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Minimum Connection Transfer Time at Amsterdam (AMS): The Definitive Thread

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Old Nov 28, 2018, 12:40 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: LoganFlyer
Minimum connection time at AMS
Note: when determining the airline for MCT purposes, what counts is who markets the flight, not who operates it.

Schengen Zone to Schengen Zone, KL-KL: 50 minutes

Schengen Zone to Schengen Zone, KL-DL, DL-KL, or DL-DL: 25 minutes

Schengen Zone to Non-Schengen Zone, KL-KL or KL-DL: 90 minutes

Schengen Zone to Non-Schengen Zone, DL-KL or DL-DL: 50 minutes

Non-Schengen Zone to Schengen Zone, KL-KL or DL-KL: 60 minutes

Non-Schengen Zone to Schengen Zone, KL-DL or DL-DL: 50 minutes

Non-Schengen Zone to Non-Schengen Zone, DL-DL, DL-KL, or KL-DL: 50 minutes

Non-Schengen Zone to Non-Schengen Zone, KL-KL: anywhere from 40 minutes to 2 hours--it depends on the flight numbers and the dates. I've posted the raw output below to help you figure out which MCT will apply.
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 2040 - FLT 4141
KL-KL II .55 FLT 602 - FLT 597 31MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II SUP FLT 1230 - FLT 743 OPN -30MAR19
KL-KL II .50 FLT 900 - FLT 900 - 1999 OPN -30MAR19
KL-KL II .50 FLT 904 - FLT 900 - 1999 OPN -30MAR19
KL-KL II .50 FLT 1382 - FLT 900 - 1999 OPN -30MAR19
KL-KL II .50 FLT 1386 - FLT 900 - 1999 OPN -30MAR19
KL-KL II .50 FLT 1396 - FLT 900 - 1999 OPN -30MAR19
KL-KL II .50 FLT 1614 - FLT 900 - 1999 OPN -30MAR19
KL-KL II .50 FLT 3086 - FLT 900 - 1999 OPN -30MAR19
KL-KL II .50 FLT 902 - FLT 900 - 1999 30MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II .50 FLT 1392 - FLT 900 - 1999 30MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II .50 FLT 1394 - FLT 900 - 1999 30MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II .50 FLT 900 - FLT 900 - 1999 31MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II .50 FLT 904 - FLT 900 - 1999 31MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II .50 FLT 1386 - FLT 900 - 1999 31MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II .50 FLT 1396 - FLT 900 - 1999 31MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II .50 FLT 1614 - FLT 900 - 1999 31MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II .50 FLT 3086 - FLT 900 - 1999 31MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II 1.00 ALL - FLT 3096 GROUP3 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 3097 - ALL ALL - GROUP3
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 758 - ALL OPN -02DEC18
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 894 - ALL OPN -02DEC18
KL-KL II .55 FLT 741 - ALL OPN -28FEB19
KL-KL II .55 FLT 749 - ALL OPN -28FEB19
KL-KL II 1.05 FLT 884 - ALL OPN -29MAR19
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 602 - ALL OPN -30MAR19
KL-KL II .55 FLT 622 - ALL OPN -30MAR19
KL-KL II .55 FLT 692 - ALL OPN -30MAR19
KL-KL II .55 FLT 724 - ALL OPN -30MAR19
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 734 - ALL OPN -30MAR19
KL-KL II .55 FLT 792 - ALL OPN -30MAR19
KL-KL II 1.00 ALL - FLT 3096
KL-KL II 1.10 ALL - FLT 3823
KL-KL II 1.10 ALL - FLT 3948
KL-KL II 1.30 FLT 210 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 3097 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.10 FLT 3822 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.10 FLT 3949 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.10 FLT 4102 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.30 FLT 4991 - ALL
KL-KL II .55 FLT 758 - ALL 03DEC18-28FEB19
KL-KL II .55 FLT 876 - ALL 01JAN19-03FEB19
KL-KL II .55 FLT 878 - ALL 01JAN19-03FEB19
