How to Travel from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is located is located 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) as the crow flies southwest of Amsterdam.
The fastest and easiest ways to reach Amsterdam from Schiphol are by train, bus, or taxi.
Method | Time / Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
Train | 13-17 min. | Most Visitors |
28-38 min | Visitors staying near Leidseplein or Museum quarter | |
Taxi | 25-45 min | Door to door comfort / Lots of luggage |
Private Transfer | 25-45 min | Group or Family / Lots of luggage |
Cruise Terminal Transfer | 30-50 min | Hassle-free transfer from airport or hotel |
Table of contents
- How to Travel from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam
- Best way to get from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam
- Amsterdam Airport Public Transport Ticket Options
- Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Public Transport Map
- Where to board the train to back Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
- Amsterdam Airport Express / Bus 397
- Taxi from Schiphol to Amsterdam
- Schiphol Airport to and from Cruise Ships Terminal
- Rent a Car at Schiphol Airport or in Amsterdam
- A word about Bus 369
- Hotels at or near Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Best way to get from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the main international airport in the Netherlands. It is located 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) as the crow flies southwest of Amsterdam in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer.1By car the distance is 20 kilometers (12.5 miles)
Travelling between Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam by public transport is easy, inexpensive, and fast. Best choice: the train (either train only, or in combination with a city public transport pass)
- Most visitors travel by public transport between the airport and their accommodation in Amsterdam.
- Most travelers first head for Amsterdam Central Station. From there every destination in the city is easy to reach by public transport.
- Most travelers prefer the train. It is fast, inexpensive, and provides a direct connection without transfers. Faster than a taxi, and a whole lot cheaper. The train departs from an underground train station easily accessible from the main arrivals hall.
- The second most popular choice is the Amsterdam Airport Express Bus. [See ticket options chart below]
Other Amsterdam Airport Schiphol transfer options
- You can also travel to and from the city by taxi, private transfer, or a rental car
- There are no metro or tram lines at Schiphol Airport
Amsterdam Airport Public Transport Ticket Options
Map: Public Transport at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Tickets | Includes |
|---|---|
Best/Most Popular Option | Train transfer between Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam Central Station (and/or any Amsterrdam train station) plus unlimited: all public transport within Amsterdam (or plus region). |
Very Popular Option | Trains run every 7½ minutes (8 times/hour). Amsterdam Central Station is the main public transport hub. |
Recommended: Popular Addon | Unlimited bus, tram, metro, within Amsterdam. No airport transfers.3Buy a train only ticket (above) |
Bus only (between airport and city center) | Roundtrip Airport – City center, including Museumplein and Leidseplein. Does not serve Amsterdam Central Station.4However, at the final stop you can transfer to Tram 5, 13, or 17 to reach Central Station |
Map: Public Transport at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Public Transport Map
Note: Renovation Work at Schiphol
The Schiphol bus station, train station, and forecourt are currently undergoing renovation work. You may experience some inconvenience. Follow current signage.
Where to board the train to back Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Trains from Amsterdam Central Station to Schiphol Amsterdam Airport leave from platforms 13, 14, or 15. [Train Tickets]
These are the last three platforms at the rear of the station — the side closest to the river IJ. You’ll see either an ‘a’ or a ‘b’ behind the platform number — ‘a’ indicates the western side of the platform (with your back toward the river IJ that is on the right-hand side), and ‘b’ indicates the eastern side.
Trains servicing Schiphol Airport depart every 7½ minutes – so frequently that you do not need to plan for a certain time. Depending on which train you catch, the ride takes 13-17 minutes.
In the evening there are fewer trains. During the night, between 1 am and 5 am one train an hour leaves for the airport.
At Schiphol your train arrives in an underground station, where escalators or elevators will take you one floor up to the central hall. From there you can walk to Departure area 1, 2, or 3.
Train + Metro Line 52
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is not yet serviced by a metro line. A subway service is being discussed, but there are no concrete plans yet.
The Noord/Zuid lijn (North-South line), Metro 52 runs between Station Noord (North) and Station Zuid (South). Its stops include Amsterdam Central Station.
