Travel

Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) is a major international airport which lies 17km south-west of central Amsterdam. It offers excellent transport connections including a railway station directly under the airport.

For many passengers the train is the cheapest and most convenient way of getting to the city centre. Below we compare travel options by train, bus, shuttle and taxi.

Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam transport summary (2015 prices)

1. NS train from Schiphol to Amsterdam Central (single 4.10 + 1 surcharge for disposable tickets, 15-20 mins).

2. Amsterdam Travel Ticket (NEW) is a 1/2/3 day card ( 15/ 20/ 25) combining a return train ticket and unlimited use of GVB public transport in Amsterdam. Only suitable for those on short visits arriving in the morning.

3. 197 bus to Amsterdam Marnixstraat with stops at Museumplein and Leidseplein (single 5, 30 mins).

4. Hotel shuttle bus run by Connexxion takes you directly to your hotel (single 17, return 27, 30-45 mins). See listing of convenient hotels near Schiphol airport .

5. Schiphol airport taxi. standard metered fare will be 45- 50 to central Amsterdam; fixed fare discounts offered by some companies.

(1) Schiphol to Amsterdam by NS train

All Schiphol arrivals (1-4) are a short walk to the main station hall. Dutch railways (NS) runs trains to Amsterdam Central station up to 10 times per hour between 0600 and 0030. There are also night trains running once an hour on the hour between 0100 and 0500. There are 6 underground platforms at Schiphol with trains to Amsterdam normally departing from platforms 1-2 or 3.

One-way tickets to Amsterdam Central cost 4.10 standard 2nd class or 7 in 1st class. There is a 1 surcharge for buying a disposable ticket. Do not buy a return ticket (twice the price) unless you are coming back to the airport on the same day.

Children aged 4-11 can travel on a Railrunner ticket which costs 2.50 (no surcharge) and is valid the whole day in 2nd class on the rail network. Children 0-3 travel free.

Buying train tickets at Schiphol: The OV-chip card system is in use on Dutch railways. You can either buy a single-use disposable ticket or use credit on a personal or anonymous OV-chip card. It is mandatory to check-in and check-out of your journey using the card readers near the platforms.

You can buy disposable train tickets with the 1 surcharge at the service desk or ticket machines though note some limitations with payment methods. There is also a 0.50 surcharge for credit card payments.

At the Train tickets Services desk in the main station hall payment for tickets is accepted in euro cash (notes or coins), debit cards (Dutch PIN/Maestro/V-Pay) or credit cards (Mastercard/Visa only with chip and pin; American Express NOT accepted).

Alternatively, use the yellow/blue self-service ticket machines found around the station hall. There are a couple of machines in the luggage reclaim area as well.

The touch screen displays have an English language option available by clicking the British flag at the bottom left. All machines at Schiphol accept payment by debit cards (Dutch PIN/Maestro/V-Pay) and credit cards (Mastercard/Visa with chip and pin). A limited number of machines also have a coin slot to accept euro coins (change given) - however, euro banknotes are NOT accepted.

At Schiphol, the front page of the machines have a quick one-press option for tickets to Amsterdam Central.

OV-chip card alternative: You can buy an anonymous OV-chip card and load credit at the desk or ticket machine. The 'empty' plastic card costs 7.50 to purchase and will last 4-5 years - you will need to add at least 20 credit for travel on trains. At check-out the standard fare (without surcharge) is deducted off the card balance. OV-chip cards can be used on other forms of public transport including Amsterdam trams, buses and metro.

For more tips and tricks on buying train tickets in Netherlands see our detailed guide: How To Buy A Dutch Train Ticket

Train departure information can be found at: printed yellow timetable boards in the hall and platforms; blue LCD screens in the station hall and platform display boards. Or check the ns.nl website - remember free WiFi is available at Schiphol.

If going to Amsterdam Central station (known as Amsterdam Centraal or Amsterdam CS ) make sure you get on the correct train! Trains going to Amsterdam Zuid. Amsterdam RAI or Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA use a different route and DO NOT go to Central station. Every day dozens of people get on the wrong train and a few lost souls end up in Utrecht!

Not sure which station in Amsterdam? Then familiarise yourself with our Amsterdam Rail Network Map

With a checked-in OV-chip card or ticket, you can get on any domestic train between Schiphol and Amsterdam central. Sprinter and Intercity trains generally make stops at Amsterdam Lelylaan and Amsterdam Sloterdijk stations before reaching Amsterdam Central in just under 20 minutes.

The comfortable Intercity Direct (formerly FYRA) trains run 2x hourly non-stop taking 15 minutes between Schiphol and Amsterdam - you no longer need a supplement for this journey. Intercity Direct supplements are only required if travelling from Schiphol to Rotterdam on the high speed track. If possible we recommend taking this train.

Note that standard Dutch double decker Intercity trains are not very convenient if you are carrying large suitcases - you have to navigate stairs and the overhead racks are tiny! However you can find storage space between some opposing seats. Or just stay in the compartment near the doors - though do watch your belongings as opportunist thieves/pickpockets are known to operate on the route.

At Amsterdam Centraal station the Schiphol trains mainly arrive and depart from platforms 13, 14 and 15 at the northern (waterfront) side of the station. Don't forget to check-out with your ticket or OV-chip card.

From the platform go down the stairs or escalators and head towards the opposite southern exit. Here you will find city trams, taxis and the tourist office.