KL-KL II .55 FLT 434 - ALL 30MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 604 - ALL 30MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 606 - ALL 30MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 608 - ALL 30MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II .55 FLT 741 - ALL 30MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II .55 FLT 749 - ALL 30MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II 1.10 FLT 882 - ALL 30MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II 1.10 FLT 884 - ALL 30MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II 1.55 FLT 888 - ALL 30MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II 2.00 FLT 894 - ALL 30MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II 2.00 FLT 896 - ALL 30MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 566 - ALL 31MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 602 - ALL 31MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II .50 FLT 900 - 1999 - FLT 3400 - 3420 ALL - LIN
KL-KL II .50 FLT 900 - 1999 - FLT 3400 - 3420 ALL - FCO
KL-KL II .50 FLT 3400 - 3420 - FLT 900 - 1999 LIN - ALL
KL-KL II .50 FLT 3400 - 3420 - FLT 900 - 1999 FCO - ALL
KL-KL II .50 FLT 400 - 1999 - FLT 6000 - 9999
KL-KL II .40 FLT 900 - 1999 - FLT 900 - 1999
KL-KL II .40 FLT 900 - 1999 - FLT 3108 - 3109
KL-KL II .50 FLT 2000 - 2369 - FLT 6000 - 9999
KL-KL II 1.30 FLT 2370 - 2529 - FLT 6000 - 9999
KL-KL II 1.05 FLT 2520 - 2699 - FLT 6000 - 9999
KL-KL II 1.30 FLT 2700 - 4999 - FLT 6000 - 6199
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 2823 - 2826 - FLT 900 - 1999
KL-KL II 1.45 FLT 2960 - 2999 - FLT 300 - 899
KL-KL II 1.30 FLT 3000 - 4999 - FLT 6000 - 6199
KL-KL II .40 FLT 3108 - 3109 - FLT 900 - 1999
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 3150 - 3175 - FLT 900 - 1999
KL-KL II 1.30 FLT 6000 - 6199 - FLT 2700 - 4999
KL-KL II .50 FLT 6000 - 9999 - FLT 400 - 1999
KL-KL II .50 FLT 6000 - 9999 - FLT 2000 - 2369
KL-KL II 1.30 FLT 6000 - 9999 - FLT 2370 - 2529
KL-KL II 1.05 FLT 6000 - 9999 - FLT 2520 - 2699
KL-KL II 1.05 ALL - FLT 3178 - 3183 GRU - ALL
KL-KL II 1.05 ALL - FLT 3178 - 3183 YVR - ALL
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 400 - 1999 - ALL EQP ALL - TRN
ALL - GROUP3
KL-KL II 1.30 ALL - FLT 2520 - 2699 EQP TRN - ALL
KL-KL II 1.30 ALL - FLT 3096 - 3099 EQP TRN - ALL
KL-KL II 1.30 ALL - FLT 3100 - 3107 EQP TRN - ALL
KL-KL II 1.00 ALL - FLT 2520 - 2699 GROUP3 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.10 ALL - FLT 2758 - 2759 GROUP3 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.40 ALL - FLT 2890 - 2899 GROUP3 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.30 FLT 320 - 329 - ALL ALL - GROUP3
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 2520 - 2699 - ALL ALL - GROUP3
KL-KL II 1.10 FLT 2758 - 2759 - ALL ALL - GROUP3
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 2830 - 2837 - ALL ALL - GROUP3
KL-KL II 1.40 FLT 2890 - 2899 - ALL ALL - GROUP3
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 3076 - 3079 - ALL ALL - GROUP3
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 3120 - 3122 - ALL ALL - GROUP3
KL-KL II 1.00 ALL - FLT 320 - 329
KL-KL II 1.05 ALL - FLT 2520 - 2699
KL-KL II 1.10 ALL - FLT 2758 - 2759
KL-KL II 2.00 ALL - FLT 2890 - 2899
KL-KL II 1.10 ALL - FLT 3100 - 3107
KL-KL II 1.00 ALL - FLT 3152 - 3173
KL-KL II 1.10 ALL - FLT 3178 - 3183
KL-KL II 1.10 ALL - FLT 3646 - 3649
KL-KL II 1.30 FLT 320 - 329 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.05 FLT 2520 - 2699 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.10 FLT 2758 - 2759 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.10 FLT 2823 - 2826 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.10 FLT 2830 - 2837 - ALL
KL-KL II 2.00 FLT 2890 - 2899 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.30 FLT 2960 - 2999 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.10 FLT 3076 - 3079 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.15 FLT 3100 - 3107 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.10 FLT 3120 - 3122 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 3150 - 3175 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.10 FLT 3178 - 3183 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.15 FLT 3646 - 3649 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.00 EQP ALL - TRN GROUP3 - GROUP3
KL-KL II 1.30 EQP TRN - ALL
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Minimum Connection Transfer Time at Amsterdam (AMS): The Definitive Thread

