Written by Jesper Luten
For most visitors, the easiest way from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam city centre is the train. It is direct, frequent and usually gets you to Amsterdam Centraal in around 16 to 17 minutes. The airport bus is often a better choice if your hotel is near Museumplein, Rijksmuseum or Leidseplein, while a taxi or private transfer makes the most sense when you have heavy luggage, children or a hotel that is awkward to reach by public transport.
The important point is that “Amsterdam city centre” is not one single stop. The fastest route depends on where you are staying. Check your hotel address first, then choose between train, Airport Express bus and a direct car transfer.
Quick comparison from Schiphol to Amsterdam
| Option | Best for | Typical journey | Current fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train | Amsterdam Centraal, Sloterdijk, Zuid and other rail-connected areas | About 16 to 17 minutes to Amsterdam Centraal | From about €5.50 one way to Amsterdam |
| Airport Express 397 | Museumplein, Rijksmuseum and Leidseplein | Direct bus, road traffic can affect time | €6.50 single, €11.75 return |
| Taxi / Uber / Bolt | Door-to-door travel, families and heavy luggage | Depends on traffic and hotel location | Variable |
| Private transfer | Pre-booked convenience and groups | Door to door | Depends on vehicle and provider |
Prices and schedules can change. Always check a live journey planner before you travel.
Train from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal
The train is the best all-round choice for most city breaks. Schiphol Airport has its own railway station directly below the terminal, so you do not need a shuttle to reach it. NS currently lists the Amsterdam–Schiphol journey at around 16 to 17 minutes, with frequent services throughout the day. Schiphol also states there are 8 trains per hour between Amsterdam Centraal and Schiphol.
An online second-class NS ticket between Amsterdam and Schiphol currently starts at around €5.50. You can also travel by checking in and out with a contactless debit card, credit card or mobile wallet, which is often simpler than buying a separate ticket.
Check Schiphol to Amsterdam train ticket options
Do you actually need Amsterdam Centraal?
Not always. Amsterdam Sloterdijk, Zuid or Lelylaan can be better for some hotels. For example, NS currently lists Schiphol to Amsterdam Sloterdijk at about 11 minutes. Check the nearest station to your accommodation before automatically choosing Centraal.
If you are staying around the old centre, Jordaan, Dam Square or the eastern canal belt, Amsterdam Centraal is normally the easiest option. From there you can walk, take a tram, metro or local bus.
Amsterdam Airport Express bus 397
The Amsterdam Airport Express is especially useful if you are staying around Museumplein, Rijksmuseum or Leidseplein. Bus 397 runs directly from Schiphol and stops in this part of the city, so you avoid travelling to Amsterdam Centraal and then doubling back by tram or metro.
Connexxion currently charges €6.50 for a single journey and €11.75 for a return ticket. The bus normally leaves from stop B17 at Schiphol and departs roughly every 10 minutes. At night, line N97 covers the airport connection.
This is often the smarter transfer if your hotel is near the museum district, Vondelpark or Leidseplein. The downside is that road traffic makes journey times less predictable than the train.
Amsterdam Travel Ticket for airport and city transport
If you are staying for one, two or three days and expect to use public transport regularly, the Amsterdam Travel Ticket can be worth comparing with separate fares. It currently costs €20 for one day, €27 for two days and €34 for three days.
The ticket combines travel between Schiphol and Amsterdam with unlimited GVB trams, buses, metros and ferries in Amsterdam. It can be used for the train between Schiphol and several Amsterdam stations, as well as Airport Express 397 and night bus N97.
Do not confuse this with the I amsterdam City Card. The City Card’s GVB transport benefit does not include the NS train from Schiphol. If you are also buying attraction tickets, use our Amsterdam city pass comparison to see which product actually fits your itinerary.
Taxi, Uber or Bolt from Schiphol
A taxi is more expensive than public transport but much easier with large suitcases, small children or a hotel far from a station. Schiphol has an official taxi rank outside Schiphol Plaza. The airport specifically advises travellers to follow the official taxi signs and avoid drivers who approach you unsolicited inside the terminal.
Uber and Bolt have a designated app pick-up point at Schiphol. Follow the airport signs rather than arranging an informal pick-up elsewhere.
There is no single fixed taxi fare for every Amsterdam hotel. The official taxi ride uses a meter, so the final amount depends on your destination and traffic.
Private transfer from Schiphol
A pre-booked private transfer is the easiest option if you want someone waiting for you and a direct ride to your accommodation. It can be particularly useful for families, groups or travellers arriving after a long flight.
The main advantage is not that it is always faster. It is that you remove the decisions after landing: no ticket machine, platform, bus stop or final walk with luggage.
Check private Schiphol transfer options
Which transfer should you choose?
- Staying near Amsterdam Centraal, Jordaan or Dam Square? Take the train.
- Staying near Museumplein, Rijksmuseum or Leidseplein? Compare bus 397 with the train before deciding.
- Staying near Amsterdam Zuid or Sloterdijk? A direct train to that station may be better than Centraal.
- Travelling with children or several suitcases? A taxi or private transfer can justify the extra cost.
- Using lots of public transport for 1 to 3 days? Compare the Amsterdam Travel Ticket with separate journeys.
Arriving late at night
Do not assume that you need a taxi just because you arrive late. Night transport exists, including N97 on the Airport Express route, but exact connections depend on your arrival time and hotel. Check the live journey planner before flying, especially if you land after normal daytime services have reduced.
If your flight is delayed and you no longer have a simple connection, a taxi or app-based ride becomes a useful fallback.
How this fits into a short Amsterdam weekend
If you are visiting for only two days, transfer time matters. Our 2 days in Amsterdam itinerary is designed around compact neighbourhoods so you do not waste the rest of the weekend travelling back and forth.
Still choosing accommodation? The guide to where to stay in Amsterdam helps you compare areas before deciding whether train, bus or taxi is the most logical airport route.
For local travel after arrival, continue to our Amsterdam public transport guide. If this is your first city break here, our first-time Amsterdam guide connects airport travel with where to stay, what to book and how many days you need.