How to choose Schiphol parking

A plain-English guide to the options at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) and how to spend the least for the trip you're taking.

The options, explained

• P1 — Terminal Parking. Covered, a few minutes' walk from Departures. The most convenient and the most expensive per day; ideal for short stays.
• P3 & P6 — Long Stay. Cheaper open-air car parks with a free shuttle to the terminal (roughly 10–15 minutes). The default choice for a holiday.
• Smart Parking. The official “book-and-save” long-stay rate — the cheapest official option if you reserve well ahead. Free shuttle.
• Valet Parking. Drop your car at the terminal and the team parks it. Fastest, priciest. Off-site valet (“meet & greet”) does the same for less.
• Off-site park & ride. Independent car parks just outside the airport with a shuttle transfer — usually the lowest price per day for longer trips.

Booking off-site parking, meet & greet and park, sleep & fly

Schiphol.nl sells Schiphol's own car parks and valet only. Off-site park & ride, independent meet & greet and hotel parking packages are run by independent companies, so you book them with the operator itself or through a parking comparison site. The prices this guide shows for them are typical starting rates, not one company's tariff, so compare a few operators for your dates and check these points before you pay:

• The shuttle. How often it runs, its first and last trip, and whether it runs at the times your flight leaves and lands.
• Meet & greet handover. Where you hand over the car and get it back, where it is parked while you are away, and who is liable for damage. Note the mileage and take photos when you hand over the keys.
• Reviews. Recent reviews on more than one site, and how long the company has been operating.
• The all-in price. Booking or payment fees, extra charges for a late return or a large car, and the cancellation terms.
• Park, sleep & fly. Whether parking is included for your whole trip or only the hotel night, and whether the hotel shuttle runs early enough for your flight.

A quick decision guide

• Away one or two days? Park at the terminal (P1) — the per-day premium matters less over a short stay, and you skip the shuttle.
• Going on holiday? Long-stay (P3/P6) or Smart Parking booked early. Off-site is cheaper still if you don't mind a slightly longer transfer.
• Tight on time or travelling with a full car? Valet — official for peace of mind, off-site to save.
• Cheapest possible? Off-site park & ride for a longer stay; Smart Parking for the cheapest official rate.

How to save money

• Book ahead. Pre-booked rates are dramatically lower than driving up and paying the gate price.
• Match the car park to the trip length. Terminal lots punish long stays; long-stay and off-site reward them.
• Compare the all-in price, not just the headline — include any booking fee and the shuttle/valet experience.
• Always check the live price on the booking page for your exact dates before reserving — the figures on this site are indicative.

Frequently asked questions