Are you traveling from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam? You’re in the right place.
I’m a local who makes this trip regularly, I’ll walk you through all options to get from Schiphol airport to Amsterdam city center – and I’ll tell you which one works best for your situation.
Still have questions after reading? Drop them in the comments below – I answer every one.
Table of Contents
Amsterdam Airport to City Center: There are 6 Ways To Get There
Which option is right for you depends on where you’re staying, how much luggage you have, and what matters most to you. But here’s my top pick for most travelers:
Private Driver – The Best Transfer Option For Most People
When you just arrived at the airport after a long journey, with luggage, it’s worth the money to have a driver waiting for you and takes you straight to your hotel.
I have had good experiences with Welcome Pickups, where a taxi driver picks you up at Amsterdam Airport with a name sign.
It’s often cheaper or similarly priced to a taxi, but without the wait at the taxi rank, and no metered prices, you exactly know what you’ll pay. Easily check your fare on Welcome Pickups here:
Train from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam
The train gets you from Schiphol Airport right into the heart of Amsterdam in just 15 minutes for only €3-€6. You’ll find the station inside the terminal – just follow the yellow train signs after customs.
This is a great option if your hotel is right near a train station, and when you travel light without luggage.
Which Station Works Best for You?
- Amsterdam Central Station (13-18 minutes, 8 trains/hour) – This station is best for the historic center, canal district, and Amsterdam (using one of the free ferries departing from here). The Doubletree Hotel Amsterdam Central Station is perfectly situated.
- Amsterdam Sloterdijk (10 minutes, 6 trains/hour) – Modern chain hotels cluster at Amsterdam Sloterdijk station, and you’re just 5 minutes from Amsterdam Central Station when you’re ready to head into the city.
- Amsterdam RAI – Attending a trade show? Several major hotels are right here, with easy metro connections downtown. The nHow Hotel Amsterdam Rai is my favorite hotel here, it has a very cool design and right next to the metro station.
- Amsterdam Zuid – Business travelers love this spot near the financial district, with frequent metro links to the center, and the airport is just 5 minutes away. The nicest hotel is here the Van der Valk Hotel Amsterdam Zuidas, they have great breakfast!
- Amsterdam Bijlmer Arena – Are you going to a football match at Johan Cruijff Arena or are you interested in a tour of the stadium with guide, scarf and drink)? Or a concert at Ziggo Dome? This is your stop. You’ll find modern hotels in this area, and easy transit links to Amsterdam Central (metro, and train), plus super quick connections to Utrecht.
My Favorite Netherlands Guidebook
No products found.
Pros: Trains are reliable and frequent with services that runs 24/7. Multiple Amsterdam stations mean you can get closer to your final destination.
What You Might Not Like: Trains get crowded, and you’ll need to wrangle your luggage. Keep your belongings close – pickpockets target distracted travelers (though the trains themselves are perfectly safe), taking your luggage around the station, and to your final destination can be cumbersome, this is the old world after all.
My Tip: Skip the Ticket Machines – there can be lines and they charge €1,50 per ticket extra. Instead, tap your contactless card at the entry poles (just before you go down the platform), grab a blue seat (standard class) on a the train (not red!), and tap out when you arrive at the exit barriers. Follow the locals – it’s that simple.
Or Get the Amsterdam and Region Travel Pass, it allows unlimited transportation to and from the airport, inside the city center of Amsterdam, and to surrounding destinations like Haarlem, Volendam, and Zaanse Schans.
Get your All-Inclusive Amsterdam And Region Pass (including the Airport) here:
⤷ Read my article: “The Netherlands by Train” when you’re curious what it’s like to travel on Dutch trains, how different classes work et cetera.
The Airport Express Bus from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to Amsterdam
Bus 397 is the direct and convenient bus from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam’s Museum District.
Perfect for you if: you’re staying near Museum Square (Van Gogh, Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk) and traveling light. The bus drops you right in the heart of the museum area – no tram or taxi transfers needed once you get to the city.
What to expect: WiFi, phone charging, easy luggage access, and buses every 8 minutes from platform B15-19 (turn right when you exit the terminal).
Buy Your Ticket in Advance – do not be the person to cause a boarding delay. Booking your tickets in advance is SO much easier, you get a instant mobile confirmation, that you can show in the bus.
