If you have a long layover at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol on a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight and would like to see a bit of the city, KLM now offers a program that connects travelers with Amsterdam locals for an authentic, hassle-free stopover experience.
The Layover With A Local program lets eligible passengers leave the airport to meet a vetted local in Amsterdam’s city center. The service is designed for travelers with a layover of six hours or more. Selected passengers receive an invitation to use the Layover With A Local app, which matches visitors with locals based on language preferences and shared interests to create a comfortable, personalized meet-up.
After landing, app users receive clear instructions and a complimentary train ticket from Dutch Railways to Amsterdam Central. The local host and traveler can enjoy a short activity together—commonly a coffee or a drink—or choose another brief cultural experience that fits the layover window. When the visit ends, the app provides guidance to ensure passengers return to Schiphol with plenty of time for boarding.
“This initiative fits KLM’s positioning as a social airline. Around 70 percent of KLM’s passengers catch connecting flights at Schiphol, which is why we created this service that turns layover time at the airport into a unique and social experience in Amsterdam with a new friend,” said Tjalling Smit, senior vice president of digital at Air France-KLM. The program aims to give travelers a memorable glimpse of the city that might inspire a longer future visit.
The Layover With A Local app launched in March and is initially available to passengers traveling from the United States, Canada, and Italy. Eligible travelers whose flight details qualify them for the program are notified and can sign up through the app to arrange their meet-up.
The concept addresses common layover pain points—uncertainty about leaving the airport, navigating transport, and finding a reliable local connection—by providing vetted hosts, a free train ticket, and step-by-step support through the app. For travelers who want a brief, safe, and social way to experience Amsterdam during a connection, the program offers a straightforward option to make the most of transit time without missing a flight.