Amsterdam Airport Transfer

How to Transfer from Amsterdam Airport to the City Center

You can quickly get from the airport to Amsterdam by train

In a nutshell

  • Amsterdam Schiphol is the only airport in Amsterdam and is located just outside the city.
  • We will show you the best transfer options, so that you can get from Amsterdam Airport to the city without any problems.
  • To save time on site, we help you to find the right online ticket and tell you everything you need to know.
  • Our personal favorite is the Amsterdam Airport Express Bus – great value for money and the bus ride is a first little sightseeing.

Transfer Overview: From Amsterdam Airport to the City Center

First, we have created an overview of the transfer options from Amsterdam Schiphol. That way, you can see directly which possibilities you have:

Airport Express Bus Our recommendationLocal TrainUber/BoltTaxi
Travel Time25 min.15 min.Approx. 20 min.Approx. 20 min.
Operating hours (Airport -> Center)5:00 am - 12:00 pm5:30 am - 01:00 amAll dayAll day
Operating hours (Center -> Airport)5:00 am - 12:00 pm5:30 am - 01:00 amAll dayAll day
Price7 € per ride6 € per ride
30-40 €40-60 €
BookingZum TicketZum TicketUber-App
Bolt-App
Taxi reservieren

Our Recommendation: Amsterdam Airport Express Bus

The Airport Express Bus is our favorite
The Airport Express Bus is our favorite (© Connexxion NV)

The Amsterdam Airport Express Bus is the absolute price-performance winner among the transfer options from Amsterdam Airport to the city. Uncomplicated, comfortable and inexpensive.

When does the bus run? The bus runs daily from 5:00 am to 12:00 pm every 10 minutes and at night from 1:00 am to 5:00 am once an hour. The journey to the city center takes 25 minutes and has 10 stops.

Stops:

  • Knooppunt Schiphol Noord
  • Anderlechtlaan
  • Amstelveenseweg
  • Olympic Stadium
  • Haarlemmermeerstation
  • Emmastraat
  • Concertgebouw
  • Museumplein (Rijksmuseum)
  • Leidseplein
  • Elandsgracht bus station

Where does the bus leave from? You will find the bus stop at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol at bus platform B17.

How much does the bus cost? You pay just under 7 euros per journey for the Airport Bus or 12 euros for a combined ticket with a return journey.

If you opt for the combined ticket, you can choose the time of your return journey and do not have to specify it in advance. The return journey must be redeemed after 14 days at the latest.

Advantages:

  • Affordable ticket
  • The bus ride is a first short sightseeing trip in Amsterdam
  • Suitcases can be stowed in the luggage compartment
  • Ride is super relaxed
  • 10 stops to choose from

Book your Airport Express Bus ticket online

You can easily buy your ticket online and don’t have to print it out. Simply show your online ticket to the driver.

Fastest Transfer: Local Train

You can quickly get from the airport to Amsterdam by train
You can quickly get from the airport to Amsterdam by train

Alternatively, you can take the local trains from Amsterdam Schiphol to the city center. The train is the fastest transfer option from Amsterdam Airport to the city center.

When does the train run? The local trains run every 10 minutes from 5:30 am to 1:00 am every day. Between 1:00 am and 5:30 am the train runs once an hour. The train journey to Amsterdam-Centraal takes 15 minutes and has no intermediate stops.

Where does the train depart from? Amsterdam Schiphol station is located under the airport terminal. All trains depart from here.

How much does the train cost? A single journey from Amsterdam Airport to the city costs around 6 euros. Unfortunately, there is no combined ticket for the outward and return journey in one.

Advantages:

  • Super fast connection to the city center
  • Inexpensive ticket
  • No intermediate stops

Disadvantages:

  • Ride is less comfortable
  • You have to leave your luggage with you
  • You still have to get from Amsterdam Central Station to the hotel

Book your Schiphol/Amsterdam train ticket online

You can easily buy your ticket online and don’t even have to print it out. Simply show your online ticket at a ticket inspection. To leave Amsterdam Central Station, you will need to scan your ticket again.

Our tip: Amsterdam train ticket for several days

Do you not only want to travel by train from Amsterdam Airport to the city center, but also from A to B by train in Amsterdam in general? Then the Amsterdam travel ticket is worthwhile for you.

The travel ticket includes the transfer to and from Schiphol Airport as well as 1, 2 or 3 days of unlimited travel on Amsterdam’s public transport system.

Book your Amsterdam travel ticket online

Private Transfer: Uber & Bolt

Uber and Bolt offer private transfers in Amsterdam
Uber and Bolt offer private transfers in Amsterdam

If you want a private airport transfer in Amsterdam but don’t want to pay too much for a taxi, you can call an Uber or Bolt.