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Old Oct 27, 2008, 9:09 am
  #106  
 
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AMS has moving sidewalks in the concourses. Although the concourses can be long, AMS is, in general, a pretty efficient airport. On those occasions when things go south, it isn't too hard to find agents that actually try to help. (This def isn't CDG) You mother should be fine.
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Old Apr 7, 2009, 11:34 am
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AMS Connection to LH
I will be traveling through AMS on NW connecting to LH on to FRA. Is there a LH transfer desk inside customs at AMS or will I need to go out to the ticketing area to get boarding passes. I have about 3 hour layover between flights, and will interline luggage, just not sure how to obtain my LH boarding passes.
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Old Apr 7, 2009, 11:40 am
  #108  
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Originally Posted by Bigpops
I will be traveling through AMS on NW connecting to LH on to FRA. Is there a LH transfer desk inside customs at AMS or will I need to go out to the ticketing area to get boarding passes. I have about 3 hour layover between flights, and will interline luggage, just not sure how to obtain my LH boarding passes.
Where are you traveling from/to? I assume from the US to Germany. You will need to go through security to the Schengen area and you can get your boarding pass either at the transit counter in the Schengen area or at the gate.

No boarding pass is needed to get from the international side to the Schengen side of the airport.
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Old Apr 7, 2009, 8:51 pm
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Yes, traveling form US. Appreciate your quick reply
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Old May 10, 2009, 6:15 am
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AMS Connection
Landing on NW 36 into AMS @ 9:00. Connecting flight on NW 3860/KL 1701 to MAD at 10:10.

Enough time to make this connection? NW CS claims "yes, easily!".
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Old May 10, 2009, 6:41 am
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'yes, easily'!
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Old May 10, 2009, 6:44 am
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Originally Posted by SirJman
'yes, easily'!

Thanks
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Old May 10, 2009, 6:46 am
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NO! Definitely not easily!!

It all will depend on the length of the lines at Passport Control and Security in order to pass from the International area to the Schengen area at Schiphol. I arrived there at 6AM last week and it took almost a full hour to get from my arrival gate on the E concourse to the Schengen area (B, C and upper level D concourses). Almost all of the lines were open, but there just happened to be a lot of people in line and it moved very slowly.

There is the possibility of using the "Short Connection" line, which will speed things up a bit, but you can only use it if your connecting flight is listed as one of the eligible ones. If you have never been to Schiphol, the whole thing can be a bit confusing. The legal minimum connection time is listed at 55 minutes, but everything must go right for that to actually happen! I normally will not accept anything less than a 2 hour connection there, since there is no way to predict the amount of time that you will stand in line waiting to be allowed to enter the EU. Sometimes it is a very quick process, but most of the time it can be a lot of wasted time waiting in line.

On the bright side, if your return to the US is through Schiphol, it is much faster and easier to exit the EU. Lines move very quickly, and as long as your flight arrives there on time it is not much of a problem to connect in 55 minutes to a flight back to the US.
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Old May 10, 2009, 7:05 am
  #114  
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Originally Posted by GuyverII
Landing on NW 36 into AMS @ 9:00. Connecting flight on NW 3860/KL 1701 to MAD at 10:10.

Enough time to make this connection? NW CS claims "yes, easily!".
If your flight arrives into AMS on time, that's a connection that you will make easily.

