Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Orientation: Schiphol has four terminals: Terminal 1 is
for flights to most European countries (not including the UK);
Terminals 2 and 3 are for flights to the UK, US, and other non-
European countries; and the new, smaller Terminal 4 (attached to
Terminal 3) is for low-cost carriers. Once inside the airport, the
terminal waiting areas are called “Lounges” (e.g., “Lounge 1”), and
are subdivided into lettered concourses (e.g., “D Gates”). An invit-
ing shopping and eating zone called “Holland Boulevard” runs
between Lounges 2 and 3.
Arrival at Schiphol: Conveniently, baggage claim areas for
all terminals empty into the same arrival zone, called Schiphol
Plaza—with ATMs, shops, eateries, a busy TI (near Terminal 2),
a train station, and bus stops for getting into the city. You can vali-
date your Eurailpass and hit the rails immediately, or, to stretch
your railpass, buy an inexpensive ticket into Amsterdam today and
start the pass later.
Airport Services: The ABN/AMRO banks offer fair
exchange rates (in both arrivals and lounge areas). The GWK
public-transit office is located in Schiphol Plaza and sells SIM
cards for mobile phones. Surf the Internet and make phone calls
at the Communication Centres (one on the top level of Lounge
2, another on the ground floor of Lounge 1; both are behind cus-
toms and not available once you've left the security checkpoint).
Convenient luggage lockers are at various points around the
airport—allowing you to leave your bag here on a lengthy layover
(both short-term and long-term lockers; biggest bank of lockers
near the train station at Schiphol Plaza).
Airport Train Ticket Counter: For a train ticket or train
information, take advantage of the fantastic “Train Tickets and
Services” counter (Schiphol Plaza ground level, just past Burger
King). They have an easy info desk, almost no lines (much
quicker than the ticket desk at the Amsterdam train station
downtown), and issue international tickets for €3.50 and domes-
tic tickets for €0.50.
Time-Killing Tips: If you have extra time to kill at Schiphol,
check out the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Schiphol, a little art
gallery on Holland Boulevard. The Rijksmuseum loans a dozen or
so of its minor masterpieces from the Golden Age to this unique
airport museum , including actual Dutch Masters by Rembrandt,
Vermeer, and others (free, daily 7:00-20:00, between Terminals 2
and 3). The museum is between the passport and security checks
at Terminal 2, so it's technically not in the “secure” part of the
airport. You can visit easily from Terminals 2 or 3, but if you visit
from Terminal 1, you'll have to go back through security to reach
your flight (allow plenty of time).
To escape the airport crowds, follow signs for the Panorama
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