Last Updated on May 29, 2023
If you’re ever traveling to Amsterdam by plane, it is good to know how to get from Schiphol airport to the city center beforehand, as it will save you lots of time and trouble. Nothing is better to be able to get to your hotel smoothly after a long flight. It may be hard to find the right transportation to get to the city center and this is where this guide comes in —it will mention all the information you will need about Schiphol airport and the possible types of transportation you can take, so you can get to the old center without any trouble.
Table of Contents
Where is Schiphol Airport located?
Schiphol Airport is the airport of Amsterdam, located in the Netherlands. Amsterdam only has 1 airport, and it is located about 12 km (7.5 miles) south of Amsterdam. The airport currently has one terminal with 3 departure halls (Departures 1, 2, and 3) and four arrival halls (Arrivals 1, 2, 3, and 4). In 2022, 25.5 million travelers made use of Schiphol, making it the busiest airport in the Netherlands.
The Amsterdam Airport is an important node in the city’s transportation network and serves as both the main airport for departures and arrivals in Amsterdam, as well as a gateway to other parts of Holland.
How do you get from Schiphol to Amsterdam?
To reach the City Center in Amsterdam from Schiphol airport, you have three options. You either take the train, bus, or taxi from Schiphol Airport.
1. Take the train – The Schiphol Railway Station (recommended)
Schiphol airport has its own railway station. The name of the train station is “Schiphol airport”. There is a railway station located next to the Schiphol Airport Rail Terminal. When you get off at this stop, you are already at the airport. There are multiple ways to get from the airport to the city center. The easiest, quickest and cheapest option is to take the train. Take the NS International Intercity direct to Amsterdam city center.
The trains in this part of the Netherlands are operated by NS (“Nederlandse Spoorwegen“) and their trains can easily be recognized as they are all painted in yellow and dark blue.
Visit the official NS.nl website to plan your next train trip.
- Please mind that the train track around Schiphol is regularly closed for railway maintenance. In that case, you will find another way to get to Schiphol by yourself.
- To check when there will be maintenance activities on the track (and if it will affect your train journey to Schiphol airport) then it is recommended to check the NS travel planner.
- Handy websites: NS.nl (for checking NS trains and timetable/NS trip planner) and NS track information (current situation on the track)
Some FAQ:
How long does it take to get to the city center from Schiphol airport by train?
The travel duration is 17 minutes, but of course, if you miss the train you may need to wait an additional 10-15 minutes.
How much is the train from Amsterdam airport to the city?
How much does a one-way ticket cost to travel between Schiphol airport and Amsterdam central station? A one-way ticket costs €4.70 (price November 2022) when purchased online, but when you buy it at a machine or a service desk it will cost you 1 euro more (=€5.70).
How do the NS trains look like?
The trains are yellow and blue. In all the “intercity trains” there is free wifi and the seats are comfortable. When you purchase the ticket, you can choose between first-class or second-class seats.
How is the connection between Schiphol airport and Amsterdam Central Station?
This connection is really good, you can travel directly between Schiphol airport and Amsterdam Central Station. No transfer is needed and that makes it easy to travel to the city center by train.
2. Take the bus – Bus 397 (during the day) / Niteliner N97 (midnight) by Connexxion
Right in front of Schiphol airport, you can find the bus station where all the buses depart from Schiphol. There are specific buses that go between the airport and the city center. The bus line you need is 397. This bus leaves every 7.5 minutes during the day and takes you directly and quickly to either Museumplein, Rijksmuseum, or Leidseplein. These are places that are located right in the city center of Amsterdam so when you get out, you can easily reach your accommodation depending on where in the city you are staying.
- Please mind that at night this bus operates under another name: It’s called the Niteliner N97.
- The bus from the airport takes about 30 minutes and costs (starting from) €6.50.
- How does the bus look like: The busses during the day are red
- Website operator: Connexxion.nl
Some FAQ’s about taking the bus from Amsterdam Schiphol airport:
How much is a bus from Amsterdam Airport to City Centre?
There is a special bus line between Amsterdam Schiphol and Amsterdam city. A single-way ticket for this trip (with bus 397 / ‘Niteliner N97’ costs €6.50. A return ticket is slightly cheaper: €11.50.
Can you pay cash on the bus in Amsterdam?
No, for a while it is not possible to pay cash on the buses anymore. You can order your bus ticket to get to Amsterdam city center online as an e-ticket or buy the ticket with the bus driver. It is only possible to pay with a debit or credit card. Cash payment is not possible on the bus. If you want, you can also buy a ticket at the ticket office outside Schiphol Airport. This ticket office is open between 9:00-18:00 from Monday to Sunday.
