Schiphol Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Photo provided by Courtesy of Royal Schiphol Group
Photo provided by Courtesy of Royal Schiphol Group
Photo provided by Courtesy of Royal Schiphol Group
Photo provided by Courtesy of Royal Schiphol Group
Photo provided by Courtesy of Royal Schiphol Group

Schiphol's strategic location makes it the perfect base for a day out in Amsterdam or one of the other nearby cities. You can also go to the beach from here. 

The airport has excellent train and bus services to cities such as Leiden, Amsterdam and Utrecht. Nature reserves or the beach at Zandvoort are also easy to reach.

Schiphol is celebrating its 100th birthday in 2016! The airport was built in 1916 on the bottom of the reclaimed Haarlemmermeer at 4 metres below sea level. It was used in the First World War as a military airfield and in the Second World War by the Germans as a base for their air raids on England. The airport grew quickly in the 1970s and has been growing steadily ever since.

It takes 15 minutes to get to the centre of Amsterdam from Schiphol airport. Spend the day shopping in The Nine Streets, stop for a drink in the Jordaan or go to the Albert Cuyp Market. Leiden is also a 15-minute train ride away. The Museum Volkenkunde (National Museum of Ethnology) and the Waag (weigh house) are definitely worth visiting.

The beach at Zandvoort, which is 9 km long and up to 100 m wide is only a 30-minute train ride from Schiphol and a great place to relax with the kids. Not far from Zandvoort lies National Park Zuid-Kennemerland which is the perfect place for nature lovers. Chances are you’ll even see European bison (wisent), Scottish highlanders and deer.

Schiphol has excellent train services to the bigger cities such as Amsterdam, Leiden, Rotterdam and Amersfoort. It takes about 2 hours and one transfer to get to cities such as Leeuwarden which is quite a way north. Schiphol is on the A4 motorway which is convenient if you're travelling by car and would like to stay somewhere a little different at the beginning or end of your holiday.

Make sure your hotel has parking so you can leave the car there while you're out exploring. City parking can be very expensive and public transport in the Netherlands is generally excellent.

If you're not travelling by car and have time before your flight, you can always leave your luggage at the airport and take a train into Amsterdam for a last-minute visit. Schiphol really is conveniently located!

citizenM Schiphol Airport

citizenM Schiphol Airport

4 out of 5
Jan Plezierweg 2, Schiphol
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹8,498 per night from 29 Jul to 30 Jul
₹8,498
per night
29 Jul - 30 Jul
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Schiphol. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,074 reviews)
"This is a great place to stay if you’re leaving early or arriving late and don’t want to deal with transportation the day of a flight. It’s far from the sights but is convenient to AMS."

Reviewed on 17 Jul 2025

citizenM Schiphol Airport
Sheraton Amsterdam Airport Hotel and Conference Center

Sheraton Amsterdam Airport Hotel and Conference Center

4.5 out of 5
Schiphol Boulevard 101, Schiphol
The price is ₹17,245 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
₹17,245
per night
27 Jul - 28 Jul
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Schiphol. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,836 reviews)
"Wonderful service and convenient to airport."

Reviewed on 14 Jul 2025

Sheraton Amsterdam Airport Hotel and Conference Center
Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam

Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam

4.5 out of 5
Damrak 1-5, Amsterdam
The price is ₹18,627 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
₹18,627
per night
20 Jul - 21 Jul
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,094 reviews)
"The location was perfect, property itself is very overpriced. We paid for a canal view but we had an obstructed view, so didn’t feel it was worth what we paid for. Other than that no other complains"

Reviewed on 16 Jul 2025

Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Cityden Zuidas

Cityden Zuidas

4 out of 5
Professor J.H. Bavincklaan 3, Amstelveen
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Amstelveen. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (974 reviews)
"Overall very solid place. Friendly staff, good room sie, nice bathroom. Couple of suggestions: add smaller pot, so one can cook couple of eggs, hot cereal, or other items. One complaint is the bed - two doubles put together didn’ really work for me and the mattress topper may have not improved it. ..."

Reviewed on 17 Jul 2025

Cityden Zuidas
Adagio Amsterdam City South

Adagio Amsterdam City South

3.5 out of 5
Professor J H Bavinckln 5, Amstelveen, NL
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly aparthotel in Amstelveen. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (468 reviews)
"Good place to be"

Reviewed on 13 Jul 2025

Adagio Amsterdam City South
Corendon Apartments Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Hotel

Corendon Apartments Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Hotel

4 out of 5
285 Schipholweg, Badhoevedorp, NH
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Badhoevedorp. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (421 reviews)
"The buffet was great and the apartment was spacious."

Reviewed on 13 Jul 2025

Corendon Apartments Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Schiphol

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
27
5 - Excellent 43%
4 - Good
23
4 - Good 37%
3 - Okay
12
3 - Okay 19%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 2%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Adjust your restaurant prices,

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Schiphol Airport is by far the best airport in Europe!!!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Lots of shops and places to eat.. convenient and well signposted for all needs

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Friendly, English speaking staff.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

The airport is huge and was confusing. If you are a shopper, you are one lucky person! I don't think it is an airport to spend too much time in.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

I love to walk aroibd at Schiphol. The shops are interesting and full of articles which I could buy.

Cities near Schiphol