If you are travelling to other parts of Netherlands then check out our Dutch Airports - Transport Connections Map .

(2) Amsterdam Travel Ticket

If you are on a short visit to Amsterdam and also plan to use public transport in Amsterdam this new ticket could be useful. This 1, 2 or 3 day ticket combines a return 2nd class NS train journey from Schiphol to any station in Amsterdam (Central, Amstel, Bijlmer-ArenA, Duivendrecht, Holendrecht, Lelylaan, Muiderpoort, RAI, Sciencepark, Sloterdijk or Zuid) with unlimited GVB transport travel. This can be used on all GVB trams, buses, metro and night buses in the Amsterdam metropolitan area.

Ticket costs are 15 (1 day), 20 (2 days) and 25 (3 days*). *The 3 days ticket will be on sale from spring 2015.

Note that validity of the card is on a 'day' basis, not '24 hours' and cards expire at 0400 the following morning of the last valid day. You must make the return journey back to the airport before expiry.

For example, if you activate the card anytime on a Wednesday (0000-2359) the card will expire on Thursday morning at 0400. So those activating in the morning could make good use of the card; those activating in the evening would get limited hours so it's frankly not worth it in that case - buy separate train and transport tickets instead. For more see our article on public transport tickets in Amsterdam .

The Amsterdam Travel Ticket is also an OV-chip smart card so you must check-in and check-out for each journey with both NS and GVB.

You can purchase this ticket at the following points at Schiphol: NS Tickets Service desk, Holland Tourist Info (Arrivals 2) or AKO newsagents.

(3) Bus 197 Schiphol to Amsterdam Museumplein/Leidseplein area

Connexxion's 197 bus service (now branded as the Amsterdam Airport Express ) runs from bus stop B9 at Schiphol Plaza, just outside the main station hall.

These red buses depart every 15 minutes to Amsterdam city centre - with various stops including Stadionplein, Museumplein and Leidseplein - finally terminating at Marnixstraat. This bus option is convenient for visitors staying around the Museum quarter or Leidseplein. Please note, the bus does not go to Amsterdam Central station.

The journey takes just over 30 minutes and buses operate from 0500 to 0030. Screens at the airport bus stop will show the next departure. A single ticket costs 5 (open return ticket 10 ) and can be bought either from the driver or at the Connexxion Tickets Info Schiphol booth. A children's ticket (aged 4-12) is 1 .

If you use credit on a personal or anonymous OV-chip card, the trip fare reduces to just under 3.

There is also the Amsterdam Region Day Ticket ( 13.50) which is valid for 24 hours on all Amsterdam transport and regional buses but not trains.

There is a small space for luggage on board the bus.

Night bus service N97 Niteliner runs hourly during the night (0100 to 0500) between Schiphol Plaza and Amsterdam Marnixstraat. A single tickets cost 5. If using a personal or anonymous OV-chip card the fare is 4.50 .

Alternative airport bus to Sloterdijk: GVB bus 69 operates between Schiphol and Amsterdam Sloterdijk station - singles cost 2.90. The journey takes 40 minutes compared to 11 minutes with the train. It also operates as the 369 night bus service with singles at 4.50.

(4) Schiphol Hotel Shuttle Bus to Amsterdam

The shuttle costs 17 one-way and 27 return per person although variable discounts are offered for groups of 3-8 people. For example, a group of 8 will pay a total of 65.60 one way, 118 return (that's 8.20/ 14.75 respectively per person). Children between 4 and 14 travel for 8 single, 12.75 return, under 4's free.

Tickets can be bought at the Connexxion desk at Arrivals Hall 4; they are also sold at tourist information offices and participating hotels.

Other services: Schiphol runs a Travel Taxi minibus service - basically a shared taxi minibus that can take you to any address in Netherlands. A typical fare to central Amsterdam is 23 one-way and 40 return. Higher fares apply for private hire.

Shuttle Amsterdam (+31(0)88 332 32 32) offers a 8 seat shuttle minibus service to and from the airport. One-way prices are 15 (1 person), 27.50 (2 people), 35 (3 people) and 10 per additional person up to 8 people. Groups must travel to/from the same address to get the group rates. Note, they have no desk at the airport so need to be booked in advance.

(5) Taxi from Amsterdam Schiphol

The taxi rank at Amsterdam Schiphol is located just outside the main station hall to the left. You can choose whichever taxi you want - you are not obliged to take the first car. The fare is calculated by meter and the journey should take between 25 and 45 minutes, depending on traffic.

There are a number of private firms which can offer fixed rates to travel to/from Amsterdam Schiphol.

The TAXI-E (+31(0)88-1004444) cab service uses Nissan electric cars. It has fixed prices from Schiphol to the city - 40 to central Amsterdam, 30 to Amsterdam South/De Pijp and the cars have free WiFi. TAXI-E has a Schiphol last minute fare of 30 to central Amsterdam if you call from the airport and they have a car nearby.

Tinker (+31(0)20-290 0050) is an online booking service (tinker.travel) which offers discounts for taxi journeys by using logistical planning software. Note that sometimes the taxi can be shared by up to 3 passengers. Book in advance to secure the lowest rates.

Uber. the VIP taxi app service is available in Amsterdam. Users can order a car through their phone and payment is automatically handled. Rates can be a little higher than standard cabs.