Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam City Centre

Train

Trains run from Schiphol Airport station to Amsterdam Centraal in roughly 15 to 20 minutes, with several departures every hour and more during the day. Other useful stops include Amsterdam Zuid for the business district and Sloterdijk for the west of the city.

• Buy from the yellow machines or use a contactless bank card at the gates, checking in and out with the same card.
• A small surcharge applies to paper tickets bought at machines.
• Trains also run directly to Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and beyond, which is useful if Amsterdam is not your destination.
• Night trains run roughly hourly when the regular service stops.

Bus

An express bus service links the airport with the museum district and southern hotel areas, taking around 30 minutes. It is useful if your hotel is far from a station. Regional buses also serve nearby towns.

Taxi and private transfer

Official taxis wait outside the arrivals hall and are metered. The journey takes 25 to 45 minutes depending on traffic and costs many times the train fare. Private transfers can be booked in advance and are worth it with several suitcases or a very early flight.

• Use the official rank only, and check the vehicle displays a licence.
• Ride-hailing apps operate from a designated pickup area.
• Shared shuttle services drop at hotels and cost less than a private car.

Getting around once you arrive

Amsterdam Centraal sits at the top of the old centre, and much of the city is walkable from there. Trams and metro lines radiate outwards, and the same contactless payment works on them.

If your hotel is in the canal ring, walking with a suitcase over cobbles and bridges is slower than it looks on a map. A tram is often worth it for the last kilometre.

Families and accessibility

• Schiphol station is fully step-free with lifts to every platform.
• Trains have wide doors and space for pushchairs, though the gap to the platform varies.
• Assistance for rail travel can be arranged in advance through the railway operator.
• Children travel at reduced fares, and very young children travel free with an adult.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the train from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal?

Usually 15 to 20 minutes, with several trains every hour from the station beneath the terminal.

Can I pay with a contactless card on Dutch trains?

Yes. Check in and out at the gates with the same card and the fare is calculated automatically.

Is there a night train from Schiphol?

Yes, an hourly night service runs when the regular timetable is not operating.

Should I take a taxi instead?

Only if you have heavy luggage, a group, or a destination far from a station. The train is faster and much cheaper.