Frequently Asked Questions about the flying start at Schiphol: We assure you a smooth journey

On Schiphol.nl, you will find a useful overview of departing and arriving flights. This list can also be found in the free Schiphol app.

In busy periods, such as vacations, we work hard with our partners to provide each traveller with a flying start to their trip. For example, all security passages are fully operational with additional security staff. We also deploy more employees to ensure a continues flow in the terminal and a better service to the travellers.

How long you should plan to arrive at the airport before your flight, depends on where you are going. Please check your airline's website for up-to-date advice and your check-in desk’s opening time. You should also find out whether there are traffic jams, road or rail works and adjust your journey to Schiphol accordingly.

Read more about travelling to Schiphol.

We always do our very best to ensure that you reach your departure gate quickly, comfortably and safely. But queues are unavoidable when there are a lot of travellers at the airport at the same time. During peak periods, we deploy extra staff to keep things moving. We never relax our rules at Security because safety is always our first priority. We appreciate your understanding for any delays that may be caused. You can also prepare for the security check and pack your hand baggage efficiently in order to save time.

The rules about the size and weight of your hand baggage varies per airline. Please contact the airline you are flying with to check the maximum dimensions and weight of your hand baggage. You can also contact your airline for the rates for (additional) hold baggage.

You can take a tweezer or pocket knife into the plane if the sharp part (the blade) is no longer than 6cm. A razor blade is only allowed if it is a safety razor blade or disposable razor in a fixed holder. Loose or open blades are not allowed in your hand baggage.

Here too, security staff can refuse an item for safety reasons.

Read more about the rules for hand baggage

Small pets are permitted in the flight cabin on a number of airlines. It depends on your pet’s weight and size, as well as the dimensions of your pet carrier. Please check the rules with your airline.

Read more about pets at Schiphol

Yes, you are allowed to take food on the plane. But be aware of packaged food that fall under the liquid rules, such as a jar or tube of yoghurt, mayonnaise, peanut butter or chocolate spread. Did you take food with you in your hand baggage, but did not eat it in the plane? Then keep in mind the specific customs import rules at your destination.

If you are traveling to a country within the European Union, you may bring a piece of cheese in your baggage. And a slice of cheese on your sandwich is also fine. However, if you fly to or from a country outside the European Union, you cannot bring cheese or other dairy products without a health certificate. Also be aware of spreadable cheeses and spreads, as they fall under the liquids rules!

Check the Dutch Customs’ site for more information on bringing meat, fish and dairy.

It’s better not to pack a bottle of alcohol when packing your hand baggage at home. Bottles of alcohol usually contain more than 100ml and bottles exceeding 100 ml are only allowed if approved by the CT scan and member of security staff. You can buy alcoholic beverages after security and take these with you in your hand baggage. Be aware that your purchase should be sealed if you have a stopover at another airport, otherwise you may encounter problems at security. The cashier will ask if you have a stopover, so you can avoid any issues.

Leave your alcohol at home or in a closed or sealed bottle, because it is not allowed to consume the alcohol you brought on the plane.

Are you planning on buying liquids or gels in containers of more than 100ml at Schiphol? Or have you bought something that you would prefer not to take with you? If you are flying to an EU destination, you can use our free Shop and Collect Service.

Yes, you can take medication for personal use with you for the duration of your trip. This means from the day you leave until the day you return. We also ask you to bring a medical certificate.

Yes, this is allowed. You will need the following documents for this:

• Medical passport for the person concerned
• A GP’s declaration with the name of the person for whom it is intended and the name of the person who will carry it.

Yes, you can bring baby food in your hand baggage if you are travelling with a baby up to 1.5 years. You can bring as much as you need for the duration of your trip. This means from the day you leave until the day you return.

Yes, you can take this with you in your hand baggage if you are travelling with a baby. In that case there are no restrictions. If you fly without a baby, the rules for liquids apply.

Yes, you can take this with you in your hand baggage if you are travelling with a baby. In that case there are no restrictions. If you fly without a baby, the rules for liquids apply. This also applies to (the size of) the cooling elements.

Small lighters and safety matches are only allowed if they are worn on your person, not as hand luggage. Carry them with you in your jacket. At the security check, your pockets must be completely empty so don't leave your lighter in your pocket.

This depends on the (extra) rules that your airline company sets. Therefore you should always check the additional list of items that are not allowed on an airplane, with your airline.

In principle you can. However, your airline can have additional rules, which means that they may not be allowed after all. Especially when it comes to lithium batteries, airlines are extra cautious. Therefore you should always check the additional list of prohibited items with your airline.

