Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) Greater Amsterdam
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, commonly called Schiphol Airport, is the Netherlands’ principal international airport and one of Europe’s major aviation hubs. It is located in Schiphol, Haarlemmermeer, North Holland, about 9 km southwest of Amsterdam. Its IATA code is AMS.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol — Quick Facts
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Airport name | Amsterdam Airport Schiphol |
| Common name | Schiphol Airport |
| IATA code | AMS |
| ICAO code | EHAM |
| Location | Schiphol, Haarlemmermeer, North Holland, Netherlands |
| Distance from Amsterdam | Approximately 9 km southwest of Amsterdam |
| Airport type | International / civil airport |
| Terminal concept | Single-terminal concept |
| Departure halls | Departures 1, 2 and 3 |
| Passenger lounges | Lounges 1, 2, 3 and 4 after security |
| Main public area | Schiphol Plaza |
| Rail station | Schiphol Airport railway station, directly beneath the terminal |
| Major hub airlines | KLM and KLM Cityhopper, among others |
| Operator | Royal Schiphol Group |
| Address | Evert van de Beekstraat 202, 1118 CP Schiphol, Netherlands |
| Postal address | P.O. Box 7501, 1118 ZG Schiphol, Netherlands |
| Official website | schiphol.nl |
| Wikipedia | Amsterdam Airport Schiphol — Wikipedia |
Schiphol opened as a military airbase in 1916 and subsequently developed into the Netherlands’ principal international airport. The airport follows a single-terminal concept, although the terminal is divided into separate departure halls, lounges and piers.
Important Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Contact Numbers
The following numbers are particularly useful for passengers, visitors and airport-related emergencies.
| Purpose | Contact number | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Schiphol Customer Contact Centre — Netherlands | 0900 0141 | General airport questions, assistance and complaints when calling from the Netherlands |
| Schiphol Customer Contact Centre — international | +31 20 794 0800 | General questions when calling from outside the Netherlands |
| Schiphol Central Alarm / life-threatening airport emergency | +31 20 601 2222 | Life-threatening situation requiring immediate airport emergency response |
| Dutch national emergency services | 112 | Police, fire brigade or ambulance for urgent/life-threatening emergencies |
| Landside & terminal incident/control centre | +31 20 601 2555 | Non-life-threatening landside or terminal incidents |
| Airside Operations / Airside incidents | +31 20 601 2116 | Urgent operational or airside matters |
| Dangerous technical defects / malfunctions | +31 20 601 2550 | Dangerous technical problems or malfunctions |
| Schiphol Lost & Found | +31 20 333 0333 | Lost property at Schiphol |
| Lost passport/ID after leaving airport | +31 88 958 1814 | Passport, identity card or driving licence lost at Schiphol |
| Airport administration | +31 20 601 2416 | Airport administration matters |
| Access control / badge centre | +31 20 601 2626 | Airport access/badge-related matters |
| Airport chaplaincy | +31 20 601 4751 | Chaplaincy services |
Emergency Contacts at Schiphol
🚨 General emergency — 112
Call 112 if there is an immediate threat to life, a serious injury, fire, serious accident or crime requiring urgent intervention. The Dutch emergency operator can dispatch the police, fire brigade or ambulance.
🚨 Schiphol airport emergency — +31 20 601 2222
Schiphol specifically instructs people to call its Central Alarm Schiphol Office at +31 20 601 2222 for life-threatening situations at the airport.
⚠️ Non-life-threatening airport incident
For a landside or terminal-related incident where emergency services are not immediately required:
+31 20 601 2555
For an airside-related incident:
+31 20 601 2116
Important: If someone is seriously injured or there is an immediate danger to life, use 112 rather than treating a normal customer-service number as an emergency line.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Terminal Information
One of Schiphol’s distinctive characteristics is that it does not operate like an airport with separately named Terminal 1, Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 buildings.
Instead, Schiphol uses a single-terminal concept divided into:
- Departure Hall 1
- Departure Hall 2
- Departure Hall 3
- Schiphol Plaza
- Lounges 1–4
- Multiple piers and gate areas
This layout allows passengers to move through a connected terminal complex rather than transferring between physically separate passenger terminals.
Departure Hall 1
Departure 1 primarily serves European/Schengen travel. After security, passengers generally enter Lounge 1, serving gates including B, C and D59–D87.
Departure Hall 2
Departure 2 connects to Lounge 2 and is principally associated with intercontinental travel. Lounge 2 also contains major airline facilities, including KLM’s intercontinental lounge.
Departure Hall 3
Departure 3 serves a mixture of airlines and connects to Lounge 3, with access toward gates D1–D57, E, F, G and H.
Lounge 4
Lounge 4 is a more compact post-security area principally associated with low-cost/short-haul operations, including the M gates.
