Airports in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is a small country, but it does have more than one airport. You have probably heard of Schiphol, one of Europe’s biggest airports. But the Netherlands is also home to five civil airports of note: Schiphol, Rotterdam The Hague Airport, Groningen Airport Eelde, Eindhoven Airport and Maastricht Aachen Airport. Learn more about these and other airports in the Netherlands. 

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

Located in the province of North Holland and the Haarlemmermeer municipality, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, often just called Schiphol, started out as a military airport in 1916. Technically, it lies on the bottom of Haarlemmer Lake, which was drained in 1852. Schiphol is the oldest airport in the Netherlands to occupy the same location, near Amsterdam (of course, expansions have been made over time).

Short history of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

In 1919, after WWI, when cargo flights and even passenger flights started to become popular, Albert Plesman founded the Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij voor Nederland en Koloniën N.V. (later KLM). On May 17, 1920, the first KLM flight took place from London to Amsterdam. That year, a grand total of 440 passengers travelled through Schiphol.

As of 2025, around 69 million passengers with over 50 million items of baggage travel through Schiphol each year. They head to and from 330+ direct destinations worldwide, with around 1.240 flights taking off and landing at Schiphol each year. 

Major airlines at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol serves over 100 airlines. You can find almost all major airlines here, including:

• American Airlines
• Air Canada
• Air France
• British Airways
• China Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• easyJet
• Emirates
• KLM
• Lufthansa
• Ryanair
• Transavia
• United Airlines
• Vueling

Travel to and from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

What are the best ways to travel to and from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport?  

By train to Schiphol

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is easily accessible by train. Your train will drop you off at Schiphol Airport Train Station, right under the airport, a short lift or escalator ride from arrivals and a two-minute walk to departures. Many Dutch cities offer direct connections, including Amsterdam, Utrecht, Leiden, The Hague, Delft and Rotterdam. 

By car to Schiphol: Parking at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

Coming to the airport by car and need to park? You have got a variety of options when it comes to parking, from spots a few minutes' walk from the terminal, to long-term parking with a shuttle bus transfer. You can easily reserve your parking spot online. 

By taxi to Schiphol

Need a quick ride to or from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport? Don't want to worry about your car being parked at the airport for a long period of time? Grab a taxi! There are various taxi companies and operators in Schiphol airport that can drive you to and from your destination.  

By bus to Schiphol

You can find the bus station at Schiphol Plaza, right outside the arrival and departure halls. There are over 20 direct bus lines to the airport. Check 9292.nl for the best route for you. 

Extra assistance at Schiphol Airport

If you need extra help to get around the airport, you can request a Schiphol Assistant. They can help you with your luggage and take you to your gate. You can request a Schiphol Assistant online. 

It's also possible to borrow a wheelchair if you need one - you can find them at various locations around Schiphol. 

Eindhoven Airport

Located between Best and Veldhoven, 7,6 kilometres west of Eindhoven in North Brabant, Eindhoven Airport is the largest regional airport in the Netherlands. It is both a military and civil airport.

Short history of Eindhoven Airport

In 1932, the airfield was founded under the name Welschap near the village of Zeelst, which became part of Veldhoven in 1921. On May 1, 1934, the connection Eindhoven-Rotterdam-Amsterdam was established and on June 1 of that year, the connection Eindhoven-Twente-Groningen.

During WWII, the German Luftwaffe took over the field, calling it Fliegerhorst Eindhoven, and expanded it. After the war, the airport was turned over to the Dutch authorities, and from 1952 it started to house Dutch air force squadrons.  

Eindhoven Airport is the second largest airport in the Netherlands. As of 2025, nearly 7 million passengers travel through Eindhoven Airport each year, to and from more than 70 (European) destinations, resulting in over 41.000 take-offs and landings annually. 

Major airlines at Eindhoven Airport

The following airlines travel to and from Eindhoven Airport:

• Laudamotion
• Pegasus
• Ryanair
• SunExpress
• Tranavia
• TUI
• Wizz Air

Travel to and from Eindhoven Airport

There are various ways you can get to Eindhoven airport.

By public transport to Eindhoven airport

You can reach Eindhoven airport by bus from Eindhoven Central Station. The bus stop is located next to the terminal. AirExpressBus also offers a bus line between the airport, Utrecht and Amsterdam. 

Parking at Eindhoven Airport

If you come by car, you can park your car in one of the carparks. You can book your parking spot easily online. 

Extra assistance at Eindhoven Airport

If you need extra assistance, such as wheelchair service, you will need to let the airport know at least 48 hours in advance via your travel agent or airline. 

Rotterdam The Hague Airport

Rotterdam The Hague Airport is part of the Royal Schiphol Group and is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It is a civil airport for scheduled, charter and business flights.

Short history of Rotterdam The Hague Airport

Rotterdam has had its own airport since 1920: Airport Waalhaven. However, in 1940 this airport was mostly destroyed during the German attack on Rotterdam. After WWII, this airport was never rebuilt - instead, a new airport was built at Zestienhoven in 1956.

As of 2025, Rotterdam The Hague Airport welcomes over 2,4 million passengers annually, resulting in around 52.000+ take-offs and landings. The airport has only one runway and it is mostly used for holiday flights. However, it is also used by the Dutch government as it is located close to The Hague.

