Amsterdam is the primary gateway to Europe. Whether you are traveling for business or a weekend break, your arrival point is almost certainly Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS). As one of the busiest hubs in the world, Schiphol handles nearly all international traffic to the Netherlands. The airport sits just southwest of the city, offering some of the quickest urban transit links on the continent. Finding flights to Amsterdam is straightforward due to the volume of carriers serving the route, but securing the best price requires understanding seasonal demand and booking windows.
Which airport should you fly into?
While Schiphol is the primary choice, there are secondary options depending on your departure point and budget.
- Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS): 9 miles (15km) from the city center. This is the main international hub. It serves all major global carriers and low-cost airlines.
- Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM): 45 miles (72km) from Amsterdam. A smaller regional airport. Useful if you find a specific budget deal, but requires a 60–90 minute train or bus ride to reach Amsterdam.
- Eindhoven Airport (EIN): 75 miles (120km) from Amsterdam. The primary hub for ultra-low-cost carriers like Ryanair. Expect a 1.5 to 2-hour bus or train transfer to the city center.
For 95% of travelers, AMS is the correct choice for convenience and speed.
Best time to book flights to Amsterdam
Timing your booking is critical for finding the cheapest flights to Amsterdam. Generally, you should aim to book international long-haul flights at least 4 to 6 months in advance. For regional European flights, the sweet spot is typically 6 to 10 weeks before departure.
Data suggests that booking on a Tuesday or Wednesday can result in lower fares, as airlines often release sales early in the week. Avoid booking on weekends when leisure demand spikes. If you are flying from North America, try to lock in your tickets by January or February for summer travel to avoid the steepest price hikes.
Cheapest months to fly to Amsterdam
The cost of airfare to the Netherlands fluctuates based on the tourist season.
- Lowest Prices: January and February. These are the coldest months with the least daylight. Demand drops, and carriers slash prices to fill seats.
- Moderate Prices: November and early December (excluding the holiday weeks).
- Highest Prices: April to May (Tulip season and King’s Day) and July to August (Summer peak).
If you want a balance of decent weather and low prices, look at shoulder season dates in late September or October.
Direct flights vs connecting flights
Direct flights to Amsterdam are plentiful from major global hubs. Schiphol is the home base for KLM, which operates an extensive network of non-stop routes. Direct flights save time but usually carry a premium price.
Connecting flights are the most effective way to find the cheapest flights to Amsterdam. Major European hubs like London Heathrow (LHR), Frankfurt (FRA), and Paris (CDG) offer short hops into Schiphol. Taking a layover in these cities can often save you 20% to 30% on long-haul tickets. Additionally, flying into a nearby hub like Brussels (BRU) and taking a high-speed train (Thalys/Eurostar) to Amsterdam Central can sometimes be more cost-effective than flying direct.
Best airlines flying to Amsterdam
Several major carriers dominate the routes into Schiphol. These airlines offer various levels of service and price points:
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines: The national flag carrier offering the highest frequency of direct flights and extensive worldwide connections.
- Delta Air Lines: A major partner for North American travelers, providing numerous daily non-stop flights from US hubs.
- EasyJet: A primary low-cost option for travelers flying from within Europe or the UK.
- British Airways: Offers high-frequency shuttle service between London and Amsterdam, useful for connecting through LHR.
- United Airlines: Provides consistent direct service from several major East and West Coast US gateway cities.
Getting from the airport to the city center
Schiphol is exceptionally well-connected. You have four main options to get to the city center:
- Train: The fastest and most efficient method. The station is located directly under the main airport arrival hall. Trains to Amsterdam Centraal run every 10–15 minutes.
- Cost: Approximately €5.90 one-way.
- Time: 15–20 minutes.
- Bus (Amsterdam Airport Express): Bus 397 departs from outside the terminal. It is useful if your hotel is near Museumplein or Leidseplein rather than the central station.
- Cost: Approximately €6.50 one-way.
- Time: 30–40 minutes.
- Taxi: Official taxis are available at the stand outside the terminal. Avoid "rogue" drivers who approach you inside the hall.
- Cost: €45–€60 (fixed rates are sometimes available).
- Time: 20–35 minutes depending on traffic.
- Rideshare (Uber/Bolt): Available at a designated pickup point (follow signs for "Luchthavenvervoer").
- Cost: €35–€50.
- Time: 20–35 minutes.
Flight duration from major cities
Estimated flight times for direct routes to Amsterdam:
- London: 1 hour 15 minutes
- New York (JFK/EWR): 7 hours 30 minutes
- Los Angeles: 10 hours 30 minutes
- Dubai: 7 hours
- Singapore: 13 hours
- Sydney: 22+ hours (requires at least one stop)
Tips for finding cheap flights to Amsterdam
To secure the lowest fares, use these practical strategies:
- Use Incognito Mode: When searching for flights repeatedly, use private browsing to prevent dynamic pricing based on your search history.
- Fly Mid-Week: Tuesday and Wednesday departures are almost always cheaper than Friday or Sunday flights.
- Monitor Nearby Hubs: If Schiphol is expensive, check flights to Brussels (BRU) or Dusseldorf (DUS). The train ride to Amsterdam from these cities is short and often less expensive than the airfare difference.
- Set Price Alerts: Use tools to track "flights to Amsterdam" and receive notifications the moment a price drop occurs.
- Book the "Wrong" Season: If you don't mind the cold, visiting in January can save you hundreds of dollars compared to a June departure.