Jul 12, 2022, 9:35 am
Last edit by: Fabo.sk
Minimum Connection Times
Standard MCT is 40 minutes for Schengen and 50 minutes for Non-Schengen flights.
Individual airlines/destinations might have raised MCTs though, for example connections from Delta to Schengen KLM raise MCT of 1 hour.
Under no circumstances should self-connecting passengers use these times as a guide for their own travel.
Amsterdam terminals/lounges
Amsterdam Schiphol airport operates on a single terminal concept.
Airside, there are 4 "lounges", Lounge 1 in the Schengen area, lounges 2-3 in Non-Schengen, lounge 4 is Schengen. These Lounges are not airline lounges, they refer to common terminal areas outside the piers. Do not confuse them with VIP lounges, those are signposted as "airline lounges".
Lounge 1 is between piers C and D, lounge 2 between D and E, lounge 3 by pier F, and lastly lounge 4 is connected to Schengen gates M (low-cost pier). Additionally, area between piers E and F is called Holland Boulevard. Keep this in mind as you mind find location references based on these.
All lounges are interconnected and you can pass between them without leaving secure area (the only exception being Schengen low-cost pier, more in Piers section)
Piers and gate numbering
There are 7 piers. Going counterclockwise from south:
Transfer security
Transfer security is not needed when connecting from Schengen to either Schengen or non-Schengen destinations (except in case of self connect with baggage pickup, or self-connect to Schengen low-cost pier).
In case of connecting from non-Schengen to either Schengen or non-Schengen, transfer security is required, unless coming from following secure arrival countries:
Non-Schengen EU (Romania, Ireland etc.), United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Singapore (important: does not apply to flights via Denpasar or Jakarta, only direct non-stop flights!)
All other must pass through transfer security
Passport control
There is central transfer passport control location just off the level of pier D.
e-Gates are available, but not always turned on.
Holders of select non-EU biometric passports can also use these e-Gates, in particular when leaving Schengen.
Airline/VIP lounges
Following lounges are available in AMS:
Schengen:
Privium Club Lounge (landside) - between Departures 1 and 2 on check-in level. To the left of entrance of Departures 1 security. Only accessible to Privium holders departing Amsterdam.
Privium Express Lounge (airside) - one level above departures, next to entrance to D pier (by former entrance to terrace).Only open until 1pm. Now open until 9pm. Only accessible to Privium holders (departing or arriving).
KLM Crown Lounge 25 - one level above departures, on level of D pier (above passport control) away from apron. Caters to SkyTeam and select partners.
Aspire A26 Lounge - two levels above departures (level of Panorama terrace), accessible via area by D pier above passport control. Accessible with Priority Pass and other buy-in providers.
StarAlliance Lounge (A27) - two levels above departures (level of Panorama terrace) - next to A26, accessible via area by D pier above passport control. Caters to StarAlliance. If closed, eligible pax can use A26 immediately next door instead
Non-Schengen:
Privium Club Lounge West (airside) - main departure level, Holland Boulevard (between E and F), side away from apron. Behind restaurant Dutch Kitchen. Only accessible to Privium holders and passengers of Singapore airlines.
KLM Crown Lounge 52 - main departure level, Holland Boulevard, closer to pier F. Escalators or elevators will take you to reception one level up. Caters to SkyTeam and select partners.
Aspire A41 Lounge - two levels above Lounge 2 (close to D pier). Access next to Frames restaurant. Accessible with Priority Pass and other buy-in providers.
British Airways Lounge - two levels above Lounge 2 (close to D pier). Access next to Frames restaurant. Permanently closed; pax can use A41 instead.
Baggage
If you are connecting through Schiphol on one Skyteam itinerary, your bags will be checked through to your final destination, regardless of how long the layover is.
If you are connecting through Schiphol on separate itineraries (a.k.a "self-connecting") and the two airlines do not have an interline agreement, then you will need to recheck your bags. You will need to pick up your bags, go landside, check them again, and re-enter through security.
Standard MCT is 40 minutes for Schengen and 50 minutes for Non-Schengen flights.
Individual airlines/destinations might have raised MCTs though, for example connections from Delta to Schengen KLM raise MCT of 1 hour.
Under no circumstances should self-connecting passengers use these times as a guide for their own travel.
Amsterdam terminals/lounges
Amsterdam Schiphol airport operates on a single terminal concept.
Airside, there are 4 "lounges", Lounge 1 in the Schengen area, lounges 2-3 in Non-Schengen, lounge 4 is Schengen. These Lounges are not airline lounges, they refer to common terminal areas outside the piers. Do not confuse them with VIP lounges, those are signposted as "airline lounges".
