Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
2009 Best Airport
REGION: EUROPE
Lasting Impressions....
Memorable comments left by travellers:
"Security started to harass us. Not the usual "you can't sleep here" type. It was a "I want to sleep WITH you" type of harassment." (?)
"I found that some intelligent person had pushed the armed benches together so that the unarmed portion formed a kind of bed" (A)
"never settle for what you first see and never expect others to take care of you. Instead, seek and you shall find." (?)
"its your own choice if you decide not too pay for a hotel, so you can't complain about chairs or Security for waking you up. And if you are smart, you can ask all employees for the best seats nearby your spot." (Employee)
FEATURED REVIEWS
by MartinO2
I slept at Amsterdam-schipol airport in november 2008. Didn't expect to be very comfortable which turned out to be true, but because I was running out of money, it was the only choice for me.
Arrived about 10pm, and quickly looked around for some comfy spot. I found some seating in "streets" of shopping center and some seats (metal with armrests) next to the baggage claim area...
The truth is, that sleeping on both places I mentioned before is possible and it can be pretty comfortable ,BUT according to announcement, the airport is for security reasons closed from 12pm to 5am!
Good to know is, that the main hall also serves as a railway station with some trains arriving/departing during the night, so the area from entry doors to Burger King is open 24/7.
In my opinion, the best place to sleep is on the benches in the front of Espresso bar "Pronto", which is right next to the Burger King. Each wooden bench has only one "armrest" in the middle and is very low, so you can stretch with no problem.
I slept well from 12pm to 5am until airport security woke us all up. The only problem is, that the airport is pretty cold during the night (had 2 pullovers on blanket and i was still cold. Then I slept another 3 hours upstairs in the check-in area. The security didn't bother anyone except wake up call at 5am.
by Andrea
"I'd like to know just where these supposed comfy couches at Schiphol are located! I slept there on what was technically the morning of 17 January 2003, after getting back late from a concert in Groningen. Was in Terminal 2. Got about an hour of sleep slouched way out in a chair near the "World of Wings" shop there. Then moved up to the T2 departures area. About a half hour of sleep in the chair gave me a neck ache, so I moved on to the floor. Figured hey, other people around me were doing it, and at least that way I'm laid out flat. Well, an hour later, and the snooty security guards say Good morning, can't you sit in a chair? All while ignoring the other people around me who were sacked out on the floor. Same bad chairs at my gate. Full skull and crossbones for Schiphol!"
Airport Guide
Airport Lounges
- Menzies Lounge 21 - Terminal 1 - Airside, near Gates B and C on the top floor, Schengen Area. Offers beverages, including alcohol, Internet and WiFi (both with cost). Rate: TBA. Hours: 0600-2030
- Menzies Lounge 43 - Terminals 2 and 3 - Airside, between Fates E and F on the top floor, non-Schenhen Area. Offers beverages, including alcohol, Internet and WiFi (both with cost). Rate: TBA. Hours: 0600-2000
Airport Facilities
- Showers
Rates: EUR 15.00 (including soap, shampoo, shower cap, towels, hair dryer and drink). Location: 1st floor in the Mercure Hotel, Lounge 3. Hours: 24 hours - Luggage Storage / Lockers
- WiFi / Internet
- Shopping
Shopping is available before and after security. Landside, you can find stores such as H&M, Mexx and Nike. - Massages
Chair Massages - You keep your clothes and sit comfortably in an ergonomically designed chair while your shoulders, head, neck, back, arms and hands are treated. Rates EUR 16.50 (10 minutes) or EUR 27.50 (20 minutes). Location: Airside, Holland Boulevard. Hours: 8:30 am - 7:00 pm.
Massage-O-Matic - special unit that includes a shiatsu massage chair and relaxing with music. Duration: 8 minutes. Located: Near the window in Room 2, between Pier D and E (next to the bar). Rate: EUR 4
- Panorama Terrace
The Panorama Terrace offers a great view of the aircraft and tarmac. Located: between Arrivals 1 and 2 and 3. Hours: 9:00am - 17:00pm (Winter) and 7:00am-20:00pm (Summer) - Get Married at the Airport
At first I thought this was a joke. However, it is true....you can have your dream wedding at the airport with the tarmac as your stunning backdrop. They even have a web site. - Fitness and Spa
Sheraton Fitness & Spa - offers a day pass that allows you unlimited use of gym, sauna and rainforest showers, steam room and spa area. LocatedL landside between Schiphol Plaza and the World Trade Centre. Rate: EUR 20. Hours: 24 hours / 7 days a week. * The sauna and steam room are not available between 23:00pm-06:00am. - City Tours
There is a tour company located in the terminal that offers tours in between flights. The stopover excursions are 2-3.5 hours in duration. - Prayer Rooms
There is a Meditation Centre is that is open to all religions. The facility includes a library with text books of various religions in different languages. Church service is held Sunday at 11:00am. Located: Airside - Casino
Why pay for a hotel room, when you can just as easily blow your money at the casino. Only at the casino do you actually have a chance of leaving with more money than you came in with. Located: Room 2, between Gates E and F. Hours: 06:30am-19:30am - National Museum
The Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Schiphol contains a permanent exhibition of ten works of old master from the Golden Age. Located: Airside, on Holland Boulevard, between the E and F Pier. Hours: daily from 07:00am-20.00pm. Rate: free - Food / Dining
There are 24 hour food and coffee facilities landside and airside. If you have any food recommendations/warnings, email me and I will add it to the list.
Airport Transportation: Getting There
- Bus
Schiphol has a number of bus routes to the surrounding cities and towns - Trains
Train service within the Netherlands and abroad are available from the airport's train station. Schiphol train station is located directly below the airport. Buy your tickets at the big yellow machines. The travel time to Amsterdam is 15 minutes. - Shared Taxis
If you opt for the combined travel option (shared taxi), the transportation time will not exceed 1.5 times the direct travel time.
Nearby Hotels
Airport Maps
For a Amsterdam Schiphol Terminal Map.Amsterdam Airport Travel Tips
Here is some information that we've picked out of from your reviews. Be sure to read the review pages for the most up-to-date experiences:
- recent cases of phone bill and credit card scams, stolen wallets and missing laptops that were not turned in
- comfort level and amenities are much better air side
- seats with armrests
- reclining leather seats with foot rests
- Look for the "Comfort Chairs"
- luggage lockers
- horny security guards
- recommended sleep spots First Aid office/EHBO, baby changing station
- you may be kicked out at night
- bright lights at night
- announcements
- an alarming number of scams have been reported: huge operator assisted phone bills, wallets disappearing in scanners and possible credit card cloning at one of the "sweet stalls"
Amsterdam Travel Sites
- Hostels and Budget Accommodation in Amsterdam - I've booked my own accommodation here. If you are too old for hostels and too cheap for hotels, like me, you'll find some good properties here.