Rotterdam The Hague Airport is the third most notable airport in the Netherlands and connects over 50 international (European) destinations. The airport’s top destination is London City, followed closely by Alicante, Malaga and Faro.

Major airlines at Rotterdam The Hague Airport

The following airlines fly to and from Rotterdam The Hague Airport:

• Air Algeria
• AirArabia
• British Airways
• Corendon
• Pegasus
• SunExpress
• Transavia
• TUI

Travel to and from Rotterdam The Hague Airport

Rotterdam Airport is easy to reach by car and by public transport. 

By metro to Rotterdam The Hague Airport

You can travel to the airport via metro (Rotterdam Airport via RandstadRail Metro Line E), from both The Hague Central Station and Rotterdam Central Station. From the metro station Meijersplein, you will need to change to a bus, which will take you directly to the airport. 

By bus to Rotterdam The Hague Airport 

If you are travelling from Delft, you can also take bus 37, which will drop you off at the Republic transport square, next to the terminal. 

Parking at Rotterdam The Hague Airport

Rotterdam Airport offers various parking options, all within walking distance of the terminal. You can save on costs by reserving your parking spot online. 

Extra assistance at Rotterdam The Hague Airport

If you need extra assistance to get around the airport, you can request assistance from Aviapartner. Make sure you do this before travelling

Groningen Airport Eelde

Situated near Eelde, in the province of Drenthe, close to Groningen, Groningen Airport Eelde is a small international airport in the Netherlands for holidaymakers and business travellers. It is also the home base of the KLM Flight Academy.

Short history of Groningen Airport Eelde

On May 23, 1931, the airport was officially opened and in August of the same year, the first scheduled service between Eelde and Amsterdam/Schiphol started.

During WWII, the airport was occupied by the German military and was expanded considerably. It was almost blown up at the end of the war when the Germans abandoned it, but a member of the local resistance managed to save it by cutting the explosives’ wires. After the war, the Dutch government restored it with subsidies.

On August 16, 1954, the National Aviation Academy moved to the airport from Gilze-Rijen (now the KLM Flight Academy), and on July 13, 1958, the first landing of a European aeroplane took place at the airport. During the 1960s, scheduled services were restored.  

As of 2025, Groningen Airport Eelde welcomes around 110.000 passengers annually, with around 30.000+ take-offs and landings. Around 67% of this traffic comes from charter flights, with summer being the busiest season. Destinations include Sweden, the UK, Canary Islands, Turkey and Greece.

Major airlines at Groningen Airport Eelde

The following airlines travel to and from Groningen Airport Eelde:

• AlbaStar
• BH Air
• Blue Islands
• Corendon
• Emerald Airlines
• Transavia
• TUI

Travel to and from Groningen Airport Eelde

Groningen Airport Eelde is easily accessible by both car and public transport:

By public transport to Groningen Airport Eelde

Groningen Airport Eelde is accessible by a shuttle bus service from Groningen and bus Groningen - Eelde. 

Parking at Groningen Airport Eelde

Groningen Airport Eelde offers three car parks, all within walking distance of the terminal. It's advised to book your parking spot online. 

Extra assistance at Groningen Airport Eelde

If you need extra assistance at the airport, you will need to let them know at least 48 hours before your flight via your travel agent or airline. When you arrive at the airport, you can report at the handling desk. 

Maastricht Aachen Airport

Located in Beek, in the province of Limburg, Maastricht Aachen Airport is a compact, regional airport and the second-largest hub for cargo flights in the Netherlands.

Short history of Maastricht Aachen Airport

Plans to build an airport near Maastricht were made before WWII, but construction was put on hold because of the war. After the allied invasion of Normandy, a temporary airfield was created near the towns of Beek, Geulle and Ulestraten.

After the war, the airfield was officially transferred to the Dutch government on August 1, 1945. In the 1950s and 1960s, the airport saw a rise in commercial operations and during the 1970s, it was expanded to handle bigger aircraft.

Nowadays, Maastricht Aachen Airport is a large hub for cargo flights from various airlines all over the world, as well as passenger flights.

As of 2025, Maastricht Aachen Airport transports around 160.000 passengers and 41.500 tonnes of cargo each year. This is a total of around 7.500 take-offs and landings each year. 

Major airlines at Maastricht Aachen Airport

You can find the following major airlines at Maastricht Aachen Airport:

• Wizz Air

Travel to and from Maastricht Aachen Airport

Maastricht Airport is easily accessible by both car and public transport.

By public transport to Maastricht Aachen Airport

There is a bus stop located directly at the airport, going into the direction of Maastricht-Sittard. Beek-Elsloo and Meerssen. 

Parking at Maastricht Aachen Airport

At Maastricht airport, there are two car parks you can use. Both are within walking distance of the terminal.

Extra assistance at Maastricht Aachen Airport

If you need extra assistance at the airport, you will need to let them know at least 48 hours before your flight via your travel agent or airline. When you arrive at the airport, you can report at the special mobility help desk. 

Other Dutch airports

Besides the aforementioned five big civil airports, the Netherlands is also home to 15+ smaller civil airports, five military airbases, 15+ glider airfields and a couple of helicopter ports.

Travelling to and from an airport in the Netherlands

When you travel to or from an airport in the Netherlands, you will always need to carry a valid travel document (passport or European Identity Card) and other necessary documents (such as a visa) you need to gain access to the country you are travelling to or from.