The Netherlands is a small country, yet it does have more than one airport. You have probably heard of Schiphol, one of Europe’s biggest airports. But this is not the country’s only civil airport - the Netherlands is home to five civil airports of note: Schiphol, Rotterdam The Hague Airport, Groningen Airport Eelde, Eindhoven Airport and Maastricht Aachen Airport.
Airports in the Netherlands and coronavirus measures
Most airports in the Netherlands have implemented special coronavirus measures, from compulsory face masks to health declarations. Please make sure you check the airport's website before travelling to make sure you can comply with their rules.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Located in the province of North Holland and the Haarlemmermeer municipality, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (IATA: AMS, ICAO: EHAM), often just called Schiphol, started out as a military airport in 1916. Technically, it lies on the bottom of Haarlemmer Lake near Amsterdam, which was drained in 1852. Schiphol is the oldest airport to occupy the same location (of course, expansions were made).
Short history of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
In 1919, after WWI, when cargo flights and even passenger flights started to become popular, Albert Plesman founded the Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij voor Nederland en Koloniën N.V. (later KLM) in 1919. On May 17, 1920, Schiphol no longer served as a military airport, as the first KLM flight took place that day from London to Amsterdam. That year, 440 passengers travelled through Schiphol.
Interesting facts & numbers
Nowadays, over 70 million passengers with over 50 million items of baggage use Schiphol to travel to and from 330+ direct destinations worldwide, culminating in approximately 496.000+ take-offs and landings each year.
Major airlines at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol serves over 100 airlines. You can find almost all major airlines here, including:
- Delta Airlines
- American Airlines
- Lufthansa
- United Airlines
- Air France-KLM
- China Southern Airlines
- China Eastern Airlines
- Ryanair
- easyJet
- British Airways
Travel to / from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
What are the best ways to travel to and from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport? What about parking?
By car to Schiphol: Parking at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Coming to the airport by car and need to park? You have got a variety of options when it comes to parking at this airport:
- Short-term parking (P1): up to 48 hours, no online booking required
- Holiday parking (P1): from 48 hours, online booking required
- Long-term sheltered parking (P3): for 3+ days, no online booking required
- Long-term unsheltered parking (P3): for 3+ days, no online booking required
- Basic parking (P4): for 3+ days, online booking required
- Valet parking (P6): for 3+ days, online booking required
You can easily reserve your parking spot online.
By taxi to Schiphol
Need a quick ride to or from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport? Don't want to worry about your car being parked at the airport for a long period of time? Grab a taxi! There are various taxi companies and operators in Schiphol airport that can drive you to and from your destination.
By train to Schiphol
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is easily accessible by train. Your train will drop you off at Schiphol Airport Train Station, right under the airport, a short lift or escalator ride from Arrivals and a two-minute walk to Departures. Many Dutch cities offer direct connections, including Amsterdam, Utrecht, Leiden, The Hague, Delft and Rotterdam.
By bus to Schiphol
You can find the bus station at Schiphol Plaza, right outside the arrival and departure halls. There are over 20 direct bus lines to the airport. Check 9292.nl for the best route for you.
Extra assistance at Schiphol Airport
If you need extra help to get around the airport, you can request a Schiphol Assistant. They can help you with your luggage (checking in your checked luggage, carrying your carry-on luggage, storing it away on board and picking it up at the baggage claim) and they can take you to your gate. You can request a Schiphol Assistant online.
It's also possible to borrow a wheelchair if you need one - you can find them at various locations around Schiphol.
Rotterdam The Hague Airport
Rotterdam The Hague Airport (IATA: RTM, ICAO: EHRD) is part of the Royal Schiphol Group and is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It is a civil airport for scheduled, charter and business flights.
Short history of Rotterdam The Hague Aiport
Rotterdam has had its own airport since 1920: Airport Waalhaven. However, in 1940 this airport was mostly destroyed during the German attack on Rotterdam. After WWII, this airport was never rebuilt - instead, new airport was built at location Zestienhoven in 1956.
