24 hour layover at Schiphol Amsterdam airport with KLM
Would you spend 24 hours in an airport? This was the challenge I set myself to see what you could explore and discover over the next 24 hours at Schiphol Amsterdam airport, home to KLM Royal Dutch airlines.
According to Sleeping in Airports, Schiphol Amsterdam airport is ranked 6th out of all the airports in Europe by frequent travellers.
KLM offers connection points across 17 UK regional airports to Amsterdam Schiphol airport where you can access KLM global flight network.
The world is at your feet once you’ve made it to Schiphol airport. Maybe you might also be enjoying a layover in the very close future as well.
Schiphol airport is not like any other airport with smooth connection experience, unique features and quirky designs.
Schiphol airport was the perfect airport to host the 24-hour airport layover challenge.
It’s always a joy to fly with KLM to Schiphol airport
If you ain’t Dutch, you ain’t much! Home of the best people to have walked the earth. The Netherlands to me always feels like I’m flying home.
The hardest part of any trip to the Netherlands for me is having to leave.
The great thing about flying with KLM is your trip to the Netherlands starts in the air. They make you feel welcome by sharing their Dutch hospitality and culture.
It’s a rare sight these days to find an airline that still offers complimentary drinks and snacks on-board during shorter flight.
(Enjoying a tasty Dutch cheese sandwich and a refreshing beer.)
It’s the little things in life that make all the difference and trying a bit of Dutch culture before you land does get you excited about your onwards trip to the Netherlands.
(Nice spaceful seats and friendly staff, a perfect flight.)
It’s also nice to land at an airport you actually want to hang around in.
Especially after a long flight, the last thing you want to feel is disorientated.
Schiphol airport has a lot to offer, with 15 minute train connections to Amsterdam city centre.
KLM does a great job of making your layover connection go with a breeze, always at hand to help you along the way.
No need to rush at Schiphol airport, take your time before your next KLM flight
(Sit back, relax and enjoy Schiphol airport.)
I can’t think of many airports around the world that are in fact a destination in itself.
Schiphol airport is the type of airport that you don’t mind having a layover at because it has endless amounts of facilities to enjoy and explore.
If you can arrive a few hours before your flight, it will make the whole flying experience go with a breeze.
No need to rush, take your time at Schiphol airport.
Here I’ve listed an endless amount of possibilities that I discovered during my 24 hour layover with KLM.
Fingers crossed on your next flight, you can also hang out here for a bit.
Yotel air, a hotel in Schiphol, Amsterdam airport
(Need sleep after a long flight? Yotel air has you covered.)
Just landed after a long flight and need some sleep? No need to even leave the airport. Yotel air is located within the Schiphol airport terminal.
Perfect for when you have a transfer flight in the future and want to grab a hot shower and a sleep.
They even provide free hot drinks throughout your stay.
If sleep is on the agenda and you want to skip Amsterdam city, this is a perfect option.
(Sleep in the future with Yotel Air.)
All the rooms at Yotel air have been designed by aircraft cabin designers to make the most out of the limited space and maximise comfort for a cosy sleep.
Work stations and unlimited free wifi all around Schiphol airport
(Work stations and wifi, now we’re talking!)
Yes, I’ve said those two magical words: free wifi!
Not only is the wifi around Schiphol airport free, it’s also unlimited.
Perfect for those planning on spending a long time at the airport (like me!).
This Schiphol airport feature is fantastic.
I was also amazed and blown away by the large amount of power plugs located all around Schiphol airport.
Perfect for charging all of your devices.
There were also loads of working desks, and I mean real sit down desks where you could actually get some work done.
(Schiphol airport is a place you can spend your time how you wish to.)
You can find a large variety of different sitting areas all around the airport.
Sit wherever takes your fancy.
Some areas were for waiting, some were for resting whilst some were for working.
There were lots of internet stations as well if you didn’t bring your own laptop.
This for me puts Schiphol airport up with the big top airports.
Not only the space and natural light which makes the place look relaxing and open, but the large variety of different parts you can explore and relax in.
Frames for a bar and a bite
Stedelijk is the modern art museum located in Amsterdam.
Here at Schiphol airport they have opened up a bar and bites concept for travellers to enjoy whilst in transit.
Why does it have the name Frames? Great question. Most of the bar is in fact made up of frames. Go figure.
Grab a bite to eat at Lowlands
(Travel around the Netherlands to the Lowlands.)
Fancy a bite to eat? Head on over to the Lowlands who have the best burger money can buy at Schiphol airport.
I would show you a picture of the burger in question, but it was so good that I forgot to take a picture before I finished eating it (terrible blogger!). Take my word for it, it’s pretty damn good!
The Heineken Digital interactive bar
(A beer experience like no other.)
Why is an airport bar so special? Well, let me tell you about the Heineken Digital interactive bar at Schiphol Amsterdam airport.
Every Heineken beer glass is interactive. Once you place your beverage onto the table your table around you becomes interactive.
This allows you to write digital messages onto digital bar mats and then send the bar mats to other guests enjoying the bar experience.
It can be a simple message of “Cheers” or “Enjoy your flight” or even an offer of buying your fellow traveller another beer.
It’s a super cool idea to meet solo travellers, make friends before your next flight and have an awesome time at Schiphol airport.
Who said airport bars have to be boring hey! Cheers Heineken!
