AtlasSearch

AMS → Amsterdam

Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam

The quickest way from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal is usually the NS train (15–20 min). It is also the cheapest option. Landing late, use Taxi (meter).

  1. AMSArrivalsSchiphol Airport station, directly under Schiphol Plaza
  2. NS train · 15–20 min
  3. Amsterdam CentraalNS (Dutch Railways)
  4. Onward to the centre
  5. Amsterdam CentraalAmsterdam

Amsterdam Centraal is 12 km (8 mi) from the terminal in a straight line.

Checked against sources:· How we verify

AMSAmsterdam Centraal12 km (8 mi)straight line · actual routes vary
Markers only: Schiphol (AMS) and Amsterdam Centraal. Routes depend on the mode; see each option below.

Best option by situation

Cheapest
NS train
Fastest
NS train
Arriving late
Taxi (meter)
With kids
NS train, Taxi (meter)
Heavy luggage
NS train, Amsterdam Airport Express (bus 397)

Every option compared

OptionFrom → toTimePriceHours
NS train
NS (Dutch Railways)		Schiphol Airport station, directly under Schiphol Plaza → Amsterdam Centraal15–20 minVariesAbout 8 trains an hour; hourly night trains
Taxi (meter)
Schiphol taxi rank		Official taxi rank in front of Schiphol Plaza → Door to door20–40 minVariesOn demand
Amsterdam Airport Express (bus 397)
Connexxion		Bus stop B17, to the right outside Schiphol Plaza → Museumplein, Rijksmuseum and Leidseplein25–40 min€6.50
as of 1 October 2026		Every 10 minutes; night bus N97 hourly

Step by step

NS train train

Pick-up
Schiphol Airport station, directly under Schiphol Plaza
Goes to
Amsterdam Centraal
Time
15–20 min
Frequency
About 8 trains an hour; hourly night trains
Payment
Tap in and out with a contactless bank card or phone (OVpay), or buy a ticket at the machines
Luggage
Easy; lifts down to the platforms
  1. From arrivals, walk into Schiphol Plaza and take the escalators or lifts down to the platforms.
  2. Tap in at the gates with a contactless card (and tap out at Centraal) or use a ticket.
  3. Check the departure board for Amsterdam Centraal; most trains take under 20 minutes.

Taxi (meter) taxi

Pick-up
Official taxi rank in front of Schiphol Plaza
Goes to
Door to door
Time
20–40 min
Frequency
On demand
Payment
Meter; cards accepted
Luggage
Plenty of space
  1. Use the official taxi rank outside arrivals and agree nothing with drivers approaching you inside.

Amsterdam Airport Express (bus 397) bus

Pick-up
Bus stop B17, to the right outside Schiphol Plaza
Goes to
Museumplein, Rijksmuseum and Leidseplein
Time
25–40 min
Price
€6.50 (1 October 2026)
Frequency
Every 10 minutes; night bus N97 hourly
Payment
Card or phone on board (no cash), OVpay, or an e-ticket
Luggage
Luggage space on board
  1. Leave Schiphol Plaza and turn right to bus stop B17.
  2. Pay by card on board (no cash) or tap with OVpay.
  3. Get off at Rijksmuseum, Museumplein or Leidseplein: better than the train if you're staying in the museum quarter.

Schiphol airport guide →

Sources

  • en.wikipedia.org — airport and airlines-and-destinations table, checked 2026-10-01
  • schiphol.nl — station under Schiphol Plaza, trains to Amsterdam Centraal
  • iamsterdam.com — eight trains an hour, about 17 minutes to Centraal
  • schiphol.nl — official taxi rank at Schiphol Plaza
  • connexxion.nl — stop B17, every 10 minutes, from €6.50, card-only payment, N97 night bus

Report a change — seen something different at the airport or on the airline's site? We re-check and log corrections publicly.