When is the best time to book a flight to Amsterdam?
Peak season
What is known as Tulip Season in Holland generally marks the start of tourist season in Amsterdam. Peak season run from April to September when summer is at its best and the city is at its most vibrant, grabbing a cheap flight to Amsterdam during these times is near impossible.
Off season
October to March is considered off season for Amsterdam because it gets much colder and, therefore, less crowded. That said, many of the city’s main cultural events occur between these months, so it is an excellent time to find good cheap flights to Amsterdam. The canals sometimes freeze over, too, so you can skate on them alongside the residents for a completely different festive experience.
Which airlines operate flights to Amsterdam?
British Airways, KLM, Easyjet, Air France and Flybe all operate flights to Amsterdam, amongst many other major airlines.
How long is the flight to Amsterdam?
Flights from London to Amsterdam: 53 minutes
Flights from Manchester to Amsterdam: 1 hour 16 minutes
Flights from Birmingham to Amsterdam: 1 hour 9 minutes
Flights from Glasgow to Amsterdam: 1 hour 50 minutes
Amsterdam airport
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) is the main international airport in the Netherlands.
How to get from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) to the city centre?
Amsterdam airport has a single-terminal with three departure halls. Distance from the airport to the city centre is 5.6 miles (9km)
Train services: Dutch Railways operates trains from a station that is directly beneath Schiphol airport. Passengers are able to buy chipcards, either for single-use or as an OV-chipkaart, from the yellow machines at the station and on Schiphol Plaza. An alternative that is quicker than the usual domestic train routes is the Intercity Direct service, which is also available from Schiphol.
Buses: line 197 (otherwise known as the Airport Express) will take you to Amsterdam city centre from the airport and operates every 15 minutes.
The airport also offers a hotel shuttle service from directly outside the terminal (stand A7) and can take you to your Amsterdam hotel.
Hints and tips
- If you’re travelling on from Amsterdam, the station beneath the airport has international train connections to the likes of Belgium and France
- If you are travelling between cities, for €15, you can take a shower (with everything provided) in one of the cubicles at Mercure Terminal Hotel at Lounge 3