How to Get from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) to City Centre

NS train — fastest + 24/7

• Duration: 17 minutes non-stop airport to Amsterdam Centraal.
• Frequency: every 5-15 minutes peak. Every 30 minutes 12am-5am (overnight).
• Hours: 24/7. RARE European 24/7 airport train.
• Price: €5.60 single. €11.20 return (valid 1 day).
• Children 4-11: €1.20 (Railrunner ticket). Under 4 free.
• Where to board: below airport — escalator from Schiphol Plaza to platforms.
• Stops: Schiphol → Amsterdam Centraal (some trains continue to Amsterdam Sloterdijk → Lelystad). Express 17 min, Sprinter 22 min via Sloterdijk.
• Tickets: NS app or yellow machines. OV-chipkaart valid (tap in tap out).
• Forget OV-chipkaart return: €4 deposit lost (€7.50 cards forgotten).
• Free WiFi onboard.
• Luggage: overhead racks + space at end of carriage.

Bus 397 (Schiphol Express)

• Duration: 25-30 minutes to Leidseplein.
• Route: Schiphol → Museumplein (museums area) → Leidseplein.
• Frequency: every 15 minutes daytime, every 30 min off-peak.
• Hours: 5am-12:30am.
• Price: €7 single, €11 return.
• Where to board: bus station outside Schiphol Plaza (signs to “Bus” / “Connexxion”).
• Tickets: driver (cash/card), or app.
• Pros: direct to museum quarter + Leidseplein nightlife.
• Cons: traffic-dependent. Bus terminus may differ — check for hotel.
• Best for: hotels near Leidseplein/Museumplein/Vondelpark.

Bus 197 — cheaper alternative

• Duration: 35-40 minutes to Leidseplein.
• Frequency: every 30 minutes.
• Price: €5 single.
• Stops: more stops than 397, slower.
• Where to board: bus station Schiphol Plaza.
• Tickets: driver, or OV-chipkaart.
• Best for: budget travelers, hotels along route.
• Pros: €2 cheaper than 397.
• Cons: longer + less direct.

Taxi + Uber/Bolt

• Duration: 25-40 minutes (traffic-dependent).
• Taxi metered: €40-55 to central Amsterdam.
• Where to board: taxi rank outside Schiphol Plaza (signs to “Taxi”).
• Receipt: always ask. Required for dispute.
• Late-night/airport surcharge: some taxi companies +5-10% at night.
• Uber: €30-45. UberX + Black + XL.
• Bolt: €25-40. Often cheapest.
• Free Now: taxi-booking app. €32 fixed-rate booking.
• Pre-booked transfer (Welcome Pickups, Suntransfers): €35-55 with driver waiting.
• Family of 4: Uber XL €45-60 cheaper than 4× train (€22.40).
• Avoid: unmarked taxis inside terminal — illegal + overcharge.

From Amsterdam centre back to AMS

• Allow extra time: 2 hours airport before EU departure. 3 hours intercontinental.
• NS train from Amsterdam Centraal: 17 min, €5.60.
• Bus 397 from Leidseplein/Museumplein: 25-30 min, €7.
• Bus 197 from Leidseplein: 35-40 min, €5.
• Taxi from centre: 25-40 min, €40-55.
• Pre-book Uber/Bolt: save €5-10 vs day-of.
• Strike days: NS occasional. Buses run.
• Schiphol bag drop: some hotels offer (€10-15) — bags taken to airport ahead.

Schiphol layout + tips

• Single terminal: Schiphol has ONE terminal building (departures + arrivals all integrated).
• Schiphol Plaza: central concourse. Train + bus + taxi all from here.
• Free WiFi: 2 hours.
• ATMs: in arrivals + departures.
• Currency exchange: ATMs better than counters.
• Holland Casino + Schiphol Library: kill time during long layover.
• Yotel transit hotel: €40-100 for 4-12h naps in airside.
• Lounges: Aspire Lounge (€40), KLM Crown Lounge (priority pass).
• Gates: 12-year walks possible Schiphol — allow 30+ min from Schengen to non-Schengen.

Pitfalls + tips

• Forget OV-chipkaart €4 deposit: if not planning to keep, sell back at machine for cash.
• NS Single Use ticket €1 surcharge: for paper tickets vs OV-chipkaart.
• Wrong train direction: Schiphol-Amsterdam vs Schiphol-Den Haag. Check display.
• Pickpockets: Centraal station + busy trains. Keep valuables zipped + close.
• Bicycle bookings on train: bikes need separate €7.50 ticket — except Sundays.
• OV-chipkaart vs paper: OV-chipkaart cheaper + faster (Tap in/out). Paper: extra €1.
• Delays: NS has app showing real-time. Schiphol high punctuality but check.
• Currency: Euro. Cards accepted everywhere.
• Apps: 9292 (journey planner), NS app (trains).

Frequently Asked Questions

Cheapest Schiphol to Amsterdam?

Bus 197 — €5 single, 35-40 min to Leidseplein. Or NS train €5.60 single, 17 min to Centraal — actually cheaper per minute + 24/7. Train wins on value.

How long Schiphol to Amsterdam?

NS train 17 minutes non-stop to Amsterdam Centraal. Bus 397 25-30 min to Leidseplein. Bus 197 35-40 min. Taxi/Uber 25-40 min (traffic). Train fastest + cheapest.

Schiphol airport taxi price?

€40-55 metered to central Amsterdam. Use OFFICIAL taxi rank outside Schiphol Plaza. Never accept rides inside terminal — illegal + overcharge. Late-night surcharge possible.

Train Schiphol 24 hours?

Yes — NS train runs 24/7. Every 5-15 minutes peak. Every 30 minutes overnight (12am-5am). RARE European 24/7 airport train. €5.60 single.

Schiphol Uber pickup?

Yes — Uber + Bolt + Free Now available. Specific Uber pickup zone at Schiphol — follow app instructions exactly. €30-45 typical. Cheaper than airport taxi for solo + couple.

Schiphol best train ticket?

OV-chipkaart contactless tap-in-tap-out works (€4 deposit returnable). Single Use paper ticket: extra €1 surcharge. NS app: digital ticket convenient. NL Direct Pass for tourists includes Schiphol-Amsterdam.

See also

• Amsterdam beyond canals