Lieke: The selection at Today Duty Free is simply really, really good. From skincare and make-up to perfume and sunscreen (which I always forget to put on when I get home anyway…). And of course, that bar of Tony's or bag of chocolate almonds that miraculously never survives the flight. You’re also in the right place for a good gift for the folks back home (or just for myself). The prices here are up to 25% cheaper than other stores, and you can shop for Le Labo and Byredo (, for example!) there. The ultimate tip? Do a loop first and buy on the way back. Otherwise, you might end up running out of space in your luggage. A holiday feeling in shopping form, let's say.

Maartje: “When I’m without the kids, I find wandering around Schiphol absolutely delightful. A mini-break, even. But with the little ones… That’s a whole different story. Luckily, there are plenty of Schiphol hacks that turn waiting almost into a party. Favorite tip? The pre-holiday giftThe agreement at home is simple: before the flight, the kids each get to pick something to play with on vacation. Put a small foldable bag (or backpack) in your handbag that they are allowed to 'fill' (you can agree on a maximum budget, which is a must for children from about 8 years old). The anticipation starts weeks in advance with deciding what it will be, and once at Schiphol, everything turns into a sort of treasure hunt. Score a new cuddly toy, coloring book, or game? Mission accomplished. And alright, why should the kids have all the fun? I always allow myself a new book for the vacation, and my husband stocks up on Denksport books.

Naomi: No idea how it is with other families, but our kids always have tons of energy. Not surprising, a holiday like this is naturally very exciting. It is nice, though, if they can let off steam for a bit before they have to sit still for a long time. Fortunately, after security, Schiphol has the perfect place to burn off all that energy: the Kids PlaygroundA nice spot with a soft surface, airplane-shaped play equipment, and plenty of seating nearby. You can find this playground at Lounge 2 next to the food court. Multiple play areas can be found scattered throughout Schiphol.

Let's start at the beginning. After all, good preparation is half the battle. We asked the Barts Boekje team for their ultimate Schiphol hacks and one tip was by far most frequently mentioned: a security book a time slot, but our Isa, Chief Content Officer and the one with probably the most flying hours under her belt really swears by it.

"The endless queues of a few years ago are fortunately a thing of the past, certainly at Schiphol, and outside of peak season you are often through security in no time. Still, a time slot is surprisingly nice. You choose a time slot in advance, know exactly what to expect, and are on the other side within fifteen minutes. No unnecessary stress (especially that), no standing in line endlessly during peak season, and therefore more time for all the fun things to be found beyond security. You want it. Sounds expensive, but it’s actually just free (yes, really).

Maartje: “It is certainly not an everyday occurrence for everyone, and rightly so, but I got one of my favorite bags – a Gucci – from my husband at Schiphol. An impulse purchase (on my birthday, mind you: it is a tradition to go away or be away on my birthday, May 9th, if possible; it is often vacation time then, so it almost always works out!) and honestly: it was one of the best impulses of all time. It just goes to show what leaving nice and early can bring…”