Netherlands
How to get to Netherlands: airports, flights and border crossings
Fly into Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) for the widest choice of long-haul and European flights and a 15–20 minute train to Amsterdam Centraal. Choose Eindhoven or Rotterdam/The Hague if a low-cost fare or a southern base wins; skip Schiphol if your first nights are in Maastricht or Groningen.
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GuideNetherlands
Key facts
- Main gateway
- Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) — train to Amsterdam Centraal in about 15–20 minutes
- Low-cost and secondary
- Eindhoven (EIN), Rotterdam/The Hague (RTM), Groningen (GRQ), Maastricht Aachen (MST)
- From the US
- 7–9 hours nonstop from the East Coast; 10–12 hours from the West Coast, often with a change
- From the UK and Ireland
- 1–1.5 hours from London, Manchester, Dublin
- From Canada
- 7–8 hours nonstop from Toronto or Montreal; longer from Vancouver
- From Australia and NZ
- 20–30 hours with one or two changes; no nonstop service
- Land borders
- Germany and Belgium by train, coach or car; no routine passport checks inside Schengen
- Sea
- Ferries from the UK to Rotterdam/Hook of Holland and IJmuiden (Newcastle route)
- Entry rule
- Schengen 90/180 days for most visa-exempt passports; ETIAS expected from late 2026
Summary by airport, month and cost
Use this table to pick a gateway before you book. Prices are 2026 estimates for a one-way fare on a low-cost European route; long-haul fares vary far more.
Schiphol is the only airport with nonstop service to North America, Asia and most of Europe. The others are mainly low-cost and short-haul, so they suit travellers already in Europe or willing to connect.
| Airport | Best for | Transfer to city | Typical fare band (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) | First trip, long-haul, widest choice | Train 15–20 min to Amsterdam Centraal | €5–€7 train; long-haul from €400 return (2026 estimate) |
| Eindhoven (EIN) | Low-cost European flights, southern base | Bus 20–25 min to Eindhoven station | €20–€80 one-way (2026 estimate) |
| Rotterdam/The Hague (RTM) | Rotterdam, Delft, The Hague | Bus or taxi 20–30 min to Rotterdam Centraal | €25–€90 one-way (2026 estimate) |
| Groningen (GRQ) | Northern Netherlands | Bus 20–30 min to Groningen station | €30–€100 one-way (2026 estimate) |
| Maastricht Aachen (MST) | Limburg, Maastricht, Aachen | Bus 20–30 min to Maastricht station | €25–€90 one-way (2026 estimate) |
| Brussels (BRU) or Düsseldorf (DUS) | Cheaper long-haul, then train in | Train 2–3 hours to Amsterdam or Utrecht | €20–€60 train leg (2026 estimate) |
Transfer times and fares are 2026 estimates; check the operator before you book. Schiphol is the default for a first trip.
Step by step
Step 1 — Decide your first base. If it is Amsterdam, Utrecht, Haarlem or Leiden, Schiphol is the easy answer: the station sits under the terminal and trains run every few minutes. If it is Maastricht, Eindhoven or Groningen, a flight into the nearest regional airport or a train from Brussels or Düsseldorf can beat backtracking through Schiphol.
Step 2 — Check the entry rules. Most US, UK, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and Irish passport holders can stay 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area without a visa. The EU's ETIAS pre-travel authorisation is expected to start from late 2026; confirm the current status before booking. See Netherlands visa and entry requirements.
Step 3 — Book the flight. Nonstop transatlantic service concentrates on Schiphol. From the US East Coast it is 7–9 hours; from the West Coast 10–12 hours, often with a change. From the UK and Ireland it is 1–1.5 hours. From Canada, 7–8 hours nonstop from Toronto or Montreal. From Australia and New Zealand there is no nonstop service: expect 20–30 hours with one or two changes, usually via the Middle East, Singapore or another European hub.
Step 4 — Plan the arrival transfer. At Schiphol, buy a train ticket at the machines or use contactless where accepted, and ride to Amsterdam Centraal in about 15–20 minutes. Regional airports use buses to the nearest station, then the national rail network. Pre-book a taxi only for late arrivals.
Step 5 — Land borders. From Germany, trains run from Cologne and Berlin to Amsterdam and Utrecht; from Belgium, from Brussels and Antwerp. Cross-border coaches are often cheaper than rail. Driving is straightforward on the right-hand side, but do not drive into central Amsterdam. Inside Schengen there are normally no passport checks, though carriers and police can ask for ID.
Step 6 — Sea. Ferries link the UK with Rotterdam/Hook of Holland and with IJmuiden, and there are seasonal services elsewhere. Crossings take several hours to overnight; book a cabin for night sailings.
- Book Schiphol for a first trip unless your base is clearly in the south or north.
- Allow 60–90 minutes after landing for passport control and bags before your train.
- Compare a Brussels or Düsseldorf flight plus train against a Schiphol fare.
- Check ETIAS status before you pay for flights.
Notes
Schiphol is one of Europe's busiest hubs, so queues at passport control can be long in peak summer and around holidays. Allow extra time on the way home.
Regional airports are small and some have limited evening transport; check the last bus if you land late.
Cross-border trains can sell out on weekends and holidays; reserve a seat where the operator allows it.
If you arrive by car, remember that many Dutch city centres restrict or charge for parking, and Amsterdam discourages driving outright.
Travel insurance is worth arranging before departure, especially for long-haul routings with connections.
Questions people ask
What is the best airport to fly into for Netherlands?
Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) for a first trip: the widest long-haul and European choice, with a 15–20 minute train to Amsterdam Centraal. Pick Eindhoven, Rotterdam/The Hague, Groningen or Maastricht Aachen if your base is in that region or a low-cost fare wins.
How long is the flight to Netherlands from the US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ?
US East Coast 7–9 hours nonstop, West Coast 10–12 hours with a change. UK and Ireland 1–1.5 hours. Canada 7–8 hours nonstop from Toronto or Montreal. Australia and NZ 20–30 hours with one or two changes; no nonstop service.
Can I enter Netherlands by land or sea?
Yes. Trains and coaches cross from Germany and Belgium, and ferries link the UK with Rotterdam/Hook of Holland and IJmuiden. Inside Schengen there are normally no routine passport checks, but carry ID and check your own entry conditions.
Do I need a visa for the Netherlands?
Most US, UK, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and Irish passport holders can stay 90 days in any 180-day period across Schengen without a visa. The EU's ETIAS authorisation is expected from late 2026; confirm the current rule before booking.
Is it cheaper to fly into Brussels or Düsseldorf?
Sometimes. A cheaper long-haul fare into Brussels or Düsseldorf plus a 2–3 hour train can beat a Schiphol fare, but add the train cost and time before deciding. Compare total door-to-door cost, not just the flight.
How do I get from Schiphol to Amsterdam?
Take the train from the station under the terminal to Amsterdam Centraal, about 15–20 minutes. Trains run frequently through the day and into the evening; check the last departure if you land late.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialNetherlands Government — Visas and residence permits
- officialEU — ETIAS travel authorisation
- officialSchiphol Airport
- officialNS (Dutch Railways)
- secondaryWikivoyage — Netherlands