The Layout of the Vast Amsterdam Airport Terminal

Despite covering a very large area, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport operates as a single terminal building, divided into three main zones known as Departure Halls. Although these halls are often referred to as “terminals”, they are not separate buildings. All three are interconnected, making it possible to walk from one end of the airport to the other without exiting the terminal.

At the heart of the airport lies Schiphol Plaza, a large pre-security shopping and services area. This central hub clearly shows that Schiphol is more than just an airport — it functions almost like a compact shopping mall, open to both travelers and visitors.

In operational terms, Amsterdam Airport is divided into Schengen and non-Schengen zones. Passengers traveling within the Schengen Area can move freely airside, while travelers arriving from or departing to non-Schengen destinations must pass through passport and security controls.

Our tip: Thanks to its one-terminal concept, logical layout, and manageable walking distances, Schiphol is widely regarded as one of the easiest major airports in Europe to navigate.

The Schiphol Airport Departure Halls

The three Departure Halls are organized around several piers, each serving specific flight types and destinations:

Departure Hall 1

Departure Hall 1 includes Piers B, C, and part of Pier D (which is shared with Departure Hall 2). Recently renovated, this hall offers a more premium travel experience, with expanded security checkpoints, spacious waiting areas, and modern facilities.

  • Pier B: 14 gates
  • Pier C: 21 gates

Departure Hall 2

Departure Hall 2 shares Pier D with Hall 1 and also includes Pier E. Pier D is the largest concourse at Schiphol and is split across two levels:

  • Lower level: Non-Schengen flights (Gates D1–D57)
  • Upper level: Schengen flights (Gates D59–D87)

Pier E features 14 gates and mainly serves long-haul and non-Schengen flights, particularly for SkyTeam airlines such as KLM and Delta.

Departure Hall 3

Departure Hall 3 consists of Piers F, G, and H/M:

  • Pier F: 8 gates, primarily used by SkyTeam airlines
  • Pier G: 13 gates, serving non-Schengen destinations

Piers H and M form a shared concourse mainly used by low-cost airlines. Pier H handles non-Schengen flights, while Pier M serves Schengen destinations. These piers are the main exception to Schiphol’s airside connectivity — once past security, passengers cannot access the rest of the terminal from H/M.

Interesting fact: Schiphol Airport can accommodate Airbus A380 aircraft. Gates G9, E18, and E24 are specifically equipped for these large aircraft.

The Configuration of Schiphol Airport Departure Halls

Although commonly called “terminals”, all Departure Halls are part of the same building and follow a similar structural layout:

  • Ground floor: Arrivals, access to parking P1, airport hotels, and ground transportation
  • Level 1: Departures and check-in areas
  • Upper levels: Lounges, dining areas, and access to selected gates

The west side of Level 1 houses Departure Halls 3 and 4 with Gates F, G, and H/M, while the east side contains Departure Halls 1 and 2 with Gates B, C, D, and E. The highest level of the terminal is home to the Panorama Terrace.

Our tip: Schiphol has four main public lounges (separate from airline lounges). These are airside waiting zones with shops and food outlets:

  • Lounge 1: European (Schengen) destinations
  • Lounges 2 and 3: Intercontinental flights
  • Lounge 4: Low-cost airline passengers

Future Plans for Amsterdam Airport Terminal

As one of Europe’s busiest airports, Amsterdam Schiphol is continuously evolving to meet growing passenger demand. Future development plans include the construction of an additional pier and a new departure hall, designed to integrate seamlessly into Schiphol’s single-terminal concept while increasing capacity and improving passenger flow.