Travelling from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to Amsterdam city center (Amsterdam Centraal station) is fastest by train, taking about 15–20 minutes. You can also reach the city by bus or taxi. This guide compares all transport options, including travel time, prices, and step-by-step instructions.
| From Schiphol to Amsterdam | Price in 2026 | Travel time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| By train | € 5,90 | 17 minutes | Book online >> |
| By bus | € 6,75 | 30 minutes | Book online >> |
| By taxi | € 60-70 | 25 minutes | Book online >> |
Tip! You can also travel to Amsterdam by train or bus using OV-pay or Amsterdam Travel Ticket (train or bus from the airport + public transport in Amsterdam) or Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket (public transport in Amsterdam + train and bus in the area, check the ARTT map here).
In short: Amsterdam airport express bus is a good option if you stay near the Museum square area. Train is cheaper and faster if you need to travel to the central part of Amsterdam.
- Book your international train tickets from Schiphol to Paris, Brussels, Bruges in advance.
- You can also easily travel to Amsterdam center by train from other European airports, like Paris Orly, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Brussels South Charleroi, Frankfurt international airport. Tickets are available at NS International official website.
How far is Schiphol from Amsterdam city center?
Schiphol airport is located 17 kilometers away from Amsterdam. After you pick up your luggage, head to Schiphol Plaza and follow the signs to find the trains, buses or taxis.
Important! At the moment it’s very busy at Schiphol. To avoid unnecessary stress, we recommend to travel to other European destination by train. Check prices and destinations >>
How to travel from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal by train?
Fastest travel option: Train (Recommended)
- Travel time: 15 – 20 minutes
- Operator: Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS)
- Departure: Schiphol airport train station
- Arrival: Amsterdam Centraal Station
- Frequency: every 5 – 10 minutes.
Schiphol airport railway station is located directly below the airport. Take an escalator or an elevator from Schiphol Plaza hall downstairs and board the train.
A direct NS (Dutch Railways) train will take you to the center of Amsterdam (Amsterdam Centraal station, or Amsterdam CS) within 17 minutes. Usually trains from Schiphol to Amsterdam city center depart every 7 minutes from platforms 3.
Ticket price in 2026. A single train ticket from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal costs € 6,20. The ticket is valid in both Intercity and Sprinter trains.
If you are travelling with children age 4-11, you can buy a special kids train ticket – Railrunner. It costs € 2,50 and is valid all day in all domestic trains.
Here you can book your train tickets from Schiphol to Amsterdam online. The ticket can be used any time at the selected date.
Departure times from Amsterdam airport to city. Check NS.nl (Dutch railways website) for train departure times from/to airport and find out the fastest route from Schiphol to Amsterdam or another city in the Netherlands.
Travelling from Schiphol to Amsterdam in the weekend?
Please note that sometimes there are maintenance works on the rail which affect the trains from Schiphol to Amsterdam. You can check the exact departure times and live-updates via NS.nl website or app.
Where to buy train tickets at Amsterdam airport?
The easiest way is to buy your train ticket online. The ticket can be used any time at the selected date. You can also buy tickets at the airport from the yellow NS vending machines at Schiphop plaza (central airport hall above the station).
- Read more: Travelling by train in the Netherlands >>
Alternatively you can buy Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket, which includes unlimited travel by bus, tram and metro (operated by GVB, Connexxion and EBS, including night buses) as well as NS trains in the Amsterdam area for 1, 2 or 3 days.
The ticket is valid from the first time you check in until 04:00 hours after the last valid day. Great option if you are planning to discover the Amsterdam area, including the Zaanse Schans, Volendam and Marken, Haarlem and Zandvoort aan Zee. It is also valid for travelling to Keukenhof by bus (lines 852, 858, 850).
Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket map. You can find a full-size image at Iamsterdam.com official website. Learn more about ARTT >>
Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket prices in 2026:
- 1 day – € 23,00
- 2 days – € 34,00
- 3 days – € 44,00
You can check availability and book the transportation card here:
How to get from Schiphol to Amsterdam by bus?
To get from Amsterdam airport to the city center, you can take a bus line 397 (it costs € 6,50 one-way) or N97 (Niteliner). It will take you from Schiphol Plaza to Leidseplein and Museum Square (Museumplein) in 30 minutes. Connexxion bus line 397 (also known as The Amsterdam Airport Express) departs from bus platform B17.
Bus departure times. The bus leaves every 8 minutes from bus stop B17.
You can check 9292.nl website or app for the bus departure times and directions from Schiphol to your hotel or Amsterdam city center.
How to get a bus ticket? You can buy a single bus ticket directly from the driver. The driver doesn’t accept cash, you can only pay with a bank card. Alternatively you can buy the ticket online (€ 6,50).
How to travel from Schiphol to Keukenhof?
| From Schiphol to Keukenhof | Price in 2026 | Travel time | Book online |
|---|---|---|---|
| By bus line 858 | € 32 (incl. entrance) | 30 – 35 minutes | Book online >> |
Taxi from Schiphol to Amsterdam city center
Taking a taxi is the most comfortable way to get from Schiphol airport to your hotel in Amsterdam. Taxi ride from Schiphol to Amsterdam center costs from € 55 to € 70. Depending on the traffic, a ride can take from 25 minutes. To make things smooth and get a fixed and transparent price we recommend to order taxi online >>
International trains from Schiphol airport
You can take international trains from Schiphol to Paris, Brussels, Antwerp and many other European destinations from tha same train station. We recommend to book international tickets in advance.
