Can we get food when we land at Schiphol Airport?

[BelfastSmile]

We’re flying into Schiphol Airport in July - does anyone know whether we’ll be able to get food when we land, before we head on? Does the arrivals area have somewhere?

Doesn’t matter what it is - a McDonald’s would be ideal as the kids can be picky, especially in a new place, so getting them something they’ll recognise would be handy!

What area is the hotel? I might have some non-airport suggestions.

I suspect they are being facetious because they can't conceive of someone not having travelled to a major airport.
Belfast is tiny. So are other regional airports in Ireland, France and elsewhere. One small runway and a sandwich shop [pub in Ireland] outside departures if you are lucky.

@BelfastSmile - Schipol is vast. Departures will be like visiting the centre of Belfast to go shopping. For the return trip, take the 2 hour check in as gospel.
There will be lots of places to buy food on arrival but it will be more expensive than buying locally to your accommodation. It sounds as though you are arriving at a civilised time though so you should be fine to explore and pick up groceries unless arriving on a Sunday evening which could be trickier opening hours if you don't have a car.

We're going July with kids but was there jan and march there loads of food make sure u go to the viewing platform

Thanks everyone. We’re flying in from Belfast; flight is at 9.30 or so and then landing just after 12, so not that long (accounting for the time difference), but then baggage reclaim etc could take a while.

We’re staying at a EuroParcs place at Spaarnwoude (I think the area is called Zwanenburg). It’s not too far from the airport, but there doesn’t seem to be a direct train or bus, which is why we’re thinking of a taxi. If we’re getting a taxi we might as well get it the whole way rather than it dropping us at an eating place and then us having to walk from there with our bags, or get a second taxi.

Not sure where you are going but every village has a supermarket like Albert Hein (abbreviated to AH) or Jumbo. Schiphol has a good AH where you can also get nice sweet and savory rolls.

Passport checks are usually ok, bags are fairly quick after you cleared passport. Except Easy Jet who use a different bagage company and are known to make a mess of things

Oh no, it’s EasyJet we’re flying with!

So many people being snarky! It is really normal for there to be not much open land side at airports!

schippol is actually weird in that almost all the food is land side (before security) so therefore available also after you land. There are many options including Burger King ( I think not mc Donald’s). It is harder to get a meal after security (very limited options although there is a Mc Donald’s) so bear that in mind flying back. I’ve been stuck there feeling hungry before.

Btw, I can recommend to prebook a taxi. This is usually cheaper if not travelling to Amsterdam. Just google schiphol taxi centrale

For transport you can download the ns app which will give you train and bus connections to anywhere (including which platform/stop). I have heard that taxis are painfully expensive in the Netherlands and especially Amsterdam.

At a tiny airport late at night perhaps but not at a major hub airport in the middle of the day.

Double decker trains in Amsterdam, your kids might like that!

"Why would you choose to spend 4 hours and pay inflated food prices in an airport?"

Because if you're used to Aldergrove, Schiphol is gonna be like feckin' Disney World. (Not that I have been to Disney World, but I have been to Schiphol).
Have a lovely time in Amsterdam OP. You have to pedal backwards to make the hire bikes stop. Yeah, mental hey but you get used to it.

There will be a restaurant at the euro parcs, you could just go straight there and wait in the restaurant until check in. Possible that they might let you check in earlier, it’ll only be an hour or so to wait by the time you get there.

Issue is the OP is travelling to a place that is not near a train station or bus stop and with kids and bags that is going to be difficult.
OP, prebook the taxi and you will be fine.

Another Schipol tip if killing time with kids is that you can go up on the roof and watch the planes, and there is a plane there you can go inside (although probably less fun if you have just been in a real plane!) and play around the wheels. There is also a part plane indoors (near the Albert hein) where kids can go in the cockpit.

Right the exit of arrivals you have a selection of shops, food places and pubs. All extremely airport priced, but there is a choice.

Was at Schiphol not long ago. We went everywhere on public transport and travelled Netherlands.

Public transport was amazingly easy and punctual. I know it's difficult if you have very young children but they'll love the double decker trains.

This app was so helpful and informative with options and prices.

https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Amsterdam-Schiphol-Airport-AMS/Zwanenburg

Only pancakes and hash cookies.. sorry!

Hard to think what Gatwick is like if you’ve
never seen it isn’t it!

But there are maps and photos on their website.

Me too. Thought it was poor in that respect.

It took us ages to get through passport control two weeks ago as the queue was massive - about 45 minutes- never seen it that bad there. But if you’ve got EU passports the EU queue was much quicker.

If you'll be using public transport at any time during your stay in the Netherlands, the 9292.nl app is invaluable, as it covers all public transport options and gives real-time info. You can also buy e-tickets on it, if you'd prefer that to tapping in and out with a debit/credit card.
Have a great time!

Last time I landed at Schipol there was a lady handing out little packets of Stroopwaffels as we got off the plane. That was nice!

On your return journey, leave plenty of time to get through immigration. Every time I've flown from there the queues for passport control have been immense.

Is the accommodation in the middle of nowhere? Why would you not head into the centre of where you are staying but still near your accommodation, drop off your luggage and find food in the town rather than hanging around in an airport?