Can I Keep My Luggage At Schiphol Airport? | Storage Rules That Matter

If you land early, have a long layover, or want a few hours in Amsterdam without dragging a suitcase around, Schiphol gives you a real answer: you can store your luggage at the airport. The trick is choosing the right storage option before you drop anything off.

Schiphol has two main choices. There are small lockers after security in the transfer area, and there is a staffed baggage storage point before security near Arrivals 1 and 2. They work for different situations, and picking the wrong one can cost you time on the way back.

This page breaks down what each option is for, where it is, what it costs, how long you can keep bags there, and what to do if you plan to leave the airport and come back later.

When Schiphol Luggage Storage Makes Sense

Airport storage is useful when your plans don’t line up with your bags. That happens a lot at Schiphol. You may arrive hours before hotel check-in, switch from a long-haul flight to a short city trip, or have a same-day layover and want to head into Amsterdam for a bit.

It also helps when you have bulky items that turn a normal train ride into a hassle. Even one rolling suitcase can slow you down at station gates, trams, and busy sidewalks.

The part that matters most is this: not all Schiphol storage is in the same zone. Some storage is after security, and some is before security. That changes how easy it is to pick up your bags later.

Two Storage Types, Two Different Use Cases

The lockers near the gates are built for hand baggage and transit passengers who stay inside the secure area. The staffed storage point near Arrivals handles both hand baggage and hold baggage, plus larger items, and it works better for people leaving the airport.

If your plan includes going into the city, the staffed storage point is usually the better fit. You won’t need to deal with re-entering security just to get your bag back.

Can I Keep My Luggage At Schiphol Airport? Rules By Storage Type

Yes, and the rules depend on which storage option you use.

After-Security Lockers Near The Gates

Schiphol lists multiple baggage locker locations after security in the transfer area. These are open 24/7 and meant for smaller hand baggage. The listed locker size is 40 x 40 cm with a depth of 70 cm, so this is not the place for a full-size checked suitcase.

These lockers can be used for up to 7 days. Schiphol states a fixed price per 24 hours for the gate-area lockers. You’ll also pay by card, since Schiphol lists card payment options for baggage services.

Before-Security Staffed Baggage Storage

The staffed baggage storage point is on level -1, between Arrivals 1 and Arrivals 2. This is the option most travelers mean when they ask about keeping luggage at Schiphol for a day trip. It accepts hand baggage and hold baggage, and Schiphol also lists pricing for odd-size baggage.

The staffed point is open 24/7 and allows storage for up to 30 days. That longer window makes it useful for multi-day trips inside the Netherlands or a stopover where you only want a small overnight bag with you.

Schiphol also warns that if your suitcase is stored before security, it is smart to pick it up before you go through security again, since going back is not easy once you pass the checkpoint.

Where To Check The Official Airport Info

Use Schiphol’s official luggage storage and lockers page before you travel. It lists current locations, opening hours, prices, and limits. If you want a visual location check, Schiphol’s airport maps on the same site are useful too.

Schiphol Storage Options At A Glance

The table below puts the two airport storage choices side by side so you can pick the right one fast.

Feature	After-Security Lockers	Staffed Baggage Storage (Arrivals)
Best For	Transit passengers with small hand baggage	Travelers leaving the airport or storing larger bags
Location	Transfer area near gates (after security)	Level -1, between Arrivals 1 and Arrivals 2
Access Zone	Airside only	Landside (before security)
Opening Hours	24/7	24/7
Max Storage Time	Up to 7 days	Up to 30 days
Bag Size Fit	Small hand baggage; locker listed at 40x40x70 cm	Hand baggage, hold baggage, and odd-size items
Pricing Style	Flat fee per 24 hours	Price by baggage type (hand/hold/odd-size/wardrobe)
Payment	Card payments accepted	Card payments accepted
City Trip Convenience	Less practical if you leave the airport	Better choice for city trips and later pickup

How To Pick The Right Schiphol Bag Storage Option

A lot of stress comes from choosing storage based only on price. Price matters, though access matters more when you are tired, short on time, or moving between train platforms and check-in lines.

If You Are Leaving The Airport

Use the staffed baggage storage point near Arrivals. It is before security, so pickup is simpler when you return from Amsterdam or another stop. This saves you from trying to reach an airside locker after you already exited the secure area.

