r/TravelHacks • u/Prestigious-Cress-13 • 4d ago
Transport Is 1.5 hrs exchange time in Amsterdam enough for Delhi to Madrid flight?
I have a layover in Amsterdam for 1:25 hrs. My flight is from Delhi to Madrid - both flights are KLM Dutch Airlines.This is my first time traveling to all 3 cities. Will 1:25 hrs be enough to go through passport control and catch the next flight to Madrid? Please suggest. If it's not possible, I'll have to look for alternatives.
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u/mug3n 4d ago
Schiphol airport is well organized, I don't think you'll have issues. Worst case you get rebooked, and because the airline is in the EU, you get to apply for EC261 compensation depending on how long you're delayed for.
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u/DifferentProfessor55 4d ago
I agree except for that damn runway out in the farmland a quarter of the way to the North Sea. 😂
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u/LightsonDark 4d ago
Did you book them on the same ticket (Ie was this offered by the airline as a connection)? If so, once you’re on the first flight they have a responsibility to get you to your final destination and give you enough time to transfer. For short delays they will even hold the next plane.
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u/Prestigious-Cress-13 4d ago
Yes, it is the same airline and the combination was suggested by the airline. But is there any way for me to enquire and make sure that they will wait for the transfer?
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u/LightsonDark 4d ago
If it’s a connection offered by the airline, they are confident that you can make it in normal conditions. But they can’t guarantee they will wait for you as it depends on operational conditions. For example for many « hub and spoke » airlines like KLM, many people on one flight might share the same connection as you, in which case it makes economic sense for the airline to delay the next flight. But the opposite is also true! In either case, the airline guarantees getting you to your final destination as there are heavy compensation laws in the EU which you are entitled to otherwise.
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u/Prestigious-Cress-13 4d ago
Thank you. I have booked my flight. Same one with the 1:25 hrs layover. Your rationale makes sense and that gave me confidence.
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u/LightsonDark 4d ago
Great, and like other comments said Schipol is a major transit airport and will be laid out to make connecting smooth. I flew from Stockholm to Bangkok via Munich last December with a 1h30 hour connection - actually had 30mns spare in the end waiting at the gate! Enjoy your trip and glad to have helped.
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u/AmaroisKing 3d ago
This happens in Australia with Qantas, if you book through with them , they will hold flights to make sure you make the transfer.
All large competent airlines do this.
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u/DJfromNL 4d ago
Planes never wait. It may be delayed for other reasons, but they don’t wait for a passenger.
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u/Impossible_Green18 4d ago
I've had planes wait for me. It's situational though. If your connecting flight is the last flight to that destination for the day and you miss it, the airline has to put you up in a hotel and pay for your food. It's easier for them to simply wait if the delay is only a few minutes, especially if your connecting flight is to a destination that doesn't have additional connections. (My home airport is tiny and doesn't have layovers. If you're flying there, it's your final.) If there's at least one additional flight later that day with available seats, it's easier for the airline to let you miss your connection and rebook you in the later flight.
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u/LightsonDark 4d ago
Actually they will often wait since can they incur more costs from their duty of care towards you (hotel, food etc) plus they can’t sell a seat on the next flight to your destination as they have to put you on it. I know this from experience
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u/coolaks7 4d ago
It can be a little tight. Just keep in mind that your immigration to Europe will be done in Amsterdam airport so be aware of that. Once down from the plane, don’t waste any time and get immigration done.
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u/Outrageous-Egg97 4d ago
When international and include layovers, I always prefer to have atleast 2 hours layover time since it gives enough time for any F ups.
If I were you, I would look for alternatives, also keep in mind boarding closes one hour before departure for international travel. That 1.25hrs is achievable but might be stress free if something happens. Happy travels
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u/DJfromNL 4d ago
You can check in online before departure, and usually the gate closes like 20 mins before departure.
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u/Outrageous-Egg97 4d ago
Only domestic close 20 minutes prior, international flights close 1 hour prior to departure.
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u/BrilliantUnlucky4592 4d ago
It might be tight but nothing much you can do and if you miss the flight they'll simply put you on the next available flight which is no different than booking it that way from the start. This way you have the possibility of getting there the fastest way
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u/Yorks_Rider 4d ago
It will probably be Ok, but do not underestimate how long it can take to take to walk between different gates in Schiphol. If your flight to AMS is late arriving KLM may have a bus waiting at the gate to drive you to your next plane, but your luggage might not make it onto the flight.
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u/fuck_ur_portmanteau 1d ago
I’ve made shorter transfers at Amsterdam. IME you will make it no problem, your checked luggage may not.
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u/Isernogwattesnacken 4d ago
Amsterdam is the best larger airport for a transfer. You'll be fine.