How to get from Amsterdam airport to the city center? You can travel by train, by bus or by taxi. Here is a short summart of prices and travel times. You’ll find detailed step-by-step guides further on this page. Have a nice trip from Schiphol to Amsterdam downtown!
| From Schiphol to Amsterdam | Price | 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 >> |
In short: Amsterdam airport express bus is a better option if you stay near the Museum square area. And the train will take you to the central part of Amsterdam. What is the easiest way from Amsterdam airport to your hotel? Check with the Glimble mobile travel planner. You can also purchase tickets in the app:
Tip! Make sure that you choose all types of transport during your search with Glimble. You can select it by clicking the Filters button in the app.
- 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.
- Find a hotel at Schiphol Airport Amsterdam >>
- Transit hotels inside Schiphol Airport >>
- Is travelling from Schiphol to Amsterdam included into I amsterdam card?
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 >>
From Schiphol to Amsterdam city center by train
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 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. 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 for train departure times from/to airport and find out the fastest route from Schiphol to Amsterdam or other destination 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. We recommend to check the scheduled maintenance works, and use a travel app with the most up-to-date information.
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 2025:
- 1 day – € 21,00
- 2 days – € 31,50
- 3 days – € 41,50
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 use a free Glimble 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 2025 | 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.
Enjoy your stay in Amsterdam!
Read more:
- 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
- I amsterdam City Card: prices from € 60, discounts and tips
About the author:
Last updated: 3 April 2025
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!