Spot, Dutch design all around Schiphol airport
I like the subtle inclusion of Dutch culture in the design of Schiphol airport. On your next visit see if you can locate and spot these locations yourself. A fun activity indeed.
1. Dutch cow tiles
(See if you can spot these cows jumping out of the tiles.)
2. Bicycles for tables
(See if you can spot these unique Dutch tables.)
3. Not just any Johnnie Walker bottle
(See if you can find the bottle with the Delft porcelain design.)
4. Check out this bookshelf
(Does the shape look like something?)
5. Look up!
(All the places you can fly to from Schiphol airport. How many airports can you name?)
6. Cheese, Bread & Tulips
(Unique designed shop fronts. See if you can find the Dutch names for them, two of them go well together.)
Something fun to do on your next visit to Schiphol airport. I guess when you have 24 hours to spare at an airport you look a little closer at everything.
Poffertjes! The tasty tiny Dutch pancake treat
(Try a taste of Dutch culture at the Dutch Kitchen.)
No trip to the Netherlands is complete without a plate of homemade poffertjes. I must admit, I’ve become slightly addicted to these tiny tasty Dutch treats.
(He knows what he’s doing, he’s got Dutch skills.)
Head to the Dutch Kitchen and they will prepare straight on the griddle for you, nice and fresh with butter and sugar sprinkled on top.
(A complete work of art.)
Doesn’t get any better than this in Holland, I have to say.
If you would like to try more Dutch favourites, the Dutch Kitchen have you covered at Schiphol airport!
Take some Dutch treats home with you
(Dutch Food Gifts have you covered.)
Take some stroopwafels home with you to share with friends and family and you will win an award for the most awesome person of the year.
Trust me, it’s a hit with everyone.
Dutch Food gifts have a lot of local produce for you to purchase and take home with you or enjoy for yourself, whatever makes you happy.
For something fun, One of the craziest Dutch traditions, try hagelslag on your toast in the morning. Will be sure to bring a smile to your face in the morning.
Lockers located around Schiphol airport
If you want to drop off your hand luggage for a few hours while you explore Schiphol airport or grab some sleep, you can locate lockers around the airport to secure your stuff whilst you enjoy the airport. Schiphol has you covered.
Schiphol airport has a reading library
(Pass some time between pages.)
You can even find a library at Schiphol airport where you can read a book before your next flight.
If you’ve just recently finished reading your current book you can even make use of the book swap exchange program.
Head on over to the shelf and swap away.
Perfect way to find your next book once your current book has come to an end.
Play a tune and be the piano man/woman
(How cool is this!)
Walking around Schiphol I stumbled across this gem of a find!
Schiphol airport has a full on piano that guests can play to their heart’s content.
Super fun idea and a great way to be creative before your next flight.
Just a word of warning: take a look around first as some guests like to use that area for a quick siesta.
Have a fun time playing some tunes and maybe you might make a friend or two.
My hidden Schiphol airport secret, the Johnnie Walker lounge
(Located on the 2nd floor, you have to ask nicely.)
The Johnnie Walker house is located in the lounge two area and has a secret 2nd floor.
I like to call this my little hidden secret as the area has sound proof walls, a working area and good solid wifi.
If you need that little quiet escape and want to get some work done with a drink in hand, this is your go to spot. Wonder if it will still be a secret now (ops!).
Try your luck at Holland Casino
(Yes, Schiphol airport has a casino!)
Pretty sure this is unique in Europe. Schiphol airport is home to a Holland Casino. So if you want to try your luck before your next flight, you can.
A funny fact about Holland Casino is that it’s the only casino in the world to have a clock! This will ensure that you won’t miss your next flight. The Dutch think of everything.
Easy layover transfer with KLM at Schiphol airport
(Easy to sort out your onward travel with KLM.)
Once you’ve arrived at Schiphol airport, you can easily sort out your ticket for your onward travel.
You have two options:
1. You can use the KLM smartphone app to check into your next flight and get an E-ticket.
Looks like this:
(Easy to check on your smartphone with the KLM app.)
Super easy to do if you have your booking number on hand, with a few clicks you have everything sorted.
On iPhone you can save the ticket to your IOS Passbook app and keep it handy for time alerts and updates.
2. If you don’t have a smartphone or you’re not very tech savvy, seek to find one of the KLM self-service desks and check in yourself.
Simply tap your passport onto the machine and it will print out your ticket for you.
You can find KLM self-service desks located all around the airport and if you need any help or assistance. If you need futher help, keep a look out for friendly members of the KLM crew around Schiphol airport.
Easy! No need to leave the airport if you don’t want to and fancy checking out all the awesome facilities that Schiphol airport has to offer instead.
Thank you for reading my blog post about Schiphol airport.
Thank you for reading my blog post about my layover at Schiphol airport with KLM, I hope you found it useful.
If you do have any further questions, I’m very happy to help. You can leave a comment below in the comment section of this blog post. Feel free to ask me via Twitter as well: @Traveldaveuk.
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Cheers guys, happy flying!
Travelling the world, one adventure at a time. Follow the UK's leading solo adventure travel blogger Dave Brett on his travels around the world. A globe-trotting adventure travel blog featuring travel tips and advice, exotic stories, travel videos and travel photography that will inspire your next trip abroad, and help you plan it too. To read more, please visit: