The NS train is the best way from Schiphol into Amsterdam — about 17 minutes to Amsterdam Centraal for roughly €5–€7 one-way (including any single-use card surcharge), with up to eight trains an hour. The station is directly beneath the terminal, so there is nothing to arrange. The Airport Express bus 397 is handy for the museum quarter, while a taxi only makes sense for door-to-door convenience, late arrivals or heavy luggage.
Your main options
Schiphol has a railway station built into the terminal, a direct express bus to the city's south-west, and a taxi rank. The right pick depends on your budget, your luggage and exactly where in Amsterdam you are heading.
Comparison: Schiphol to central Amsterdam
| Option | Journey time | Indicative fare (one-way)* | Frequency | Goes to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NS train | ~17 min to Amsterdam Centraal | ~€5–€7 (incl. single-use card surcharge) | Up to 8/hour | Amsterdam Centraal (and other city stations) |
| Airport Express bus 397 | ~30–40 min | ~€6.50 | Roughly every 10 min (daytime) | Museumplein, Rijksmuseum, Leidseplein |
| Taxi | ~25–45 min (traffic-dependent) | ~€35–€55 metered (can reach ~€75) | On demand | Any door-to-door |
*Fares and times are indicative and change frequently — and reported train fares vary by source (around €5–€7 one-way). Verify the current price on the official source before you travel; treat these figures as unconfirmed until checked. For the train, a contactless bank card or an OV-chipkaart is usually the simplest way to pay.
The verdict
- Best overall — NS train: fastest and cheapest, with the station directly under the terminal and frequent departures. The default choice for almost everyone heading to the centre.
- For the museum quarter — bus 397: drops you near Museumplein, the Rijksmuseum and Leidseplein without changing, which can beat the train-plus-tram for those destinations.
- Taxi: only for door-to-door convenience, very early or late arrivals, heavy bags or a group splitting the cost — expect to pay several times the train fare. Use the official taxi rank and check the meter is running.
Best for whom
- First-time visitor heading to the centre or Centraal area: NS train.
- Staying near the museums or Leidseplein: Airport Express bus 397.
- Tight on budget: NS train (cheapest and fastest).
- Late arrival, heavy luggage or travelling as a group: taxi (split between passengers it can be competitive).
Confirm live times and fares before you travel on the official sources: NS (Dutch Railways), I amsterdam — getting from Schiphol and Schiphol — to and from the airport. See also our Schiphol Wi-Fi guide and Schiphol lounges guide. Last reviewed: June 2026.
