Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam

Schiphol is about 17 km from central Amsterdam and exceptionally well connected. The train is fastest, the Airport Express bus is handy for some neighbourhoods, and a combined travel ticket can be good value if you also need transport in the city.

Train (the fastest option)

The train takes roughly 15 minutes to Amsterdam Centraal and runs up to eight times an hour between about 05:30 and 01:00, with hourly night trains in between (those require a change at Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA). The station is directly beneath Schiphol Plaza — take the escalator down to the platforms.

A single second-class fare to Centraal is around €5.50, or about €7 if you buy a disposable ticket with the surcharge. Easiest of all, just tap in and out on the platform with OVpay (contactless card or phone). Don't forget to tap in before boarding and out at your destination.

Airport Express bus 397

Bus 397 (the Amsterdam Airport Express, run by Connexxion/R-NET) goes from Schiphol Plaza to the canal belt and museum quarter, stopping near Leidseplein, Museumplein and Elandsgracht. It takes about 30 minutes and costs roughly €6.50 one way or €11.75 return. Note it does not go to Centraal — if your hotel is near the canals or in the south it can be more convenient than the train.

Budget travellers can also take GVB bus 369 to Amsterdam Sloterdijk for €3.40 (about 40 minutes), then connect onward.

Taxi and ride-hailing

An official taxi or Uber from the airport to the centre costs roughly €55 to €80 and takes from about 25 minutes depending on traffic. Use the official taxi rank at Schiphol Plaza and check the fare before you set off.

Travel tickets that bundle the airport

If you want one ticket covering both the airport transfer and city transport, two options stand out:

• Amsterdam Travel Ticket — €20 (1 day), €27 (2 days), €34 (3 days). Unlimited NS trains between Schiphol and any Amsterdam station, the 397 bus, and all GVB trams, buses, metro and night buses. Valid until 04:00 the morning after the last day.

• Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket — similar idea but extends to the wider region, useful if you also plan day trips to Zaanse Schans, Volendam, Marken, Haarlem, Zandvoort or Keukenhof.

One rule worth remembering before you fly home: never carry cannabis through Schiphol or across any border. Tolerated inside the city, it is a criminal offence to take out of the country.