Known for its canals, rich history, and many museums, Amsterdam is a very popular tourist destination for people around the world. The city welcomes around 20 million tourists each year.
If you are coming from Ireland, you will have to fly to Amsterdam. This means that you will land at Schiphol, Amsterdam’s international airport. The airport is not in the city centre, however. When arriving in Amsterdam, you will have to sort out transport to take you to the city centre.
This article will go through all you need to know about transport from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam city centre. The options available to you are the train, bus, shuttle, or private taxi.
General information about Amsterdam Airport
What is Amsterdam’s airport called?
The airport in Amsterdam is called Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS).
How far away is Schiphol from the city centre?
Schiphol is 17 km southwest of the city centre.
How can I get from Schiphol to the city centre?
There are multiple options to get to the city centre from the airport, including the bus, the train, the taxi, or the metro (subway).
Travelling from Schiphol to Amsterdam city centre by bus
If you are looking to take the bus from Schiphol to the city centre, you will have to take Bus 397, also known as the Amsterdam Airport Express.
The bus is just outside the airport’s main hall. You will recognise the bus by its bright red colour.
The bus does not stop at Amsterdam Central Station. However, it stops near the Olympic Stadium, the Leidsplein, and Museumplein. These are three popular locations in Amsterdam. Check if your accommodation is near these areas before leaving the airport.
Your bus ticket is valid for 90 minutes, meaning that you can hop on other public transport for free if you need to.
How long does the bus from Schiphol to Amsterdam city centre take?
On average, the bus from Schiphol to the city centre takes about 30 minutes. This can change depending on traffic, however.
When are the first and last buses from Schiphol to Amsterdam city centre?
The first Amsterdam Airport Express leaves at 5 am and the last one leaves the airport at 12:30 am. There are buses that leave the airport multiple times an hour between these hours.
How expensive is a bus ticket from Schiphol to Amsterdam city centre?
A single bus ticket from Schiphol to Amsterdam city centre costs 6.50 € per passenger.
Alternatively, you can buy an Amsterdam City Travel Ticket that grants you unlimited use of Amsterdam transport. This ticket costs 18 € per person.
Where can I buy a bus ticket from Schiphol to Amsterdam city centre?
You can buy your bus ticket at the airport. It’s the Public Transport Service booth that’s by the stops B9 to B15.
If you don’t find the booth, you can also buy a ticket from the bus driver.
You can buy the ticket online.
If you are looking for an Amsterdam City Travel Ticket, you can buy it online on the DiscoverHolland website.
Travelling from Schiphol to Amsterdam city centre by train
You can also get to the city centre from the airport by train. You will have to take the Nederlandse Spoorwegen (Dutch National Rail).
The train station is just below the train station. There are elevators and escalators that will take you to the train station from the airport.
The train will take you directly from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal station, the main train station in Amsterdam.
How long does the train from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal take?
The train from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal takes, on average, 14-17 minutes.
How expensive is a train ticket from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal?
The train ticket costs 5.50 € per passenger. You will have to pay 1 € extra if you buy a disposable ticket.
Where can I buy a train ticket from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal?
You can get your ticket from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal at a ticket machine in the airport, or you can go to a ticket desk.
You can also purchase an Amsterdam City Travel Ticket for unlimited access to Amsterdam transport for a day. The ticket costs 18 € per passenger. You can buy the ticket online on the DiscoverHolland website.
Is there another train option?
If you don’t want to go to Amsterdam Centraal, you can take the train that takes you to Amsterdam Zuid (Amsterdam South) station.
The train takes 6 minutes to get from Schiphol to Amsterdam Zuid. The train ticket is slightly cheaper, costing roughly 4 €.
Amsterdam Zuid station is close to the city centre. It is an excellent option if your accommodation is in the south of the city. If not, you can take the metro from Amsterdam Zuid to your desired destination.
Travelling from Schiphol to Amsterdam city centre by taxi
If you don’t want to take public transport from the airport, you can hire a private taxi. You can find the taxis by the main entrance of the airport. It is best to hire these taxis, rather than soliciting individuals around the airport.
There is no fixed price for a taxi. Taxis charge customers on a metered basis.
You can also call an Uber from the airport. Amsterdam offers multiple options, including the classic UberX, and the high-end Uber Black. If you are travelling with a larger group, you can also get a van through Uber.
Taxis are the most convenient way to get you from the airport to your accommodation. Bear in mind, however, that taxis can be delayed by traffic, making the journey more expensive.
Travelling from Schiphol to Amsterdam city centre by Schiphol Hotel Shuttle
The Schiphol Hotel Shuttle is a service run by Connexxion that can take you from the Airport to many of Amsterdam’s hotels. You can find the shuttle service on platform A7 at the airport.
This transport method is ideal if you are staying in a hotel, rather than an Airbnb or a youth hostel.
How often do Schiphol Hotel Shuttles run?
There are shuttles that arrive at the airport every 30 minutes. They are available from 6 am to 9:30 pm.
How does the shuttle work?
The shuttle is a shared service that can hold a maximum of 8 passengers. It stops at all the stops at which the passengers need to get off.
How long does the shuttle take?
The journey time varies depending on the number of passengers and the stops where each passenger gets off. This means that your journey can take a long time if you are the last passenger to get off.
How expensive is the shuttle?
The price of the shuttle is about 19 € per passenger. There are discounts, however, for large groups. This makes the shuttle a more affordable option for groups of 6 or 8 (who would otherwise have to book two separate taxis).
Where can I buy shuttle tickets?
There are multiple options for buying shuttle tickets. You can buy your ticket in person, at Arrival 4 at the airport.
Otherwise, you can buy your ticket online on the I Am Amsterdam website.
Do hotels offer complimentary shuttle tickets?
This depends on the hotel you stay at. However, a lot of them do offer complimentary tickets. Make sure to check with your hotel beforehand.
Luckily, Schiphol Airport is well connected to the city centre. There are a variety of options, including public transport or private taxis. The most affordable options are public transport (bus or train) but they can take much longer and they are less convenient.
Private taxis and hotel shuttles are more convenient. Traffic can delay them, which can increase the price and make the journey longer.
With Trazler, you can book your transport tickets before you land in Amsterdam. Our easy-to-use and accessible website lets you book your plane tickets, accommodation, and bus ticket all on one platform.
We are dedicated to making your holidays as stress-free as possible, by providing you with a simple way to book all you need for your holidays.
We wish you a lovely time in Amsterdam!
