Schipol Airport transfer times

ICriedAllTheWayToTheChipShop · 2025-04-12T07:54:59+00:00

I'm flying to Lima via Amsterdam later this year and I have a really tight transfer time at Schipol - 1hr 40mins. I've heard horror stories about how vast the airport is and how it can take half an hour to walk between the various gates, but I've also heard that there are fast track passes available that let you skip some of the queues. I haven't been able to find much about these online or how you go about getting one. Has anyone used this and if so, is it easy/obvious to find at Schipol? Both legs of the flight are with KLM so I won't need to claim and recheck baggage. Thanks in advance to anyone in the know!

Ferro · 12/04/2025 10:28

The horror stories are from a couple of years ago when they had trouble recruiting enough staff after the pandemic and there were often huge queues at security. It's not that vast an airport, 1:40 should be plenty of time in normal circumstances.

Paaseitjes · 12/04/2025 10:32

I think you'll be fine, especially since you're with KLM and it's their home base. Make sure you've got both boarding passes before you leave the uk and don't faff about at Schiphol. KLM normally use the decent gates rather than the ones right at the far end and you'll arrive in and leave from the non-Schengen section, so it shouldn't take more than 15 mins to walk anywhere.

oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriends · 12/04/2025 11:56

If KLM have it booked as a single journey you'll be fine.

McSpoot · 12/04/2025 12:07

The minimum connection time that KLM suggestions (for non-Schengen to non-Schengen) is 50 minutes - you are well over that and should have no problem. As noted, you won't have to go through passport control and, on your way to Lima, you shouldn't have to go through security again (though you will when you are coming back from Lima).

MaleficentQueen · 12/04/2025 12:13

Last time I went to Schipol in 2022, it was a NIGHTMARE. Took 3 hours to clear security. And the place is so vast, we almost missed the flight, running for the gate. Luckily, it had been delayed, and we made it with about 5 mins to spare. And yes, we’d got there 3 hours before the flight, as recommended.

I’ve been to Amsterdam a few times, and that’s the only time I’ve ever had an issue, but it was incredibly stressful. Wouldn’t wish it on anyone. One poor fellow just ahead of us, totally missed his flight. It was taking off while we were waiting in the queue, and it was a good hour later, that he actually made it through security.

TheSparkling · 12/04/2025 12:16

Hi,
1 hour 50 minutes is plenty of time to transfer at Schiphol airport. I've recently travelled through with KLM and my first flight was delayed. I had a 60 minute transfer window to start with.
KLM are very good at helping passengers. I'd advise you have your boarding passes ready and you are KLM to your WhatsApp. If you have a short transfer window they send you a fast track pass to get through passport control.
The staff on the plane often pick out the travellers with a short transfer time and allow you to leave the plane first ime.
It is a big airport but I'm sure you will be fine.

McSpoot · 12/04/2025 12:21

TheSparkling · 12/04/2025 12:16

Hi,
1 hour 50 minutes is plenty of time to transfer at Schiphol airport. I've recently travelled through with KLM and my first flight was delayed. I had a 60 minute transfer window to start with.
KLM are very good at helping passengers. I'd advise you have your boarding passes ready and you are KLM to your WhatsApp. If you have a short transfer window they send you a fast track pass to get through passport control.
The staff on the plane often pick out the travellers with a short transfer time and allow you to leave the plane first ime.
It is a big airport but I'm sure you will be fine.

The OP will have no passport control at all - so no worry about needing to be fast tracked through it.

Original poster

ICriedAllTheWayToTheChipShop · 12/04/2025 12:36

MaleficentQueen · 12/04/2025 12:13

Last time I went to Schipol in 2022, it was a NIGHTMARE. Took 3 hours to clear security. And the place is so vast, we almost missed the flight, running for the gate. Luckily, it had been delayed, and we made it with about 5 mins to spare. And yes, we’d got there 3 hours before the flight, as recommended.

I’ve been to Amsterdam a few times, and that’s the only time I’ve ever had an issue, but it was incredibly stressful. Wouldn’t wish it on anyone. One poor fellow just ahead of us, totally missed his flight. It was taking off while we were waiting in the queue, and it was a good hour later, that he actually made it through security.

Sounds nightmarish, but hopefully that was down to the post-pandemic staffing issues that another poster mentioned. I had a similar experience transferring through Newark Airport last year. Different circumstances because you have to go through security twice but I ended up having to run to the gate and only made it there by a couple of minutes. Another difference was that the staff at Newark and the United cabin crew could not have given less of a shit or been less helpful. I'm glad to hear that KLM and the Schiphol staff are a bit more customer focused!

OP posts:

MaleficentQueen · 12/04/2025 12:41

ICriedAllTheWayToTheChipShop · 12/04/2025 12:36

Sounds nightmarish, but hopefully that was down to the post-pandemic staffing issues that another poster mentioned. I had a similar experience transferring through Newark Airport last year. Different circumstances because you have to go through security twice but I ended up having to run to the gate and only made it there by a couple of minutes. Another difference was that the staff at Newark and the United cabin crew could not have given less of a shit or been less helpful. I'm glad to hear that KLM and the Schiphol staff are a bit more customer focused!

