What is a transfer at Schiphol?
With a transfer (also called transit or a connecting flight), you land at Schiphol and depart the same day on another flight to your final destination. You do not leave the airport area — you stay 'airside', meaning after passport control.
Schiphol is specially set up for transfer passengers. There is a separate Transfer Centre where you can go if you have problems.
Good to know
Schiphol is one of the largest transfer airports in Europe. Every day, tens of thousands of travellers change to a connecting flight here.
How much time do you need for a transfer at Schiphol?
The minimum transfer time (Minimum Connecting Time, MCT) at Schiphol is officially 40 minutes for Schengen-to-Schengen flights. But this is the absolute minimum — if you miss your connection, it is in principle at your own risk.
The practical recommendations:
- Schengen → Schengen: at least 1 hour
- Non-Schengen → Schengen: at least 1.5 hours (passport control)
- Schengen → Non-Schengen: at least 1.5 hours
- Non-Schengen → Non-Schengen: at least 1 hour
- With overbooked flights or at peak times: always allow an extra 30 minutes
How does the transfer route at Schiphol work?
On arrival, follow the 'Transfer' or 'Connecting flights' signs. You do not need to check in your baggage again if you are flying on one ticket — your suitcases are automatically checked through to your final destination.
Step by step:
1. Land at Schiphol
2. Follow the 'Transfer' signs
3. Passport control (if arriving from outside Schengen)
4. Security check (if arriving from outside Schengen)
5. Go to your connecting gate
Schiphol has one terminal with three departure halls (1, 2 and 3). The walking distance between the furthest gates can be 15 to 20 minutes.
Good to know
All gates at Schiphol are in one terminal — this makes Schiphol more user-friendly for transfer passengers than airports such as Frankfurt or Charles de Gaulle, where you have to travel between buildings.
What if your incoming flight is delayed?
If you miss your connecting flight because of a delay you did not cause yourself (for example a delayed incoming flight), you have rights:
- The airline is obliged to put you on the next available flight as soon as possible
- You are entitled to meals and drinks and, if you have to stay overnight, also to a hotel
- This applies if you booked on one ticket (codeshare or through-ticketed)
Did you book two separate tickets? Then you are responsible yourself for the connection and the costs of a missed flight.
Practical tips for transfer passengers at Schiphol
- Download the Schiphol app for real-time gate information
- Check your connecting gate on the FIDS screens straight away on arrival
- Always keep your boarding pass for the connecting flight to hand
- Do not buy anything at duty free if you are short of time — the shops are before the gates
- If in doubt: go straight to the gate, shopping can wait
Are you coming from an area such as Haarlem, Beverwijk or IJmuiden and want to be at Schiphol comfortably and on time for your first flight? Book a taxi with AMS Taxi Schiphol — we pick you up at home and make sure you arrive in plenty of time.
Schiphol transfer vs. travelling to Schiphol yourself
Are you booking a flight with a stopover at Schiphol as your starting point? Then it is sometimes cheaper to travel to Schiphol yourself instead of taking a transfer flight. You then only pay for your own transport (taxi or parking costs) and the plane ticket — without the usually more expensive 'via Schiphol' flight.
For travellers from the Haarlem and Beverwijk area and surroundings, AMS Taxi Schiphol takes you to Schiphol 24/7. View our fares or book directly.
