Schiphol parking for the May holiday, Easter and Ascension 2027

The spring 2027 dates that fill Schiphol's car parks

After the February spring holiday, which our winter holidays guide covers, the next busy stretch at Schiphol runs from Easter to Whitsun. The school holiday dates below are the advisory dates on the Dutch government's school holiday overview for 2026-27; the public holidays follow the calendar.

The May holiday is the same in the North, the Middle and the South, so, as at Christmas, there is no staggering between regions to spread the demand. The government sets these dates as advice to schools, which may choose their own, so check your child's school guide before you book.

When the car parks are busiest

Demand concentrates where a holiday starts and ends. For the May holiday, expect the busiest departures around Saturday 24 April and the busiest returns around Sunday 2 May. The long weekends add shorter peaks: departures on the Thursday or Friday before Easter and Ascension and on the Saturday of Whitsun, and returns on the Sunday or Monday.

King's Day falls on Tuesday 27 April, in the middle of the holiday. If your flight is that day, allow extra time on the roads around Amsterdam, where the celebrations draw large crowds.

Price your dates before you book

Our estimator shows an indicative total for every car park, from the terminal to off-site park and ride, for the exact times you fill in. These links open it with each window filled in; change the times to your own flights:

• Easter weekend, 26 to 29 March 2027
• The May holiday, 24 April to 2 May 2027
• Ascension weekend, 6 to 9 May 2027
• Whitsun weekend, 15 to 17 May 2027

The estimator's prices are indicative "from" rates, not quotes. Real prices depend on how far ahead you book and on demand, and they tend to rise as a peak fills up.

Which car park suits the trip

A long weekend

For three or four days, convenience weighs more. Terminal parking puts you a short walk from departures, and on a short stay the gap with long-stay parking is smaller than on a long trip, because long-stay and off-site rates step down only after a few days. Our long-stay vs short-stay guide shows where the break-even lies.

The full May holiday

For nine days, the length of the stay dominates the price, and a long-stay option (Smart Parking, P6 or P3) or off-site park and ride usually costs far less than the terminal. Allow time for the shuttle on the way out and on the way back.

Independent operators

Off-site park and ride, independent meet and greet and hotel packages are not sold on schiphol.nl. You book them with the operator or through a comparison site, and in a peak week the checks matter more: shuttle times on your return day, where the keys go, the cancellation terms and the all-in price. Our checklist for booking independent parking walks through them.

Book early, but book flexibly

• Book as soon as your flights are fixed. Pre-booked rates are lower than the gate price, and the cheapest spaces go first in a peak. Our guide to booking cheap Schiphol parking explains why.
• Read the cancellation terms. Spring trips are often planned months ahead and plans change; a booking you can change or cancel is worth a little more.
• Match the booking to your flights, not the holiday. Add a margin on the return in case of delays, because overstaying can be charged at a higher rate.
• Keep the confirmation offline. Save it on your phone and note the car park and row.

On the day

• Leave early on the first Saturday. The roads to Schiphol, the car parks and the shuttles are at their busiest when the holiday starts.
• Know where you are going in the terminal. Our estimator shows the walk from each car park to the departure halls, so you can plan the last part of the trip.
• Electric cars: our EV charging guide lists where you can charge at Schiphol and which points cannot be reserved.
• Leave nothing valuable in sight. Nine days is a long time for a car to stand in any car park.

Frequently asked questions

When is the May holiday in 2027?

The advisory May holiday (meivakantie) for 2027 runs from Saturday 24 April to Sunday 2 May in all three Dutch school regions. Schools may set their own dates, so check your school's guide.

Which days are busiest at Schiphol in spring 2027?

Expect the busiest departures around Saturday 24 April and the busiest returns around Sunday 2 May, because the May holiday starts and ends on the same days in every region. The Easter, Ascension and Whitsun weekends add shorter peaks.

Which Schiphol car park is best for a long weekend?

For three or four days, terminal parking (P1) is the most convenient, and the price gap with long-stay parking is smaller than on a long trip. For the nine-day May holiday, a long-stay option or off-site park and ride usually costs far less. Compare your exact dates in the estimator.

When should I book parking for the May holiday?

Book as soon as your flights are fixed. Pre-booked rates are lower than the price at the gate, and the cheapest spaces go first when the whole country travels in the same week.

Prices change, so confirm the final price on the provider's page, and for official parking on schiphol.nl, before you book.