Schiphol Off The Beaten Path

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There are several roads parallal the runways outside the airport area where you can spot airplanes. 1 site is behind a local McDonalds restaurant and the one near the Kaagbaan (opposite the terminal) is a big parkinglot with snackmobiles (Patat and other Dutch treats).
The latter one will move, due to the extension of cargo buildings.

After the opening of the 5th runway (the Polderbaan) the spotting location alongside the parallel Zwanenburgbaan are closed.

Due to security restrictions the only official remaining locations are:
- The Panorama terras at the Airport building
- The Kaagbaan parking
- The Buitenveldertbaan (at mcDonalds)
More at the Schiphol Spotters website

Current runway usage

Flight patterns of the last 24 hours

WIthout a passport you are not allowed through immigration.

If you have lost your passport you have to report it at the Schiphol Plaza police station.

Dutch citizins can buy an emergy travel document at departures on the first floor at the rear of counter 8 at "Bureau Nooddocumenten".

Other citizins with no passport will have to contact their consulate or ambassy.

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The Meditation Centre is open to all religions; books in many languages are available.

On weekdays from 9AM till 5PM helpers are present.

Services can be held by individual groups at request.

On Sundays at 11AM a services is held in the English language.

There is more to life than concrete and aviation, of which Schiphol Oost has more than it’s fair share of.

If you want to enjoy a little down time, and relax there is a very large wooded park in walking distance of the KLM security gate.

To tell the truth there are two parks, that appear to run together.
By foot you can access, by crossing the drawbridge. If you have a bike or car there are two major access points, one just off the round-about and a second just down the road.

I walked for over two hours, and didn’t even come close to seeing everything. You will notice there are several types of paths, some are for everyone, others are foot/bikes and yet others are for horse back (watch your step) ;-)

If you are lucky you might stumble across the heard of Scottish Highland cattle. If not you will see your fair share of ducks, and hear the music of the local birds.

Just a suggestion, pack a little cheese, a good bottle of wine and make an afternoon of it.

Most popular of the spotters-places used to be the Kaagbaan.

Unfortunately the "Kaagbaan" on the Aalsmeerderweg has been closed, regretted by all spotters.

Along the Aalsmeerderweg there will be built factory-buildings like cargo, deports etc.

The spotters still hope there will be a small spot be lefted to watch the aircraft ...

For now most of them go to the Polderbaan.

When driving to the Polderbaan and you just found your way to the square where most cars have parked, it is exciting spotting the aircraft from even more closer ...

There is a very small roundabout just a few metres furtheron from the square Polderbaan. When lucky you can park your car here, and spot the aircraft closer!

And ... there is a walking path parallel to the runway for 3 kilometres where you may take a very nice walk. Enjoy the farmer's land, the aircraft and the weather (when sun is shining).