Transfer to/from - Amsterdam Schiphol airport (AMS)

Schiphol Airport enjoys exceptional connectivity with the city centre and the rest of the Netherlands. All public transport options converge at Schiphol Plaza, the central area located just before the security checkpoints and above the underground railway station.

Trains

This is the most efficient means of transport. The NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) station is located directly beneath the terminal. Services operate 24 hours a day, although with reduced frequency (one train per hour) between 1:00 am and 5:00 am.

• Local Destinations: Amsterdam Centraal (approximately 15 minutes), Amsterdam Zuid, Utrecht Centraal, Rotterdam Centraal, and The Hague (Den Haag).
• International Connections: High-speed services such as Eurostar to Brussels, Paris and London, and ICE International to various German cities depart from the same platforms.
• Payment Method: The standard system is OVpay, which allows passengers to “check in” and “check out” directly at the yellow readers using a contactless debit or credit card, as well as mobile devices (Apple Pay/Google Pay). Single tickets can also be purchased from the yellow machines in the Plaza (with a €1.00 surcharge for the paper ticket).

Fare: €5.50 to Amsterdam Centraal (second class).

Journey planner: ns.nl

Buses

The bus terminal is located outside Schiphol Plaza. It is the ideal alternative for reaching districts such as Museumplein or Amstelveen directly, without transfers at the central railway station.

Amsterdam Airport Express (Route 397)

Operated by Connexxion, this fast service links the airport with the city centre (Elandsgracht, Leidseplein, Museumplein) in around 30–35 minutes. Note: This bus does not stop at the Central Station.

Frequency: Every 7–10 minutes during peak hours.

Night Service (Niteliner N97): Follows a similar route during the early hours, with a frequency of every 30 minutes.

Regional Lines and R-net Network

• South and East Amsterdam: Route 300 (Bijlmer ArenA / Haarlem) and 341 (Station Zuid).
• Local Areas and Hotels: Routes 180 and 181 (Schiphol P30 / Ring Road), 185 (Justitieel Complex), 191 and 194.
• Other Connections: Route 342 (Uithoorn), 365 (Leiden), and 361 (Noordwijk).

Payment: The use of OVpay is recommended to obtain the most economical distance-based fare.

Amsterdam Travel Ticket

This “all-in-one” pass makes it easier for tourists to get around. It includes a return journey by train (second class) or on bus 397 from Schiphol, as well as unlimited travel on all trams, metro lines and buses operated by GVB in Amsterdam.

Fares: 1 day (€20.00), 2 days (€27.00), 3 days (€34.00).

For more information and to purchase, visit discoverholland.com.

Taxis and App-based Vehicles

To ensure your safety, use only the official taxi rank in front of Schiphol Plaza. Ignore anyone offering transport services inside the terminal.

• Official Taxis: All vehicles are fitted with taximeters and accept credit cards. The journey to Amsterdam city centre typically costs between €45.00 and €85.00 and takes around 20–25 minutes.
• Uber / Bolt: The official “App pick-up point” is clearly signposted within the terminal. Free Wi-Fi is available there while you wait. Estimated fare from €30.00–€50.00.

Car Sharing

For short and flexible trips, shared vehicles from Free2move or SIXT share are available. The cars are parked in a dedicated area within the World Trade Center (WTC) car park, accessible on foot via a covered walkway from the terminal.

• Free2move
• SIXT share