The size and weight of your suitcase varies per airline. Please check with your airline to find out the maximum dimensions and weight allowed for your hold baggage. Your weight limit is also displayed on your ticket. Please also contact your airline for rates for (extra) hold baggage.

As soon as you have delivered your hold baggage, your suitcase or bag will enter the Schiphol Baggage System. All baggage is checked by security using X-ray equipment.

No. In principle, your suitcase will remain closed. All hold baggage is checked using X-ray equipment. If we see scan something suspicious, we will track you down at the airport so you can open your suitcase yourself.

The only exception is if your flight departs within 45 minutes. In those cases, we ask the airline or handler to open it and perform a manual search. That always happens under the supervision of you or your airline representative. If forbidden objects are found during a scan, it will not be opened but sent to the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (Dutch Police) and Customs instead.

Odd-sized baggage is baggage that is larger or heavier than normal. It includes baggage of an irregular shape, that is fragile or contains certain items that are not allowed in the hand luggage and must be checked in separately. Examples of odd-sized baggage include pets, bicycles, skis and snowboards, golf bags, larger musical instruments, surfboards and kiteboards, wheelchairs, high chairs, cars and buggies.

Please also check the conditions and requirements, as well as maximum dimensions and weight, set by your airline.

Your airline can tell you exactly which conditions, such as maximum dimensions and weight, and rates they use for different baggage and transportation of pets. Therefore, please contact your airline for specific information.

That depends upon your airline. Some do allow small pets (cats, dogs, etc.) in the cabin, others do not. If they are permitted, there are limits on the size and weight of the animal and rules for the dimensions of its carrier. Please check with your airline for its policy and regulations.

Read more about travelling with pets.

Yes, you can bring them with you. Skis and snowboards are not classed as regular baggage, so you will have to drop them at the ‘Odd Size’ counter. First, take your baggage to your airline’s check-in desk. You may have to pay a small surcharge to bring your winter sport equipment with you. Once your baggage has been tagged, simply drop your equipment off at the ‘Odd Size’ baggage counter.

No, self-balancing devices or personal transport devices are forbidden as both hand and hold baggage. Hoverboards, airboards, oxboards, eSkates, waveboards and U-runners use lithium batteries. These batteries generate a lot of heat if a short circuit occurs, which may cause them to spontaneously ignite or even explode. That is why they are on the list of dangerous objects and it is forbidden to travel with them.

Yes, with most airlines you can take your bike with you as odd-sized baggage. Please purchase a special box to prevent damage to your bike from the left-luggage office, located in Departures 1 and 2 on the basement level under the central stairs. The office is manned every day between 06:00-23:00. You can call an employee on the intercom outside of those hours.

Bicycle box specifications

• Price € 30 incl. VAT
• Weight 5 kilos
• Size 99 cm high, 21 cm wide, 175 long

Yes. You can use our baggage depot in the basement between Arrivals 1 and 2, to temporarily store your hand baggage as well as your hold baggage. Read more about storing your baggage at Schiphol, the opening hours and costs.

If you are travelling with minors, you will indeed have to take a number of additional things into consideration. On the page Travel with children you can read more about the extra rules and regulations that you have to take into account during your preparation.

If you are travelling with your child(ren) up to the age of 18, but without your (ex-)partner, you will always require your partner's consent. If you are flying with someone else's children, you will need the consent of both parents.

Download a consent form from the website of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee and avoid any unpleasant surprises and delays.

It depends on your airline whether you need to book separate seats for young children or not, so please check with your airline when you buy your tickets.

Read more about travelling with babies and children.

The rules for baby buggies, pushchairs and prams vary from one airline to another. In general, buggies can be taken as far as the boarding gate. Staff then label them and place them in the aircraft’s hold. Prams and non-folding buggies or pushchairs usually have to be checked in as odd size baggage.

If you have a valid passport, we strongly advise you to bring it when travelling through Schiphol. Whatever your destination, you will almost certainly be required to carry valid ID there. In some cases, this does not necessarily have to be a passport. When travelling within the Schengen zone, you can also use an official national identity card. A valid passport is required elsewhere.

Your airline will also check your passport or identity card against the details on your ticket, to confirm that you are the registered traveller.

Yes, if you are Dutch citizen you can obtain one at the Emergency Documents Desk between Departure 1 and 2. For details of the documents you need, we advise you to contact your local authority (Town Hall) as quickly as possible. For more information about the procedure, see the national government website.

All complaints or comments about passport control at Schiphol should be directed to the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee through Marechaussee.nl. Please be as specific as possible – for example, state where you were, the date and time and the name of the officer who checked your passport, or what they looked like.

