Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Passenger Reviews and Customer opinions

AMSTERDAM SCHIPHOL AIRPORT review : 12 May 2009 : by L van Diggelen

Customer Rating : 2/5

It's a very big airport, but it is clear where you have to go, although the walk may take a lot of time. The restrooms are always proper. It takes way too long before your luggage shows up at the belts, and food, drinks and shopping is very expensive. Long waiting for check-in always and sometimes for passport control. There are never enough seats at the gate, and it will take a long time before you can enter your plane, or enter the airport.

AMSTERDAM SCHIPHOL AIRPORT review : 7 April 2009 : by P Mitchell

Customer Rating : 4/5

I fly into and out of here several times a month. Bad things - it is a bit expensive in the shops, the taxi on the runway can take ages, some of the gates are a long long way apart. Good things - its exciting and vibrant and feels like a community in itself, Rembrandts bar, it's easy to figure out where you are and where you should be going - the train links are excellent (dont bother to hire a car unless you have to), and the loos are maintained in a decent state. Top tip - if you use the airport frequently its definitely worth getting Privium, the scanning is fast and the lounge is excellent.

AMSTERDAM SCHIPHOL AIRPORT review : 12 February 2009 : by Hector Torres

Customer Rating : 3/5

This airport is a very big airport, my tip to any travelor that goes through this airport be prepared to walk long distances to your gates. It was always a joke between us frequent fliers through this airport, I get my workout as it takes about 15 to 20 minutes to get to your gate. I recommend when you arrive find your gate first before looking around because you would be surprised how far the gates are. This airport is a comfortable airport is you have an overnight layover, a lot of sleeping areas and in the bathrooms they have toothbrush dispensers with toothpaste. Just remember this if you arrive after 10Pm local time all the stores will be closed, nothing to eat or drink. Only one store in the entire airport will be opened its call nestie near D gate look for smoke box on second floor and keep going until open area on first floor is the nestie. Everything else will be closed until 4 in the morning.

AMSTERDAM SCHIPHOL AIRPORT review : 2 February 2009 : by Richard Smithers

Customer Rating : 5/5

Transferred at Schiphol and pleasantly surprised by its general appearance, cleanliness and the level of facilities on offer. Travellers can spend several hours here on a long stop over. Although distances between gates can be quite long, signage is excellent in pointing out how long average walking times are, belts are all functioning anyway so these times are actually longer than they are in actuality.

AMSTERDAM SCHIPHOL AIRPORT review : 24 January 2009 : by Cindy Wells

Customer Rating : 1/5

When I told a friend I was connecting through Amsterdam she told me that it takes ages to leave your plane once it has landed. I thought she was just being dramatic, but I saw my one hour connecting time evaporate even though I landed on time, because it took the plane 20 minutes to get to the gate after landing and it took another 15 minutes to connect the boarding bridge, in which what looked like a total idiot trying to get the plane connected. Passengers left and right from me assured me that this is a typical thing for Schipol. I made my connection, but only because I run like a mad man and I have yet to see my luggage.

AMSTERDAM SCHIPHOL AIRPORT review : 19 January 2009 : by T Whittington

Customer Rating : 4/5

Efficient, clean, good entertainment en shopping facilities and easy to reach by car, train and air. It’s not cheap, but which airport is? Parking fee (too expensive), wifi, security checks before entering the plane, custom officers can be annoying, walking distances can be long, 10-15 minutes (for example G gate however I rather walk than taking these airport trains) and due Dutch tax-regulations more expensive than others

AMSTERDAM SCHIPHOL AIRPORT review : 31 October 2008 : by Kevin McDougald

Customer Rating : 3/5

Amsterdam is a worthwhile gateway to Europe from North America. Schiphol is an airport designed around the needs of the connecting passenger; you can even take a shower, get a massage or visit the casino during your stopover if you wish. However, be prepared to go through an additional security check before boarding your outbound flight, and a bit of interrogation about your belongings and travel plans if you're traveling to the US. Being told to "put it through, man" by one X-ray screener seemed a bit flippant. However, it seemed like a small price to pay to use a hub that otherwise works well.

AMSTERDAM SCHIPHOL AIRPORT review : 16 October 2008 : by Matt Ray

Customer Rating : 4/5

Lots to do and good places to eat. However, be advised that some of the gates are far, far, far away. We made our flight by about two minutes due to the walk becoming longer, longer and then unbelievable. We don't mind a long walk, but you have no way of knowing that it is going to turn out to be that far. You turn one corner and go forever not knowing you have four more corners to turn and you just better start running. Word to the wise.

