The Netherlands is easily accessible by air, since it is home to the third busiest airport in Europe: Schiphol airport. There are also several regional Dutch airports. These make it possible to fly directly to and from other areas of the Netherlands, such as Rotterdam or Groningen. This page touches on some pros and cons of flying from Schiphol, vs. from regional airports in NL.

SCHIPHOL AIRPORT

Schiphol Airport is the largest Airport the Netherlands. It is likely, therefore, that flying to and/or from Schiphol will give you the most options in terms of flight times and destinations.

Schiphol Connections

What is more, Schiphol is very well connected. Here is a list of where you can get to by train, from the airport, and how long it will take:

  • Amsterdam is 15 minutes away
  • Utrecht: 30 minutes
  • The Hague: 30-45 minutes (depending on which train you catch)
  • Rotterdam: 30-45 minutes (depending on which train you catch)
  • Brussels: 2 hours
  • Cologne: 3 hours
  • Paris: 3 hours

Schiphol train station is located right underneath the airport Arrivals Hall. So, you can hop onto your public transport connection as soon as you have been through customs and collected your luggage. 

About Schipol Airport

What is more, it is tough to get bored in Schiphol Airport! It is home to:

  • A great deal of business
  • A World Trade Center
  • A number of hotels
  • Over 560 companies that employ almost 60,000 people
  • A booming duty-free shopping scene for you to enjoy
  • 70 million passengers (per year) 
  • Approximately 1.45 million tons of freight (per year)

These last two points are one of the reasons that it can, unfortunately, take a very long time to reach your gate at Schiphol airport. However, this is mainly due to the additional security measure that were implemented in the aftermath of September 11, 2001. Hence, travelers are advised to arrive three hours prior to their flight.

REGIONAL AIRPORTS

The lengthy process of getting to your gate at Schiphol airport is one of its major downsides. So, flying from one of the Netherlands’ many regional airports is good alternative. You can fly from:

These airports offer both direct flights to abroad locations, as well as internal flights to Schiphol airport. Here are a few more advantages of opting for a regional airport:

Regional Airport Pros

  • If you do not live in Amsterdam or the Hague, they could well be closer to your home or office 
  • They are easily accessible by car, taxi or public transport
  • Regional airport parking is usually inexpensive
  • They are quicker and easier to navigate (especially compared to Schiphol!)
  • Walking distances are short and check-in times are brief
  • They often have special services for business travelers

Recently Posted on XPat.nl

If you’re an expat living and looking for work in the Netherlands then there are some vital differences you should know about in regards to your job applications. In the Netherlands, as with most places in Europe, the norm is a CV rather than the resume which is commonly used in the United States amongst … Continue reading "The Difference Between a Resume and a CV"
It is that time of year again; the new and annually-updated version of The Holland Handbook is here and ready to be enjoyed! Not only that, but this is the 24th edition! More than twenty years ago, a modest group of three people sat around a table to discuss the possibility of creating a handbook … Continue reading "The Holland Handbook 2024"
Taxes are always complicated. If you have moved to the Netherlands from another country, they can be especially confusing! Many expats carry out business, and therefore earn an income, internationally. This makes what they get taxed on, and by whom, a complex matter. To figure out your own personal tax liability, your residency status and … Continue reading "Dutch Taxes"
The 30%-ruling is a tax advantage, created for employees who are posted or recruited from abroad, to work in the Netherlands. The purpose of this advantage is to cover all the various costs they incur, as a result of moving their lives oversees to. This can be a real blessing to expats! In order to … Continue reading "Dutch 30%-ruling Tax Facility"
Following the legendary previous 8 editions of The UnDutchables, the 9th edition of this all time best seller (more than 300,000 copies sold since 1999) is now available in the Netherlands. The UnDutchables takes an in-depth humorous look at Dutch life, quirks and character. With subjects varying from coffee drinking habits to child rearing, from … Continue reading "The UnDutchables 9.0"
Hello there, future Dutchie! Do you plan to move to Amsterdam or somewhere else in our beautiful country to work or live there? And are you going to stay for more than 90 days? Then you are in the right place! Because when you move to the Netherlands, there are some things you need to … Continue reading "This is your checklist for moving to the Netherlands"

The Holland Handbook 2024

It is that time of year again; the new and annually-updated version of The ...

Dutch Taxes

Taxes are always complicated. If you have moved to the Netherlands from another country they ...

The UnDutchables 9.0

Following the legendary previous eight editions of The UnDutchables, the 9th edition of this all ...

Making the most of your Dutch home

Whether you are renting, staying in a long-term AirBNB or have just bought a ...

Gift giving in the Netherlands-all ...

If you feel like skipping your birthday, you may be in for a challenge when ...

10 things you will find in every Du ...

The Dutch are very fond of houseplants, the more the merrier! You will find the ...

Obtaining a Mortgage as an Expat in ...

Obtaining a mortgage as an expat in the Netherlands can be a complex process, as ...

Help me move to the Netherlands!

Obviously, the decision to move to the Netherlands is not one to be taken lightly ...

The Impact of Technology on Educati ...

Education is unending and pivotal in society. Technology is one of the most dynamic entities ...

Five Renovation Tips to Increase yo ...

Learn how much home renovations cost – and which repairs increase the home value, and which ...