Guide to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
The only disadvantage from a photographers point of view is that the airport has a lot of runways. This means movements can be missed. Usually you will have 18R as the primary landing runway with 18C also used during peak times. Runway 24 acts as the primary departing runway with 18L used again at peak times.
Schiphol does have an official viewing area within the terminal which is great for spotters and views of the airfield but if you want to make the most of the fantastic spots the airport offers and get quality action photos then you will need to get out around the perimeter and this will require a car.
There are quite possibly other spots at Schiphol which are good for viewing / photography although I haven't actually tried any others myself. The fact there are no fences for most of the airfield and roads running close to a lot of it mean there will always be areas for viewing and photography. The 4 listed below though offer the best views around the airport and on the primary runways and were all we required to get the majority of movements on our visit.
Radio Frequencies
Arrival: 118.4 & 131.15
ATIS - Arrival: 132.975
ATIS - Departure: 122.2
Clearance Delivery: 121.975, 121.65 & 131.35
Ground - NE: 121.8
Ground - NW: 121.9
Ground - SW 06/24: 121.7
Tower - 18C/36C: 118.1
Tower - 18L/36R: 119.225
Tower - 18R/36L: 118.275
Tower - Other Runway: 118.95
Links
Get Hotel prices 
Travelling to Amsterdam Schiphol? Compare prices on all the top hotel websites below:
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Weather
All times on the weather descriptions are local
Observed at 20:25 - (17 mins ago)
-3°C
Clear Sky
Clouds:
Wind: 060° at 11 knots
Visibility: Greater than 10km
QNH: 1040
Dew Point: -6°C
Runways with a headwind: Runway 06, Runway 09, Runways 36L/C/R
Movements
A sample of the upcoming movements for Amsterdam Schiphol.
We do not current have any movements for Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.
Spot A - Panarama Terrace
Sat Nav Co-ordinates
(Some locations may not be next to a road but the sat nav should get you pretty close using these co-ordinates)
Latitude: N52° 18' 32" (N52° 18.537')
Longitude: E4° 45' 56" (E4° 45.935')
Photos
Focal Length: 87mm
Focal Length: 32mm
Focal Length: 300mm
Focal Length: 230mm
Spot B - 18R / 36L East Side
Walking away from the roundabout onto the grass will cause the farmer to call the police and you can not park here now.
PLEASE NOTE THIS SPOT IS CLOSED
Sat Nav Co-ordinates
(Some locations may not be next to a road but the sat nav should get you pretty close using these co-ordinates)
Latitude: N52° 20' 53" (N52° 20.889')
Longitude: E4° 42' 48" (E4° 42.808')
Photos
Focal Length: 185mm
Focal Length: 185mm
Focal Length: 160mm
Focal Length: 200mm
Spot C - 18R / 36L West Side
Sat Nav Co-ordinates
(Some locations may not be next to a road but the sat nav should get you pretty close using these co-ordinates)
Latitude: N52° 21' 16" (N52° 21.258')
Longitude: E4° 42' 30" (E4° 42.504')
Photos
Focal Length: 194mm
Focal Length: 70mm
Focal Length: 180mm
Focal Length: 140mm
Spot D - 36C departures
Sat Nav Co-ordinates
(Some locations may not be next to a road but the sat nav should get you pretty close using these co-ordinates)
Latitude: N52° 19' 55" (N52° 19.917')
Longitude: E4° 45' 3" (E4° 45.05')
Photos
Focal Length: 200mm
Focal Length: 140mm
Spot E - Runway 06
Sat Nav Co-ordinates
(Some locations may not be next to a road but the sat nav should get you pretty close using these co-ordinates)
Latitude: N52° 17' 1" (N52° 17.022')
Longitude: E4° 44' 17" (E4° 44.287')
Spot F - Runway 36R
Sat Nav Co-ordinates
(Some locations may not be next to a road but the sat nav should get you pretty close using these co-ordinates)
Latitude: N52° 17' 30" (N52° 17.501')
Longitude: E4° 46' 15" (E4° 46.249')
Spot G - Taxiway to 36L
Sat Nav Co-ordinates
(Some locations may not be next to a road but the sat nav should get you pretty close using these co-ordinates)
Latitude: N52° 19' 45" (N52° 19.755')
Longitude: E4° 43' 39" (E4° 43.642')
Comments About This Airport / Guide
Add Your Comments
Guide Content
Latest Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Photos
Upload Your Photos!
Quick Uploading
Our upload form allows you to fill in the aircraft data while your photo uploads in the background making it what we believe to be the quickest aviation photo upload form on the net.
We even give you a progress bar showing how long until your photo is uploaded!
Quick Screening
We screen most photos within 24 hours.
Any rejections are always given comments detailing the reasons.
Join our growing list of photographers and upload your shots to Plane Mad.
Please Wait - Loading
Friday 29th July, 2011 at 16:00 GMT
I'm planning a trip to AMS for the first time and I would like to know which are the best places to spot, according to the runways in use...I know that car is needed, but in this case I'll not do that (%u20AC%u20AC%u20AC%u20AC)
Regards
Friday 29th October, 2010 at 17:59 GMT
Thank you for yours answers.
Monday 30th August, 2010 at 10:13 GMT
Just booked me flights to schiphol in october 2010 and was wondering the best places to spot and take photos.
Cheers Paul
Monday 9th August, 2010 at 18:39 GMT
Monday 11th January, 2010 at 10:51 GMT
Sunday 19th July, 2009 at 12:35 GMT
Due to the move the spot is not really good anymoer for take-offs. The planes will be too high. For landings it is still good. No touch-downs anymore, but still a good side-on view on final approach.
Parking is very limited so be early. Also, the roach-coach no longer visits here.
Thursday 21st May, 2009 at 14:57 GMT
Tuesday 12th May, 2009 at 12:47 GMT
Friday 8th May, 2009 at 11:54 GMT
Sunday 5th April, 2009 at 01:59 GMT