Lounge 1 is between piers C and D, lounge 2 between D and E, lounge 3 by pier F, and lastly lounge 4 is connected to Schengen gates M (low-cost pier). Additionally, area between piers E and F is called Holland Boulevard. Keep this in mind as you mind find location references based on these.
All lounges are interconnected and you can pass between them without leaving secure area (the only exception being Schengen low-cost pier, more in Piers section)
Piers and gate numbering
There are 7 piers. Going counterclockwise from south:
- B pier, Schengen: Used by some KLM Cityhopper flights (bus gates as well as non-jetway positions reachable from the terminal by stairs), Lufthansa Group airlines, LOT and some lowcost airlines.
- C pier, Schengen:
- D pier, combined: This pier is capable of handling both Schengen and Non-Schengen flights. Non-Schengen gates are on the main level (plus bus gates on ground level), Schengen gates on top.
- E pier, non-Schengen:
- F pier, non-Schengen:
- G pier, non-Schengen:
- H/M pier: H/M pier is a low-cost pier used mainly by easyJet. The setup here is a bit unusual: Pier is separated in half lenghtwise. The part closer to the aprons is non-Schengen and is connected to the non-Schengen areas of the airport at the junction of pier G. The part further from the apron is Schengen part (M gates) and is not connected to other parts of the airport, with own security control and a small shopping/F&B area. The gates are on the ground level, with the stairs to them in the middle between Schengen and non-Schengen walkways, accessible from either side as needed. Aircraft are reached by walking from the gate to the airplane directly in front.
Transfer security
Transfer security is not needed when connecting from Schengen to either Schengen or non-Schengen destinations (except in case of self connect with baggage pickup, or self-connect to Schengen low-cost pier).
In case of connecting from non-Schengen to either Schengen or non-Schengen, transfer security is required, unless coming from following secure arrival countries:
Non-Schengen EU (Romania, Ireland etc.), United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Singapore (important: does not apply to flights via Denpasar or Jakarta, only direct non-stop flights!)
All other must pass through transfer security
Passport control
There is central transfer passport control location just off the level of pier D.
e-Gates are available, but not always turned on.
Holders of select non-EU biometric passports can also use these e-Gates, in particular when leaving Schengen.
Airline/VIP lounges
Following lounges are available in AMS:
Schengen:
Privium Club Lounge (landside) - between Departures 1 and 2 on check-in level. To the left of entrance of Departures 1 security. Only accessible to Privium holders departing Amsterdam.
Privium Express Lounge (airside) - one level above departures, next to entrance to D pier (by former entrance to terrace).
KLM Crown Lounge 25 - one level above departures, on level of D pier (above passport control) away from apron. Caters to SkyTeam and select partners.
Aspire A26 Lounge - two levels above departures (level of Panorama terrace), accessible via area by D pier above passport control. Accessible with Priority Pass and other buy-in providers.
StarAlliance Lounge (A27) - two levels above departures (level of Panorama terrace) - next to A26, accessible via area by D pier above passport control. Caters to StarAlliance. If closed, eligible pax can use A26 immediately next door instead
Non-Schengen:
Privium Club Lounge West (airside) - main departure level, Holland Boulevard (between E and F), side away from apron. Behind restaurant Dutch Kitchen. Only accessible to Privium holders and passengers of Singapore airlines.
KLM Crown Lounge 52 - main departure level, Holland Boulevard, closer to pier F. Escalators or elevators will take you to reception one level up. Caters to SkyTeam and select partners.
Aspire A41 Lounge - two levels above Lounge 2 (close to D pier). Access next to Frames restaurant. Accessible with Priority Pass and other buy-in providers.
Baggage
If you are connecting through Schiphol on one Skyteam itinerary, your bags will be checked through to your final destination, regardless of how long the layover is.
If you are connecting through Schiphol on separate itineraries (a.k.a "self-connecting") and the two airlines do not have an interline agreement, then you will need to recheck your bags. You will need to pick up your bags, go landside, check them again, and re-enter through security.
Connecting in Amsterdam [AMS] - Consolidated thread of transfer Q&A
Aug 17, 2023, 5:33 am
#196
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 68
Depends on what time of day. If its early morning the S -> NS queues would be quite long but you may manage by using the short connections line. Its tight, but should be fine. I've done it in 20 - 25mins before. Late in the evening there are very few S -> NS queues.
Keep the passport handy as you'll have to show it in Dublin at arrivals also.
Keep the passport handy as you'll have to show it in Dublin at arrivals also.
Aug 26, 2023, 2:55 am
#197
Join Date: Oct 2020
Posts: 1
Not sure if the time available for my self--transfer is sufficient or not.
