Would like to know how long does it normally take to get through Passport Control & Customs when arriving at Schipol on international flight. We are arriving at 10am on a Thursday morning and would like an idea on when we will get to Amsterdam centre
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
It depends how many planes landed around that time but it's faster than in US.
Posted by
the Netherlands
2487 posts
I know it as an efficient airport and would say max 45 mins from arrival at the gate.
With the frequent train and bus connections you can be in the city centre well before 12.00.
Posted by
OP
Kelowna, Canada
118 posts
Thank you
Posted by
midwest- Michigan
489 posts
Hi we arrived at Schipol last May on a Saturday around 9:30 AM. Passport control was a bit of a wait, but the lines were moving well. Possibly 15-20 minute. Easy to get information about train to Central Station, but watch and listen, because we needed to get off the train at another station to transfer to the train to Central Station. Our RS Book didn't make that clear. However, the very wonderful train conductors directed us to get off then go back to the station to transfer to the right train. We arrived at our Bed and Breakfast (after walking 10 min from station) around noon. We stayed in the Maes-Heren B&B, recommend!)
Posted by
the Netherlands
2487 posts
we needed to get off the train at another station to transfer to the train to Central Station
Wait for a train - Sprinter or Intercity - which brings you directly to Amsterdam Centraal. There is always one coming within a few minutes.
Posted by
St. Louis, MO USA
1976 posts
I flew into Schiphol in October and went through Passport Control in maybe 10 minutes. I couldn't believe how quickly it was.
If you don't have a chip & PIN card, you won't be able to buy train tickets from the automated ticket machines. You'll have to go to the large bank of manned ticket windows to buy a train ticket. The ticket-sellers speak English and you can ask them which train to take to Centraal Station.
Don't forget to validate your ticket before you get on the train! I forgot, as did a bunch of other tourists, and the ticket agent on the train politely reprimanded all of us.