New overseas flyer here. Need info

[connie1042]

I have never flown overseas. I am going to go to Scotland in Oct. Will I have enough time to change planes in Amsterdam, with a 50 min. layover. Will they move my luggage from one flight to the next one. Would be flying from Minneapolis to Amsterdam, layover of 50 min. then on to Edinburgh, Scotland.Thanks for any info you can give me. I am really scared. I am flying by myself. I will be met at the end, in Scotland.

 

[Bobo912]

Earlier this month, I flew on Delta to Budapest with a 1 hour 45 minute layover in Amsterdam. I think 50 minutes would be risky. We had a long walk to a different terminal and we had to go through customs and security to reach our gate. We were lucky that there was no line, so we got through quickly. Our luggage was transferred directly to the connecting flight.

 

[connie1042]

I found one with 1 hr. 50 min on the way there and 2hours on the way home. Would that work. Is the airport really big?

 

[Bobo912]

I think that should be enough time. I'm not sure how big the airport is, but it seemed like we walked a long way. It may have seemed bigger to me than it actually is, because I was a little anxious at the time. I got the boarding and departure times mixed up for our flight and I thought we had very little time to reach our gate, but we actually had 30 minutes more than I thought. Turned out we had plenty of time.

There is a map of the airport here:

http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/airport_information/airport_maps/amsterdam_ams/index.jsp

We landed at terminal B and departed from terminal E. Our departing flight was on KLM. If you're on a different airline your terminals will probably be different.

 

[Danibelle]

I found one with 1 hr. 50 min on the way there and 2hours on the way home. Would that work. Is the airport really big?

Yes, it is pretty big. I would want at least a 2 hr. connection both ways. Schiphol is the 4th largest airport in Europe by passenger volume.

 

[lizabu]

If it's the same airline or if they have a code share they will transfer the luggage for you. If you buy the ticket at once it usually means they have a code share. If you went off on your own and bought 2 seperate tickets probably not. I had 1 hour and 15 minutes between my tranfers in Brussels this summer and we literally ran from the departure gate to the arrival gate and we were practically the last ones on. They were transferring our luggage for us. It would be impossible if you had to get your own bags. 2 hours is good. You have to remember it takes like 30 minutes to get off the plane you were in with everyone just remembering they have carry ons only once 80 people are standing behind them trying to get off.

 

[CinderellaMouse]

There's no way 50 minutes is enough. You need at least 2 hours. As a PP said, it can take 20-30 minutes to get off a plane, and keep in mind that planes often begin boarding 30 minutes prior to departure. A 50-minute connection is very risky even domestically, and that's assuming your flight's on time.

It's even risker with international travel. A major international airport like Amsterdam can be very, very big, and you'll be disoriented and jetlagged. You might have to change terminals, which can be complicated, confusing, and time-consuming. Plus some countries put international travelers through security again during their layover (I don't know if Amsterdam does this, but I know I have had to do it twice at London Heathrow on my way between the US and Denmark). Some countries also make you go through customs even if you are only laying over and not staying in the country.

And you're not in a good position if you miss your flight. Missing a connection is not fun at home in the US. It's even more difficult in a foreign country where you don't speak the language.

So allow at least 2 hours. 3 hours wouldn't be too much.

 

[Bobo912]

I wouldn't worry about the language. All of the airline and security people that I came in contact with in Amsterdam spoke perfect English. All announcement were also made in English. It probably took us around 15-20 minutes to change terminals and go through security. But, as I mentioned, there was a very short line at security and our plane was on time. Given your choices, I would choose the flight with the 1 hour 50 minute layover. Good luck!

 

[Chirpee]

As you are connecting immediately to a flight to the UK, you do not need to clear immigration in Amsterdam, if your bags are checked through to your final destination.

If you are flying on KLM or a code shared Delta flight, all flights to the UK go out of one gate at Schipol. As you go through security at the gate, irrespective of whether you have changed terminal or not, the line up can be quite long.

I travelled to the UK on KLM earlier this year and had just over an hour connection time. My inbound flight to Amsterdam was delayed as someone was a"no show" and their luggage had to be unloaded. Due to this, we missed our "slot" at Schipol and had to circle. As Schipol is a large airport, you taxi for a long time after landing to reach your gate. I was sat in the front of the economy cabin, just had hand luggage and only had a short distance to go to my connecting gate and only just made my onward flight. So I would recommend having at least a 2hour connection when flying through Schipol.

 

[carpenta]

Yes, it is pretty big. I would want at least a 2 hr. connection both ways. Schiphol is the 4th largest airport in Europe by passenger volume.

Having flown through I would agree 2 hours MINIMUM.......