Schiphol has 24/7 lockers and a staffed baggage desk, letting you store bags for a few hours or up to 30 days.
Dragging a suitcase through Schiphol Plaza or onto the train to Amsterdam can turn a simple stop into a hassle. If you’ve got a layover, an early landing, or you’re killing time before a late check-in, bag storage can buy you a calmer day.
This page walks you through the two storage setups at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, how to pick the right one, what you’ll pay, and the small details that save time when you’re tired and in a hurry.
Can I Store My Luggage at Schiphol Airport? Options That Fit Your Plan
Schiphol gives you two main ways to store bags:
- Lockers after security in the transfer area near the gates for smaller items, meant for short-term storage.
- A staffed baggage storage desk at Arrivals (Level -1, between Arrivals 1 and Arrivals 2) for bigger bags or longer storage.
Both run 24/7, so you’re not boxed in by office hours. The best pick comes down to where you are in the terminal and what you’re storing.
Lockers After Security In The Transfer Area
If you’re already airside (past security), lockers sit in the transfer area near the gates. They’re built for smaller items like a backpack, trolley bag, laptop bag, or handbag. Schiphol lists the locker size as 40×40 cm and 70 cm deep, which makes it a fit for carry-on-sized items, not big checked suitcases.
The big win here: you can store items without exiting the secure area. That’s handy when you’ve got a long connection and want to roam the terminal, grab food, or rest without guarding your bags.
Baggage Storage At Arrivals For Larger Or Longer Storage
If you need to stash a checked suitcase, an odd-size item, or you want storage beyond a week, head to the baggage storage service at Arrivals. Schiphol places it on Level -1 between Arrivals 1 and Arrivals 2, with signage for “Baggage Storage.”
This desk can hold both hand baggage and checked baggage for up to 30 days, which covers everything from a two-day city break to a longer multi-country trip where you want to travel lighter.
One timing detail matters: Schiphol warns it’s hard to return to the baggage storage area once you’ve passed security. If you plan to check in, clear security, then grab stored bags later, plan again. In practice, pick up your stored bags before you go back through security.
If you want the official locations, dimensions, and rules in one place, Schiphol keeps them on its luggage storage and lockers page.
Where Each Storage Choice Works Best
Most travelers don’t need a perfect plan. They need a simple match: your bag size, your time window, and whether you’re before or after security. Use the situations below as a quick sorter.
Quick Match Guide For Common Situations
Read the left column, pick the closest match, then follow the suggestion. If two rows fit you, go with the one that matches your bag size.
| Situation | Best Place To Store Bags | Why It Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Layover and you’re already past security | After-security lockers near the gates | No need to exit the secure area, fast drop-off for small bags. |
| Long connection and you want hands free in the terminal | After-security lockers near the gates | Works well for carry-on items while you eat, shop, or rest. |
| You landed and want to head into Amsterdam right away | Baggage storage desk at Arrivals (Level -1) | Handles larger suitcases that won’t fit in lockers. |
| You need storage longer than a week | Baggage storage desk at Arrivals (Level -1) | Schiphol allows storage up to 30 days at the desk. |
| You’ve got odd-size gear (sports bag, bulky item) | Baggage storage desk at Arrivals (Level -1) | Odd-size items are listed as a separate category at the desk. |
| You’re transferring and plan to re-clear security later | After-security lockers if bags are small | Keeps you airside, helps you avoid backtracking to Arrivals. |
| You’re traveling with valuables you don’t want out of sight | Use storage for bulky items only | Keep passports, cash, meds, and electronics on you. |
| You’re worried you’ll misplace paperwork while traveling | Either option, then photograph the receipt | Schiphol charges a fee if your receipt is missing at pickup. |
How To Store Luggage At Schiphol Without Wasting Time
The airport is big, and tired brains make small mistakes. A clean routine keeps things smooth. Use this step-by-step flow and you’ll avoid the classic backtrack across the terminal.
Step 1: Decide Before You Walk Toward Security
If your bag is a carry-on-sized item and you’ll be staying airside, lockers after security can be the cleanest move. If you’re on the landside Arrivals level with a larger suitcase, skip the wandering and go straight to the baggage storage desk.