A direct train ride between Schiphol and Central Station takes about 13 minutes. A train ride to Station Zuid, and on to Central Station by Metro 52 takes about 25 minutes.
Timetable Trains between Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam
Trains to and from Amsterdam Central Station run 8 times an hour — so once every 7½ minutes. Signs above the escalators show when the next few trains depart, and where they are headed.
Screens near the yellow ticket machines list trains that will depart within the next half hour or so.
Note the type of trains indicated in the timetables:
- Sprinter stops at Lelylaan, Sloterdijk, and Central Station.
- Intercity or Intercity Direct only stops at Central Station
The difference in travel time is 3 minutes.
Amsterdam Airport Express / Bus 397
One of the most popular options to get from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam is the Amsterdam Airport Express bus.
Benefits of this airport shuttle bus:
- Comfortable and inexpensive ride into town
- Mobile tickets (no need to print)
- Low entry access
- Has stops close to many hotels
- Departs every 8 minutes
- Free WiFi
- Quick charge your phone for free during the ride.
Amsterdam Airport Express Bus Tickets
Also known as Bus 397 Airport Shuttle. (Outdated travel guides, both online and in print, often still incorrectly refer to the old name: Bus 197).
You cannot buy tickets on the bus. You need to purchase tickets (€6.50 single, €11,75 return) in advance. The tickets are valid up to 14 days. Either print your voucher or use your mobile ticket to board.
Amsterdam Airport Express (Bus 397) Destinations
The Amsterdam Airport Express (Bus 397) does not go to Central Station, but stops at (among others):
- Museumplein (28 minutes ride)
- Rijksmuseum (32 minutes)
- Leidseplein (34 minutes), and
- Busstation Elandsgracht (38 minutes)
Many hotels, guesthouses and other accommodations are within walking distance of these stops. If needed, at each of these stops you can transfer to nearby streetcars or taxis. And of course, here you also find the bus that will take you back to Schiphol Airport.
The final stop, bus station Elandsgracht, is located on the edge of Amsterdam’s famous Jordaan district. You can transfer onto trams 5, 13, or 17 to travel to Central Station.
Where to Board the Amsterdam Airport Express
Walk to Platform B17 at Schiphol Plaza. Look for a red bus marked ‘Amsterdam Airport Express’ or Bus 397. See this map. (Some old guidebooks call this bus an “Airport Shuttle”).
The bus station is located at Schiphol Plaza — the square in front of the main hall.
After you exit the main hall you will see two rows of bus stops just across the street from the taxi rank. (See our Amsterdam Airport Public Transport Map above).
Additional bus stops are to the right. This includes the one for the popular Amsterdam Airport Express. The stop is just beyond the overhead walkway that connects the terminal with the parking structure.
Look for a bus with a red roof and black sides. You’ll see the R.NET logo on the sides and the front of the bus. The LED signs on the bus will say, ‘397 Leidseplein Amsterdam’.
You’ll see this bus referred to as Bus 397, Amsterdam Airport Express, or 397 Airport Shuttle. From midnight through about 5 AM Niteliner N97 services this route.
Timetable Amsterdam Airport Express Bus
- During the day the Airport Express (also known as Bus 397) departs every 7.5 minutes. It runs between 7:20 AM and 12:44 AM.
- At night this route is serviced by Niteliner N97. This night bus runs every half hour between 1:15 AM and 4:44 AM.
Schiphol Hotel Shuttle
The Schiphol Hotel Shuttle was discontinued on March 19, 2020.
Taxi from Schiphol to Amsterdam
Private Transfer
Some travelers prefer to bypass all public transport hassles by pre-booking a private or shared transfer. Usually meant for ‘groups’ or ‘families.’ But many business travelers and other individuals also enjoy the convenience, comfort, and level of service provided.
The driver will pick you up at a pre-arranged spot inside the airport. You can meet either at the Meeting Point in the main hall (near the Burger King), or where you exit the bagage claim area.
Make sure the driver knows your flight number so that he or she can take delays or terminal changes into account.