I’ll be arriving from New York to Amsterdam early morning on KLM (I’m a US citizen). However, I will need to self-transfer as my next flight is to Istanbul on Turkish Airlines. I have purchased two separate tickets and will need to pick up luggage from baggage claim.
1) My question is, I only have 5 hours in between the two flights (from the time I land into AMS from JFK to the time my flight to IST departs). Is this sufficient time to clear immigration, pick-up baggage, clear customs, re-check my bags for the next flight and get my boarding pass for the next flight and re-clear passport control?
2) On the return leg, it’s the exact same situation as above (i.e., I will be arriving from IST into AMS on Turkish Airlines and then self-transferring onto a KLM flight for JFK). My total connection time available on the return leg is even less, it’s only 3 hours. Do you think I’ll be able to make it with checked bags that would need to be picked up and re-checked (as well as the fact that I’d have to go through passport control twice)?
1) My question is, I only have 5 hours in between the two flights (from the time I land into AMS from JFK to the time my flight to IST departs). Is this sufficient time to clear immigration, pick-up baggage, clear customs, re-check my bags for the next flight and get my boarding pass for the next flight and re-clear passport control?
2) On the return leg, it’s the exact same situation as above (i.e., I will be arriving from IST into AMS on Turkish Airlines and then self-transferring onto a KLM flight for JFK). My total connection time available on the return leg is even less, it’s only 3 hours. Do you think I’ll be able to make it with checked bags that would need to be picked up and re-checked (as well as the fact that I’d have to go through passport control twice)?
Sep 1, 2023, 4:19 pm
#198
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: LAX/BUR, RDU
Programs: DL SM, AAdvantage, SPG
Posts: 1,360
I'll be connecting via AMS for the first time in October and KLM just changed our AMS-KGL flight time (due to ATC issues over Africa I presume). Now I only have a 70min connection. If I understand correctly, since I'm arriving from the USA, I do not need to clear security and I can walk directly to the next gate?
Is this a reasonable connection to do?
Is this a reasonable connection to do?
Sep 2, 2023, 12:16 am
#199
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,928
I'll be connecting via AMS for the first time in October and KLM just changed our AMS-KGL flight time (due to ATC issues over Africa I presume). Now I only have a 70min connection. If I understand correctly, since I'm arriving from the USA, I do not need to clear security and I can walk directly to the next gate?
Is this a reasonable connection to do?
Is this a reasonable connection to do?
Sep 4, 2023, 5:23 am
#202
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 68
Had the joys of a 40 minute connection from Ireland -> Ams -> Copenhagen the other day.
6am flight from Ireland, 15 minutes late boarding due to a rather frantic looking IT guy trying to get the boarding computer working. Arrived in Amsterdam, landing on Polderbaan (great) - we then stopped taxi as our remote stand (great) was occupied. They moved us to a different remote stand and got us there, only to find there was "no staff at all" to connect the airbridge. A worrying 20 minute wait ensued.
Eventually the bus arrived and the steps were attached and I was onto the bus. I was the first off the bus, and, armed with my short connection text motored to passport control. Noticed there were 3 or 4 people in the automatic gate queue I went there instead - it was actually quite hard to tell they were open at all.
Next flight was a C gate and it was a short walk - I was one of the last to board and managed plane - plane in about 20 minutes.
Then there was no-one to operate the pushback tug, so we were 15 minutes late leaving. Takes all sorts.
6am flight from Ireland, 15 minutes late boarding due to a rather frantic looking IT guy trying to get the boarding computer working. Arrived in Amsterdam, landing on Polderbaan (great) - we then stopped taxi as our remote stand (great) was occupied. They moved us to a different remote stand and got us there, only to find there was "no staff at all" to connect the airbridge. A worrying 20 minute wait ensued.
Eventually the bus arrived and the steps were attached and I was onto the bus. I was the first off the bus, and, armed with my short connection text motored to passport control. Noticed there were 3 or 4 people in the automatic gate queue I went there instead - it was actually quite hard to tell they were open at all.
Next flight was a C gate and it was a short walk - I was one of the last to board and managed plane - plane in about 20 minutes.
Then there was no-one to operate the pushback tug, so we were 15 minutes late leaving. Takes all sorts.
Sep 21, 2023, 7:21 pm
#205
Moderator: Flying Blue (Air France & KLM)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Rotterdam, NL
Programs: Flying Blue (AF/KL)
Posts: 4,711
I’ll be arriving from New York to Amsterdam early morning on KLM (I’m a US citizen). However, I will need to self-transfer as my next flight is to Istanbul on Turkish Airlines. I have purchased two separate tickets and will need to pick up luggage from baggage claim.
