LAX AMS
Flights from Los Angeles to Amsterdam
Everything worth knowing before you book this route — how far it is, how long you will be in the air, whether a nonstop exists, and what the fare is doing right now.
How long is the flight from Los Angeles to Amsterdam?
The great-circle distance from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Amsterdam is 5,566 miles. Flown nonstop, that works out at roughly 10h 30m in the air, including taxi time at both ends.
Expect the return leg to differ. Flying eastbound on the way out, you are pushed along by the jet stream, so the outbound and inbound block times on this route typically differ by around 45 minutes. Airlines schedule for this — it is not a delay.
Can you fly Los Angeles to Amsterdam nonstop?
Nonstop exists, but not from everywhere
At this range nonstop service is flown only on flagship routes out of the largest hubs. From most US cities you will connect once, typically through a European or Gulf hub, and the connecting fare is frequently several hundred dollars below the nonstop.
When to book
April and May are the classic months — tulip fields in bloom at Keukenhof (30 minutes by bus from Amsterdam), temperatures in the high 50s to low 70s, and long daylight hours without the July–August crowds. King's Day on April 27th turns the entire city into a street party; if that appeals, book months ahead. If it doesn't, avoid that week entirely.
September and October offer solid fall weather — 55–65°F, far fewer tour groups, and the museums running normally. Winter (November–February) is cold and grey, but hotel rates drop by 40% and the city feels genuinely local again. The Christmas market at Museumplein runs from late November through December and is worth the cold.
Landing in Amsterdam
You lose 8 hours flying out. Eastbound is the harder direction to adjust to, because you are asking your body to fall asleep earlier than it wants to. Book an arrival that lets you stay up until local evening rather than napping.
| Airport | AMS — Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, 9 mi southwest of the city center. Direct train to Amsterdam Centraal: 17 minutes, €5.40. Taxi: €35–€45. |
|---|---|
| Visa | No visa needed for US citizens (90 days, Schengen zone). |
| Currency | Euro (€). $1 ≈ €0.93. Cards accepted almost everywhere; contactless is the default. ATMs widely available. |
| Language | Dutch. English spoken fluently by virtually everyone in the city — one of the highest rates in non-English-speaking Europe. |
Amsterdam from other US cities
Other destinations from Los Angeles
Ready to price it? The fare moves daily.
Open the Amsterdam guide for today's confirmed fare, or search the route directly with your own dates.
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