How to Get from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam City Centre
Train, bus, taxi or ride-hailing from the airport to the centre: here's what each costs, how long it takes and when to use it.
You've cleared arrivals at Schiphol. The airport is 18 kilometres southwest of the city centre, but Amsterdam is built to make this easy: the train station sits directly beneath the terminal, buses depart from Schiphol Plaza every few minutes, taxis queue outside, and ride-hailing apps work from a designated pickup point. The choice depends on your budget, how much luggage you have, where you're staying, and what time you arrive. This guide ranks the options by speed first, since most people simply want to get into town as quickly as possible—then notes when each makes more sense than the fastest choice.
For 80 per cent of arrivals, the train wins. For late-night landings, bus operates until 5 AM. Taxis suit those with heavy luggage or groups sharing the cost. Ride-hailing offers fixed pricing but sometimes surge rates. Book ahead where possible: you save time, and online tickets are cheaper.
NS Train to Amsterdam Centraal
Schiphol train station, directly below terminal · Train to Amsterdam Centraal · €4.90–€7.10 one-way; 24 hours, every 6–8 minutes during day, hourly 1–6 AM
The station sits directly beneath the airport plaza, a short escalator ride from arrivals. Journey time is 14 minutes on the Intercity, 17 on the Sprinter, and a single ticket to Amsterdam Centraal costs around €7 in 2026. You can pay by tapping a contactless bank card or phone at the OVpay gates—no ticket purchase needed. Trains run 24 hours between Schiphol and Amsterdam Centraal, though much less frequently overnight—roughly once an hour rather than every few minutes. If you land very late, check the NS app for the timetable, but you will almost always find a train within the hour.
Airport Express Bus 397
Schiphol Plaza bus platform B17 · Bus to Leidseplein and Museumplein · €6.50 one-way; 05:30–midnight, every 7–10 minutes; night service N97 01:00–05:00 hourly
Bus line 397 runs from Schiphol Plaza to Leidseplein and Museumplein in about 30 minutes, departing from bus platform B17 every 8 minutes. The bus takes about 30 minutes but stops at Leidseplein and Museumplein, making it a better option if your hotel is near the Museum Square area. At night, from midnight to 05:00, the night bus N97 (Niteliner) takes over. Tickets can be purchased online as an e-ticket, from the bus driver (debit or credit card only—cash is not accepted), or at the mobile ticket office outside Schiphol Plaza, open daily from 9:00 to 18:00.
Metered Taxi
Taxi rank, just outside main terminal · Taxi to Amsterdam city centre · €40–€80 depending on destination and traffic; 24 hours
A standard taxi ride from Schiphol Airport to the city centre typically costs between €35 and €55, though meter prices can rise to around €75 depending on distance and time of day. The journey should take between 25 and 45 minutes, depending on traffic. Airport taxis are queuing up 24/7 at the AMS taxi rank, ready to drive you fast and safely to your accommodation in the city center. Door-to-door services, well-maintained vehicles, and top-rated English-speaking drivers are among the Schiphol taxis' main plus points. Agree a price before boarding if the meter isn't running, or request a printed rate card.
Fixed-Fare Private Transfer
Pre-booked pickup at terminal · Dedicated car to Amsterdam city centre · €50 typical; available 24 hours, book in advance
A typical Welcome Pickups transfer from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam city center costs around €50 and takes approximately 25 minutes, depending on traffic. You can book a private shuttle taxi online, which is usually cheaper and, unlike a taxi, offers a pre-arranged fixed price. These services meet you inside the Arrivals Hall with a personalized name sign and offer a fixed fare confirmed before travel instead of relying solely on a taximeter, traffic conditions, and additional surcharges. Choose this if you want certainty on arrival and no negotiation about price.
Uber or Bolt
App pickup area at terminal (stops E1–E6) · Ride-hailing to Amsterdam city centre · €30–€65 depending on service tier; available 24 hours
Expect to pay €62 for UberBlack from airport to city centre; €39 for UberX. Bolt charges €37 to €64 for rides into the city. Apps offer transparent prices that are displayed before the trip and allow you to conveniently book a ride directly from your smartphone. Ride-hailing services such as Uber, can increase fares by 1.5 times during periods of high demand due to surge pricing. At Schiphol Airport, you can pick-up ride-hailing cars at the "App pick-up point" at stops E1-E6.
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