KLM check-in times
When does check-in open and close?
Check-in times depend on your flight and how you check in. Find the opening and closing times for online check-in, airport check-in desks and baggage drop-off below.
Online check-in
You can check in online:
- From 30 hours before departure.
- From 24 hours before departure for flights to or from the United States.
Check-in desk opening and closing times
At most airports, our check-in desks follow these opening hours:
| Flight type | Desks open before departure | Desks close before departure |
|---|---|---|
| European flights | 2 hours | 40 minutes |
| Intercontinental flights | 3 hours | 60 minutes |
Airport exceptions for intercontinental flights
For intercontinental flights, check-in closes earlier at these airports:
| Airport | Check-in closes before departure |
|---|---|
| Accra | 120 minutes |
| Lagos | 120 minutes |
| Paramaribo | 120 minutes |
| Georgetown | 90 minutes |
| Nairobi | 75 minutes |
| Bonaire | 70 minutes |
| Guayaquil | 70 minutes |
| Istanbul | 60 minutes |
When does baggage drop-off close?
Departing from Amsterdam? Drop off your baggage at these self-service and desk locations:
- Departure Hall 1: 04:30 – 20:00
- Departure Hall 2: 04:30 – 22:00
You can find the exact closing time for your flight's baggage drop-off on your boarding pass.
When to arrive at the airport
Plan your arrival based on your destination:
- European flights: arrive 2 hours before departure.
- Intercontinental flights: arrive 3 hours before departure.
This leaves you plenty of time to drop off your bagage, get through security and passport control, and walk to your gate. Already checked in online? Please still arrive on time so you can clear baggage drop-off and security without rushing.
Connecting to an intercontinental flight
If your journey starts in Europe and connects to an intercontinental flight, follow the European check-in times for your first departure.
- Example: Flying from Helsinki to Los Angeles via Amsterdam? Arrive at Helsinki Airport 2 hours before your flight leaves.
Check your digital boarding pass for personalized arrival advice.
When do I need to check in at a desk?
In some cases, you cannot check in online or via the self-service kiosk. Please go to the check-in desks at the airport if you:
- requested assistance;
- are travelling with a pet;
- want to check in for an unaccompanied minor.
Connecting to an intercontinental flight
If your journey starts in Europe and connects to an intercontinental flight, follow the European check-in times for your first departure.
- Example: Flying from Helsinki to Los Angeles via Amsterdam? Arrive at Helsinki Airport 2 hours before your flight leaves.
Check your digital boarding pass for personalized arrival advice.
Check in at the airport
Want to wait until you’re at the airport before checking in? Please check your local airport’s website for possible information on the waiting times.
You’ve got 2 options at the airport:
- checking in at a self-service kiosk;
- or at the check-in desk.
Self-service kiosk
The quickest way to check in at the airport is to go to a self-service kiosk. You can find them near the check-in desks. Here, you can check in from 30 hours before departure – or 24 hours before departure for flights to or from the United States.
Note that at some airports, there are no self-service kiosks available.
Check-in desk
Check the opening and closing times above before going to the airport. These times can vary by flight type and airport.
Check-in assistance at Schiphol
When departing Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, we recommend arriving at the airport 3 hours before the departure of your flight. Please go to the following check-in desks:
- Economy Class: desk 8 (Schengen countries) or desk 16 (non-Schengen countries)
- Business Class: desk 10 or 11
Frequently asked questions
To check in at the airport, you need:
- your passport
- other required travel documents
- your booking code
The check-in process itself only takes a few minutes. If it’s busy at the airport, you may have to account for queues for the check-in desks. Queues for self-service kiosks are often shorter, so you can save time by checking yourself in there!
Checking in online will save you time at the airport. However, to be on the safe side, we recommend arriving at the airport 2 hours before departure if your first flight is within Europe and 3 hours before an intercontinental flight. This will give you enough time to drop off your baggage, pass through security and immigration (if applicable), and reach your gate without rushing.
Online check-in opens 30 hours before departure. Or, for flights to and from the United States, 24 hours before departure.