Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is one of the largest airports in the world, serving an estimated 46 million passengers in 2006. As the hub for the Dutch national airline, KLM, Schiphol serves as an ideal starting point or stopover for trips to just about anywhere in the world, particularly Europe, obviously, but also flights to Asia, Africa, South America, and beyond.

As such, it's not a surprise to learn that Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has all the amenities and facilities that you would expect of a major airport, as well as a few others that you might not be used to. Some of the best airport shopping in Europe is to be found here, from electronics and luxury goods to the old traveler's favorite, duty-free alcohol and cigarettes. There is also a range of shops selling traditional Dutch souvenirs and foodstuffs, so you can pick up some famous Dutch cheeses, tulips, or even a model windmill for your children!

Eating and drinking in Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is also a pleasurable experience, and there are plenty of ways of passing the time, including a casino located right in the middle of the airport, so if you're feeling lucky, why not?

For longer stopovers, the airport is close to both Rotterdam and the fabulous city of Amsterdam, so if you have a few hours to spare you can get out of the airport, as you're just a short train ride away from enjoying the sights and sounds of one of Europe's most fascinating cities.

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Car hire at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is quick and easy. There are six major car rental firms represented at Schiphol, including Avis, Hertz, Sixt, Budget, Europcar, and National Car Rental. All these are located in the Schiphol Plaza immediately past arrivals, and so they're easy to find once you've passed through passport control and got your luggage.

Once you've completed the formalities at your chosen car hire desk, you'll find the car rental car park just a short walk from the terminal building, making renting a car at Schiphol an efficient and effective option for getting around in Holland. As Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is one of Europe's busiest airports, it's strongly recommended that you reserve your hire car before you arrive, because otherwise you may have to take potluck!

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is situated very close to Amsterdam, and once you're out of the airport, the route into the city is clearly signposted. Getting to any city center location is unlikely to take more than half an hour depending on traffic conditions. Schiphol is also handily situated for Alkmaar, Rotterdam, and The Hague, so it makes a perfect setting-off point for your trip around Holland.

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Because it is so close to so many large towns and cities, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is easily accessible by a number of means of public transport; depending on your timetable and setting-off point, you may find one or another easier and more convenient, but there is plenty of choice.

The quickest way of getting to and from Schiphol is obviously by taxi, and if you are coming from nearby, this is a sensible option. A trip in to Amsterdam will cost a little over 40 Euros depending on your precise destination; obviously, sharing a taxi will bring this cost down, so if you are in a small group, you may find that a taxi is actually extremely cost effective. You should also be aware that it's possible to pre-book a car from the airport - simply go to the Schiphol Transfer Assistance desk once you have arrived. Alternatively, if you are traveling in to the airport from anywhere in the area, the Schiphol Taxi service will pick you up from your home or hotel. Many hotels also offer minibus transfers to the airport.

It's also easy to get a bus from Amsterdam and surrounding towns and villages into the airport; a list of suitable bus lines is available on the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol website, or at bus stations.

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Assuming you're not traveling by taxi, without a doubt, the easiest and fastest way of getting in to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol by public transport is by train. The train from the airport in to Amsterdam is quick, ultra-modern, and remarkably cheap at less than 5 Euros.

Getting to the train station at Schiphol is simple; it's situated immediately below the arrivals area at Schiphol Plaza. You can buy tickets from a ticket office or use one of the yellow touchscreen ticket machines, and you can also pre-book tickets weeks in advance and simply validate it on the day of travel. The train in to Amsterdam takes just over a quarter of an hour and delivers you directly to Amsterdam Centraal station, right in the center of town.

You can also take a train from Schiphol station to any number of international destinations. You can peruse timetables and pre-book your ticket over the Internet and have it delivered to your door, and then on the day, simply go downstairs from Schiphol Plaza to catch your chosen train. A number of major Belgian and German cities are just two to three hours away by this method, making Amsterdam Airport Schiphol a perfect jumping-off point for a wider tour of Northern Europe.

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The shopping facilities at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol are among the best of any airport in the world, and offer a wide range of goods at excellent prices. Whether you're just browsing to pass the time, or have a specific purchase in mind, there are plenty of shops in the airport to keep you occupied and help you stock up on those vital last-minute gifts for friends and family.

