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?
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.
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?
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
Not directly related to your initial question, but, you might consider reversing the itinerary
and going to Edinburgh first, then to Amsterdam, and then back to the US.
The fares out of Edinburgh back to the US are likely to be higher, both from supply/demand
and from the UK departure taxes. The taxes are high %-wise for the flight to Amsterdam, but it's
a much cheaper and shorter flight.
You also have a better chance of the more efficient non-stop or connection path if you fly
back from Amsterdam.
I flew into London (easy, obviously) and then took the train up to Edinburgh; that's another
option.