Schiphol Gate and Pier Layout
| Area | Main gate groups / purpose |
|---|---|
| B gates | European/Schengen |
| C gates | European/Schengen |
| D59–D87 | Primarily Schengen |
| D1–D57 | Primarily non-Schengen/intercontinental operations |
| E gates | Intercontinental/non-Schengen |
| F gates | Intercontinental/non-Schengen |
| G gates | Non-Schengen/intercontinental |
| H gates | Primarily low-cost/non-Schengen operations |
| M gates | Short-haul/low-cost operations |
Lost and Found at Schiphol
If you lose an item inside the airport, Schiphol operates Lost & Found facilities.
Lost & Found telephone: +31 20 333 0333
Lost & Found desks are located in several areas, including Kelderplein between Arrivals 1 and 2, Lounge 1 and Holland Boulevard.
For checked/hold baggage, contact the airline or its handling company rather than Schiphol Lost & Found because the airline has the relevant baggage-tracking information.
For a lost passport, identity card or driving licence, Schiphol lists +31 88 958 1814 for enquiries after leaving the airport.
Airport Lounges
Schiphol has several categories of lounges:
Privium lounges
Privium facilities include lounges before and after security.
Airline lounges
Airline-specific lounges include facilities such as the KLM Crown Lounges.
Aspire lounges
Paid-access lounge facilities are also available.
Shopping lounges
The airport’s Lounge 1–4 terminology can be confusing because these are not necessarily conventional VIP lounges. They are passenger areas after security containing shops, restaurants, gates and other facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
What is the Amsterdam Airport code?
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol’s IATA airport code is AMS and its ICAO code is EHAM. Schiphol itself confirms the use of AMS as its IATA code.
Is Schiphol the same as Amsterdam Airport?
Yes. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport refer to the same airport.
How far is Schiphol Airport from Amsterdam?
The airport is approximately 9 km southwest of Amsterdam.
Does Amsterdam Schiphol have Terminal 1, Terminal 2 and Terminal 3?
Not in the conventional sense. Schiphol operates a single-terminal concept divided into Departure Halls 1, 2 and 3, plus four post-security lounge areas.
How do I know which terminal to go to?
Instead of looking for a Terminal 1/2/3, check your airline, flight number and departure hall in Schiphol’s current flight information. The airport’s signs then direct you to the appropriate check-in area and gate.
Is Schiphol open 24 hours?
The airport is an operational airport with round-the-clock aviation activity, but individual facilities, shops, restaurants, desks and services can have their own opening hours. Check the specific facility before relying on it overnight.
How early should I arrive at Schiphol?
There is no single arrival time applicable to every passenger. Your airline, destination, check-in opening time, baggage requirements and expected security/border-control queues affect the appropriate timing. Schiphol recommends checking the airport’s current information and your airline’s instructions.
Does Schiphol have passport control?
Yes, where applicable. Flights to/from non-Schengen destinations normally involve border control, whereas internal Schengen travel generally does not require passport control.
What is the emergency number at Schiphol?
For a general urgent emergency in the Netherlands, call 112. Schiphol additionally publishes +31 20 601 2222 for its Central Alarm Schiphol Office in life-threatening airport situations.
What is Schiphol’s customer-service number?
Call 0900 0141 from a Dutch number or +31 20 794 0800 when calling from abroad. Schiphol’s customer contact centre is available 24/7.
How do I get from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam city centre?
The train is generally the most straightforward option. Schiphol Airport station is directly underneath the terminal, and Schiphol states that Amsterdam Centraal can be reached in roughly 14–17 minutes, depending on the service.
Is there a direct bus from Schiphol to Amsterdam?
Yes. The Amsterdam Airport Express bus 397 provides a direct connection, while N97 operates at night.
Can I take a taxi from Schiphol?
Yes. Official taxis are available from the designated taxi rank in front of Schiphol Plaza. App-based taxi services have designated pickup arrangements.
Where is the Schiphol train station?
It is directly underneath Schiphol Plaza/the terminal. Escalators and lifts connect the terminal with the platforms.
What should I do if my checked baggage is missing?
Contact your airline or its baggage-handling service. Schiphol states that its Lost & Found team does not have access to the airline’s checked-baggage tracking information.
What if I lose my passport at Schiphol?
If you are still at the airport, go to a Lost & Found desk. If you have already left, Schiphol provides +31 88 958 1814 for lost passport/ID enquiries.
Can passengers with disabilities get assistance?
Yes. Schiphol provides assistance for passengers with reduced mobility and other disabilities. Ideally, request it through your airline at least 48 hours before departure.
Does Schiphol have Wi-Fi?
Yes, Schiphol provides passenger connectivity and Wi-Fi facilities throughout the airport.
Can I stay overnight at Schiphol?
There are overnight accommodation options, including hotels within the airport complex; however, access to post-security accommodation depends on your flight and secure-zone access.