Passengers

Total$0.00

Menu

Blog

Transferring through Amsterdam Schiphol?

The Seating Area of the Lounge 41 Aspire Airport Lounge in Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

We are often asked "which lounge should I use at Amsterdam Schiphol"?

We have two lounges in Schiphol Airport – one for Schengen travellers and one for non-Schengen travellers (the newly opened Aspire Lounge).

Which airport lounge should I use? Schengen or non-Schengen?

There isn’t really a simple answer to this (though we wish there was), so we will try and explain it for you the best we can.

The Schengen area is made up of 26 countries who have signed the Schengen Agreement. In a nutshell, this agreement eliminated border controls between these states allowing free passage for travellers. The Netherlands is a member of the Schengen Area, so if you are flying from Amsterdam to another Schengen country – you should use the Schengen Lounge, if you are flying anywhere else, visit the non-Schengen Lounge. The Schengen states are:

  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland

Identification and what to take

If you are travelling from a Schengen country to a Schengen country, you can visit the Schengen lounge. Sounds easy right? Oh we wish it was!

This is the complicated bit…. Despite the terms "free passage” and "no border controls”, if you are flying from a Schengen country but you yourself are from a non-Schengen country, then you still need full identification, these will be checked at the Schengen control point before you get to the lounge.

So, I'm from the United Kingdom, transferring through Amsterdam to a Schengen Country...

As the United Kingdom is not part of the Schengen Agreement, you must have your passport with you at all times. You will however, still use the Schengen area to board your flight...meaning you should book Lounge 26

Think of the Schengen Area as a country in it’s own right – your eligibility to enter will be checked when crossing into the Schengen Area and when you leave the Schengen Area – just the same way as if you were travelling to the United States.

Once you are in the Schengen zone, you are "free” to move about within the area - However, make sure you always have your passport with you.

I'm from the United Kingdom, transferring through Amsterdam to a non-Schengen Country...

In this instance, you will go through security showing your passport and subsequently enter the non-Schengen area. You will use the non-Schengen area to board your flight...meaning you should book the Aspire Lounge.

This will include travelling to any country not in the Schengen list such as destinations within North and South America, Australasia, the Far East etc.

Note, that whilst you may have already shown your passport at initial security, each gate has it's own secondary passport control prior to departure, so please give yourself enough time.

One final note...

We strongly suggest that you double check with your airline before you fly if you are at all unsure about what documents you might need, and once you’ve checked, reward yourself with a visit to one of our international airport lounges.

Book the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Aspire Lounge 26 (for Schengen flights) here.

Book the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Aspire Lounge 41 (for non-Schengen flights) here.

Share this post Share Article on Facebook Share Article on Twitter Share Article on Linkedin Share Article via Email

SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER

Sign up to our emails to be the first to hear about our latest offers, news and new arrivals.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Book Your Lounge