AMSTERDAM SCHIPHOL AIRPORT review : 10 October 2008 : by S Reed

Customer Rating : 3/5

I used the airport earlier this year for transit and found it quick and efficient. I returned the other week for an Amsterdam visit. Arriving, I found baggage reclaim very slow and did not enjoy the excessively long distances to be walked. Returning, the passport queues were long and slow. Everything very clean. Loos could be managed easily (plenty of them), even with a luggage trolley. Poor and expensive range of food facilities. Avoid the coffee shop which sells cafe creme - this means black coffee to them, for some reason. Why they couldn't sell some nice, reasonably priced Dutch food is beyond me. Very helpful staff in the duty free, although a most uninteresting and limited range of Dutch items. Not enough seats. The flight announcement boards are not situated opposite seating areas so solo travellers will lose their seat if checking boarding gate details. Not enough seating areas. The place is very noisy with frequent announcements about no smoking, etc. Going through security is left until the last minute but was very rapid and friendly (Edinburgh, take note). However once on the gate side there are great distances to be negotiated and no sign of loos. Nor are there places for coffee/water, etc, when boarding is delayed.

AMSTERDAM SCHIPHOL AIRPORT review : 7 October 2008 : by Lefteris Protopapas

Customer Rating : 2/5

It's clean and spacious but some gates (especially those of Eastern Europe, including Athens) are too far away. I walked over 15 minutes to reach it. The gate was awkwardly designed and the -rude- staff asked as to move back (make a full circle to come the other way) and wait and wait and wait before boarding. The baggage comes in great delay, even in times when the traffic is low, like early in the morning. The only thing I liked is the architecture. The panoramic terrace is a must to visit. Last but not least, the prices in the restaurants are ridiculous. I paid 3 euros for a 0.5 litre water.

AMSTERDAM SCHIPHOL AIRPORT review : 22 September 2008 : by D Finkler

Customer Rating : 5/5

Beautiful airport with excellent facilities and friendly staff. Very clean and lots of transport connecting you with Amsterdam!

AMSTERDAM SCHIPHOL AIRPORT review : 29 August 2008 : by D Stevens

Customer Rating : 5/5

Easy to get to from Amsterdam Centraal (15 min ride, 4 euros), excellent directions to get to your check in desk or baggage carousel, with travelators to help get around the airport, and the Panorama Dec shows a full 180 of Schipols international gateway, with great views of many airlines and aircraft!

AMSTERDAM SCHIPHOL AIRPORT review : 19 August 2008 : by G Lobbes

Customer Rating : 4/5

In general I am happy with this airport. Check-in and security check is almost always quick. My only problem is its many irritating announcements, which make a longer stay annoying. There is a constant flow of announcements like "Mr so-and-so is delaying the flight, we will proceed to offload your luggage" and "Schiphol is a non-smoking airport, smoking is prohibited".

AMSTERDAM SCHIPHOL AIRPORT review : 15 July 2008 : by Francisco Pinyata

Customer Rating : 3/5

I travelled through Schiphol several times. The facility is well lit, ventilated and adequately posted with directions. This airport is advertised as a one terminal building with the slogan "Change gates, not terminals". This could be somewhat misleading. I flew in on an SAS flight from Oslo to catch an SIA flight to Singapore. I walked and sometimes jogged while making use of the mechanized walkways and it took me 40 minutes to get to my connecting flight. When I got there panting, they just started boarding. And I was travelling ALONE! I couldn't imagine how much longer it would have taken if I had children people with me. Good thing I had an hour and 20 minutes to make it. But anyway, the restrooms are always clean, the shops are reasonably priced (for an international airport, that is) and flat screens showing flight gates are everywhere.

AMSTERDAM SCHIPHOL AIRPORT review : 11 July 2008 : by Donald Theems

Customer Rating : 1/5

I am amazed by all the positive reviews of Amsterdam Airport. Airport staff especially those working the shops are always in loud and what seem to me personal conversations with each other, food is priced ridiculous, restrooms are filthy. Also it seems there is no other airport in the world where so many passengers seem to forget they are there to catch a flight, considering the never ending 'last call announcements' in about every language you can imagine. Each of those announcements ends with the rather useless remark that the luggage of these passengers is going to be offloaded.

AMSTERDAM SCHIPHOL AIRPORT review : 7 June 2008 : by A Hijmans

Customer Rating : 5/5

Arrived on a flight from São Paulo which had been earmarked by customs for extra attention. Passports were checked by customs officials with sniffer dogs in the gangway from the aircraft to the gate; after that we still had to go through the standard customs procedure. In the baggage reclaim area our belt had been cordoned off by customs officials for inspection of checked baggage. This sounds like a lot but in fact it wasn't: at every stage the procedures were quick, there were no queues, and customs officials were friendly.

