How to Get from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam

Great! You’ve booked your flights, sorted your accommodation, and packed your bags. You’re finally ready to explore all the amazing things to do in Amsterdam.

But before the fun starts, there’s one small detail you need to figure out: how do you actually get from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam city center?

If it’s your first time landing at Schiphol, it can feel a bit overwhelming. It’s one of Europe’s busiest airports, and arrivals can be chaotic — especially at peak times. The good news? Getting from Schiphol to Amsterdam is actually pretty straightforward. I’ve done this route more times than I can count, starting with my first trip to Amsterdam and now as someone who lives here, and it’s honestly much easier than it looks.

You’ve got a few solid options (train, bus, or taxi), and the right one depends on your budget, arrival time, and how much luggage you’re dragging along. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how each option works, what it costs, and when I’d personally choose one over the other.

A crowd of people walks in front of the ornate Amsterdam Centraal Station on a sunny day, with its red-brick neo-Renaissance façade, clock towers, and intricate architectural details prominently visible. Overhead tram lines and a metro sign with the letter "M" and "R-NET" indicate nearby public transportation options.

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Table of Contents

Transport Comparison Table

Schiphol International Airport is only about 17 km from Amsterdam, with several ways to get into the city. Here’s a quick comparison of all the transport options I’m covering in this guide.

Mode	Price	Duration	Pros	Cons
Train	€ 5.50	15-20 min	Fast, frequent, easy	Crowded during peak hours
Amsterdam Airport Express Bus	€ 6.50	30 min	Cheap, easy access to areas near Museumplein	Slower than the train, no direct bus to AC during the day
Taxi	€ 40-80	30-40 min	Good for groups or heavy luggage, door-to-door service, convenient	Expensive, could get stuck in traffic
Uber/ Bolt	€ 35-45	30-40 min	Cheaper than regular taxi, no hidden costs	Prices fluctuate, waiting time

A canal boat cruises through a sunlit waterway in Amsterdam, passing under a stone bridge in the distance. On the right, a crowd of people strolls along the edge of the canal beside rows of classic Dutch townhouses with colorful facades.

Visiting soon? Browse my favorite Amsterdam travel resources

Data: I use Airalo for eSIMs. It’s easy to set up and works instantly when you land.
Attractions: I book skip-the-line tickets or tours through GetYourGuide or Viator to avoid queues and last-minute stress.
Accommodation: I use Agoda and Booking.com to compare prices, location, and cancellation options.
City Pass: The I amsterdam City Card is a great way to save money if you’re visiting many sights. It includes free entry to top attractions, unlimited use of GVB trams, buses, and metros, and a canal cruise.
Travel Money: I use Wise to pay in local currency at the real exchange rate and skip hidden bank fees.

Getting from the Airport to Amsterdam Centraal

Option 1: Train

Cost: EUR 5.50
Duration: 15-20 minutes
Departure Station: Schiphol Railway Station
Arrival Station: Amsterdam Centraal

The most straightforward way to travel between the airport and central Amsterdam is by train. It’s super easy, fast, and affordable. It’s my go-to option, and if you ask any local, I bet you a stroopwafel, they’ll say the same!

If it’s your first time here, taking the train can feel a little daunting. But it’s quite simple, and honestly, the most confusing part will be finding the freestanding card readers at Schiphol Plaza! But once you’ve got that down, it will be smooth sailing.

To clarify things, I’ve added all the steps for you below. I’m using Amsterdam Centraal as the end destination as that’s where most travelers need to get to, and once you’re there, it’s so easy to hop on a tram or the metro to travel further.

If you’re staying around Museumplein, it might be easier to take the bus (see deets below). The journey is slightly longer, but you won’t need to transfer.

How to Take the Train from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal

Find Schiphol Railway Station. Before you panic—the train station is actually right underneath Schiphol Airport. Don’t try to use Google Maps; it will just confuse you! All you need to do after getting to the Arrivals Hall is to follow the signs pointing to “trains.” This will lead you to Schiphol Plaza, a busy area with shops, eateries, and escalators that lead to all the train platforms.
Buy a ticket. You can purchase tickets at the yellow ticket vending machines scattered around the plaza, but the easiest thing to do is tap your contactless bank card (Visa/Mastercard) at the yellow card readers. (Just look for the poles near the escalators) If you like to plan, you can buy a ticket online on the NS app or via a third-party booking site like Klook or GetYourGuide.
Locate your platform. The trains depart just below the plaza, so you only need to find the right platform. Trains going to Amsterdam Centraal usually leave from platform 3, but double-check the electronic departure boards as the platforms sometimes change. You can also check schedules on the NS app if you’ve already downloaded it. It’s my go-to NL travel app for figuring out how to get around!
Duration and frequency. Getting to Amsterdam Central Station from the airport only takes about 15-20 minutes. If you miss the train, don’t worry too much. Trains leave every 10-15 minutes, so just wait for the next one!
Remember to tap out. Once you get to the other side, one super important thing you need to remember is to tap out (with the same card you used to tap in). Don’t forget to do this; otherwise, you’ll be charged the default fare, as the system basically can’t determine where your journey ended. It’s a steep one (EUR 20), and even though you can request a refund on the OVpay app, it’s not guaranteed, and it will probably be a mission to try and sort out.

Wide shot of a mostly empty train platform under the arched glass roof of Amsterdam Centraal station, with train tracks extending into the distance.

Trains from Schiphol run 24/7, but between 00:30 and 05:30 they only depart once per hour. Trams and the metro stop running around 00:30, so if you’re arriving late, your best bet might be the night bus or a taxi. I cover loads more commonly asked questions first-time travelers have here.