Key Express Airport Bus Stops:
- Rijksmuseum – Right at Museum Square
- Leidseplein – Amsterdam’s entertainment hub
- Olympisch Stadion
- Haarlemmermeerstation
- Busstation Elandsgracht
Look for: Red buses marked “397 Amsterdam Airport Express” (N97 during nighttime).
Book your 397 Bus Tickets in Advance Here:
Got an I Amsterdam Card? It Won’t Work From the Airport
Your I Amsterdam Card covers buses, trams, and metro within the city – but Schiphol Airport sits outside Amsterdam’s boundaries. You’ll need to buy a separate ticket for any transport from the airport (which is inexpensive).
Considering buying the card for benefits within the city? Check out my guide: ⤷ Is the I Amsterdam Card worth it?
Regular Taxi Without Reservations – Why I Don’t Recommend It
You’ll find the official taxi rank outside the terminal (not ideal when it’s raining or windy), and there might be a line depending on flight arrivals. For that reason alone, for me it’s not ideal.
Official Amsterdam taxi’s are metered rides, sitting in traffic or taking a longer route means paying more. Some drivers know this. The result is that drivers can take detours to rack up the costs. Expect an average rate of €85 one-way. Booking a private driver is not only more convenient, it’s often also more cost effective. Check prices for a Welcome Pickup here.
Warning Avoid Unofficial Drivers: You’ll likely encounter people inside the terminal offering “cheap taxi rides” – don’t take them. These unofficial drivers quote low prices, but then demand much more (sometimes hundreds extra) once you reach your destination. These are scams.
Only use official services: If you did not follow my advice here to pre-book, you should follow airport signs to the taxi rank outside, and while driving use Google Maps to follow along, so you know your driver is not taking unnecessary detours.
Inexpensive and Flexible SIM
Stay connected in the Netherlands
Skip hunting for WiFi. Get on the go navigation, translations and mobile internet that works everywhere in Europe – skip expensive international charges from your phone company.
My Phone Abroad Guide
Rent a Car at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
If you’re planning to stay in Amsterdam I would say skip a rental car. The city’s narrow streets are packed with pedestrians, bikes, and trams – driving here is more stress than it’s worth. Plus, parking will set you back €100+ per day 😱.
Exploring beyond the city? That’s a different story. Renting a rental car at Amsterdam Airport gives you the freedom to visit postcard-perfect Dutch villages, drive past tulip fields where only locals come, and reach attractions that would otherwise be hard to reach.
Dutch roads outside the historic centers are excellent and well-marked, but busy! Dutch drivers are predominately predictable rule-followers. Most visitors find the driving experience quite pleasant once they’re on the highways. There are some differences in road signs however, so you might want to check this page first.
Smart Tip: When visiting towns, look for “P+R” signs at the town edges. These Park & Ride lots offer secure parking with discounted public transport tickets into the center – much easier, and cost effective than hunting for street parking.
Compare Car Rental Companies
Find the lowest price for Car rental in the Netherlands
A Rental Car is perfect for exploring the Dutch countryside and attractions, harder to reach at your own pace.
Book Your Rental Car
Important to know: European rental companies are much stricter about damage claims than you might be used to back home. Before driving away, walk around the car and point out every scratch, dent, or scuff to the staff – even tiny ones.
Take Photos and a Video: Get pictures of the car from every angle before you leave. If there’s a dispute when you return, these photos prove the damage was already there, also record a video (slowly, take 3 minutes or so to walk around).
Consider Full Coverage: I always book the full insurance option when I reserve a car in Europe for myself – it covers all damage with no deductible and it costs less than upgrading at the rental counter. Much better than dealing with claims and surprise charges later.
If this guide helped you plan your trip from the airport, consider buying me a coffee – that helps me to continue producing these detailed guides!
Did I Help You? Say Thanks with a Coffee ☕️
Every Coffee ☕️ Counts! If this guide helped you, consider supporting my work. Your support helps me create more helpful travel content. Thank you ❤️
Ready to Plan the Rest of Your Amsterdam Trip?
Getting from the airport is just the beginning. Once you’re in the city, you’ll want to know the best neighborhoods to stay in, which museums are worth your time, and how to get around like a local.
Here are some of my articles to get you started:
Last update on 2025-12-08 at 19:29 - Products, Prices, and Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