- Schiphol Airport – Paris Gare Du Nord, travel time 03:02, tickets from € 35
- Schiphol Airport – Brussels, travel time 01:56 by Eurostar trains, tickets from € 25
Book your international train tickets from Schiphol airport at NSInternational.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve been publishing this online guide for 10+ years, and here I’ve collected the most popular questions about travelling from Schiphol I get. Click a question to expand the answer, and if you have more, feel free to ask in the comments.
How far is Schiphol airport from Amsterdam city center?
Schiphol airport is located 17 kilometres from Amsterdam city center.
What is the fastest way to get from Schiphol airport to Amsterdam?
The fastest way is by train. A direct train from Schiphol airport station to Amsterdam Centraal takes 17 minutes. Trains depart every 7 minutes from platforms 3. A single ticket costs € 6,20 in 2026.
How much does the train from Schiphol to Amsterdam cost in 2026?
A single train ticket from Schiphol airport to Amsterdam Centraal costs € 6,20 in 2026. The ticket is valid on both Intercity and Sprinter trains. Children aged 4–11 can travel with a Railrunner ticket for € 2,50, valid all day on all domestic trains.
Where do I buy train tickets at Schiphol airport?
You can buy train tickets online in advance, or at the airport from the yellow NS ticket vending machines at Schiphol Plaza — the central airport hall above the train station. Tickets can also be purchased using OV-pay by tapping your bank card directly at the turnstiles.
Is there a bus from Schiphol airport to Amsterdam city center?
Yes. Bus line 397 (Amsterdam Airport Express) runs from Schiphol Plaza to Leidseplein and Museumplein (Museum Square) in about 30 minutes. It departs from bus platform B17 every 8 minutes. A single ticket costs € 6,50 in 2026. Bus N97 (Niteliner) operates at night. Tickets can be bought from the driver by bank card (no cash accepted) or online in advance.
Should I take the train or bus from Schiphol to Amsterdam?
It depends on where you are staying. The train is faster (17 minutes) and takes you to Amsterdam Centraal station in the heart of the city. The bus (line 397) takes about 30 minutes but stops at Leidseplein and Museumplein, making it a better option if your hotel is near the Museum Square area.
How much does a taxi from Schiphol to Amsterdam cost in 2026?
A taxi from Schiphol airport to Amsterdam city center costs between €55 and €70 in 2026, depending on traffic. The journey takes around 25 minutes. Booking a taxi online in advance gives you a fixed, transparent price.
Can I take large suitcases on the train from Schiphol to Amsterdam?
Yes, you can take large suitcases on the train from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal. There is no dedicated luggage storage area — passengers place suitcases next to their seat or near the windows where space is available.
Is the I amsterdam City Card valid for travel from Schiphol to Amsterdam?
No. The I amsterdam City Card is only valid on GVB public transport (trams, buses and metro) within Amsterdam. The train from Schiphol and bus line 397 (Amsterdam Airport Express) are not included. An alternative route using GVB bus line 369 to Sloterdijk and then bus line 22 to Amsterdam Centraal is technically possible with the card, but takes around 1 hour and is not recommended.
What is the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket and does it cover Schiphol?
The Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket (ARTT) covers unlimited travel by train, bus, tram and metro in Amsterdam and the surrounding region for 1, 2 or 3 days. It is valid from Schiphol airport and includes travel to destinations such as Zaanse Schans, Volendam, Haarlem, Zandvoort, and Keukenhof (by buses 852, 858 and 850 during the tulip season). Prices in 2026: 1 day €23, 2 days €34, 3 days €44.
Can I take an international train from Schiphol airport?
Yes. International trains depart from Schiphol airport station to Paris Gare du Nord (journey time around 3 hours, tickets from €35), Brussels (journey time around 2 hours by Eurostar, tickets from €25), Antwerp, and other European destinations. It is recommended to book international train tickets in advance at NSInternational.com.
How do I get from Schiphol airport to Keukenhof?
During the Keukenhof season, you can travel from Schiphol to Keukenhof by bus line 858. The journey takes 30 to 35 minutes. A combination ticket including bus and Keukenhof entrance costs €33,50 in 2026 and can be booked online.
Read more:
- I amsterdam City Card: prices from € 65, discounts and tips
- How to get to Amsterdam from IJmuiden cruise port?
- Museums in Amsterdam: tickets and prices
- Schiphol airport: everything about flying to/from Amsterdam
- Amsterdam in one day: things to see and do
- Red Light District in Amsterdam
- Canal cruises in Amsterdam: book online!
- The Netherlands with kids: fun things to do
About the author:
Last updated: 2 July 2026
There are 5 passengers in our group all carrying large suitcases and backpacks for a British Isles cruise . We have to stay in Movenpick Hotel for2 days prior to cruise.
Hi Arnaldo, so what’s your question?
Can you carry with you 2 large suitcases inside the train when traveling from Schiphol station to Amsterdam Centraal?
If yes, where will they be stored as to not block the way for other passengers?
Hi Mima! Yes, you can take large suitcases with you in the train. There is no special storage spot for the luggage, everyone just puts the suitcase where there is space (next to the seat, near the window etc).
Have a nice trip!