I would count on making such a connection approximately nine out of ten times or even better if factoring in for delays.
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Old May 10, 2009, 10:29 am
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Shoot, I didn't know you had to go through customs there... I have a 1:15 connection in a few weeks, NYC-AMS-LHR. Hope it goes smoothly... just in case, if you miss your connection, what generally happens in this case? You ask them to re-route you? Will they give me trouble and say it's my fault... they wouldn't do that, right? Right?
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Old May 10, 2009, 11:00 am
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Originally Posted by superbobx2
Shoot, I didn't know you had to go through customs there... I have a 1:15 connection in a few weeks, NYC-AMS-LHR. Hope it goes smoothly... just in case, if you miss your connection, what generally happens in this case? You ask them to re-route you? Will they give me trouble and say it's my fault... they wouldn't do that, right? Right?
Man, I hope not. I've got wife and baby in tow.
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Old May 10, 2009, 11:18 am
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Originally Posted by superbobx2
Shoot, I didn't know you had to go through customs there...
Yes, you do, but it's WAY easier than US customs. I've never had to wait more than 2 minutes...
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Old May 10, 2009, 12:01 pm
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Originally Posted by superbobx2
Shoot, I didn't know you had to go through customs there... I have a 1:15 connection in a few weeks, NYC-AMS-LHR. Hope it goes smoothly... just in case, if you miss your connection, what generally happens in this case? You ask them to re-route you? Will they give me trouble and say it's my fault... they wouldn't do that, right? Right?
You don't go thru customs (if transiting), it is just a passport check and standard metal detector security check. It can back up, but but I have never missed a connection with an on time arrival into AMS -- my average layover time is probably about 1:30.
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Old May 10, 2009, 12:30 pm
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I would agree - not easily

I fly GRB - DTW - AMS - PRG

Since the Schengen control area was started at AMS I won't do a connection there less than an hour and a half. I've barely made a couple connections there due to the total lack of organization. There are hundreds of people jammed into the area waiting to get to 2 or three agents. Then there are frantic people who are pushing their way to the front ... its a mess. I liked the passport control at the final destination much better .

I'll be through there in 10 days - we'll see if anything has improved. I chose a 5 hour layover there instead of a 55 minute one this time.
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Old May 10, 2009, 12:36 pm
  #120  
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Originally Posted by superbobx2
Shoot, I didn't know you had to go through customs there... I have a 1:15 connection in a few weeks, NYC-AMS-LHR.
England is not Schengen. For the AMS transfer not sure but I think you would stay in the international area and just connect. Immigration and customs at your final destination. Or is LHR a semi-local flight?

Originally Posted by mrcimino1
It all will depend on the length of the lines at Passport Control and Security in order to pass from the International area to the Schengen area at Schiphol.
Look at their map. The yellow area of Page 2 is where you will be. NW comes in on E wing (KLM codeshares may drop you at F). You curve around, and passport control and security (not customs) are there by the blue circle "30". The map is misleading, as it tends to show the D wing as open to the international area. D departures is actually one level up and in the Schengen area. The KLM city hoppers I have flown were all on the right hand of D wing, which is a dead zone, just gates, no shops or things. If you have time and want to grab a bite to go, do it in the main drag. (unless you have lots of time and a WC/SC card, then just past security in the Schengen area, upstairs, is the KLM lounge that will spoil you ^ and make you realize what a piece of cr*p every CRC is. )

One thing I learned the hard way. Depending on arriving flights, the passport line length changes quickly. I once had an hour connection, worked my way over to the passport area. There were four lines open and only one or two people in each line. No problem I thought, I have plenty of time, so I went into the nearby gift shop for under 10 min. Came out and there were over 20 people in each line. Figured I better get in line immediately. Good thing, as it took about 15 min., but by the time I got to the passport window, there were over thirty people behind me in each line. I did make my flight.

Europeans tend to carry on about 1/10 the junk of a typical US flight. KLM seems to use the "no frills-no zone" boarding method. 10 min before departure, open the gate and it is a mass whole plane herd stampede. But without the carry ones, except for tourists like me , the plane loads faster and leaves on time. ^

If you need some Euros, the blue round bank just to the right of where E wing comes out gives a "pretty honest especially for an airport" exchange rate without usual ripoff commissions. It's on your way.

If you have an extra 20 min, one of the best things in AMS is halfway between F and E on the main drag. The National Museum has a gallery with about 20 of their overflow paintings rotated in. You can see some great old masters up close, well lit, and best of all: free admission. ^ AMS is a great airport, so much to do, a 2 hr. connection is hardly enough time to explore. Just stay out of the casino.
Last edited by Flaflyer; May 11, 2009 at 9:57 am Reason: correction E
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