Regular Taxi
Amsterdam’s street taxis are among the most expensive in Europe. The 30-minutes ride from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Central Station will set you back about €50-€70. (Museumplein or Leidseplein: about €55-€65).
Note that traffic jams (not unusual around the airport) may result in higher charges.
According to the Airport Taxi Report (Dutch language only), at €3,53/km for the 17 kilometer ride, Amsterdam ranks among the top most expensive cities for a taxi ride from the airport to the city center. [Note: that was back in 2022. Current rate is ±€3.82/km]
There are some pitfalls to consider as well:
Avoid Rogue Taxi Cabs at Schiphol
Don’t get taken for a ride!
Arriving passengers are accosted by people who offer taxi services. These taxi drivers are not licensed to operate at Schiphol.
Legal measures introduced as far back as 2017 have worked only in part.
The recruiters sometimes are aggressively insistent. Do not fall for their tactics. Often tourists are quite literally taken for a ride. Some are charged hundreds of euros for a trip that should cost less than 60 euro.
Recruiters for rogue cabs attempt to divert travelers by yelling “TAXI!” while holding up “TAXI” signs. Sometimes they illegally accost travelers even within the arrival hall. Ignore them. (Yes, even the ones that wear jackets and signs saying, ‘Official Taxi’ or ‘Licensed Taxi’)
Taxi from Amsterdam to Schiphol Airport
Note: a taxi ride from Amsterdam back to Schiphol Airport typically costs less because there is more competition.
While Schiphol has licensed several taxi companies to pick up passengers at its official taxi rank, all taxi firms are allowed to drop off passengers at the airport.
Schiphol Airport to and from Cruise Ships Terminal
If you are traveling to or from the cruise ships terminal, check your transfer options on our Cruise Port Amsterdam (formerly Passenger Terminal Amsterdam – PTA) page.
Rent a Car at Schiphol Airport or in Amsterdam
Would you prefer to rent a car at Schiphol airport, or anywhere in Amsterdam?
Note: we do not recommend this. Amsterdam is a nightmare for car drivers. The city is actively discouraging car traffic. Too, there are countless construction projects (and detours). And we haven’t even mentioned the steep parking fees. Trust us: unless you are heading for a place outside Amsterdam, take a taxi instead.
A word about Bus 369
Note: Taking this bus only makes sense if your hotel is near the Sloterdijk train station. Even then you are better off taking the train. The bus ride takes 41 minutes. The train gets you there in 11 minutes.
But also note: this is the only public transport option between the city and the airport that can be used for free by holders of the popular I amsterdam City Card.
Hotels at or near Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
If you only have a layover in Amsterdam, or you want to stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city, book a hotel or inn at or near the airport.
Plan your Amsterdam trip:
- Save on accommodation from hostels and apartments to luxury hotels
- Pick your hotel on this map of Amsterdam and surroundings
- Cheap flights to Amsterdam
- Unlimited Public Transport 1-7 days
- Things to do in Amsterdam
- Key to the City: I Amsterdam City Card (Big Value)
- Visitor’s Guide
See More of Amsterdam
- Amsterdam street food delicacy: Herring
- Amsterdam Webcams
- Amsterdam King’s Day 2026: All-Day Citywide Street Party!
- Keukenhof 2026: seven million tulips and other flowers
- National Tulip Day Amsterdam – Free Tulips
- Artis Amsterdam Royal Zoo
Footnotes
- 1By car the distance is 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) ↩︎
- 2See Recommended Popular Addon below ↩︎
- 3Buy a train only ticket (above) ↩︎
- 4However, at the final stop you can transfer to Tram 5, 13, or 17 to reach Central Station ↩︎
Anton and Janet Hein live and work in Amsterdam. We are the publishers of DutchAmsterdam.
Anton was born on a houseboat in the center of Amsterdam, right across from the iconic Westertoren and what later became the Anne Frank House museum. Having lived in nearly every district since then, he knows the city like his own back pocket.
Janet was born in England and raised in Ireland before moving to Amsterdam 43 years ago. Even to date she brings an expat’s perspective to the DutchAmsterdam website.
Last updated Tuesday, September 1, 2026 CET (Central European Time)
Do not republish or repost.
