Sleeping at Amsterdam Airport

Q: We are planning to travel to Toronto and will be flying back to Cape Town via Amsterdam. Our flight lands at 12 noon with the departing flight to Cape Town the following morning at 10am. Is there any way we can stay at a hotel in the airport without having to obtain visas or must we have visas for the overnight delay before boarding our homeward flight? - Patrick Naiker


A: Based on the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, South Africa is not on the list of countries which require visas for passengers in transit. However, please check with your airline whether there have been any changes. You can stay in one of two hotels in Schiphol Airport which are located behind the customs barriers. However, you cannot collect your luggage without going through customs, so make sure your luggage is checked through to Cape Town and you are carrying your basic necessities in your hand luggage. The two hotels in the transit zone are the Yotel and the Mercure Hotel Schiphol Terminal. The Yotel is an innovative cabin-style hotel which is located in Departure Lounge 2 near Pier D in the airport. It offers guests tiny rooms with luxury fittings and amenities, including rain showers, wi-fi internet and flatscreen TVs. Prices range from 30-100 Euros depending on standard of the cabin and the length of stay. The Mercure Hotel Schiphol Terminal is situated on the first floor in Lounge 3 between gates E and F. This non-smoking hotel offers 33 tastefully decorated rooms are all fitted with a rain shower, telephone, television, minibar and free wireless internet.Room rates start at 85 Euros per night. Food is available in both hotels. Book with www.yotel.com and www.mercure.com. (13/2/11)