1) My question is, I only have 5 hours in between the two flights (from the time I land into AMS from JFK to the time my flight to IST departs). Is this sufficient time to clear immigration, pick-up baggage, clear customs, re-check my bags for the next flight and get my boarding pass for the next flight and re-clear passport control?
2) On the return leg, it’s the exact same situation as above (i.e., I will be arriving from IST into AMS on Turkish Airlines and then self-transferring onto a KLM flight for JFK). My total connection time available on the return leg is even less, it’s only 3 hours. Do you think I’ll be able to make it with checked bags that would need to be picked up and re-checked (as well as the fact that I’d have to go through passport control twice)?
1) My question is, I only have 5 hours in between the two flights (from the time I land into AMS from JFK to the time my flight to IST departs). Is this sufficient time to clear immigration, pick-up baggage, clear customs, re-check my bags for the next flight and get my boarding pass for the next flight and re-clear passport control?
2) On the return leg, it’s the exact same situation as above (i.e., I will be arriving from IST into AMS on Turkish Airlines and then self-transferring onto a KLM flight for JFK). My total connection time available on the return leg is even less, it’s only 3 hours. Do you think I’ll be able to make it with checked bags that would need to be picked up and re-checked (as well as the fact that I’d have to go through passport control twice)?
I am not sure if your flight has already been (in which case: how did it go?), but traveling on separate tickets is always tricky if the connection time is short.
5 hours should be sufficient, but at times the queues for passport control / baggage have been long. 3 hours on the way back feels short and also doesn’t allow much time in case a flight is delayed. Personally, I’d book a longer connection if possible.
Sep 22, 2023, 12:46 am
#206
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: New Zealand
Programs: NZ Elite, KQ Gold, Accor Gold, IHG Gold, Choice Gold
Posts: 675
Hi KL experts, I've read through all the extremely helpful earlier posts which has given me some comfort about my upcoming KLM booking (in April '24).
I have a slightly off-topic but related question. Presently I am booked to fly EDI to OTP via AMS, all on one KL ticket. My connection at Schiphol is 60mins, which is about as tight as I'm comfortable with (borne out by the responses above). Currently it is non-Schengen to non-Schengen, which speeds things up a bit.
However, I'm aware that there are suggestions Romania might join Schengen in the next little while.
My two questions:
1. How likely is it that KLM will change my flight times to allow for any change in Romania's status?
2. Assuming they don't, would you be comfortable with this itinerary? Note that my AMS departure is 8.55pm, meaning a next-day departure in the event of a misconnect (which I know they're on the hook for, but I'd like to avoid)
I have a slightly off-topic but related question. Presently I am booked to fly EDI to OTP via AMS, all on one KL ticket. My connection at Schiphol is 60mins, which is about as tight as I'm comfortable with (borne out by the responses above). Currently it is non-Schengen to non-Schengen, which speeds things up a bit.
However, I'm aware that there are suggestions Romania might join Schengen in the next little while.
My two questions:
1. How likely is it that KLM will change my flight times to allow for any change in Romania's status?
2. Assuming they don't, would you be comfortable with this itinerary? Note that my AMS departure is 8.55pm, meaning a next-day departure in the event of a misconnect (which I know they're on the hook for, but I'd like to avoid)
Sep 22, 2023, 5:16 am
#207
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: FRA/SXB
Programs: FB Gold
Posts: 1,999
I do not foresee RO being admitted to the espace Schengen in the immediate future, and I believe 60mn is within the MCT for a NS => S correspondance anyway. So no matter what happens, don't expect any schedule changes due to the status of RO.
Yes, I would be confortable with a 60mn correspondance at AMS, especially considering it is the evening when the queues are not bad.
Yes, I would be confortable with a 60mn correspondance at AMS, especially considering it is the evening when the queues are not bad.
Sep 22, 2023, 3:28 pm
#208
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CDG
Programs: SK Gold, AF Gold, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,728
Sep 22, 2023, 11:45 pm
#209
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: New Zealand
Programs: NZ Elite, KQ Gold, Accor Gold, IHG Gold, Choice Gold
Posts: 675
Bulgaria and Romania should be in Schengen by end of 2023, says Parliament | News | European Parliament (europa.eu)
Von der Leyen wants Bulgaria, Romania in Schengen ASAP – POLITICO
Last edited by DomesticGoddess; Sep 23, 2023 at 6:41 pm
Sep 23, 2023, 7:46 am
#210
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,975
My search shows that it was voted on Dec. 8, 2022, to admit Croatia effective Jan. 1, 2023, but reject Romania and Bulgaria. For arrivals by air, the effective date was made the late March date when European summer schedules start. It would seem that Romania being in Schengen by April '24 is still a live issue.