1 week before: the planning
- Check your passport or ID card — still valid? Some countries outside the EU require your passport to be valid for at least 6 months on arrival. Read our guide to travel documents.
- Apply for a visa if your destination requires one (US: ESTA, Canada: eTA, Australia: eVisitor)
- Book your taxi in advance via our booking form — give your pick-up time, flight number and address
- Check in online as soon as you can (with most airlines from approx. 24 to 30 hours before departure)
- Choose your seat when checking in online
- Weigh your suitcase — check the maximum weight for your ticket
- Check the liquids rules — max. 100 ml per bottle in a transparent bag
Good to know
With most airlines, online check-in opens approx. 24 to 30 hours before departure; this varies by airline. Do it early for the best choice of seats and to skip the check-in queue at Schiphol.
The evening before: get packed
- Documents to hand: passport/ID, boarding pass, travel insurance, visa
- Hand luggage checked: liquids (max. 100 ml per container) in one bag of max. 1 litre, no prohibited items
- Charger and power bank: a power bank is only allowed in hand luggage, not in hold luggage; since 27 March 2026 no more than 2 per person and no charging on board
- Medicines: liquid medicines over 100 ml are allowed (a medical statement is optional)
- Valuables in hand luggage: laptop, camera, jewellery
- Taxi confirmation checked: pick-up time, journey number, address correct?
- Alarm set: work out how many hours before your flight you need to be at Schiphol plus the driving time
The morning of departure: stay calm
- No coffee or alcohol — it increases stress and makes fear of flying worse
- Have a relaxed breakfast — there is no rush if you plan early enough
- The driver is at your door at the agreed time — you do not need to arrange anything
- Take your suitcase to the car — the driver helps with loading
- Check your phone: boarding pass loaded? Flight number to hand?
At Schiphol: step by step
- Check-in hall — find your airline on the boards
- Bag drop — if you have checked in online, just drop off your luggage
- Security — thanks to the CT scanners, your laptop, tablet and liquids bag can stay in your bag; coat and belt off
- Schiphol Plaza / airside — shops, restaurants, wifi
- Gate — check your gate on the boards (it can change)
- Boarding — starts 30–45 minutes before departure, the gate closes 15–20 min before departure
See the Schiphol terminals guide for which pier your flight uses.
Good to know
Schiphol Plaza has an Albert Heijn to go that is open 24/7 — ideal for a snack or drink before your flight. Airside, prices are higher than landside.
What many travellers forget
- Travel adapters for your destination country
- Cash in the currency of your destination — pick some up at GWK Travelex at Schiphol
- Travel insurance taken out? Check the dates of cover
- Hotel and transfer information for your arrival — do you know how to get from your arrival airport to your hotel?
- Return journey booked? Book your taxi back from Schiphol at the same time as your outbound journey
Quick overview: the checklist at a glance
1 week before:
- Check passport/ID ✓
- Arrange visa/ESTA ✓
- Book taxi ✓
- Check in online ✓
The evening before:
- Documents to hand ✓
- Check hand luggage ✓
- Set alarm ✓
Morning of departure:
- Relaxed breakfast ✓
- Driver ready and waiting ✓
- Phone charged ✓
At Schiphol:
- Bag drop ✓
- Security ✓
- At the gate on time ✓