If You Are Staying Inside The Secure Area

The gate-area lockers can work well if your bag is small and your connection stays inside the airport. They are close to the lounges and gate zones, open all day, and easy to use for a short storage window.

If You Have A Full-Size Suitcase

Skip the small lockers and go straight to the staffed storage point. The locker dimensions listed by Schiphol are tight, and a checked suitcase usually will not fit.

If You Have Odd-Size Items

The staffed storage point is the only practical airport option. Schiphol even publishes separate pricing for odd-size baggage and lists packing items sold on-site for larger transport needs.

What It Costs To Store Luggage At Schiphol

Schiphol publishes rates on its luggage storage page. The gate-area lockers are charged per 24 hours. The staffed baggage storage point uses a type-based price list, with separate rates for hand baggage, hold baggage, odd-size baggage, and wardrobe items.

Rates can change, so check the official page before you travel. If you are budgeting a same-day stop, the storage cost is often worth it when you compare it with hauling bags around Amsterdam or cutting your stop short.

If you want to compare nearby train-station locker options for a city stop, the Dutch Railways page on luggage lockers at stations can help, especially if your plan starts or ends at Amsterdam Centraal or another station.

Schiphol Price And Time Limits Snapshot

This snapshot is a planning aid. Always verify the live page before travel day.

Storage Option / Bag Type	Published Rate (Per 24h or Per Day)	Time Limit
After-security locker	€8 per 24 hours	Up to 7 days
Staffed storage – hand baggage	€6 per day (apiece)	Up to 30 days
Staffed storage – hold baggage	€9 per day (apiece)	Up to 30 days
Staffed storage – odd-size baggage	€12 per day (apiece)	Up to 30 days
Staffed storage – wardrobe	€2.50 per day (apiece)	Up to 30 days

Step-By-Step: Storing Bags At Schiphol Without Delays

A smooth drop-off starts before you leave home. Schiphol storage is simple, though airport timing can still bite you if you show up with a tight schedule.

Before You Travel

Check the latest Schiphol storage page for price updates and map location notes. If your bag is close to carry-on size, still think twice before heading to the lockers. Wheels, handles, and rigid shells can make a “small enough” bag fail to fit.

Pack anything you may need during the day in a smaller bag before you reach the counter. That way you won’t be repacking on the floor near Arrivals.

At The Airport

Follow signs to Baggage Storage if you are using the staffed point. For lockers, follow signs marked Baggage Lockers after security in the transfer area. Schiphol lists more than one locker location, so use the nearest one to your gate zone.

Keep your receipt safe. Schiphol says a lost receipt can trigger a paid investigation fee. A quick phone photo is the easiest backup.

Before Pickup

Plan your return with a little margin. If you are coming back from Amsterdam by train, station delays or platform changes can eat up your buffer. Give yourself time to collect bags, reach security if needed, and get to the gate.

If your luggage is stored before security and you are flying out, collect it before you pass through security. Schiphol flags this point for a reason. Going back can turn into a long detour.

Common Mistakes That Cause Problems

Most issues are avoidable. They usually come from choosing storage by habit instead of by route.

Using Airside Lockers Before A City Trip

This is the classic mistake. Airside lockers feel close and easy when you are in transit, though they can become a headache if you later leave the airport and need the bag back before a new check-in flow.

Assuming All Lockers Fit Cabin Bags

Schiphol publishes dimensions for the small lockers. Not every “carry-on” sold by bag brands fits those measurements once you count wheels and shell shape.

Forgetting The Receipt

Lost receipts slow pickup and may add a fee. Take a photo right away and save it in favorites on your phone so you can find it fast.

Cutting Timing Too Close

Storage works best when it removes friction. If you build a minute-by-minute plan, one delay can wipe out the comfort you paid for. Leave some breathing room for trains, queues, and terminal walking time.

What To Do If Airport Storage Does Not Fit Your Plan

Schiphol storage is strong for many cases, though not every case. If you need a spot right at your train destination, station lockers may be better. If your stay is short and your hotel is nearby, early bag drop at the hotel can be easier than returning to the airport storage point later.

The right choice comes down to your route. Pick the storage location that matches where you will be when you want your bag back, not where you happen to be standing when you first think about storing it.

For most travelers asking, “Can I keep my luggage at Schiphol Airport?”, the answer is a clear yes. The staffed baggage storage point near Arrivals is the go-to pick for city trips and larger bags, while the after-security lockers are a handy option for small bags during a transfer.