How to travel from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam .

Train from Schiphol to Amsterdam

For many visitors, the train is the simplest way to travel from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam.

Schiphol Airport has its own railway station directly underneath the terminal. After leaving the arrivals area, follow the signs for trains and take the escalator or lift down to the platforms.

There are frequent trains between Schiphol and Amsterdam, with Amsterdam Centraal being the most useful station for visitors staying in or near the historic city centre. The journey to Central Station normally takes around 15 to 20 minutes.

However, Amsterdam Centraal is not always the best station for your destination. Depending on where you are staying, other Amsterdam stations can be more convenient, including Amsterdam Zuid, Amsterdam RAI, Amsterdam Lelylaan or Amsterdam Sloterdijk.

For example, Amsterdam Zuid can be a useful arrival point for parts of Amsterdam Oud-Zuid and the southern side of the city, while Central Station is better positioned for the historic centre and many northern parts of central Amsterdam.

You can check the latest train routes and departure times using the official NS journey planner.

How to pay for the train from Schiphol

You do not necessarily need to buy a traditional train ticket before boarding.

Travellers can generally check in using a contactless debit card, credit card or compatible phone and check out again at their destination. Make sure you use the same card or device when checking in and out.

Regular train tickets can also be purchased from ticket machines at Schiphol.

If you plan to use public transport extensively after arriving, it is worth comparing your airport journey with the different Amsterdam public transport tickets available.

Bus from Schiphol to Amsterdam

The train is not automatically the most convenient option for every part of Amsterdam. If your accommodation is around Museumplein, the Rijksmuseum or Leidseplein, the Amsterdam Airport Express can be particularly useful.

Bus 397 connects Schiphol Airport with several stops in this part of Amsterdam. At night, the N97 Niteliner provides the corresponding night connection.

This means you can sometimes travel closer to your hotel without first taking a train to Amsterdam Centraal and then transferring to a tram, metro or bus.

The bus stops at Schiphol are located outside Schiphol Plaza. Because stop locations can occasionally change due to works around the airport, check the signs when you arrive and use the official journey information for the latest departure point.

If you are unfamiliar with buses in the city, our guide to taking the bus in Amsterdam explains boarding, tickets, checking in and out and other practical details.

Taxi from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam

A taxi is one of the easiest options if you want to travel directly from the airport to your accommodation without changing transport.

This can be particularly useful if you have heavy luggage, are travelling with children, arrive after a long flight or are staying somewhere that requires several public transport connections.

The official taxi rank is located in front of Schiphol Plaza. Follow the signs inside the terminal rather than accepting rides offered to you by people approaching passengers inside the airport.

Taxi prices depend on your destination and traffic conditions, so travelling by taxi is normally considerably more expensive than taking public transport. For several people travelling together, however, the difference per person becomes smaller.

Our guide to taxis in Amsterdam explains fares, official taxis and practical tips for using taxis elsewhere in the city.

Uber from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam

Uber is also available at Schiphol and can be a convenient alternative to a traditional taxi.

One important thing to know is that Uber and other taxi apps have a designated app pick-up point at Schiphol. After requesting your ride, follow the instructions in the app and the signs at the airport rather than going directly to the regular taxi queue.

Prices can change depending on demand, traffic and the type of vehicle you choose, so it is worth checking the fare in the app before confirming your journey.

Uber can be particularly useful if you want a direct journey to your hotel and prefer to see the estimated price before requesting the ride.

Our dedicated guide to Uber in Amsterdam explains how the service works in more detail, including Schiphol pick-up and using Uber elsewhere in the city.

Driving from Schiphol to Amsterdam

Hiring a car at Schiphol is possible, but a car is rarely necessary if Amsterdam itself is your main destination.

The airport has direct motorway connections with Amsterdam, but once you reach the city you will have to deal with busy streets, limited parking and relatively high parking costs. Walking, cycling and public transport are usually more practical for sightseeing within Amsterdam.

A rental car makes more sense if Amsterdam is only one part of your trip and you plan to continue to destinations elsewhere in the Netherlands or Europe.

If you are spending several days inside Amsterdam, it is often easier to travel from Schiphol by public transport and explore the city without a car.

What is the cheapest way from Schiphol to Amsterdam?

For an individual traveller, public transport will normally be substantially cheaper than taking a taxi or Uber.

The train and Amsterdam Airport Express bus are therefore the main options to compare.

Which one offers better value depends partly on where you are going. Taking a slightly cheaper service does not necessarily help if you then need several additional connections to reach your accommodation.

If you plan to use public transport repeatedly during your stay, also consider whether an airport-inclusive travel product makes sense rather than buying every journey separately.

Be careful not to assume that every Amsterdam public transport pass includes the airport journey. For example, regular GVB tickets are primarily intended for GVB transport within Amsterdam and should not automatically be treated as a Schiphol train ticket.

Our public transport ticket guide explains the main ticket options and what they cover.

What is the fastest way from Schiphol to Amsterdam?