You can prepare for the security check at home by checking what's allowed in your hand baggage. It also helps to wear fitted clothing and low shoes when you come to Schiphol. Follow these recommendations for a smooth security check:

• Empty your pockets when waiting in the queue for security
• Put all loose items (belt, keys, phone, passport etc.) in your bag
• Electronics, such as a laptop, liquids and your drink bottle can stay in your bag
• Wearing a jacket? Take it off in advance
• Take off your high shoes (above the ankle) and belt
• At the security check, take 1 tray
• Place your jacket and then your bag and loose items on top
• Always follow the security officers' instructions

If you are only travelling with a small bag as hand baggage, you can use the ‘Small Bags Only’ lane. Small bags include laptops, backpacks and small handbags to a maximum size of 40x30x20cm (about 25 litres). Small bags do not include large pieces of hand luggage, such as those on wheels.

At the beginning of the security lanes, you will notice a ‘Small Bags Only’ sign. A Schiphol representative will indicate which type of hand baggage is allowed in the small bags lane.

• In Departures 1 from 04:00 – 20:00
• In Departures 2 from 06:00 – 16:00
• In Departures 3 from 07:00 – 20:30
• NB. In Departures 1a and 4 there are no 'Small Bags Only'-passages.

Do you travel with normal hand baggage? Don’t worry. The waiting times in your queue should become shorter too, because all ‘handbags’ will be in a different queue. This will allow all travellers to get to their plane faster.

Flights to the United States have been subject to additional security measures for a long time. However, the existing measures were somewhat expanded in 2017. It is possible that you and your hand baggage may be subjected to an additional check at the gate when flying to the USA.

Because of the extra checks it is important to arrive at the airport in time when travelling to the USA. Please contact your airline for the latest advice. Flights to the US are subject to the standard baggage regulations.

Electronic devices such as tablets and laptops may be stored in your hand baggage.

The US government is imposing these measures on all airlines flying to the United States. If you have any questions, please contact your airline.

The technology used is not dangerous to your health. If, for instance, you pregnant or do you have a pacemaker, you can go through the security scanner without taking any health risks. If in doubt, you can always ask the security officer for an ‘old-fashioned’ search instead of using the scanner.

Your privacy is fully guaranteed. The scan is only analysed by a computer and not by a security officer. The scanner cannot see through your body either. Therefore, there are no images that could even be saved. The raw data is also not saved.

No, the scanner does not see you naked. The millimetre waves do indeed travel through your clothing, but do not make personally identifiable images of you; the scan is analysed by a computer and not by a security officer. The only thing that comes up on the small computer screen next to it is a grey image of a human form with coloured spots in the locations where objects were found.

The security scanner works with technology that uses millimetre waves. These waves go through your clothing and reflect on your skin. They ‘bounce back’ an indication of any other materials on your skin, such as plastic, metal, wood, iron, ceramics, etc. That allows the scanner to detect objects.

Tell the security staff at the security check. One of them will then completely search you without using the security scanner.

Online check-in is the easiest and fastest option for most travellers, especially if you are only travelling with hand luggage and if the airport is busier than usual. You can also check in at the self-service check-in kiosks and drop-off areas with a couple of airlines. Or simply visit your airline’s check in desk for your boarding pass and to drop off your baggage.

Read more about Schiphol’s check-in process

You can request additional assistance at the time of booking your ticket or trip. Your airline or travel agency will then inform us of your request. Please ensure that you make your request to your airline or travel agency up to 48 hours before departure. We are unable to guarantee this service with less than 48 hours’ notice.

Read more about extra assistance at Schiphol

Yes, you can. Drop by Seal & Go in Departures 2 and 3, in front of the check-in desks. It can be safer and more secure to seal your bags, and doing so also protects them from scratches.

Read more about sealing your baggage

When bringing or collecting travellers by car, follow the Parking (‘Parkeren’) signs to the P1 Short-term Car Park. From there, it’s 3-6 minutes’ walk to Departures and Arrivals. You can also drop off departing travellers directly in front of the check-in area (follow the ‘Vertrek'/'Wegbrengen’ signs), but you are not allowed to park or wait there.

If you are still at Schiphol, it is best to go to one of our information desks. If we have found your items, they will be returned to you immediately. If not, we will tell you where else you can try. Please complete this form if you realised that you lost something when you got home. We will then check whether your items have been found. For more information, visit our found items page.

If you have lost labelled baggage or have left items on the plane, please contact your airline to enquire about your missing baggage.