I am traveling from the US to Venice with a layover in Amsterdam. The layover time is 2hr 55 minutes. Does anyone have any experience with that airport as I want to confirm that gives me enough time to clear passport control/customs (not sure what I all need to go through) before my final flight to Venice.
Posted by
9491 posts
We fly Delta and its partner KLM a lot and Amsterdam airport is a good airport to transit.
They had some issues a few years ago at the end of the COVID nightmare, but they are good now.
3 hours should be plenty of time to transfer. You can clear customs fairly easy there.
To get some reassurance, check to see what terminal you arriving flight normally uses, as well as the departing flight, to see how complicated the transfer may be.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23988 posts
It should be with the usual reservation ---- if your flight is on time. AND -- I assume that Venice is part of the original ticket. When we have been through Amsterdam, I have noticed that there is always a special line for travelers with short connections. Access appears to be well controlled so you can take advantage of these short lines. You should be fine.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
I am also flying Delta and really appreciate your input. Thanks!
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
16300 posts
I also fly Delta and often transit thru Amsterdam. I agree that your time frame will give you plenty of time. Amsterdam is really geared for transits. IF your inbound flight is running late, when you get to Passport Control there are staff members there who will move you to a separate line if you have a tight connection.
You will go thru Passport Control (movement of people) in Amsterdam which is where you enter the Schengen Zone. You will go thru Customs (movement of goods) in Venice. In general in Europe "going thru Customs" means going thru a green door that is marked "nothing to declare". If you are following the crowd you may be thru the door before you realize it!
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you very much for the helpful information regarding passport control and customs.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, US
557 posts
Plenty of time. And if on one ticket for the whole trip, if there's an issue Delta, or whoever the operating carrier is, will book you on the next available to Venice. As someone else said, Amsterdam is geared for connections so in general it's pretty smooth. Our first time flying into Amsterdam, the taxi from landing to the gate took forever. I thought we were driving into town!
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
3547 posts
The airport has a decent description of the transfer process. https://www.schiphol.nl/en/blog/all-about-your-transfer-at-schiphol/
Typically your layover time is sufficient assuming all flights are on schedule. The airport has an app and website that allows you to check detailed info about your incoming and outbound flights. I recommend making sure you get your boarding pass for your Venice flight when you check in at your US airport. It probably won't have the proper gate on it but it will save you a step stopping at a transfer desk. Just check the app or tv monitors to see where you need to go after you arrive at AMS.
Posted by
Connecticut
773 posts
If your original flight departs on time (and even if it is an hour or so late) you will have a tremendous amount of time to get bored will awaiting your connecting flight. AMS is a tremendously easy and quick airport at least from my transfer experiences both this year and last year. I’m scheduled to transit there next month and am very excited about it.