What is the fastest way from Schiphol to Amsterdam city centre?

The Intercity Direct or regular Intercity train takes 15–17 minutes to Amsterdam Centraal and costs around €4.40 — by far the best option.

Getting from Schiphol airport to Amsterdam city centre

Which option suits you best

Schiphol Amsterdam Airport sits roughly 18 km south-west of the city centre. Four main transport modes exist: train, bus, taxi and private shuttle. The right choice depends on your budget, baggage, travel time and whether you are arriving alone or in a group.

The short answer for most travellers is: take the train. It is the cheapest, fastest and most reliable option, running around the clock and directly under the airport terminal.

Train: the default choice

How to find the station

Follow the yellow-and-blue NS signs inside the arrivals hall to “Trains.” The station is directly beneath Schiphol Plaza — you do not need to cross a road or take a bus.

Journey time and cost

Route	Duration	Approx fare (2026)
Schiphol → Amsterdam Centraal (Intercity Direct)	15 min	€4.40
Schiphol → Amsterdam Centraal (regular Intercity)	17 min	€4.40
Schiphol → Amsterdam Zuid	5 min	€4.40

Trains run every 5–10 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes overnight. The first train of the day is around 05:00; the last is close to midnight. Night trains run hourly between midnight and 05:00.

How to pay

You have three options at the station:

Contactless bank card or phone — tap your Visa, Mastercard or phone at any OV-poortje (turnstile) gate. A single journey from Schiphol to Centraal costs a flat €3.40 fare. No ticket needed. This works for tourists and is the simplest approach.
OV-chipkaart — a Dutch transit card loaded with credit. Costs €7.50 non-refundable just to purchase the card, so it only makes sense if you are staying more than 3–4 days and intend to use the tram network. See our OV-chipkaart guide for a full breakdown.
Paper ticket from NS vending machine — buy at the bright yellow machines in the station, accepting card and cash. Print or use the e-ticket on your phone. Costs roughly the same as contactless.

Do not buy a ticket on the train — conductors charge a €4.60 supplement on top of the fare.

Amsterdam Centraal or Amsterdam Zuid?

Most first-time visitors head to Amsterdam Centraal (the historic main station). If your hotel is in the business district south of Vondelpark, Amsterdam Zuid station (5 minutes from Schiphol) may be closer.

Bus: slower but useful at night

Bus 397 connects Schiphol to Leidseplein (central Amsterdam) and Museumplein. Journey time is roughly 35–45 minutes depending on traffic. Tickets cost around €5.50 and you can pay contactless.

The main advantage of bus 397 is that it drops you at Leidseplein, which is more convenient than Centraal if your accommodation is in the Jordaan, Vondelpark or museum quarter area. It also runs overnight when trains are less frequent.

Bus 198 runs to Amsterdam Sloterdijk station, mainly useful for the west of the city.

For an in-depth look at all city bus routes, see our Amsterdam public transport guide.

Taxi: expensive but direct

Official taxis queue outside Arrival Halls 1 and 2. Always use the official rank — unlicensed touts inside the terminal are a known scam.

Typical fare from Schiphol to central Amsterdam: €30–50 depending on traffic and time of day. Fares are metered. Most drivers speak English and accept card.

Uber operates at Schiphol from a designated pick-up area, typically charging €20–35 to the centre, sometimes less with surge pricing absent.

Taxis make sense if you are travelling in a group of three or more with heavy luggage, where the per-person cost approaches the train fare.

Private transfer and shuttle services

Several companies offer fixed-price door-to-door transfers. Prices typically run €40–65 for a saloon car or €55–90 for a minivan. These are booked in advance and the driver meets you in arrivals.

Useful for:

Early morning / late night arrivals
Families with young children and pushchairs
Travellers with disabilities who need extra assistance
Business travellers requiring receipt-based billing

The Amsterdam Travel Ticket

If you plan to use public transport during your stay, the Amsterdam Travel Ticket covers the train from Schiphol plus unlimited GVB trams, buses and ferries in Amsterdam.

Prices (2026): 1-day €17, 2-day €22.50, 3-day €28. This makes good financial sense if you plan to use trams frequently during your visit. You can buy it at NS vending machines in the station.

Compare this against the I amsterdam City Card if you also want museum entry included.

Common mistakes at Schiphol

Buying from touts inside the terminal. People approach you in arrivals offering “fixed-price taxis.” These are unlicensed and typically overcharge by 100–200%. Walk to the official taxi rank outside.

Forgetting to check out when using OV-chipkaart or contactless. If you tap in but not out, you are charged the maximum possible fare for the route. Always tap out at your destination gate.

Taking the wrong train. A few trains at Schiphol continue south to Eindhoven, Rotterdam or other cities. Check the departure board: you want a train terminating at or passing through Amsterdam Centraal. The journey direction is clearly marked.

Arriving at the wrong station. Amsterdam has several stations: Centraal, Zuid, Sloterdijk, Bijlmer ArenA. Know which one is closest to your hotel before you board.

Getting back to Schiphol

The same options apply in reverse. The train remains fastest. Give yourself extra time if departing from Amsterdam Centraal during morning rush hour (07:30–09:30) when the station is busy.

Most airlines suggest arriving 2 hours before departure for European flights, 3 hours for intercontinental. From Centraal: allow 30 minutes to reach the gate after accounting for check-in and security.

For a full guide to public transport in Amsterdam, see getting around Amsterdam.

Schiphol airport essentials

Terminals: Schiphol has a single terminal with three departure halls (1, 2 and 3) all under one roof. Arrivals are on the ground floor; departures on the floor above.

Luggage storage: Available in Schiphol Plaza (the shopping area between the station and the terminal) and in a dedicated storage facility near Arrivals Hall 2. Prices run €6.50–10 per item per day.

Left luggage at Centraal: If you arrive early and cannot check into your hotel, left-luggage facilities at Amsterdam Centraal cost around €6–8 per item for 24 hours.

Currency exchange: Avoid GWK Travelex booths at the airport — rates are poor. Use your bank card at an ATM (choose to be charged in EUR, never in your home currency) or exchange in the city. See our Amsterdam travel budget guide for more on money.

Frequently asked questions about getting from Schiphol to Amsterdam

How long does the train from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal take?

The Intercity train takes 15–17 minutes. Trains run every 5–10 minutes during daytime hours. The station is directly below Schiphol Plaza, so no additional travel time is needed within the airport.

How much does the taxi from Schiphol cost in 2026?

A metered official taxi runs €30–50 from Schiphol to the city centre depending on traffic. Uber is generally cheaper at €20–35, but prices vary. For solo travellers the train at €4.40 is a much better deal.

Can I use my contactless bank card on the train from Schiphol?

Yes. Tap your Visa, Mastercard or phone at the turnstile gate to enter and tap again at your destination. You will be charged €3.40 for a single journey to Amsterdam Centraal. No ticket needed.

Does bus 397 go to Amsterdam Centraal?

No. Bus 397 runs between Schiphol and Leidseplein/Museumplein, not Centraal. If your hotel is near the museum quarter or Vondelpark, bus 397 may be more convenient than the train. Journey time is approximately 40 minutes.

Is there a night bus from Schiphol to Amsterdam?

Yes. Night bus N97 runs between Schiphol and Amsterdam Centraal from approximately 01:00 to 05:00 when regular trains are less frequent. Check the GVB night bus schedule for exact times; note that fares differ slightly from daytime tariffs.