Interesting facts & numbers
Each year, Rotterdam The Hague Airport welcomes over 2 million passengers, culminating in around 52.000+ take-offs and landings. The airport has only one runway and it is mostly used for holiday flights (51%). However, it is also used by the Dutch government as it is located close to The Hague.
Rotterdam The Hague Airport is the third most notable airport in the Netherlands and connects over 50 international (European) destinations. The airport’s top destination is London City, followed closely by Alicante, Malaga and Faro.
Major airlines at Rotterdam The Hague Airport
The following airlines fly to and from Rotterdam The Hague Airport:
- Transavia
- British Airways
- TUI
- Jetairfly
- Corendon
- Pegasus Airlines
Travel to / from Rotterdam The Hague Airport
Rotterdam Airport is easy to reach by car and by public transport.
Parking at Rotterdam The Hague Airport
Rotterdam Airport offers various parking options:
- Long-term parking (P1 & P3)
- Business parking (P2)
- Comfort parking (P6)
- Valet parking (VP)
- Budget parking (P10)
Wherever you park at Rotterdam Airport, it is always within walking distance of the terminal. If you reserve your parking spot online, you will be able to save some money as it is cheaper.
By metro to Rotterdam The Hague Airport
You can travel to via metro (Rotterdam Airport via RandstadRail Metro Line E), from both The Hague Central Station and Rotterdam Central Station. From metro station Meijersplein, you will need to change to a bus which will take you directly to the airport.
By bus to Rotterdam The Hague Airport
If you travel from Delft, you can also take bus 37, which will drop you off at the Republic transport square, next to the terminal.
Extra assistance at Rotterdam The Hague Airport
If you need extra assistance to get around the airport, you can request assistance from Aviapartner. It's important you request this in time.
Eindhoven Airport
Located between Best and Veldhoven, 7,6 km west of Eindhoven in North Brabant, Eindhoven Airport (IATA: EIN, ICAO: EHEH) is the largest regional airport in the Netherlands. It is both a military and civil airport.
Short history of Eindhoven Airport
In 1932, the airfield was founded under the name Welschap near the village of Zeelst, which became part of Veldhoven in 1921. On May 1, 1934, the connection Eindhoven-Rotterdam-Amsterdam was established and on June 1 of that year, the connection Eindhoven-Twente-Groningen.
During WWII, the German Luftwaffe took over the field, calling it Fliegerhorst Eindhoven, and expanded it. After the war, the airport was turned over to the Dutch authorities, and from 1952 it started to house Dutch air force squadrons.
Interesting facts & numbers
Eindhoven Airport is the second largest airport in the Netherlands. Over 6 million passengers travel through Eindhoven Airport each year, to and from 89 (European) destinations, resulting in over 41.000 take-offs and landings annually. Around 50% of the people who work at the airport are women.
Major airlines at Eindhoven Airport
The following airlines travel to and from Eindhoven Airport:
- Ryanair
- Transavia
- Wizz Air
- TUI
- SunExpress
- Pegasus Airlines
Travel to / from Eindhoven Airport
There are various ways you can get to Eindhoven airport.
Parking at Eindhoven Airport
If you come by car, you can park your car using one of the following parking options:
- Gold parking (P1)
- Silver parking (P3)
- Bronze parking (P4 & P5)
You can book your parking spot easily online.
By public transport to Eindhoven airport
You can reach Eindhoven airport by bus from Eindhoven Central Station. The bus stop is located next to the terminal. AirExpressBus also offers a bus line between the airport, Utrecht and Amsterdam.
Extra assistance at Eindhoven Airport
If you need extra assistance, such as wheelchair service, you will need to let the airport know at least 48 hours in advance via your travel agent or airline.
Groningen Airport Eelde
Situated near Eelde, in the province of Drenthe, close to Groningen, Groningen Airport Eelde (IATA: GRQ, ICAO: EHGG) is a small international airport in the Netherlands for holidaymakers and business travellers. It is also the home base of the KLM Flight Academy.
