Gday from downtown Oz..
Im heading off for a bit of a holiday.
Heading to India to meet up with a Dutch friend to travel India for a few months.
I will then head to Amsterdam for a few months.
I want to buy a one way ticket from India to Amsterdam as Im not too sure where in Europe I will depart to come home.
Whats my chances of getting into The Netherlands on a one way ticket??
Cheers guys.
The question should rather be "will the airline let me fly to Amsterdam on a one-way ticket?"
AFAIK technically speaking you are required to have a ticket out of the Schengen Area to be allowed in; immigration usually won't ask unless they suspect you may be planning to stay longer than allowed, but airlines won't take the risk of being fined and having to transport you back out of the Netherlands anyway.
When I flew to Australia on a one way ticket as I was checking in I had to buy a return ticket (I'm from the EU). This was refunded when I landed, so I didn't lose out.
I will then head to Amsterdam for a few months.
Supposing you're an Aussie passport holder: Are you aware of the fact that you only can stay 90 days in the Schengen area? Please read a little about the visa policy within the Schengen area here .
My daughter flew from Oz to Amsterdam on a one-way ticket and was asked some pointed questions by airline staff at each stage of the trip about her return plans, but never refused boarding. Not sure if it was because of the one-way ticket, her age (she was 15), or both, but you might have to be prepared for a few close inspections.
On the other hand, I've done the same journey (to Frankfurt rather than Amsterdam) with no questions at all. However, I did have an onward flight to Budapest already booked. If you're worried, perhaps you could sacrifice €50 for a flight out of the Schengen area? Whether you show up for the flight or not is up to you - as long as none of the airline staff (from India to Amsterdam) are put in a position where they have the break the rules/risk their job for you, things might go more smoothly.
^ Sorry, that was a flight to Budapest, followed by a connecting shuttle-bus to Serbia.
I should clarify my point earlier. I bought a one way ticket from Bangkok to Sydney on a UK passport. When I was checking in for the flight the check-in staff said that i could only travel if I could prove when I would leave Australia. They sold me the one-way ticket back to Bangkok and said that it was fully refundable. In the end I flew back from Auckland.
Of course coming into europe might be different, however I think the onus is on the airlines to make sure it's legal.
Immigration can demand proof of a return ticket, sufficient funds to support your stay while in NL, they may ask where you're planning to stay etc. If you can not supply any information you may well be on the next plane back.
Often it depends on the mood of the immigration officer, your looks and skincolour whether you will be picked out or not