If you store bags at Arrivals and then pass security, plan your pickup before your next security pass. Schiphol states it’s difficult to return to the baggage storage area once you’ve gone through security.
Step 2: Sort Your Items Into “Store” And “Keep”
Before you drop anything off, take two minutes to split items into two groups:
- Keep on you: passport, wallet, phone, keys, meds, laptop, camera, chargers, and any item you’d hate to replace mid-trip.
- Store: clothing, shoes, toiletries, bulky souvenirs, and anything that slows you down.
This isn’t about fear. It’s about convenience. You’ll move faster and you won’t need to open a locker twice.
Step 3: Pay With A Card And Save Proof Right Away
Schiphol lists payment by debit or credit card for its storage options. After you pay, keep the receipt. Better yet, take a clear photo of it on your phone while you’re standing there.
Schiphol notes an administration fee if you lose your receipt and still need your stored luggage back. A photo avoids that headache.
Prices, Sizes, And Time Limits At A Glance
You don’t need to guess. Schiphol publishes the headline limits and its daily pricing. The numbers below are the official figures from Schiphol’s luggage storage page, written in a format you can scan in seconds.
| Storage Type | Price | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| After-security locker (near gates) | €8 per 24 hours (per locker) | Up to 7 days |
| After-security locker size | N/A | 40×40 cm, 70 cm deep |
| Baggage storage desk: hand baggage | €6 per day (per item) | Max 55×35×25 cm |
| Baggage storage desk: hold baggage | €9 per day (per item) | Up to 30 days |
| Baggage storage desk: odd-size baggage | €12 per day (per item) | Up to 30 days |
| Baggage storage desk: wardrobe | €2.50 per day (per item) | Up to 30 days |
| Missing receipt at pickup | €8 administration fee | Applies when staff must retrieve without receipt |
Small Details That Save You From A Bad Detour
Schiphol is built for transfers, yet one wrong turn can cost you a chunk of time. These tips keep you moving in the right direction.
Pick The Right Side Of Security On Purpose
Ask yourself one question: “Will I need my stored bag again before I clear security?” If the answer is yes, store it on the landside at Arrivals. If the answer is no and your bag is small, use the after-security lockers.
This prevents the most common mistake: storing a bag landside, clearing security, then realizing you need the stored item again. Schiphol’s own note about the difficulty of returning after security is there for a reason.
Don’t Overstuff A Locker And Get Stuck Repacking
Lockers are built for compact items. If you’re forcing a hard-shell carry-on into a tight space, stop and switch to the baggage desk instead. A repack in a busy corridor is a mood killer.
Plan Your Pickup Time Like A Flight Connection
When you’re heading back for a flight, aim to pick up stored bags before your final airport steps: check-in (if needed), baggage drop, then security. That order keeps your trip simple.
If you’re coming from Amsterdam by train, build a cushion for delays, then pick up your bag first. You’ll feel calmer once your stuff is in your hands.
What If Plans Change After You Store Your Bag?
Trips shift. Trains run late. Meetings go long. The storage rules at Schiphol are built with that in mind, with 24/7 access and daily pricing.
If you’re storing for more than a day, set a reminder on your phone with the date you want to collect. Daily pricing makes it easy to lose track of time while you’re busy.
If you run into a snag at pickup, Schiphol posts terms for the baggage storage service, including practical handling rules. You can pull those details from the Terms and Conditions for Baggage Storage at Schiphol.
Final Run-Through Before You Hand Over Your Bag
Use this list once, right before you store luggage. It’s short by design.
- Choose lockers after security only if your bag is small and you’ll stay airside.
- Use the Arrivals baggage storage desk for checked suitcases, odd-size items, or multi-day storage.
- Empty pockets and pull out valuables before you close a locker or hand over a bag.
- Pay by card, then photograph the receipt right away.
- Set a phone reminder with your pickup date and a note on where you stored your bag.
- Pick up stored luggage before your final pass through security.
References & Sources
- Schiphol.“Luggage storage and lockers at Schiphol.”Lists locker locations, dimensions, opening hours, daily prices, and maximum storage times.
- Schiphol.“Terms and Conditions for Baggage Storage at Schiphol.”Provides the formal conditions for using the baggage storage service, including handling and retrieval rules.