Amsterdam Airport Customs/Immigration

[Shari 6]

My step-daughter is leaving the US on Sunday to return to England after a trip here to visit. I just realized she only has a 1-1/2 hour layover in Amsterdam before flying on to Manchester. She flies out of Memphis, TN to Amsterdam so I believe she will have to go through Customs/Immigration when she arrives in Amsterdam. I am now worried 1-1/2 hours is not sufficient time for her flight from the US to arrive in Amsterdam, go through Customs/Immigration, and catch her flight out to Manchester. Anyone go through Customs/Immigration in Amsterdam that knows how long it might take? Thanks!

[letty 1]

My step-daughter is leaving the US on Sunday to return to England after a trip here to visit. I just realized she only has a 1-1/2 hour layover in Amsterdam before flying on to Manchester. She flies out of Memphis, TN to Amsterdam so I believe she will have to go through Customs/Immigration when she arrives in Amsterdam. I am now worried 1-1/2 hours is not sufficient time for her flight from the US to arrive in Amsterdam, go through Customs/Immigration, and catch her flight out to Manchester. Anyone go through Customs/Immigration in Amsterdam that knows how long it might take? Thanks!

As long as her plane is not delayed she should have enough time. Immigration is much faster in the Netherlands than in most places in the US. Most my husband has stood in line is 10 minutes, and it took 2 minutes to go through. They sometimes ask nothing, sometimes just what your purpose is of travelling. A little different than my wait at Houston airport for 2 hours and than have to answer stupid questions for another 20 minutes (eg "do you have parents?", no I fell out if the sky one day....)

What usually takes the longest is obtaining your lugguage, but maybe they are connected through in her case. It can take up to 30/40 minutes till they have your lugguage out, if it is around lunch time or whenever they decided to take a coffee break......

Don't worry, 1 hour is enough time change planes in Amsterdam, if you don't stroll along.

Letty

[Shari 6]

Thanks so much for the information Letty. That makes us all feel better.

[Otto 83]

The last two times I went through Amsterdam were fairly quick - it's a relatively compact airport so there is usually (baring any delays) time to get there - no time for dilly dallying of course.

She should know to ask for assistance if time is running out - pretty much everyone there speaks English so it's not a problem.

I wouldn't worry - they're pretty efficient.

[Talyss 0]

When I flew Dallas to Manchester via Amsterdam the luggage is automatically transferred for you and I am fairly certain that my arrival gate opened onto the main departure lounge and all I had to do was walk to my departure gate and I did not have to go through immigration. Each gate has its own security checkpoint and x-ray machine so the queues at the gate can sometimes be quite long though the plane from amsterdam to manchester won't be that large so it shouldn't be too much of a problem. I know I had a 2 1/2 hour transfer and got to look round all the shops 2-3 times each and was bored out of my mind by the time we got to leave.

[WHITE COW 0]

Yes- I had a connection in Amsterdam as well. (in 07 and 08) They transfered my luggage and I did not have to go thru any customs there.

I do remember I had to go thru an extra check before boarding and couldn't take any water from the airport in.