For many destinations, the train is the fastest way to travel from Schiphol into Amsterdam. Trains run frequently and the journey to Amsterdam Centraal takes around 15 to 20 minutes.

But the fastest option depends on your final destination rather than simply how quickly you can reach Central Station.

If your hotel is around Museumplein or Leidseplein, for example, taking the Airport Express bus can avoid an additional journey from Central Station. A taxi or Uber can also be faster door to door for locations that are inconvenient to reach by public transport.

Before choosing, look at where your accommodation is located and compare the entire journey rather than only the first connection from the airport.

Which Schiphol transport option should you choose?

Not sure which one makes sense? This is a simple way to decide.

Staying near Amsterdam Central Station or the historic centre: the train is usually the easiest option.

Staying near Museumplein, the Rijksmuseum or Leidseplein: check the Amsterdam Airport Express 397, as it may take you closer to your accommodation without an additional transfer.

Staying elsewhere in Amsterdam: compare the nearest railway station with bus and local public transport connections rather than automatically travelling through Central Station.

Travelling with a lot of luggage: a taxi or Uber gives you a direct door-to-door journey.

Travelling as a group: compare the total taxi or Uber fare with the combined cost of individual public transport tickets.

Arriving late at night: check the current train schedule and the N97 night bus before travelling. Taxi and Uber are alternatives if public transport does not suit your arrival time.

Continuing outside Amsterdam: check for a direct train from Schiphol before travelling into Amsterdam first. Schiphol is a major railway station with direct connections to many Dutch cities.

Travelling from Amsterdam back to Schiphol

The same options work when travelling from Amsterdam to Schiphol Airport, but airport journeys require a little more planning.

If you are taking the train, check which Amsterdam railway station gives you the easiest direct connection to Schiphol. Travellers staying in the city centre will often use Amsterdam Centraal, but Amsterdam Zuid, Lelylaan or another station may be closer depending on where you are staying.

For travellers staying around Museumplein and Leidseplein, bus 397 can also provide a direct connection back to Schiphol.

Always check live travel information before leaving for the airport. Engineering works, disruptions or changes to bus stops can affect the journey, particularly early in the morning or late at night.

Allow enough additional time so that a delayed train, bus or busy road does not make your journey to the airport stressful.

Getting around Amsterdam after you arrive

Once you have reached Amsterdam, you usually do not need to rely on one type of transport for your entire stay.

Walking works particularly well within the historic centre and individual neighbourhoods, while trams are convenient for many central journeys. Our guide to using the tram in Amsterdam explains routes, tickets and practical tips for visitors.

For longer journeys, the Amsterdam metro can be faster, while buses cover areas that are not directly served by tram or metro.

If you expect to use GVB public transport frequently for several days, you can also read how the Amsterdam 3-day GVB ticket works.

Cycling gives you even more freedom once you are in the city. Amsterdam is compact enough that many neighbourhoods can be reached relatively quickly by bicycle. Our guide to biking in Amsterdam explains the rules, routes and practical tips that first-time visitors should know.

You can also read how renting a bike in Amsterdam works or rent directly through Black Bikes, with rental locations around the city.

Frequently asked questions about Schiphol and Amsterdam

How far is Schiphol Airport from Amsterdam?

Schiphol lies just outside Amsterdam. The exact journey time depends on where in the city you are going, but the train journey between Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam Centraal normally takes around 15 to 20 minutes.

Is there a direct train from Schiphol to Amsterdam?

Yes. There are frequent direct trains between Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam, including Amsterdam Centraal and several other railway stations in the city.

Can I use a contactless card from Schiphol to Amsterdam?

For regular Dutch public transport, you can generally check in and out using a contactless debit card, credit card or compatible mobile device. Always use the same card or device for both check-in and check-out.

Does Uber pick up at Schiphol Airport?

Yes. Uber operates at Schiphol, but app-based taxis use a designated pick-up location rather than the regular taxi queue. Follow the directions shown in the Uber app after requesting your ride.

Is the train or bus better from Schiphol?

It depends on where you are staying. The train is especially convenient for Amsterdam Centraal and other railway stations, while bus 397 can be useful for destinations around Museumplein and Leidseplein.

Do trains run between Amsterdam and Schiphol at night?

There are night-time rail connections, but services are less frequent than during the day and schedules can change. Check the NS journey planner shortly before travelling. The N97 night bus is another option between Schiphol and parts of Amsterdam.

Should I take a taxi from Schiphol?

A taxi can make sense if you have a lot of luggage, are travelling in a group or want to travel directly to your accommodation. Solo travellers staying close to a railway station will usually find public transport more economical.

Can I take a bicycle from Schiphol into Amsterdam?

Technically there are ways to combine bicycles and public transport, but most visitors arriving by plane will find it much easier to travel into Amsterdam first and rent a bicycle once they are in the city. Black Bikes has bike rental locations across Amsterdam, so you can start cycling close to where you are staying.