Amsterdam Airport Guide: What to Do at Schiphol Between Flights

Schiphol Airport is one of the world's most traveler-friendly airports — but even a great airport gets old after a few hours. If you have a long layover or an early arrival, here's how to make the most of your time in and around Amsterdam without your luggage slowing you down.

Schiphol Basics

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) is located about 17 km southwest of Amsterdam's city center.

• Train to Amsterdam Centraal: 15–20 minutes
• Frequency: About every 10 minutes throughout the day
• Fare: Roughly €5.50 one way

This fast, frequent train connection makes Schiphol uniquely well-suited for city excursions during layovers — as long as you're not dragging bags with you.

How Long a Layover Do You Need to Leave Schiphol?

Use this as a rough guide for planning your time:

2–3 hours

• Take the train to Amsterdam Centraal
• Walk down the Damrak toward Dam Square
• Grab a quick coffee or snack in the Jordaan
• Head back to Schiphol with time to spare

You can do this with bags, but it’s not ideal — especially on busy streets and trams.

4–6 hours

• Visit a major museum (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, or Anne Frank House — with advance tickets)
• Explore a neighborhood like De Pijp, the Jordaan, or the Nine Streets (De 9 Straatjes)
• Sit down for a proper Dutch lunch (think bitterballen, broodjes, or pancakes)
• Return comfortably to the airport without rushing

6+ hours

With six hours or more, you can treat Amsterdam like a half-day destination:

• Drop or send your bags ahead
• Explore multiple neighborhoods
• Take a canal cruise
• Enjoy a relaxed meal and a stroll before heading to your hotel or back to the airport

This is where a service like Postnaut becomes especially useful.

Luggage at Schiphol

Schiphol has a traditional left-luggage facility operated by Excess Baggage Company.

• Location: After passport control in departure halls 1 and 3
• Pricing: Starts at around €9 per item for 24 hours

This works well if:

• You’re staying in or near the airport, or
• You only want a quick look around the terminal or nearby hotels

The limitation: you have to come back to the airport to collect your bags. That means planning your day around the terminal instead of the city.

With Postnaut, your bags go directly to your hotel — and you simply meet them there at check-in.

Best Things to Do Near Schiphol

If you don’t want to go all the way into central Amsterdam, there are several great options close to the airport.

Keukenhof Gardens (March–May)

One of the world's most famous flower gardens, Keukenhof is a must-see if you're visiting during tulip season.

• Travel time: About 30 minutes from Schiphol by bus
• Season: Typically late March to mid-May
• Why go: Endless tulip fields, landscaped gardens, and classic Dutch photo spots

Perfect for a spring layover: land at Schiphol, drop or send your bags, and head straight to the flowers.

Leiden

A charming university town just a short train ride away.

• Travel time: About 12 minutes from Schiphol by train
• Vibe: Historic canals, student energy, and far fewer tourists than Amsterdam
• Highlights:
• Beautiful old town center
• Traditional cheese shops and cafés
• Quiet canals ideal for a relaxed stroll

Leiden is ideal if you want a more local, less crowded experience in a compact, walkable city.

Haarlem

Often called a "mini Amsterdam", Haarlem offers a lot of the charm of the capital with fewer crowds.

• Travel time: About 15 minutes from Schiphol by train
• Vibe: Elegant streets, canals, and a lively main square
• Highlights:
• Historic Grote Markt (main square)
• Great bakeries and cafés
• Boutique shopping and picturesque side streets

Haarlem is perfect for a short, low-stress excursion that still feels like a real city visit.

Postnaut at Schiphol

From 2026, Postnaut will make Schiphol layovers and arrivals even easier.

• Dedicated pickup point at Schiphol
• Drop off your bags before heading into Amsterdam or nearby towns
• Bags delivered directly to your hotel
• No storage fees, no queues, no weight on your shoulders

Instead of:

• Waiting in line at left-luggage
• Planning your day around returning to the airport
• Dragging suitcases over cobblestones, into trams, and through crowds

You can:

• Walk straight out of the airport with just your day bag
• Enjoy museums, cafés, and canals hands-free
• Check in at your hotel and find your luggage already waiting

Making the Most of Your Schiphol Layover

1. Check your total layover time (gate to gate, not just scheduled arrival/departure).
2. Allow buffer time for security, passport control, and boarding.
3. Decide your destination based on time:

• 2–3 hours: Quick Amsterdam city center stroll
• 4–6 hours: Museum + neighborhood + meal
• 6+ hours: Full half-day in Amsterdam or a side trip to Leiden, Haarlem, or Keukenhof (in season)

1. Sort your luggage:

• Use Schiphol left-luggage if you’re staying airport-focused
• Use Postnaut (from 2026) if you want your bags to go straight to your hotel

With fast trains, nearby towns, and future bag delivery via Postnaut, Schiphol is one of the easiest airports in the world for turning a layover into a mini trip.