Amsterdam Airport to city center
Schiphol Amsterdam Airport Transfer: Taxi, Bus & Train
Traveling between Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam city center is easy by train, Airport Express Bus, or taxi. Book your Amsterdam airport transfer tickets online.
From Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam
Schiphol Airport is located 17 kilometers from the center of Amsterdam. From Amsterdam Airport, you have four options to reach your hotel in the city center. The cheapest option is the train, which runs several times per hour. The train station is also just a two-minute walk after collecting your luggage. Is your hotel not close to Amsterdam’s main train station? Then the Airport Express Bus is an affordable alternative, with stops at locations such as Museumplein (Rijksmuseum), Leidseplein, and Elandsgracht bus station. You can also take a taxi to the city center; however, Amsterdam taxi drivers unfortunately have one of the worst reputations in Europe.
1) Train Schiphol Airport – Amsterdam Central Station
The easiest and fastest way to travel from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Central Station is by train operated by Dutch railway company NS:
- Trains run every 5 to 10 minutes. The platforms are located directly underneath the airport’s arrivals hall.
- The journey to Amsterdam Central Station takes 15 to 20 minutes. From there, you can transfer to the metro or tram.
- A one-way ticket costs €6.30. You can buy train tickets at the yellow NS ticket machines at the airport or at Central Station. Tip: You can also book your train tickets online, so you can board the train immediately upon arrival without any hassle. Book your train tickets
2) Amsterdam Airport Express Bus 397
Is your hotel not located near Amsterdam Central Station? In that case, the easiest way to travel from the airport to your hotel in Amsterdam may be Bus 397, also known as the Amsterdam Airport Express.
- The route is: Schiphol Airport – Schiphol North junction – Anderlechtlaan – Amstelveenseweg – Olympic Stadium – Haarlemmermeerstation – Emmastraat – Concertgebouw – Museumplein (Rijksmuseum) – Leidseplein – Elandsgracht Bus Station
- The Airport Express Bus departs approximately every 10 minutes, and at night the N97 night bus runs once per hour.
- The journey to Amsterdam takes 30 to 40 minutes.
- A one-way ticket costs €6.50. You can pay for your bus ticket by card with the driver or, even better, book your bus tickets online, so you can board the bus immediately upon arrival without any worries. Book your bus tickets
3. Taxi transfer from the airport
A standard ride to a hotel in the city center costs around €55. Taxis operate with fixed fares, depending on the district where your hotel is located, additional luggage, and evening surcharges. You will find taxis directly outside the arrivals hall. Warning: taxi drivers in Amsterdam have a very poor reputation; there are many illegal taxis and customers are often treated unfriendly. It is recommended to use Uber or to book a taxi transfer in advance via Welcome Pickups.
Booking a taxi at the airport
Tip: I personally have had good experiences with Welcome Pickups, where a driver will be waiting for you at the airport holding a name sign. This guarantees you an available taxi, and the prices are reasonable. You can easily check your ride price in advance with Welcome Pickups.
4) Renting a car at Schiphol Airport
Are you planning a road trip through the Netherlands starting from Schiphol Airport? In that case, renting a car at Amsterdam Airport is also an option. Please note that you should book a hotel with good parking facilities, as parking in Amsterdam’s city center is a major challenge and extremely expensive. We have had very positive experiences with car rentals at the airport via Discover Cars, where all car rental providers are compared in one place. Explore the available options using the search tool below:
