Customs/Security Question at AMS + OSL

Posted by lai.m.cor on 05/18/17 03:32 PM

Hello Travelers! First time international traveler here.

We'll be traveling late September to Europe for the first time (very excited!). On our way home, we'll be flying from Amsterdam to Oslo (SAS flight) which departs at AMS 10:50 AM and arrives at OSL at 12:40 PM. We then will catch a Norwegian flight to Oakland, CA at 3:40 PM that same day. I'm hoping a three hour time difference between the flights will be adequate time, however am I missing anything that we need to do at either of the airports that may take up significant time? Do we need to go through customs for any of the countries? Or maybe go through new security or check in lines? No checked baggage, only carryon, so that will help at the very least! :) Thank you for your help.

Posted by Chris F

Basel, Switzerland

05/18/17 04:17 PM

8889 posts

I answered at your other post: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/norway/information-on-customs-checkins-at

Posted by christa

alameda, ca, usa

05/18/17 05:53 PM

2795 posts

Don't cut your time short when checking in at Schiphol, they have the most arduous security I have ever encountered, very thorough and time-consuming--opening and rummaging through carry-ons and purses, removing items (cameras, electronics but not limited to that) for additional scanning as you stand there, opening umbrellas, etc. When you get in line there's a board that tells your anticipated time to get through--at 9 am on a Tuesday it was 35 minutes, plus another 10 or so for your personal bit.

Posted by Nance

Orange Park, Fl

05/20/17 09:59 AM

985 posts

I agree with Christa. I didn't time how long it took us to get though security but it was a good while. Every one of our bags went through the "check me further" line and they did everything but tear our bags apart at the seams to look for... something. Every little bag was opened, every clear ziploc packing cube scanned multiple times. I had packed my low boots with little odds and ends and those were emptied. Every souvenir magnet or bottle opener was examined as if it were going to take down the plane. The contents of my bag were strewn across a two foot area with other people's stuff getting mixed in with mine by the time they were done looking at my stuff. They certainly make their jobs seem necessary lol. This time I will expect it. To let you know just how bad this can be, I told security that if I had known just what their search would entail I would have just brought all my belongings in a big trash bag and packed afterward. The guy offered to repack my bag but I declined. I should have let him. Maybe I'll do that this time. : )
And if this sounds like a rant... it might just be! Boo on AMS security.