About Schiphol
Schiphol, officially named Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, is an international airport in the Netherlands that was established in 1916. The airport’s name came from Fort Schiphol, a former fortification that served as part of the Stelling van Amsterdam defense works. Initially, the airport was exclusively used as a local military airbase until May 17, 1920, when the first KLM flight from London to Amsterdam took place. From that day on, Schiphol started operating as a civilian airport as well.
Schiphol Airport is situated approximately nine miles southwest of the Amsterdam city center and is a primary entry point for those who want to enter the Netherlands. It is a vital hub for flights across Europe and the world. It also serves as the home base for major intercontinental airlines such as Amsterdam Airlines, KLM, Arkefly, and Transavia, to name a few. It is also consistently ranked as one of the busiest airports globally, serving nearly 50 million passengers each year.
Fun fact: Many urban legends surround the origin of the name “Schiphol.” The most popular one is that several boats sank in the site where the airport stands, which used to be the bottom of Haarlemmer Lake. As a result, the spot got the name “Schip Holl,” which literally translates to “ship grave.”
Schiphol Luggage Storage
The capital city of Amsterdam is a popular tourist spot and a major cultural center for the Netherlands. Along with the beautiful buildings and world-famous museums, the city also has an exceptional way of life that draws millions of visitors yearly. If you’re planning to see the best of Amsterdam - especially if you've got a layover in Amsterdam and you're arriving at Schiphol airport, you can use Bounce’s self-storage services to make your trip as trouble-free as possible. With several locations scattered all over Amsterdam, it’s very easy to store your bag anytime, anywhere!
Can You Leave Bags At Amsterdam Airport?
Yes, if you're looking for luggage lockers inside Amsterdam Airport. Schiphol offers lockers for your hand luggage for €8/24 hours. You can use them for up to seven days in a row, but keep in mind that you'll need to pay by card, and the lockers are only 40cmx40cmx70cm. If you want to store your big suitcases at Amsterdam Airport, you can find bag storage for up to 30 days. Daily prices are €6 for a piece of hand luggage and €9 for a suitcase, or up to €12 per day if your bag is an unusual size.
If you're looking for more cost-effective luggage storage options, find Bounce luggage storage near Amsterdam Airport instead, for just €5.90/bag per 24 hours, no matter what size your luggage is.
Things to Do Near Schiphol
Schiphol is one of the largest and busiest airports in Europe, with several direct and connecting flights arriving here daily. With Amsterdam being a significant tourist destination, there’s no shortage of people arriving at the airport to come and see what the city is all about. The city has a unique, laid back culture that makes for an exciting trip. Here are some of Bounce’s recommendations on the absolute best things to do in Amsterdam.
- Go on a cruise along the UNESCO protected canal in the city and get a one-of-a-kind point of view of Amsterdam. There are all kinds of boat tours, from sightseeing and romantic cruises to quirky ones such as a burger cruise.
- Explore the city on a bicycle. Amsterdam has over 800,000 bikes, making it one of the most cycle-friendly cities in the entire world.
- Visit the scenic neighborhood of Jordaan, where you will find several shops, art galleries, and other notable attractions. In the community, you will find the renowned De Negen Straatjes, or Nine Little Streets, lined with hip boutiques and shops.
- Get the most incredible view of the city from the observation deck on the 20th floor of A’dam Lookout, located in the Overhoeks neighborhood.
- Visit one of the many “coffee shops” in Amsterdam. These shops don’t refer to the typical cafés; instead, these are places in the city where you can enjoy cannabis-infused treats (also known as “space cakes”).
- Visit the infamous Red Light District of Amsterdam. Take a guided tour to get a more in-depth understanding of how things work.
- Shop and explore at Albert Cuypmarkt, which is the largest daily street market in Europe. You will find everything here – from food and drinks to souvenirs, art and more.
Transit Options in Schiphol
- Amsterdam Airport Express (Bus 397)
- Nederlandse Spoorwegen (aka Dutch Railway)
Luggage Storage Options near Schiphol
- Rijksmuseum: A Dutch institution, this museum has a remarkable collection of Dutch art and other historical artifacts. Some of the masterpieces you will find at Rijksmuseum include Rembrandt’s The Night Watch and Johannes Vermeer’s The Milkmaid. There’s no facility for travel luggage in the museum. Luckily, you can leave your things with Bounce before you visit Rijksmuseum.
- Anne Frank House: No trip to Amsterdam would be complete without seeing this attraction, which is the spot where Anne Frank wrote her journal and hid for two years before her capture in 1944.
- Van Gogh Museum: Perhaps the most well-known museum in Amsterdam, this facility is dedicated to the life and works of artist Vincent Van Gogh. The museum has a collection of Van Gogh’s paintings as well as some of his letters and drawings. Since the museum’s cloakroom can only accommodate small bags, it’s best to drop your things off at a Bounce location in the area.
- Vondelpark: The 120-acre park, which is Amsterdam’s version of the famous Central Park, is a great place to relax and admire nature within the city. You will also find an open-air theater in the park where you can watch some performances.
- Royal Palace of Amsterdam: The building, which was once the city’s Town Hall, serves as the home of the King when he’s visiting Amsterdam. When not being used, the palace is open to the public. Explore the entire area without the burden of carrying a heavy bag by storing your things at a Bounce partner nearby.
- Rembrandt House Museum: This building on the Jodenbreestraat was the former home of world-renowned artist Rembrandt and his wife, Saskia. At present, it is a public museum where you will find some of his belongings that tell the story of his life. Large bags aren’t allowed inside. A good alternative would be to leave your things with Bounce beforehand.
- Oude Kurk: Ironically located in the city’s seedy Red Light District, the Oude Kurk (or “Old Church”) is Amsterdam’s oldest surviving building. It mostly features its original architecture and is now a venue for modern art exhibits.
- Keukenhof: Nicknamed the “Garden of Europe” and formerly used to grow fruits and vegetables by royalty, this 79-acre park is in Lisse (a couple of miles southwest of Amsterdam). It is the go-to place if you are looking for the famous tulips of Holland. Store your bag at a Bounce location to keep your hands free to take photos of over 7 million tulip bulbs growing in the garden.
Want to make a booking in your native language? Then head over to our Dutch homepage!