Short history of Groningen Aiport Eelde
On May 23, 1931, the airport was officially opened and in August of the same year, the first scheduled service between Eelde and Amsterdam/Schiphol started. During WWII, the airport was occupied by the German military and was expanded considerably. It was almost blown up at the end of the war when the Germans abandoned it, but a member of the local resistance managed to save it by cutting the explosives’ wires. After the war, the Dutch government restored it with subsidies.
On August 16, 1954, the National Aviation Academy moved to the airport from Gilze-Rijen (now the KLM Flight Academy), and on July 13, 1958, the first landing of a European aeroplane took place at the airport. During the 1960s, scheduled services were restored.
Interesting facts & numbers
Groningen Airport Eelde welcomes around 185.000+ passengers annually, with around 30.000+ take-offs and landings. Around 67% of this traffic comes from charter flights, with summer being the busiest season. Destinations include Sweden, the UK, Canary Islands, Turkey and Greece.
Major airlines at Groningen Airport Eelde
The following major airlines travel to and from Groningen Airport Eelde:
- TUI
- Corendon
Travel to / from Groningen Airport Eelde
Groningen Airport Eelde is easily accessible by both car and public transport:
Parking at Groningen Airport Eelde
Groningen Airport Eelde offers three car parks, all within walking distance of the terminal:
- P1, right outside the terminal
- P2, a 1-minute walk from terminal
- P3, a 4-minute walk from terminal
It's advised to book your parking spot online.
By public transport to Groningen Airport Eelde
Groningen Airport Eelde is accessible by a shuttle bus service from Groningen and bus Groningen - Eelde.
Extra assistance at Groningen Airport Eelde
If you need extra assistance at the airport, you will need to let them know in time (at least 48 hours before your flight) via your travel agent or airline. When you arrive at the airport, you can report at the handling desk.
Maastricht Aachen Airport
Located in Beek, in the province of Limburg, Maastricht Aachen Airport (IATA: MST, ICAO: EHBK) is a compact, regional airport and the second-largest hub for cargo flights in the Netherlands.
Short history of Maastricht Aachen Airport
Plans to build an airport near Maastricht were made before WWII, however, construction was put on hold because of the war. After the allied invasion of Normandy, a temporary airfield was created near the towns of Beek, Geulle and Ulestraten. After the war, the airfield was officially transferred to the Dutch government on August 1, 1945. In the 1950s and 1960s, the airport saw a rise in commercial operations and during the 1970s, it was expanded to handle bigger aircraft.
Nowadays, Maastricht Aachen Airport is a large hub for cargo flights from various airlines all over the world, as well as passenger flights.
Interesting facts & numbers
Maastricht Aachen Airport transports around 430.000 passengers annually to 23 destinations, which comes down to around 14.500+ take-offs and landings. As for cargo, around 11.500 tons of cargo is moved through the airport annually. Destinations include Greece, Turkey, Croatia, Italy, Egypt, France, Malta and Spain, amongst others.
Major airlines at Maastricht Aachen Airport
You can find the following major airlines at Maastricht Aachen Airport:
- Corendon
- Ryanair
Travel to / from Maastricht Aachen Airport
Maastricht Airport is easily accessible by both car and public transport.
Parking at Maastricht Aachen Airport
At Maastricht airport, there are two car parks you can use:
- P1, short-term parking
- P2, long-term parking
Both car parks are within walking distance of the terminal. If you have booked a flight via Corendon, parking is included, which means you will not have to reserve a parking spot.
By public transport to Maastricht Aachen Airport
There is a bus stop located directly at the airport, going into the direction of Maastricht-Sittard. Beek-Elsloo and Meerssen.
Extra assistance at Maastricht Aachen Airport
If you need extra assistance at the airport, you will need to let them know in time (at least 48 hours before your flight) via your travel agent or airline. When you arrive at the airport, you can report at the special mobility help desk.
Other Dutch airports
Besides the aforementioned five big civil airports, the Netherlands is also home to 15+ smaller civil airports, 5+ military airbases, 15+ glider airfields and a couple of helicopter ports.
Travelling to / from an airport in the Netherlands
When you travel to or from an airport in the Netherlands, you will always need to carry a valid travel document (passport or European Identity Card) and other necessary documents (visa) you need to gain access to the country you are travelling to / from.
