Amsterdam Schiphol Airport hotels, attractions, restaurants, hotel, weather, health

Schiphol (IATA: AMS, ICAO: EHAM) (municipality Haarlemmermeer) is the Netherlands' main airport. Located south of Amsterdam , Schiphol aims to be a European mainport, competing in passenger and cargo throughput with Heathrow International Airport in London, UK, Frankfurt International Airport in Frankfurt am Main, Germany and Charles de Gaulle International Airport in Roissy, France.

Schiphol started early last century as a military airbase, consisting only of a few barracks and a mudpool serving as platform/runways. When civil aircraft started to make use of the field, it was often called Schiphol-les-bains. The Fokker aircraft manufacturer started a factory near Schiphol airport in 1951.

Schiphol's name means "ship hole". It is part of the Haarlemmermeerpolder, which before around 1850 was a big lake. The name originally meant a part of that lake: 't Schiphol in old maps of the area.

Currently Schiphol has 5 main runways, plus 1 used mainly by general aviation aircraft. The "fifth runway" (really the sixth) was completed in 2003. Plans have already been made for a seventh runway.

Schiphol airport is built as one large terminal split into three large departure halls, the most recent having been completed in 1994, which converge again once airside. There are plans for further terminal expansion.

Schiphol is the home base of KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines), Martinair and Transavia.

Schiphol has large shopping areas as a source of revenue and as an additional attractant to air-carrier passengers. Schiphol Plaza is the shopping center before customs, hence not only for air travellers, but also for people who just change train here, etc. There is a regular-size supermarket, Food Village, that is open until midnight seven days a week.

Schiphol is the world's lowest major commercial airport. The Schiphol ATC tower, with a height of 101 m, was the tallest in the world when constructed in 1991.

Schiphol Airport is connected by train with the main Centraal Station (every 15min; hourly at night). Centraal Station is at the hub of all bus and tram routes and just five minutes' walk from central Dam Square. International buses arrive at Amstel Station, ten minutes south of Centraal Station by metro. For information , the main VVV is outside Centraal Station, Stationsplein 10 (daily 9am-5pm; tel 0900/400 4040 ); there's another branch inside the station (Mon-Sat 8am-8pm, Sun 9am-5pm), a smaller kiosk on the Leidseplein corner of Leidsestraat (daily 9am-5pm, Thurs-Sat closes 7pm), and an office in the airport (daily 7am-10pm). Any of these can sell you a map, book accommodation and provide answers to most enquiries, though summer queues can be a nightmare; they can also sell you an Amsterdam Culture & Leisure Pass , which gives free or reduced entry to a selection of major attractions as well as free public transport for three days and discounts at some restaurants. The VVV's monthly listings guide, Day to Day , costs ?1. Infopocket Amsterdam , written in four languages, contains photographs and practical information about the city.

The excellent network of trams , buses and the small metro (all daily 6/7am-midnight) isn't expensive. The GVB public transport office in front of Centraal Station (Mon-Fri 7am-9pm, Sat & Sun 8am-9pm; winter until 7pm; tel 0900/9292) has free route maps and an English guide to the ticketing system. As with the rest of the country, you use a strippenkaart - available from any GVB office, post offices, selected tobacconists, train stations and VVVs. Since you rarely need to travel outside the central zone, cancelling two strips is normally sufficient; this gives you an hour's travel (all trams display instructions in English for how to cancel strips). Dagkaarten (day tickets) . If caught without a ticket, you're liable for a spot fine plus the journey fare. After midnight, night buses take over, running roughly hourly from Centraal Station to most parts of the city. Taxis are expensive, found in ranks on main city squares (Stationsplein, Dam Square, Leidseplein); to book one call 020/677 7777. Bikes can be rented from Centraal Station or from a number of firms around town.

We are your single source for hotel listings near Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. We offer a full array of services including hotel reservations, car rentals, airport and attraction information, and many other services. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport hotel reservations start here. Visitors will benefit from our comprehensive hotel listings. Whether you're on a budget, traveling with your family on vacation or visiting on business, our Amsterdam Schiphol Airport hotel guides will help you find the accommodations that suit your specific needs.

All hotels listed are near or with easy access to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

SHERATON AMSTERDAM AIRPORT HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER
Schiphol Boulevard 101 - Schiphol, Netherlands
Located within the airport complex, and linked to the passenger terminal and train station by a covered walkway, the stylish Sheraton Amsterdam Airport Hotel and Conference Center is 21 kilometres from central Amsterdam.

BEST WESTERN BASTION HOTEL AMSTERDAM AIRPORT
Vuursteen 1 - Hoofddorp, Netherlands
The BW Bastion Hotel is conveniently located just five minutes from Schiphol International Airport. This hotel is easily accessible off of junction 3 of the A4. Guests can access Amsterdam by train from the airport in about 25 minutes. Guests are offered free parking, and there is a complimentary airport shuttle running every half hour from 6 am to 12 midnight. The Bastion Deluxe Airport is a fully-refurbished facility, which offers comfort, hospitality, and a competitive rate.

RADISSON SAS HOTEL AMSTERDAM AIRPORT
Park Schipol Rijk Boeing Ave - Amsterdam, Netherlands
The Radisson SAS Hotel Amsterdam Airport is a modern, luxury hotel located 4 kilometers from Schiphol International Airport. The hotel offers a free shuttle from the airport and a nearby rail station provides direct access to the center of Amsterdam. The World Trade Center Schiphol and a train station are also conveniently nearby. The Radisson SAS opened its doors in September of 1999, so this is a relatively new hotel in very good condition and it is a good choice for travelers who prefer modern luxuries.

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