Hotels Near Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Amsterdam, Netherlands · EHAM
Amsterdam Schiphol is one of Europe’s great connecting hubs, built around a single efficient terminal that makes transfers quick, and the home of KLM.
Trains run directly from beneath the terminal to Amsterdam Centraal in under 20 minutes.
Because almost everything sits under one roof, Schiphol is one of the easiest major hubs in Europe for a tight connection — and one of the most rewarding for a long one, thanks to its airside museum, library, and fast rail link into the city.
Schiphol consistently ranks among the busiest airports in Europe by passenger numbers, yet its single-terminal layout keeps walking distances and transfer times lower than many hubs its size. Departure halls 1, 2, and 3 sit side by side, and once airside the lettered piers connect without further security checks for Schengen-to-Schengen journeys.
For travellers that means three things: connections can be short, a long layover is genuinely pleasant, and getting into Amsterdam is quick and cheap. The notes below cover transport, lounges, transit and visa rules, layover ideas, and where to sleep.
For a longer, hand-written walkthrough, see our in-depth Amsterdam airport guide.
Hotels near AMS
Whether you need an in-terminal hotel for an early flight, a free-shuttle airport hotel, or a place in central Amsterdam, these tools find rooms near Amsterdam Airport Schiphol:
- citizenM Schiphol Airport — At the terminal. Modern and walkable from arrivals; popular for early departures.
- Sheraton Amsterdam Airport — At the terminal. Directly connected to Schiphol Plaza.
- Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol — At the terminal. Upscale option a short covered walk from arrivals.
- Mercure transit hotel — Airside. Rest without clearing immigration on a long or overnight connection.
- Hoofddorp / Badhoevedorp hotels — 5-10 min shuttle. A cheaper cluster with free or low-cost airport shuttles.
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Getting to & from AMS
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AMS — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from Schiphol to central Amsterdam?
The train is fastest: the station is directly beneath the airport at Schiphol Plaza, with frequent NS services reaching Amsterdam Centraal in about 15-20 minutes. Buses, taxis, and rideshares take roughly 20-30 minutes.
How short can a connection at Schiphol be?
Thanks to the single-terminal, one-roof design, connections can work from around 40-50 minutes because you usually stay airside and walk between piers. Allow more in peak summer periods or if you move between Schengen and non-Schengen zones.
Can I leave Schiphol during a layover?
Yes, if you are entitled to enter the Schengen Area. The train into central Amsterdam takes 15-20 minutes, so a layover of five hours or more comfortably allows a short city visit. Mind the return time and your boarding gate.
Is Schiphol a good airport for a long layover?
It is one of the best in Europe for it, with an airside Rijksmuseum annexe, a library, a quiet indoor park, a panorama terrace, and plenty of food and shops. With five hours or more and Schengen entry, central Amsterdam is a short train ride away.
How many terminals does Schiphol have?
Schiphol uses a single-terminal, one-roof design with three departure halls (1, 2, and 3) feeding lettered piers. You can usually walk between gates airside without leaving security, which is what keeps connections short.
Does Schiphol have free WiFi?
Yes. Free unlimited WiFi is available across the airport, both landside and airside, with no time limit.
Where can I sleep at Schiphol?
There is an airside transit hotel for resting without clearing immigration, hotels at and connected to the terminal such as citizenM and the Sheraton, and a cheaper cluster a short shuttle ride away in Hoofddorp and Badhoevedorp. Quiet rest areas are also available airside.
Where is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol located?
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) serves Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Does Amsterdam Airport Schiphol have free WiFi?
Free unlimited WiFi across the airport, landside and airside, with no time limit.
How do I get from AMS to Amsterdam?
Train: Direct NS trains from the station beneath the airport to Amsterdam Centraal (~15-20 min) Train (intercity): Direct services from the airport station to Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and beyond (~30-60 min) Bus: Amsterdam Airport Express (Bus 397) to the city centre and hotels (~30 min) Taxi: Metered taxis from the Schiphol Plaza rank to central Amsterdam (~20-30 min) Rideshare: Uber and Bolt from the designated pickup area (~20-30 min)
Can I leave the airport during a layover at AMS?
Schiphol is in the Schengen Area. Some nationalities need an Airport Transit Visa when connecting between non-Schengen flights. A connection between a Schengen and a non-Schengen flight (in either direction) passes through passport control, so allow a little extra time. To leave the airport on a layover you must clear passport control and meet Schengen entry conditions for your nationality; on return you pass through security again.