AMSTERDAM SCHIPHOL AIRPORT review : 3 June 2008 : by N Brown

Customer Rating : 1/5

I transited Schiphol airport with my 88 years old disabled mum after travelling to the UK (for 3 days) to accompany her back to the Middle East where I live. At Schiphol we waited for a buggy to take us to the departure gate. I needed to help her on and off the buggy. She uses a walking stick but doesn't use a wheelchair although, at times, she needs a wheelchair. But I was told I couldn't ride on the buggy and I ended up running after the buggy so that I would be able to help mum off the buggy at the departure gate. As I specifically travelled to the UK to help mum at each airport I would have thought I (as mum's escort) should have been allowed to be with her on the buggy. As I was helping her off the buggy I realised that, if I hadn't been with her, she couldn't have got off the buggy on her own without falling as the step was too high.

AMSTERDAM SCHIPHOL AIRPORT review : 31 May 2008 : by Glenn Moloney

Customer Rating : 3/5

AMS Schiphol does have major drawbacks. Initial passport clearance on departure can be a a very long and tiresome wait, the long wait clearing security (as with most airports) will hinder you further, then just when you think you made it, the walk to the gates on departure is also a very long hike. On arrival, one of the runways is miles away from the gate and takes a while to taxi - around 10-15 mins. Then of course you need to get off the aircraft - 10 mins or so, then again the very long walk to the terminal, then wait for your baggage. From landing to clearing baggage is often over an hour, but will of course depend on the time of day. On a positive note the Dutch speak excellent English and staff are helpful.

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport review by A Andriessen

13 May 2008   Customer Rating :

The service that it provides does not merit the costs I make for its use, as a high frequency of use does not grow any privilege whatsoever. It is a cashcow for Amsterdam and the Dutch government. The groundstaff at check-in is in need of a course on hospitality. A few years ago I went from being a regular traveler with luggage at the check-in to someone who only uses carry-on as my luggage got either lost or stolen at a frequency of about once every 3 months. The only thing that Schiphol does provide which is great and that one has to pay for anyway is its Privium service. It also has a golfcart type Caddy-service for disabled people. Collecting passengers by car is often obstructed by taxis and busses. The train even first-class has the same drawback. When there is bad weather I usually take a clean but overrated hotel nearby the day before leaving, as Schiphol cannot be reached by car any time before 10 in the morning on a working day. Maybe I have seen this airport way too often. I don't praise nor bury.

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport review by Jake van Kaam

13 May 2008   Customer Rating :

It's really easy to get around. All signs are in Dutch and in English. There are plenty of restaurants, bars and shops. Checking in and security is easy. Everybody who works in the airport speaks English. Two negative things: one of the runways is very far away from the terminal (Taxiing takes about 15 minutes min.) and it takes a long time to get your luggage back. But if you are connecting in Amsterdam your luggage should not get lost.

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport review by N Sutherland

23 April 2008   Customer Rating :

The worst part of AMS are the gate areas, where seating is limited and departure security is jammed in wherever. That said, given that the position and spacing of gates can't easily be changed, the staff do a pretty good job. Remembering it's age the remainder of the airport is very good, and regularly being upgraded and refurbished. It's well laid out but with often lengthy walks, (what airport of it's size and capacity in a single terminal configuration isn't spread out?). There are plenty of places to eat, drink, rest or shop - it's always very clean and certainly a better airport than any of the other European hubs of comparable size. The runway expansions in recent years and excellent transport links have kept AMS ahead of the UK competition and is certainly my favourite European airport.

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport review by Benji Silverberg

15 April 2008   Customer Rating :

This is not a 4 star airport! The distances between gates (especially transferring from international to European Union) is very long, with no assistance for mobility-impaired passengers. Lines for security at the gates wind out into the main corridors and help desks for the individual airlines are extremely poorly organized. (My KLM flight from JFK was delayed such that I missed my connection to MAD, and instead of being able to just go to the next flight to MAD and ask if there was space, I had to wait "on line" - it was really just a disorganized sea of people - for the agents to even start seeing customers, and even then had to push my way to the desk.) On my trip to AMS proper, the security lines were also just suggestions, as people cut with impunity. I will try to avoid AMS in the future! LHR has been a much easier airport for me.

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport review by David Lloyd

3 April 2008   Customer Rating :

I frequently transit through Schiphol when flying from the UK. It's spacious, clean, well signposted and hassle free. My luggage has always made it across from one flight to the next even when the connection time was just 40 minutes. There can be a lot of hanging around at gates.

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport review by David Passmore

25 February 2008   Customer Rating :

Although arguably not as good as Changi or Hong Kong, this airport is user friendly with decent facilities, with the only down side being the long taxiway and the remote parking of equipment used for regional flights. Signage is good, there are plenty of washrooms and the quiet areas are handy during transit. Duty free shops are not good value however, but this may be mainly due to unfavourable currency exchange rates. The smoking ban in the airport is also a welcome improvement.