A grand, ornate white building labeled “Hotel Victoria” anchors a busy intersection filled with pedestrians, bikes, and overhead tram wires.

Option 2: Bus

Cost: EUR 6.50 (one-way) | EUR 11.75 (return)
Duration: 30-40 minutes
Departure Station: Schiphol Bus Station

If the train isn’t your thing, the bus is a great alternative—though you should know a few things.

Firstly, and probably the most important point, there is no direct bus from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal during the day. (Though there is one at night).

If you must take the bus, the most straightforward way to get into the city is the Amsterdam Airport Express 397 (day bus) or the Niteliner N97 (night bus).

Bus 397

If you’re arriving during the day and looking for a straightforward way to get to popular tourist areas like Museumplein and Leidseplein, your best bet is to take the Amsterdam Airport Express (Bus 397). This bus departs every 10 minutes between 5 am and 12:30 am and takes about 30 minutes to reach Museumplein.

Remember, this bus does not go all the way to Amsterdam Central. The final stop on the route is Elandsgracht Station. If you must get to Centraal, you can take Bus 369 (GVB) to Sloterdijk Station. From there, you’ll have to transfer to another bus, the metro, or a train to get to Centraal.

Niteliner N97

If you’re arriving late at night and prefer to take the bus instead of the train, the N97 bus (also called the Niteliner) is the way to go.

This bus runs a similar route as the day bus above, but it has a few more intermediate stops along the way and goes all the way to Amsterdam Central. The most important thing to know is that it only runs once per hour, departing at 1:19 am, 2:19 am, 3:19 am, and 4:19 am, and takes about 30 minutes to get to Centraal.

how and where to catch the bus from Schiphol to amsterdam

Exit the airport. From the arrivals hall, make your way to the Station Plaza. The bus station is right outside the main entrance, so all you really need to do is follow the signs saying “bus”.
Find your bus stop. Schiphol is super easy to navigate because everything is well-marked. You want to watch for the digital info-boards as these show all the bus numbers, their destinations, and which line number the bus departs from in real-time.
Buying a ticket. Like the train, the easiest way to pay for your bus fare is by using a contactless payment method like Apple Pay or your debit/credit card. But you could also buy a ticket directly from the driver (no cash accepted, though), from the ticket vending machines in the plaza, or online (Klook | GetYourGuide).
You have to tap in to get on the bus, so when you’re ready to get off, don’t forget to tap out! Make sure you use the same card for both steps to avoid additional charges.

Transfers from the airport are also included on some city travel passes, like the Amsterdam Travel Ticket (ATT) or the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket (ARTT). These passes can usually save you quite a bit of money but make sure to read the fine print, as they cover different areas and transport modes.

Peaceful Amsterdam canal scene with moored boats, leafy trees, and historic homes and parked cars lining the water’s edge.

Option 3: Taxi

Cost: €40-80 (depending on your final destination)
Duration: 20-30 minutes (depending on traffic)

Honestly, taking a taxi from Schiphol isn’t the cheapest way to get into town. It’s quite pricey, and I’ve heard some pretty wild stories about tourists getting ripped off! My tip? Ask for a rough estimate up front or ask the driver to turn on the meter.

That said, if you don’t mind spending a little extra, taking a taxi definitely has some perks. First off, you don’t need to haul your luggage around or try to figure out how to use public transport. Another perk? You actaully get dropped off at your hotel (or worst case, near it). And lastly, if you’re traveling in a group, it will likely be quite affordabler as you can split the fare.

It’s pretty easy to find the taxi stand—it’s located right in front of Schiphol Plaza, so just follow the signs. Make sure you get into an official taxi (usually with blue number plates) and have your end destination’s address ready. Most people in the Netherlands speak excellent English, and your driver will likely do too. But if you want to be polite, here’s how to say “hi” and “bye” in Dutch.

Option 4: Uber/Bolt

Cost: €35-45 (prices vary based on demand and drop-off location)
Duration: 20-30 minutes (depending on traffic and location)

If you like the idea of taking a taxi from Amsterdam’s airport to the city but want to know the costs upfront, your best bet is to use a ride-sharing app like Uber or Bolt.

I’m sure you’re already familiar with these types of apps, so I won’t go into the details of requesting a ride, etc.

However, one thing to note is that rideshare taxis have their own dedicated pickup area at Schiphol. It’s not in the same spot as the regular taxi stand, so make sure to follow the “App pickup point” signs from the arrivals hall.

Once you’ve requested a ride, you’ll be assigned a driver. You can also check the exact pickup location, car type, and license plate in the app.

A scenic view of Damrak in central Amsterdam, lined with classic Dutch buildings featuring gabled facades and a mix of architectural styles. In the foreground, a white Canal Tours Amsterdam boat is docked along the water, while pedestrians stroll along the lively waterfront under a clear blue sky.

Which Option Should You Choose?

Honestly, there’s no “right” or “wrong” way to get from the airport to Amsterdam. It really depends on your arrival time, luggage, and where you’re staying.

I almost always take the train. It’s fast, affordable, and drops you right at Amsterdam Centraal in about 15 minutes. But if you’re staying near the Museum Quarter or arriving with heavy bags, the bus can make more sense since it stops closer to that area. And if you’ve just landed after a long-haul flight and don’t want to think about logistics, a taxi or Uber is the easiest option. Just know that you’ll be paying for the convenience.

Once you’re in the city, the real fun begins. If you’re still planning your itinerary, choosing where to stay, or figuring out how to structure your time, start with my step-by-step guide to visiting Amsterdam.

What’s your favorite way to get into the city? Let me know in the comments below!

How to Get from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam

Transport Comparison Table