ProRail will be carrying out major maintenance on the track around Schiphol Airport from Friday 8 November to Sunday 10 November and from Saturday 16 November to Tuesday 3 December.
These works are part of the extensive project 'Major Maintenance Schiphol', which ProRail started in 2022 and which will continue until 2028. Due to the intensity and complexity of this maintenance, NS will be unable to operate any or only a limited service during these periods. This has significant consequences for travellers to and from Schiphol, who are urged to plan their journey carefully and take into account longer travel times, busier platforms and fuller trains.
For those travelling by train to or from Schiphol on weekdays during this period, NS advises to avoid peak hours. The peak hours between 07:30 and 10:00 and between 16:00 and 18:30 are designated by NS as the busiest periods, during which trains are generally already full and the platforms at stations are subject to additional pressure. Alternative travel routes are possible, and travellers are encouraged to use them where possible. NS promises to deploy additional staff at strategic stations to assist and guide travellers during these busy periods.
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Specific periods in which the work will have a major impact on train traffic are from Friday 8 November to Sunday 10 November and from Friday 29 November to Sunday 1 December. During these days, no trains will run between Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam Zuid. Passengers can travel via Amsterdam Lelylaan station. Between Amsterdam Lelylaan and Amsterdam Zuid, NS train tickets are also valid for the metro, which is a temporary measure to limit inconvenience for passengers. In addition, only half of the usual trains will run on the routes between Schiphol Airport and stations such as Amsterdam Centraal, Leiden Centraal and Rotterdam Centraal.
From Saturday 16 November to Thursday 28 November, and on Monday 2 and Tuesday 3 December, there will also be far fewer trains to, from and via Schiphol Airport. During these periods, NS travellers must plan their journey in advance via the NS app or ns.nl. The adjusted timetable will be processed in the journey planner ten days in advance, so that travellers can be informed of their travel options in good time and can take any delays into account.
In order to inform the public extensively about these adjustments, NS is using various communication tools. Announcements and additional information boards will be placed at the stations, while season ticket holders will receive an email notification about the upcoming changes. This email, which will be sent approximately ten days before the start of the work, will provide an overview of the adjusted timetable and will give travellers practical information to make their journey as smooth as possible.
The work around Schiphol Airport is necessary due to the high number of trains and passengers that use this hub every day. The Major Maintenance Schiphol project is specifically designed to modernise the infrastructure and tunnels around the airport and make them more robust, so that they can withstand intensive use in the coming years. Although this project is scheduled to run until 2028, ProRail promises improvements in the reliability and capacity of the track with each phase. The maintenance provides a more solid foundation that should prevent unexpected disruptions from halting train traffic, as has unfortunately happened regularly in recent years.
With this major maintenance, ProRail wants to guarantee more stability on this busy route in the coming years. In doing so, they are also looking at the renewal of technical installations and improvements to the safety systems. This should not only improve the flow, but also make the traveller experience at and around Schiphol more pleasant and safer.
Travelers who are dependent on public transport around Schiphol during the maintenance period can all details about detours, adjusted timetables and possible delays can be found on the special page 'Works Schiphol 2024' of the NS. Due to the size and complexity of the works, it is advisable to always consult the current travel information before departure, so that travelers are not faced with unexpected surprises.
