✈️ From Schiphol to Amsterdam: train, bus, taxi and airport transfer

Schiphol sits almost 20 km southwest of Amsterdam, and the trip to the center rarely takes more than forty minutes (according to Schiphol, 09/2026). The airport has one terminal and three halls, so it is easy to get your bearings: the railway station is under the building, buses stop at the exit, and taxis wait at the stand.

Choosing between train, bus, taxi, and car rental changes the cost of the trip several times over. Below are the schedules, prices, and hidden catches of each option, so you do not overpay on your way out of the terminal.

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How to get from Schiphol: four options

💡 In short:

Train: about 17 minutes to Amsterdam Centraal, second class 5.90 € (as of 09/2026, NS).
Bus 397: takes you to Museumplein, but depends on traffic.
Taxi and transfer: take you to your address, the meter calculates the fare.
Car rental: freedom for trips around the country, but expensive parking in the center.
Schedules and transport prices: 09/2026, checked on the official NS website.

Train from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam

Schiphol station is right under the terminal, and you can reach the platforms in a few minutes. Signs for trains are yellow and blue, and you will see them right after leaving the baggage claim area.

Trains run to Amsterdam Centraal around the clock. During the day a train leaves every 10-15 minutes, at night once an hour. The trip takes about 17 minutes, and you will not get stuck in traffic even at rush hour (according to Dutch Railways, 09/2026).

A second class ticket costs 5.90 € (as of 09/2026, NS fares). First class is about one and a half times more expensive, but the seats are wider and there is more room for suitcases. Children under four travel free.

Tickets are sold by yellow and blue machines and the NS app. The machines accept bank cards and coins; at the ticket office a ticket costs more. Keep your ticket until you leave the station, checks also happen on the platform. If you are planning trips around the country, check train schedules and prices on Trip.com in advance.

Bus 397: the route to Museumplein

Bus 397 (Amsterdam Airport Express) stops at the terminal and goes to Museumplein and Leidseplein. It is a direct route to Museumplein without transfers, so it works well if your hotel is nearby.

Rijksmuseum behind a field of sunflowers on Museumplein

The trip takes 35-40 minutes; during the day the bus leaves every 10-15 minutes, at night the interval is longer (according to Connexxion, 09/2026). Buy your ticket from the driver or at the machine at the stop.

The catch with the bus is that it travels in regular traffic. During the morning rush hour the trip stretches out, so if you have suitcases and are in a hurry, take the train. The bus is low-floor, has a luggage rack, and a display showing stop names.

Taxi and transfer from the airport

The taxi stand is at the main exit from the terminal. Cars wait for passengers around the clock, but in the rain and at rush hour there are almost no available drivers.

The meter calculates the fare; there is no fixed rate to the center. The trip costs several tens of euros, and the total depends on the address and traffic. Get into a car with a meter and ask for a receipt, then there will be no extra charges.

Sunny Amsterdam canal with boats and trees

Taxis are convenient for families with children, larger groups, and older travelers who don't want to figure out schedules. It's the most comfortable and most expensive option, so use it for a single trip rather than your whole vacation.

The second option: a transfer with a driver you choose in advance. The car waits for you in the arrivals area, and the price is locked in when you book and doesn't go up because of traffic. It's best to sort this out a couple of days before your flight, so you can see the car class and price before the trip.

Some companies offer a shared shuttle to your hotel. It's cheaper than a private car, but it departs once it fills up, so you may wait up to an hour in the arrivals hall. Payment is usually by card online or cash to the driver.

Car rental at Schiphol Airport

Major rental companies operate at Schiphol, with their desks located in the arrivals area. It's better to book a car in advance, so you get a clear price and the class you need. Comparing options ahead of time is easy: car rental through DiscoverCars.

To sign the contract, you need a passport and a bank card in the driver's name. Read the insurance terms carefully: the deposit, deductible, and mileage limit affect the final cost more than the rate itself. Budget classes start in the low double digits per day, and prices are higher in peak season.

Highways in the Netherlands are free; you only pay for a few tunnels. The drive from Schiphol to the center takes about half an hour, but in Amsterdam itself a car is more of a hindrance. Parking in the center is expensive, spaces are scarce, and some streets are given over to cyclists.

Follow the speed limit, wear your seatbelt, and don't hold your phone in your hand. Cyclists here are full participants in traffic and have the right of way. If you're only going to Amsterdam, leave your car at a park and ride lot and use the tram from there.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to get from Schiphol to central Amsterdam?

A train to Amsterdam Centraal costs €5.90 in second class (as of 09/2026, NS tickets). The bus is slightly more expensive and takes longer. A taxi will cost several dozen euros, while a transfer price is locked in when you book, and traffic doesn't change it.

How do you get from the airport at night?

At night, trains run once an hour, and buses run at long intervals. Taxis and pre-booked transfers operate around the clock, so after midnight they're the most stress-free option. Arrange your car before your flight so you don't have to look for transport in the arrivals hall.

What's faster, the train or a taxi?

During the day, the train is almost always faster. It doesn't sit in traffic, and the trip takes under twenty minutes. A taxi during rush hour takes noticeably longer. A car wins at night and when you're heading to an area with no direct train.

Where do you buy a train ticket?

Ticket machines, the NS app, and ticket checks are covered in detail in the train section above.

Do you need a car if you're only going to Amsterdam?

No. The center has few parking spaces, parking is expensive, and narrow streets are easier to navigate on foot or by tram. Get a car if you're planning trips around the country, but leave it at a park and ride lot on the edge of the center.

Video and route on the map

The video below shows the route from the terminal to the platforms and boarding the train.

The route on the map will help you see in advance where the station is and how to get to the city center.

How to get from the airport to central Amsterdam

Places on the map

Schiphol Airport Railway station under the terminal, train to Centraal takes about 17 minutes
Amsterdam End point of the route, Amsterdam Centraal

You can also get from the terminal to your hotel by transfer if you don't want to deal with schedules and connections.

Tours and tickets in Amsterdam

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.

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In short: what's worth booking

The choice depends on your route and how much luggage you have.

If you are heading to a hotel in the center, take the train: buy a train ticket in advance.
If you plan to travel around the country, get a car: car rental for the whole route.
If you are traveling with a group and luggage, choose a transfer, and if your flight is delayed, check whether you are entitled to compensation.

Schiphol: four ways to get to the center of Amsterdam