Hey all! I will be traveling from the U.S. to Rome with a layover in Amsterdam. I have read a lot of conflicting accounts on whether or not I would be going through customs in Amsterdam or Rome. Which would it be since they are both in the Schengen Area? Is it likely that I would also have to go through security again during the AMS layover? It's only 1 hour so I want to make sure I have enough time for everything if needed.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9109 posts
You will go through immigration(passport check) in Amsterdam. There is usually an express lane open for flights leaving soon; there will be a monitor overhead showing which flights qualify. Not certain about a security check, but one hour is typically enough time to make connections at Schipol.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Thank you Michael. That certainly puts my mind at ease!
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
7690 posts
Part of what may be confusing is as the previous poster mentioned, in Amsterdam, upon entering the Schengen zone, you will go through Immigration/Passport control. When you land in Rome, there will be the opportunity to go through customs, but it would be very unlikely that you would have anything to declare. At the exit in Rome, there will be an exit with a green "No Declaration" sign, go that way. If you do have something to declare, look for the red sign and seek out Customs officials.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11429 posts
Is this a single booking with a transfer, or two separate bookings?
If it is the latter and you have checked baggage, you may be shaving it razor thin
Posted by
OP
8 posts
I would not have anything to declare when entering Rome. It is a single booking with a transfer.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11429 posts
Should be fine as it is a single booking. Airline should know how long it takes to change plans. They are not going to make unrealistic transfer times and then be stuck having to re-book folks on a regular basis
Posted by
Milwaukie, Oregon
1056 posts
Having recently completed a flight to Rome via Amsterdam with a one-hour connection time, I can vouch for the fact that this short time is extremely stressful. The numbers of people waiting in line are huge! Although there is an expedited line for those with short connections, being allowed into this line is not automatic and you must ask repeatedly to be admitted. I was not allowed into that line until my flight was already in late boarding process. Then, after I got through the line, I had to run quite a ways to get to my gate and was literally the last person boarding the plane. It's not an experience I ouldchooze to repeat. It's far better to have a longer connection time, particularly if you are flying in months with heavy traffic. My experience was in April. I can only imagine how much worse it could have been during high season travel.