Schiphol is well-organized and family-friendly by airport standards. The challenge for families is not the airport itself but choosing the right transport to your destination.
The terminal with children
Schiphol is a single terminal, so there are no inter-terminal transfers to worry about. The walk from the gate to baggage claim varies depending on your gate. Some piers involve a 10-15 minute walk, which can be long for small children.
Baby Cares (baby changing and nursing rooms) are found throughout the terminal. The facilities are clean and modern. After baggage claim, everything converges on Schiphol Plaza, which is bright, open, and easy to navigate.
Luggage trolleys are free. The airport is fully accessible with lifts and ramps. Stroller navigation is straightforward.
The train with children
The train to Amsterdam Centraal is fast and frequent. With older children (5+) who can handle their own bags and walk, the train is perfectly viable. The platform is directly below Schiphol Plaza, accessed by escalator or lift.
However, the train has limitations for families:
- No dedicated luggage space in most carriages
- Rush hour trains (7-9 AM, 5-7 PM) are standing-room only
- Amsterdam Centraal is undergoing renovation, making navigation with a stroller and bags awkward
- No toilets on the short Sprinter trains
Child seats in ground transport
Dutch law requires children shorter than 135 cm to use an appropriate child restraint. Standard Schiphol taxis do not carry child seats. Rideshares (Uber) do not either.
Pre-booked transfers are the only reliable way to get child seats from the airport. Specify ages and needs when booking. Most providers offer infant carriers, toddler seats, and booster seats.
If you bring your own portable booster seat, you can use any taxi.
Recommended approach by family type
Family with children over 7, light luggage: The train is fine. Fast, cheap, and children old enough to manage the walk and platform changes.
Family with toddlers or infants: A pre-booked transfer with child seats is the least stressful option. Door-to-door, no stairs, no crowds.
Large family (5+ people): Book a minivan transfer. A single taxi will not fit you all, and coordinating two taxis with children and luggage is chaotic.
Family with lots of luggage: Transfer or taxi. The train with four suitcases and a stroller is not practical.
Strollers
Gate-checked strollers are returned at the aircraft door (most airlines) or on the oversized baggage belt. If yours goes to oversized, it is on the far end of the baggage hall, clearly marked. From there, you can use it throughout the terminal.
Food and supplies
Schiphol Plaza has several food options including a supermarket (Albert Heijn To Go) where you can buy snacks, drinks, and basic supplies. This is useful if your children need something before the journey. There is no pharmacy in the public arrivals area.
Practical tips
- Use the lifts, not escalators, with strollers. They are well-placed throughout the terminal.
- If taking the train, avoid the 7-9 AM and 5-7 PM peaks. A train 30 minutes later can be dramatically less crowded.
- Amsterdam hotels often have narrow, steep staircases. If your accommodation is a traditional canal house hotel, confirm in advance that they can help with luggage and strollers.
- The taxi rank is right outside, but queue times during peak arrivals can stretch to 10-15 minutes in the cold and rain. A transfer waiting inside is more comfortable with small children.