Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
| Continent: Europe | Country: Netherlands |
| Amsterdam Schiphol Airport | |
| Location | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| IATA code | AMS |
| ICAO code | EHAM |
| Airport type | Commercial |
| Website | http://www.schiphol.nl/ |
| Overview map | [ ] |
| Communications | |
| Tower | 118.1, 119.225 |
| Ground | 121.95 |
| Clearance | 121.95 |
| Approach | 118.4 |
| ATIS | 132.925 |
Official Spotting Locations
Schiphol has three official viewing areas. The observation deck at Schiphol Plaza, the Mac Donalds overlooking 09/27 (Buitenveldertbaan), and a parking lot alongside 06/24 (Kaagbaan).
Observation Deck
The airport hosts a large outdoor observation deck with great views of the terminal. There is also Dakota's Café & Bar, just inside the observation deck with good view if the weather is bad. Unfortunately the platform faces the sun most of the day. For photography it is therefor not too great. If you want to catch registrations this is a great place though! Just don't forget to bring your binoculars!
opening hours: summer 07:00 - 20:00 winter 09:00 - 17:00
For now access to the observation deck is free of charge, however there are plans to change this. The turnstiles have already been installed, so it is probably a matter of time only.
09/27 Buitenveldertbaan (Mac Donalds)
This spot is not that good. You will face the sun all day at this spot. On top of that, the Buitenveldertbaan is rarely used due to noise regulations. So this place is not really worth it.
Just in case you do want to go here, you can easily get here by busline 190, 191, 192, 193, 196, 198 or 199. Get of at busstop "Loevestijnse Dwarsweg", easily recognisable by the massive Mac Donalds sign.
06/24 Kaagbaan
This spot is really excellent, and quite possibly one of the best of the world. You are just a few hundred metres away from the Kaagbaan. This runway is used almost all day, and offers a view without fences. A levy is to keep you from entering the runway. along with video surveillance and regular driveby's by police.
To get a full frame side-on shot of a B747 you should need no more then 50mm. An F50 or ATR can be had at 200mm easily.
You can get here by bus by taking busline 191, 193 or 198 to busstop "Aalsmeerderweg". That's about a 15 minutes drive. From there another 15 minutes walk into the road on your left (yep, the Aalsmeerderweg) is all that is needed to get you at the spot.
By car you can also go here, and there is a lot space to park your car. When driving over the A4 motorway take exit the to Aalsmeer on the N201. At the end of the motorway exit, turn left towards Aalsmeer. At the first crossing you must go to the left, into the Aalsmeerderweg. At the end of this road is the parking lot.
You can either stay at the parking lot, or walk into the grass field adjacent to the parking area. Another option is to walk a bit further till the road makes a 90 degree turn. This is the closest you can get to cargo apron Gulf. Planes taxiing from Gulf to the runway pass by very closely. Mostly martinair MD11s and 747s, but also JAL Cargo 747. DAS Air Cargo DC-10 and most oversized charters.
Unofficial Spotting Locations
Location
Locations to Avoid
Location
Facilities and Transportation
Schiphol has all fascilities you can think of. Shops, casinos, hotels, restaurants. You will fild it here.
Car rentals
http://www.avis.nl/
http://www.europcar.nl/
http://www.hertz.nl/
http://www.nationalcar-rental.com/
http://www.schipholtaxi.info/
Bus companies
http://www.connexxion.nl/
http://www.schipholsternet.com/
Train company
http://www.ns.nl/