AMSTERDAM SCHIPHOL AIRPORT review :  8 June 2009 : by D Garner  (UK)

Customer Rating :  3/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

Slightly disappointing. Schiphol Plaza is dark and a dingy, the terminal is huge and taxing takes forever. That said, it is organised; the train station is easy to find and use and signage is very good. Food is very expensive and the airside shops were poor. Overall ok - but not the experience I expected.

AMSTERDAM SCHIPHOL AIRPORT review :  16 May 2009 : by Andy Hanson  (Canada)

Customer Rating :  1/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

For the last month I was based in Amsterdam to do almost daily flights to European destinations. As a Canadian I am used to the North American procedures and although Schiphol is an ok airport, I have not spent more time taxiing and waiting for boarding bridge connection than at Schiphol. This must be the slowest airport to arrive. It typically takes up to half an hour after landing to get to a gate and then it can easily take another fifteen minutes before the boarding bridge even starts to move. It seems that plane arrivals come as a complete surprise to the airport and that staff that operates the equipment has absolute no clue. I think this is totally unacceptable for an airport that lives from transfer passengers. I witnessed complete hysteria by passengers trying to make a connection while being stuck at the airplane because the airport was unaware we had arrived.

AMSTERDAM SCHIPHOL AIRPORT review :  16 May 2009 : by K Weimar  (USA)

Customer Rating :  5/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

Schiphol is the only airport I've been to that feels like it was designed for human beings. Yes, it is huge, and yes it can a long time to taxi to the terminal after you landed (but have you ever landed at LAX?). It is one big terminal, that means no changing buildings to make connections. I usually am here connecting from the US to flights to Africa. If I have a long layover, I can check my carryon in a coin op locker and grab a train into Amsterdam, for less than $10 round trip. They have some lounge chairs at points around the airport as if people might have gotten off a long flight in coach and might have a long time to wait for their connection. How decent is that? Of course there are never enough of those. Baggage trolleys are free. There is a Mercure hotel airside, where you can get a day room and get a shower and some sleep. Expensive but after 12 hours in coach, I'd pay anything for a hot shower. Smokers be advised, that the entire terminal is now smoke free, so you have to clear passport control to light up. Fortunately, the Dutch are just pleasant people. I can't recall encountering a ticket agent, customs officer, security officer, or food service worker who was the least bit surly. Compared to CDG FRA and LHR, Schiphol is heaven

AMSTERDAM SCHIPHOL AIRPORT review : 14 May 2009 : by John Philipps (USA)

Customer Rating : 5/5

AMS is a delight to use in comparison to so very many airports in the rest of the world. Indeed, it seems to have its own "vibe" or sense of community. It features clean, well- maintained facilities, ample toilets, good walkways, professional employees throughout, a wide choice of activities, excellent service by multiple airlines to locations worldwide, good transport links by rail or road, and a sense of calm and security. The worst things you can experience at AMS would be long taxis on the taxiways, or fellow passengers who don't know how to use a queue, but these are not unique to Schipol.

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.