Both companies offer app-bookable, affordable rides at a fixed price to your desired destination. A super convenient door-to-door transfer service.

When does the Uber/Bolt run? Your Uber or Bolt leaves at the time you call it. Both service providers run all day. The journey from Amsterdam Airport to the city center takes about 20 minutes.

Where does the Uber/Bolt drive? Where the vehicle you have ordered will be waiting for you varies. You can determine and view the exact pick-up location in the app.

How much does the Uber/Bolt cost? An Uber or Bolt ride from the airport to the center of Amsterdam costs between 30 and 40 euros.

Advantages:

  • The transfer is super relaxed
  • The fixed price is displayed before the journey
  • Practical door-to-door service
  • No breakdowns
  • Drive all day
  • You can even get cool tips from the driver (they’re always super nice!)

Disadvantages:

  • Much more expensive than bus and train
  • If you have a lot of luggage, children or dogs, you have to order a special Uber, which costs more
  • Determining the pick-up location is not always easy
  • Cars are not allowed to drive and park everywhere in the center of Amsterdam

To book one of the transport services from Amsterdam Airport, you need to download the relevant free app. It’s best to do this before you start your journey so that you only have to order the car with a few clicks when you get there.

For Groups: Airport Taxi

Taxis also take you from the airport to the city
Taxis also take you from the airport to the city

If you’re traveling to Amsterdam as a group, it’s also worth taking a taxi from Amsterdam Airport to the city.

Just like Uber and Bolt, taxis offer a great door-to-door service. Shared by several people, the costs are no longer that high.

When does the taxi run? The airport taxis run all day from and to Amsterdam Airport. However, if you have not booked your taxi online in advance, you should be prepared for a longer wait.

Where does the taxi go? The official taxis are located directly at the arrivals terminal. You can’t miss them.

How much does a taxi cost? A taxi ride in Amsterdam costs at least the basic fee of 7.50 euros for 2 kilometers.
The transfer from the airport to the city center costs between 40 euros and 60 euros. Divided by a group of 3 or 4 people, that’s 13 to 20 euros per person.

Advantages

  • Practical door-to-door service
  • Good for groups
  • Taxis have more ride and stop options in Amsterdam than Uber/Bolt
  • No breakdowns
  • Run all day

Disadvantages

  • Comparatively expensive
  • There are cases of taxi fraud
  • Possible waiting times at the airport if you have not reserved a taxi online in advance

Attention! There are occasional cases of taxi fraud at Amsterdam Airport. Men in high-visibility vests or with taxi signs lure travelers from legal to illegal taxis and charge far too high prices. So only take taxis from the official taxi ranks.

Book a taxi online in advance

FAQ about Transfers from Amsterdam Airport

Finally, we would like to answer some frequently asked questions about airport transfers in Amsterdam:

How far is Amsterdam airport from the city?

Schiphol Airport is 18 kilometers from Amsterdam Central Station. It takes about 15 to 25 minutes from the airport to the city center.

How do I get from Amsterdam Airport to Central Station?

The easiest way to get from Amsterdam Airport to Amsterdam-Centraal is to take the local train.

The trains run every 10 minutes, have no intermediate stops and the journey only takes 15 minutes.

Train ticket Amsterdam Schiphol/Amsterdam Centraal

Can I take regular buses from Amsterdam Airport to the city?

The normal GVB city buses also run to the airport and back, but the routes are very inconvenient for travelers.

If you want to know more about public transport in Amsterdam, read our article about Amsterdam public transport.

If you want to take the bus from Amsterdam Airport to the city center, we recommend the Airport Express Bus. It is not operated by the municipal public transport company GVB, but by the private bus operator Connexxion.

Comfortable 25-minute ride at a super fair price.

Boo an Airport Express Bus Ticket

Which transfer option is best with children?

If you want to travel from Schiphol Airport to the city center with children, we recommend taking the local train.

The trip is cheap at 6 euros, children under 8 travel free and you can get to the main train station in 15 minutes.

From the main station you can either continue driving or simply walk to the accommodation – that’s how we always do it.

Train ticket Amsterdam

Is the airport transfer included in the I Amsterdam City Card?

Unfortunately not. The transfer from Schiphol Airport is not included in the I Amsterdam City Card, nor in any of the other Amsterdam City Passes.

These were our tips for transfers from Amsterdam airport

Do you also have a recommendation for transfers from Amsterdam airport? Feel free to share it with us in the comments.