Haarlem is so close to Amsterdam and very easy to get to. The train gets you there in 15 minutes for about €5, running every few minutes throughout the day.
If you prefer private transport, a pre-booked private taxi costs €60-70 for up to four people and takes about 30 minutes door-to-door.
Most of people take the train because it’s so straightforward, but the private option makes sense when you’re tired, just want the comfort, or have a lot of luggage.
Table of Contents
Why Haarlem Deserves Your Time
Haarlem houses the Gothic cathedral where young Mozart performed on the famous 5,000-pipe organ, the Frans Hals Museum in the actual building where he painted his masterpieces, and the country’s oldest museum: Teyler’s Museum with its Michelangelo drawings, ancient fossils and beautiful oval room.
The city offers a lot of what Amsterdam promises but with breathing room—authentic canals, hidden historic courtyards, and the Saturday flower market on the central square, all just 15 minutes from North Sea beaches and a walkable compact medieval center.
⤷ Here is my full article on What to do in Haarlem
Book Attractions in Haarlem
Find Places to Stay in Haarlem
Have you already booked your accommodation in Haarlem?
My 3 Favorite Haarlem Hotels
- My top pick: Hotel Malts – incredible central B&, steps from Corrie Ten Boom House
- Quiet hotel: Carlton Square Hotel – extremely comfortable beds and pillows
- Central Square pick: Grand Hotel Frans Hals – the classic in Haarlem right on the main square
Best Options Getting From Amsterdam To Haarlem
Taking The Train
Most straightforward: Trains depart Amsterdam Centraal every few minutes, arriving at Haarlem Centraal in 15-20 minutes. The service runs reliably from early morning until past midnight.
Current pricing: Around €5.20 one way using contactless payment
Frequency: 6-8 trains per hour
The trains are modern, clean, and punctual. I use this route all the time.
PS: if you travel from the airport to Haarlem Bus 300 is easier and less expensive than the train (see below) and it saves you a transfer.
Pre-Booking a Taxi
Door-to-door convenience: if you pre-book a taxi in advance you save quite a lot on metered prices, plus you enjoy private transportation where a driver picks you up from your Amsterdam location and deliver you directly to your Haarlem destination. The journey typically takes 30-40 minutes, depending on traffic.
Price range: €60-70 for standard vehicles (up to 4 passengers)
This options is great for people who enjoy more comfort, have a lot of luggage, or for three or four people, the per-person cost approaches train pricing while eliminating station navigation and potential connection stress.
Save Up To 50%
When you book a taxi in advance you can save up to 70% off the metered priced and enjoy a fixed price. With coverage around the country.
Reserve Your Taxi Now
Travel from Amsterdam to Haarlem by Bus
From Amsterdam City Center it doesn’t make a lot of sense using the bus to get to Haarlem. But if you want to travel from Amsterdam Airport to Haarlem, bus 300 is more convenient than the train. You do not have to transfer along the way, and your journey will also be slightly cheaper.
Travel from Amsterdam to Haarlem by Car
I do not recommend traveling by car if you’re just going to visit the city center of Haarlem. Parking is expensive, and the travel time is longer than traveling by train.
But a car can be convenient if you’re going to explore the region. Like the nearby outlet mall, or the beaches north of Zandvoort.
The distance is only 10 miles (17 km), but the journey takes 30-45 minutes by car via the most direct route (S103>N200>A200). Compare this to the mere 15 minutes the train takes to get there.
If you need a rental car, I advise comparing prices here. They most often have the best rates. I use them a lot. Make sure to select full insurance, since European car rental companies are very strict with damages, including small ones.
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
Booking Your Transportation from Amsterdam to Haarlem
Train Tickets
You don’t need a train ticket on this route. Since the journey is so short. 2nd class is fine (blue seats). To pay you just tap your bank or credit card at the gates when entering and leaving the station. You need a unique card per person. Apple Pay or Google Wallet also work.
If you want a regular ticket of course you can, here is my article about train tickets in the Netherlands and how to purchase them:
⤷ Everything about booking your train tickets in the Netherlands
You’ll need internet access for your train tickets and navigating Haarlem with an app like Google Maps. Skip the expensive international roaming charges, or plans—an eSIM costs a fraction of your provider’s rates and gives you more data. Plus, it’s simple to install before you travel.
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
Private Driver
Book your taxi in advance and you save significantly on the fare compared to metered journeys. When booking it’s worth it to select “Luxe” instead of “Standard” for a nicer driving experience. Standard is comparable with a regular ride-share experience. Luxe means a driver in suit, and a nicer vehicle.
Save Up To 50%
When you book a taxi in advance you can save up to 70% off the metered priced and enjoy a fixed price. With coverage around the country.
Reserve Your Taxi Now
Discover Historic Haarlem
See the Gothic St. Bavo Church on the central square, where you can see (and if you’re lucky hear) the famous organ Mozart played as a child. The Frans Hals Museum houses group portraits from the famous Golden Age master.
Visit the Corrie ten Boom House for a moving look at Dutch resistance during World War II, and explore the fascinating Teylers Museum with its 18th-century cabinets displaying everything from Michelangelo sketches to prehistoric fossils. The original oval hall alone justifies the visit.
Take a canal cruise along the Spaarne River to see the historic windmill De Adriaan. And don’t skip on restaurant DAKKAS part of this amazing local Haarlem food tour.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Amsterdam to Haarlem
Does the private car service justify the higher cost?
If you travel with not too much luggage, and you’re enjoy train travel then the train is the best option for most people from Amsterdam and Haarlem. But when you pre-book a taxi you enjoy door-to-door service, no need to get to and from stations, and you don’t have to worry about luggage. So for some people a taxi is worth it, even though it’s more expensive.
Can we buy train tickets to Haarlem on the day we travel?
Yes, either through machines (surcharge), the NS website or app, or simply tapping a contactless card at the barriers. The latter option costs the same and requires no advance planning. I recommend this for this short journey. Just make sure to travel in 2nd class (blue seats) if you tap. You can not upgrade to 1st. But on this short trip you really don’t have to.
Which choice works best for a (half) day visit to Haarlem?
The train eliminates parking concerns and lets you travel right up until late evening. Return trains run past midnight, so you’re not rushed to leave. Since you won’t travel with suitcases, the train is super easy. If prefer a taxi instead I recommend to pre-book your taxi. It saves you money compared to metered taxi prices.
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My Recommendation
Both the train and private taxi work for getting to Haarlem. The train offers the best value and a authentic Dutch travel experience, while the private taxi option provides door-to-door comfort that many travelers find worth the extra cost.
Read More:
- All my “How To Get From Amsterdam” Transportation Guide
- My guide on Things to do in Haarlem
- Explore Utrecht, and find out what to do when you get there
If this guide helped you plan your trip to Haarlem, consider buying me a coffee – that helps me to continue producing these detailed guides!