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport review by R Brook

24 January 2008   Customer Rating :

I've lost count how many times I've flown through here over the years. Schiphol is one of the best airports in the world. Always clean, easy to get around, lots of places to eat, smoke, and shop. Offers a nap area for people who are not business class and can't access the 'club rooms'. Has little indoor play grounds for the little kids. Because it is a hub and many people who will be 'jumping the pond' have long layovers, they even have a special tour desk for visitors with layovers of 6 hours plus. Tired of airports, go see a windmill.

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport review by D Tetteroo

17 January 2008   Customer Rating :

Everything is clean and spacious, staff friendly. Keep in mind this is a huge airport so moving around can take some time. However, as a EU citizen, it took me only 15 minutes from deboarding the plane (gate B12) to entering my train (although only carrying hand luggage). It's true that there is one runway which is situated exceptionally far away from the terminal.

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport review by Vincent Dubois

15 January 2008   Customer Rating :

I have had to transfer through Amsterdam around 6 times in the past years, and half of the time I have had serious luggage delay at my destination. From 3 to 5 days delay in the past, this has reached a peak of 15 days during my last trip at the end of last year! I am flying from Taiwan to France, often for short family visits, and this type of delay is a serious pain! Christmas presents for my family actually never reached France and were eventually sent back to my permanent address in Taiwan! I have only one advice for frequent travelers: if Schiphol seems to be a nice airport otherwise, avoid absolutely to have any luggage transfer!

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport review by B O'Rourke

10 January 2008   Customer Rating :

Join Privium (about €99 a year) and this really is the best airport going. From getting out of my cab, through the Privium security lane and into the Klm lounge takes about 15 mins. If you have to go through passport then there is also a Privium lane with iris scan that has always worked for me and I have never had to queue to go through. Please note that the whole airport is now no smoking. Apart from that possibly the best airport in Europe.

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport review by Luis Enrique Oliveros

8 January 2008   Customer Rating :

Excellent transfer facilities, One-single terminal concept. Excellent Duty-free, staff friendliness and lack of congestion.

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport review by S Luthi

16 December 2007   Customer Rating :

As many reviewers mentioned Schiphol airport is in general well organized and efficient. The only major downside, however, is a rather serious one: baggage handling. it can easily take 45 minutes after arriving at the belt (which can be in excess of one hour after landing!) until your baggage finally arrives at the airport. Flying first or business class does not help one bit, it all arrives at the same time, apparently there is no priority handling. What a contrast to the major airports in the Far East, which I frequently travel to. Perhaps Schiphol management should pay a visit there.

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport review by G Lee

28 November 2007   Customer Rating :

Coming in to Amsterdam as a NW/KLM international transit passenger makes this facility a pleasant, convenient, hassle free experience, but certainly not cheap with the ever falling US dollar. The facilities are modern, clean, well lit, functional. There are plenty of shops, restaurants, hotel, showers available at the airport. Shower facilities are available through Mercure Hotel for €15 if you feel the need to scrub up and a change of clothing. There are no free wi-fi, though for a fee wi-fi or using one of their pc's are available ie. €9 for 60 minutes of use. Smoke is still an issue, as Casino facilities are full of smoke and where ever areas diners are still allowed to smoke. Foie Gras D'Oie (goose liver) 210gr €24.95 or Foie Gras with Truffles around €30, Lindt chocolates, underwear are available at duty free shops. We looked at the prices for one place to consider for dining but it looked fairly pricey, and so decided to go for McDonald's for the expected cheaper pricing even though it's not our first choice. As we head towards McDonald's, another eatery Paul's with it's bread and sandwich offerings right next to McDonald's caught our eye and we detoured next door and bought their freshly made bread sandwich, croissant, and apple dessert. There's small half bottle of red wine for around €9 which the cashier will open for you. I use my Capital One mileage reward credit card to charge the purchase (no foreign exchange fee imposed unlike all the other U.S. credit card companies.) You need be cleared of security and at your designated boarding gate (which can change more than once as the time gets closer) at least 45 minutes of departure time. Allow sufficient time to clear through security at the boarding gate as passengers and baggage may be subject to scrutiny through questioning of the passengers and searching of baggage for your onward connection.

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport review by Kasper Hettinga

21 November 2007   Customer Rating :

Schiphol is a very nice airport (4-5 star) when flying with anything else than KLM, especially to another Schengen country: all procedures are nice and quick and there is a lot of entertainment on the passenger-side of the terminal. However, check-in for KLM is a disaster: internet check-in doesn't help at all, as the queue for luggage drop-off is taking about 30-45 mins. on average. The subsequent security procedures also take a lot of time. On average, it takes me 2 hours from train to gate when flying KLM. 45-60 minutes on other airlines, which is more acceptable.