Amsterdam Central Station that’s open late. Call the central number for pharmacies to find out which ones are open in your area.
Read more