About flights from Amsterdam (AMS)
Schiphol operates on a level most European airports quietly envy. It's built on reclaimed land below sea level — which is either a fun fact or an existential concern depending on your mood at 6am — and it functions as KLM's primary hub while simultaneously handling over 70 million passengers a year through a single terminal. That single-terminal layout is actually the thing I notice most on every transit through here. No inter-terminal buses, no guessing. You land, you walk, you connect.
Quick stats for AMS
- Direct destinations: 285
- Countries served: 89
- Continents reached: 5 of 6
- Average flight distance: 3,428 km
- Longest non-stop: Buenos Aires (EZE) — 11,462 km (~14h 20m)
- Shortest non-stop: Brussels (BRU) — 158 km (~12 min)
- Reach score: 97/99
Why fly to Amsterdam?
The reach score of 97 out of 99 isn't marketing fluff — it reflects 285 direct destinations across 89 countries, which puts AMS in genuinely rare company. The UK alone has 24 routes served from here, meaning even secondary British airports get direct access to one of the continent's strongest long-haul networks. For transatlantic travelers, 22 routes to the US offer serious flexibility. Then there's the Buenos Aires route — 11,462 kilometers to EZE, currently the longest direct flight operating out of Schiphol — which tells you something about how far KLM is willing to reach. Amsterdam itself pulls travelers for obvious cultural reasons (the Rijksmuseum, the canal system, the cycling infrastructure that actually works), but the airport's connectivity means it earns its place as a routing hub even when the city isn't your destination.
Longest non-stop flights from AMS
The furthest destinations you can reach non-stop from Amsterdam:
- Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE) — 11,462 km, approximately 14h 20m
- Jakarta, Indonesia (CGK) — 11,354 km, approximately 14h 12m
- Lima, Peru (LIM) — 10,520 km, approximately 13h 9m
- Singapore, Singapore (SIN) — 10,513 km, approximately 13h 8m
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (KUL) — 10,237 km, approximately 12h 48m
Short-haul flights from AMS
Quick getaway options with the shortest flights from Amsterdam:
- Brussels, Belgium (BRU) — 158 km, approximately 12 min
- Dusseldorf, Germany (DUS) — 179 km, approximately 13 min
- Norwich, United Kingdom (NWI) — 239 km, approximately 18 min
- Bremen, Germany (BRE) — 283 km, approximately 21 min
- Southend, United Kingdom (SEN) — 290 km, approximately 22 min
Top countries by direct connections from AMS
Schiphol connects to 89 countries. Here are the most served:
- United Kingdom — 24 destinations (Aberdeen, Belfast, Belfast, Birmingham and 20 more)
- USA — 22 destinations (Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago and 18 more)
- Spain — 19 destinations (Alicante, Asturias, Barcelona, Bilbao and 15 more)
- Italy — 18 destinations (Alghero, Bari, Bologna, Brindisi and 14 more)
- Greece — 17 destinations (Athens, Chania, Heraklion, Kalamata and 13 more)
- France — 12 destinations (Basel, Switzerland/Mulhouse, Biarritz, Bordeaux, Lyon and 8 more)
- Morocco — 9 destinations (Agadir, Al Hoceima, Casablanca, Marrakech and 5 more)
- Turkiye — 9 destinations (Ankara, Antalya, Bodrum, Dalaman and 5 more)
Where to fly from Amsterdam
Flights to United Kingdom
Amsterdam has 24 direct routes to United Kingdom:
- Norwich (NWI) — 239 km
- Southend (SEN) — 290 km
- London (STN) — 311 km
- London (LCY) — 335 km
- London (LTN) — 354 km
- London (LGW) — 364 km
- ...and 18 more destinations
Flights to USA
Amsterdam has 22 direct routes to USA:
- Boston (BOS) — 5,548 km
- New York (JFK) — 5,848 km
- New York (EWR) — 5,869 km
- Philadelphia (PHL) — 5,997 km
- Dulles (IAD) — 6,206 km
- Detroit (DTW) — 6,324 km
- ...and 16 more destinations
Flights to Spain
Amsterdam has 19 direct routes to Spain:
- Bilbao (BIO) — 1,152 km
- Girona (GRO) — 1,167 km
- Barcelona (BCN) — 1,241 km
- Asturias (OVD) — 1,260 km
- Menorca (MAH) — 1,384 km
- Palma de Mallorca (PMI) — 1,428 km
- ...and 13 more destinations
Tips for travelers at AMS
The Intercity Direct train runs from Schiphol's basement directly to Amsterdam Centraal in about 17 minutes, and it runs frequently enough that you don't need to pre-plan around it. Buy your ticket before boarding — conductors charge a supplement on the train. Schiphol Plaza connects the terminal to the rail station without ever going outside, which matters more than you'd think in a Dutch January. Lounge access is spread across multiple piers, so check your gate assignment before you wander. Summer (June through August) brings peak pricing on leisure routes to Spain and Greece, where Schiphol operates 19 and 17 routes respectively — book those early or fly shoulder season.
Frequently asked questions about flying to Amsterdam
What's the easiest way to get from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam city center?
The train is your best bet—it takes just 15 minutes and costs around €5-6, with trains running every 10 minutes. You can also grab a taxi or ride-share for about €40-50, but traffic can make it slower.
When is the best time to fly from Amsterdam to get cheaper fares?
Tuesday through Thursday are typically the cheapest days to fly out of Schiphol, and early morning or late evening flights often have better rates. Avoid flying during peak summer (July-August) and around holidays if you want to save money.
How many places can I fly to directly from Schiphol?
Schiphol offers an impressive 285 direct destinations, making it one of Europe's best-connected hubs. You can reach most major European cities plus plenty of destinations across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East without changing planes.
Do I need a visa to enter the Netherlands?
EU/EEA citizens just need a valid ID, but US, Canadian, Australian, and many other nationalities get 90 visa-free days in the Schengen zone. Always check the latest requirements for your specific nationality before traveling, as rules can change.
Any insider tips for getting through Schiphol more smoothly?
Arrive at least 3 hours early for international flights, and use the airport's free WiFi to download your boarding pass before you arrive. The airport is quite efficient, but it gets very busy during peak hours, so getting there early saves stress.
Is Schiphol expensive compared to other European airports?
Schiphol's prices are fairly mid-range for European airports—expect to pay €5-8 for a coffee and €12-18 for a sandwich. You'll find better deals in the city center, so grab food before heading to the airport if you want to save a few euros.
Plan your trip from Amsterdam
Browse the complete list of 285 destinations below to find your next flight from Schiphol. Each route page includes distance, estimated flight time, and airline information to help you plan your trip.