These shops cover almost everything you could want. The first categories of shops are those selling distinctive Dutch goods. So if you are looking for flowers, say, the airport is one of the best places to buy. You can also buy Gouda cheese, a cheese board made from Delft china, or an Ajax top for your soccer-mad son - the choice is endless.

Into the second category fall a wide assortment of goods such as electronic items, gadgets and clothing brands, sunglasses, watches, or fashion purchases. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has one of the best ranges of shops of any airport, and is particularly well served for electronics equipment, from mp3 players and portable DVD players to digital cameras, laptops and notebooks, and much more. There's also a wide range of jewelry and watches on sale from all the world's leading brand names.

Finally, the duty free shopping at Amsterdam is second to none; this is the place to find great deals on liquor, cigarettes, perfumes, and more. You may go into the shops intending merely to browse a while, but the chances are you'll come out with a full shopping bag or two!

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There are a number of restaurants and eating facilities at Schiphol Airport. If you're in a hurry or on a budget, there are several fast food outlets both before and after passport control, serving anything from burgers to pizza. However, if you've got a bit more time, your options increase. There are a number of food courts where you can pick up a proper meal. If you prefer something light, you can get a panini or salad; for the more discerning palate, you can enjoy sushi and a warm glass of sake at the Shirasagi Sushi Bar.

If you want to sit down and enjoy a top class dinner, there are some excellent restaurants at the airport, too, including a French brasserie and the intriguing Restaurant in de Bonte Koe, which recreates the look and feel of a 17th Century sailing ship! Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is also well served for cafes and bars, if you prefer to relax with a cup of coffee or a cool beer - this is the home of Heineken and Amstel, after all!

Finally, if you want to pass some time in a rather different way, why not try the two casinos in the airport, operated by Holland Casino? For over 18's only, these two venues are free to enter and boast over 100 slot machines and five gaming tables offering American roulette and blackjack.

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Your options for passing time at Schiphol don't end with shopping and eating. You can enjoy a massage to soothe away the stresses of a long-haul flight, or have a shower in the onsite Hotel Mercure, where you can also book a room to enjoy a nap on longer stopovers. You don't need to take a room for the entire day; it can be rented to you for a few hours to allow you to have a short rest before boarding your onward connection.

All the usual facilities that you'd expect from a major airport are here. There are business centers, wireless Internet access, and a number of business class lounges. Large banks such as ABN-AMRO are located in the terminal, so financial services extend beyond simply changing currencies (though of course you can do this too at several locations around Amsterdam Airport Schiphol). The world famous Amsterdam Rijksmuseum has an annex at the airport, so you can enjoy some of the world's finest art as you pass the time waiting for your flight. If you have children, there is a dedicated play area with slides, cartoons, and computer games, as well as a baby care lounge for infants.

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Unlike many other airports, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is contained within one large terminal building rather than spread out among several. This has the advantage of giving travelers access to all the services of the airport no matter where you're flying from or to, rather than spreading them between different terminals. The airport is designed around a large central space that is comprised of shops, restaurants, bars, and financial/business services, with departure gates radiating outwards from this central hub. Despite this, there are plenty of cafes, bureaux de change, and other facilities located nearer the departure gates, so even if you don't have time to explore the airport properly, you'll still be able to grab a drink and a sandwich.

For those who require further assistance, Schiphol is one of the best airports in Europe to travel through; most facilities are situated on a single level and travelators make getting around easier. Hearing loops are situated at information and transfer desks, as well as the waiting areas in the departure lounge. Assistance is also available via your airline or, if you are using the railway, by employees of Dutch Railway - and it's also possible to hire a free wheelchair to get around, should you require it.

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Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has some fantastic facilities to make your journey as pleasant and painless as possible, so do check out the range of options available. If you're only staying over for an hour or two, you'll find that after a browse in the shops and a cup of coffee, it's time to make your way to your connection. One thing to bear in mind is that while it is very easy to find your way around, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is a large airport which serves millions of passengers a year - so allow plenty of time to get to your departure gate, and allow extra time for security checks.

If your stopover is a longer one, you have a couple of options. You can hire a room at the in-terminal Hotel Mercure - this has the benefit of being inside passport control, so you don't need to waste time and effort leaving the airport to get some rest and a shower. Alternatively, if you have time to kill during the day and don't fancy sleeping, take a train into Amsterdam city center. It's only 15 minutes away, so if you have a layover of more than three or four hours, it's well worth considering.

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