Amsterdam Airport Schiphol ground transportation
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is one of Europe's busiest hubs, about 14 km southwest of the centre — and unusually, its NS railway station sits directly beneath the terminal, so direct Intercity trains reach Amsterdam Centraal in about 17 minutes. The 397 Airport Express bus runs to Museumplein and Leidseplein, and metered taxis and pre-booked transfers cover the door-to-door trips. Tap in and out with any contactless card (OVpay). This guide compares price, time and frequency for every popular destination.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to Amsterdam city centre
Amsterdam Centraal / City Centre is 14 km from AMS, about 17 min at the quickest. Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal is about 14 km; direct NS trains do it in around 17 minutes for €5.50 — the fastest, cheapest way into the heart of the city.
| Option | Time | Fare | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) Cheapest | 17 min | €5.5 | Up to ~8–10 direct Intercity trains/hour |
| Amsterdam Airport Express 397 | 40 min | €6.5 | Every 7–15 min · ~05:00–01:00 |
| Licensed Schiphol taxi | 25 min | €45–55 | 24/7 on demand |
| Schiphol Travel Taxi · Welcome Pickups | 25 min | €45–60 | 24/7 · pre-booked |
| Europcar · Hertz · Sixt | 20 min | €35–60 | Desks in arrivals |
Where are you heading?
Every destination from AMS: cheapest way and taxi fare
| Destination | Distance | Cheapest way | Taxi | Fastest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam Centraal / City Centre | 14 km | NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) · €5.5 | €45–55 | 17 min |
| Museumplein | 12 km | NS + GVB tram · €5.5 | €45–55 | 30 min |
| Leidseplein | 13 km | NS + GVB tram · €5.5 | €45–55 | 35 min |
| Jordaan | 14 km | NS + GVB tram · €5.5 | €45–55 | 40 min |
| Amsterdam Zuid | 8 km | NS (Intercity/Sprinter) · €3.7 | €35–45 | 7 min |
| RAI Convention Centre | 9 km | NS (Sprinter) · €3.7 | €35–45 | 10 min |
| Zaanse Schans / Zaandam | 20 km | NS · €5.3 | €55–70 | 40 min |
| Haarlem | 18 km | NS (Intercity/Sprinter) · €4.6 | €45–60 | 20 min |
Buying tickets in Amsterdam
The NS train station sits directly under the terminal, with trains to Amsterdam Centraal every few minutes taking about 17 minutes for roughly €6.20. The simplest way to pay is OVpay: tap a contactless card or phone on the yellow posts, but you must tap in with the same card AND tap out again at your destination, or you are overcharged. You can also buy an NS e-ticket via the app or the yellow machines. Visitors staying a few days often prefer the Amsterdam Travel Ticket, which bundles the airport train with unlimited city transport.
Taxi scams & safety in Amsterdam
Schiphol is low-risk, but only use the official rank served by Taxicentrale Schiphol, found at the designated taxi stand outside Arrivals — never follow anyone offering a ride inside the terminal, as those touts are unlicensed and charge far more. Official airport taxis are metered or fixed-price; agree the fare before setting off. Uber and Bolt operate here too but must be booked in the app and collected from the marked ride-hailing pickup area, not the taxi rank.
Step-free access in Amsterdam
Schiphol's station is thoroughly equipped, but which train you board changes what you need.
- Schiphol station sits under the terminal with lifts, moving ramps, raised platforms, guide lines, braille signage and induction loops.
- Sprinter trains are level with the platform — you roll straight on. InterCity trains sit higher and have steps, so a wheelchair user needs a member of staff to fit the boarding ramp.
- NS provides that assistance free of charge, but arrange it at least one hour before departure, by phone or in the NS app. It covers boarding, alighting and any connections.
If you would rather not depend on a ramp being fitted, a Sprinter to Amsterdam Centraal takes a little longer but boards without help.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol transport — FAQ
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Other airports nearby
Flying into a different gateway? These hubs are covered too.
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