Amsterdam airport to city centre: trains, buses, taxis and costs

Schiphol is one of the easiest airports in Europe to leave by train: the station is inside the terminal complex, signposted from arrivals, and the ride into the centre is short. The table below compares the realistic choices by price and door-to-door time.

Times and fares are 2026 estimates and depend on your exact destination in the city. The train drops you at Amsterdam Centraal, which is central but still a tram, metro or walk from most hotels.

Follow the signs from arrivals down to Schiphol station. NS trains run to Amsterdam Centraal throughout the day, roughly every 10–15 minutes, and the trip takes about 15–20 minutes. Buy a ticket from the yellow machines or tap a contactless bank card or phone at the gates (OVpay).

Tap in and out with the same card. If you forget to tap out you are charged a maximum fare, which is much more than the real ticket. Second class is fine for this short ride; first class costs a little more and is rarely worth it.

Some trains continue to Amsterdam Sloterdijk, Amsterdam Zuid or other stations before or instead of Centraal. Check the departure board for your stop, especially if your hotel is near Zuid or in the west of the city.

The official taxi rank is outside arrivals. A metered ride to the centre is about €45–60 (2026 estimate) and takes 20–30 minutes without traffic. Use the rank rather than anyone approaching you inside the terminal, and agree that the meter will run.

Buses are the cheapest way in but slower and less obvious for a first arrival. Check the current route, stop and fare before relying on one, especially at night. Ride-hailing apps operate at Schiphol too; pick-up points are signposted and can add a walk.

If you are driving straight out to another region, rental desks are in the terminal and the A4 motorway is close. Parking in central Amsterdam is expensive (about €5–7.50 an hour), so most drivers use a P+R car park at the edge and switch to public transport.

For one person with light luggage, the train is by far the cheapest sensible option. A group of three or four with bags can make a taxi roughly comparable per person, and it removes the walk from Centraal to the hotel.

These are 2026 estimates. Public transport fares in the Netherlands are distance-based, so your exact train fare depends on the station you tap out at.

Allow extra time on the way back: Schiphol security queues can be long, and the train is frequent enough that you do not need to book a specific departure. Tap out at the airport as well, or you will be charged a maximum fare.

If your hotel is not near Centraal, check whether Amsterdam Zuid or Sloterdijk is closer before you board. A tram or metro ticket from Centraal is cheap, but the walk with luggage is the part people underestimate.