3. Take a taxi / call an Uber
Some people recommend using a taxi service to get from Schiphol airport to the city center: Just call a Taxi number or use your uber app and your driver will take you directly to your desired destination. Taking a taxi will cost you more of course compared to using public transportation, but if you are in a hurry or don’t want to figure out how to get to the city taking a taxi is just easier.
- Costs: A taxi between Amsterdam Central Station and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol costs about 55 euros per trip.
- At Schiphol airport, you can easily find a taxi at a specially designated location where official taxi drivers are allowed to park their cars.
Some FAQs about taxis in Amsterdam
How to recognize official taxis at Schiphol airport and in Amsterdam city?
The officially registered taxis have a blue license plate and the diver’s license of the driver can be seen in the taxi. Official taxi drivers use a distance meter to calculate Don’t go with taxi drivers who don’t have a blue driver’s license unless you have booked a uber of course.
How are the taxi costs in Amsterdam determined?
The costs for a ride with a taxi depending on the starting rate, the distance, and the duration of the trip. There is a maximum price set by the Dutch government for all these components. This rate prevents you as a customer from having to pay too much.
Are taxis expensive in Amsterdam?
The taxis in Amsterdam are relatively expensive. For a car with space for 4 passengers, the maximum start price is €3,36, the maximum price for a kilometer ride is €2,47 and for every minute in the taxi, the taxi driver can maximum charge you €0,41. A ride between Schiphol airport to Amsterdam central station takes about 25-30 minutes and will cost you €45.
How long does the taxi ride take to Amsterdam City Center from the airport?
When you take a ride with an official taxi driver, a taxi trip will cost you about €45 if you depart from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to the city center. This ride is about 30 minutes long.
How to Get Around the City Center in Amsterdam.
One of the best ways to explore and enjoy Amsterdam is by walking around its sprawling neighborhoods and squares – which are easily accessible from each city center’s districts. To get started, check out our walk-through guide for how to get around town in just 30 minutes!
How is Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands?
In Amsterdam, you will find a city with its own personality. It is one of the world’s most vibrant and culturally rich cities. The cityscape is dominated by different areas such as De Pijp, Jordaan, and many green parks and canal houses. Amsterdam has a relaxed and international vibe. No matter where you are from, you will feel welcome in the city.
Amsterdam tourist information.
The Amsterdam tourist Office (I Amsterdam Visitor Center) is a city government-owned tourist authority in the Netherlands. The I Amsterdam Visitor Center provides information on things like hotels, attractions, transportation, and more. This tourist information office can also help you with booking a hotel room, and tickets for public transportation and tell you more about the city.
However, it is usually quite busy, so you may need to queue for quite a long time (especially in the summer!) This website may help you with most of the questions you may have, so it may save you some time on queuing.
Where is the Amsterdam Information Centre (I Amsterdam Visitor Center?).
The I Amsterdam Visitor Center is located in the old part of the city, more specifically: just right in front of the Central Station where all the trams, buses, and trains are. This tourist center has everything from tourist information to updates on exhibitions and events.
The tourist information desk is open every day between 10:00 and 19:00. You don’t have to make an appointment to ask questions but it can be hectic here. The address of this Amsterdam tourist information office is “De Ruijterkade 28, 1012 AA Amsterdam”. It is located right in front of the front side of Amsterdam central station. You can’t miss it. The office is in an old wooden building.
Tips for Successfully Traveling to Amsterdam city center.
If you want to travel to Amsterdam City center quickly, just make sure you check the timetables carefully, as different trains run at different hours. Downloading the NS app or the 9292 OV app may be very handy.
The connection to the city is pretty good. If the trains from the airport don’t operate due to maintenance issues, you can always take the bus. Just make sure you know that they exist and that it is also relatively easy to take this bus to the city center. When you have arrived in the city center, you can always take a bus/tram/subway to your hotel/hostel/Airbnb in Amsterdam.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to travel to the city center of Amsterdam from Schiphol airport, there are a few different ways to get there. The easiest and cheapest way is by taking the train: Just walk to the train station at Schiphol airport and take the NS intercity train to Amsterdam Central Station. If you don’t want to wait for the train or the bus and want to be dropped off in front of your hotel, taking a taxi is then easier. However, taking a taxi will cost you more.
A taxi between Amsterdam Central Station and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol costs about 45 euros per trip. And finally, if you’re looking for some tips on how to have a great time while traveling to Amsterdam, be sure to check out our article on Tips for Successfully Traveling to Amsterdam.
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