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I would hope it was just a result of pre-pandemic chaos, but it put me off flying for a while, not gonna lie! I haven’t actually been on a plane since 😂

igivein · 12/04/2025 12:42

I just went through Amsterdam last month. Was connecting to a flight in Europe so had to go through passport control. Connecting flight was in a different terminal and I only had 50 minutes.
Have to admit there was a certain amount of speed walking involved, but I made it with ten minutes to spare.
They did have a fast-track lane at passport control, but I didn’t use it (didn’t actually notice it until I was near the front anyway).

TheSparkling · 12/04/2025 12:42

McSpoot · 12/04/2025 12:21

The OP will have no passport control at all - so no worry about needing to be fast tracked through it.

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I think they will have to go through passport control. I flew from UK to Nuremberg via Schiphol and had to go through passport control every single time.

Original poster

ICriedAllTheWayToTheChipShop · 12/04/2025 12:45

TheSparkling · 12/04/2025 12:42

I think they will have to go through passport control. I flew from UK to Nuremberg via Schiphol and had to go through passport control every single time.

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I think that might have been because you were going from a non-Schengen to a Schengen destination, whereas I'm going from non to non. I could be wrong though.

OP posts:

McSpoot · 12/04/2025 12:54

TheSparkling · 12/04/2025 12:42

I think they will have to go through passport control. I flew from UK to Nuremberg via Schiphol and had to go through passport control every single time.

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Yes, because you are entering and exiting Schengen. The OP is not.

Titasaducksarse · 12/04/2025 12:59

I've done a few 1 to 1.5 hr transfers through Schipol..most recently last year to KL, no issues at all.
If flying from UK on the flight they'll tell you which lanes to follow if you've really short connection times.

snoopyfanaccountant · 12/04/2025 13:02

ICriedAllTheWayToTheChipShop · 12/04/2025 12:45

I think that might have been because you were going from a non-Schengen to a Schengen destination, whereas I'm going from non to non. I could be wrong though.

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We have flown via Schiphol a number of times and have always had to go through passport control regardless of the destination's Schengen status.

Ener · 12/04/2025 13:03

We recently had a transfer of 2 hours at a different airport, it got cut to 40 minutes due to a delay leaving and they announced on the plane that passengers on that transfer could get off first and then had staff at various points on the route to the next plane hurrying us along. No passport control. We all made it. My point is that the airline wants you to get it so will try their best to get you on the next one.

FabuIous · 12/04/2025 13:04

I did exactly that route a very long time ago. Have an amazing trip.

Given that you’ll be checked through, it’s fine.

vandelier · 12/04/2025 13:06

As others have said, you have plenty of time.

Provided your initial flight arrives on time in Schipol.

McSpoot · 12/04/2025 13:08

From the KLM website (says the same on the airport website):

Are you transferring from a Schengen country to a non-Schengen country or vice versa? Please keep in mind that you will need to go through passport control again.

It specifies that passport control is when going to/from Schengen to Non-Schengen.

Also, when you’ll need re-do security which is based on the airport you arrived from.

www.klm.co.uk/information/airport/transfers

MeAndMyGhost · 12/04/2025 13:11

We were just there from the Heathrow fire fiasco and it took us three hours to navigate the whole lot: lost luggage, new tickets onto a new flight etc so I think you'll be just fine.

The staff at KLM/ Schipol airport are super helpful.

MeAndMyGhost · 12/04/2025 13:12

Sorry, just saw 1hr 30 mins as your turnaround time, I think you'll be just fine.

MilesOfMotivation · 12/04/2025 13:24

I flew through there in November, getting a transfer to Austria and had to go through passport control. It was horrendous and we almost missed our flight but we only had a 1hr transfer window and we had been 20 minutes late leaving the UK, and then there were hundreds of people in the queue. I fly from this airport about a dozen times a year - 1hr 40 is plenty as long as your first flight departs on time, so it wouldn't concern me at all. If you're on KLM they tend to read bout where to go for your connect flights too, they're pretty good at giving you that info when you're on the plane. Have a great trip!

RedToothBrush · 12/04/2025 13:43

If you are travelling through and booked it all at the same time you will be absolutely fine regardless. KLM will know you are in the airport and you are unlikely to be the only passengers on the same route. If there are lots and you are delayed they will either hold your flight or automatically rebook you onto the next available one (and sort your hotel overnight if necessary).

Schiphol is a complete nightmare generally for many reasons and if I can avoid it I do (unfortunately this isn't possible if I want to see my best friend) but having a 1h 40 transfer isn't something I would worry too much about.

Ilovegermany · 12/04/2025 13:46

I have done lots of transfers with less than that going from Schengen to non Schengen and was always ok. However a couple of weeks ago I flew to Schipol not to transfer but to get out for the first time and that took me over an hour after I landed waiting for bags etc.

suburberphobe · 12/04/2025 14:00

Schiphol is a complete nightmare generally for many reasons

I don't agree with you at all. It's one of my favourites.

Those long queues at security are long gone. Last time I went through there were about 10 - 15 people in it. Might be different during school holidays of course.

They are refurbishing it which can get a bit confusing but it's well sign-posted.

Have a great trip OP.