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Flight USA to Amsterdam to Edinburgh

Have never traveled abroad; how long will it take to get through passport check to get to our second plane?

Did not realize that would be we would have to do that since we would not be leaving the international airport.

Only have a 2 hr layover, is that going to be enough?

Posted by
1598 posts

Yes, you have to go thru passport control when you enter first airport in Schengen Zone. 2 hours should be enough time as long as your connecting flight is on the same ticket.

Posted by
3 posts

Thank you! Not ever been through customs of any sort, it is making me a bit anxious. Do they give you a form as to what you need to declare?

Posted by
6272 posts

You will not go through passport control in Amsterdam because the UK is not part of Schengen and thus you will not be entering the Schengen. You will stay in the non-Schengen transit area. You will go through passport control when you arrive in Edinburgh. Make sure you have your ETA for the UK.

Posted by
1108 posts

At Edinburgh Immigration/Border Control is where you will need your passport and the British ETA. Customs is easy, collect your baggage and just walk through the green door that says nothing to declare.

Posted by
3 posts

ETA was the on-line thing I did correct for approval? Thought it said I dont need to have anything in writing, since tied to my passport?

Posted by
2020 posts

Just wanted to confirm that you don’t need to do anything at Amsterdam. No passport control, no customs, no security. You simply walk to the next gate, 2 hours is plenty of time for that.

If you’ve applied for your ETA and received confirmation, you are good to go. ETA is linked to your passport, no need for a written confirmation.

Posted by
17856 posts

When you get to Edinburgh, assuming you have a US or Canadian passport, you will go through the electronic gates for passport control. You shouldn't have to talk to anyone unless there is a problem reading your passport. This is much faster.

Posted by
16031 posts

I’ve purposely routed through Amsterdam the last 2 trips to Scotland from the US. Because of how they have the airport laid out It is SO easy!

As others confirmed, no passport control or security in Amsterdam either going or coming from UK/US. 2 hours will be a gracious plenty.