Schiphol Airport is the Netherlands' main international airport, just 21 kilometers (13 miles) from Amsterdam's historic city center. Once you've landed, getting into the city is easy. You don't need to worry about a rental car; connections are frequent, affordable, and reliable.

The best way to travel to Amsterdam is by train.

But you've got a few other options too:

• 🚌 Bus: Good for neighborhoods that lie outside of rail connections (mostly in the south).
• 🚖 Taxi: Door-to-door, but pricey

Rental cars are also available from the airport; however, traffic, parking restrictions, and parking costs make them a less viable, convenient, economical, and environmentally friendly option. If you choose to book a rental, we advise asking the rental company for advice regarding travel into the city.

Plan ahead with the NS app

Before arriving at Schiphol, it's worth checking your route using the official NS journey planner, which is also available in the free NS app.

You can plan trips weeks in advance or check live departure information once you land. The app provides door-to-door travel advice, including connections with buses, trams, and metro lines, so you'll know exactly how to get from the airport to your hotel.

Depending on where you're staying, the planner may suggest skipping Amsterdam Centraal and heading to a more convenient stop, like:

• Amsterdam Zuid (South) (business district, hotels)
• Amsterdam RAI (conference centre)
• Amsterdam Sloterdijk (western hub)
• Amsterdam Centraal (city centre)

Once you're at the station, departure screens show real-time train information. NS staff are available and happy to help and speak English.

NS Journey Planner

Paying for public transport

All Dutch public transport is available without paper tickets. You can pay for travel by:

• Tapping in and out with your debit or credit card In the Netherlands this is called Checking-in/out. It works just like using contactless in London or New York. Tap in when entering a station, bus, or tram, and don't forget to tap out when you arrive. This option only works for Mastercard and Visa-branded cards. Be sure to clear your card for use in the Netherlands before traveling.
• Using the NS app, GVB app or a ticket machine The NS app and GVB app give live schedules, updates, and lets you buy in-app tickets. Ticket machines are near the check-in gates and are available in many languages including English.
• Purchase tickets from the NS kiosk Ticket kiosks are located at the station. Here, you can purchase physical tickets from an NS employee.
• Purchase tickets from driver/tram kiosk On busses you can buy a ticket from the driver, and trams have information desks for purchasing tickets.

Image of NS Ticket Machine.

Note: Dutch trains do not require seat reservations. You can board any train if you've checked in with a valid debit or credit card or have a valid ticket.

If you're using a ticket, make sure it's valid for the correct date and route, as tickets are only valid for the specific journey they were purchased for.

Taking the train from Schiphol

Schiphol's train station is located directly beneath the airport terminal. After picking up your bags, follow the yellow "Trains" signs; you'll reach the station in just a few minutes.

Image of airport signage

The Dutch National Railway (Nederlandse Spoorwegen, more commonly known as the NS) operates trains. Services run every 10 to 15 minutes, and the journey into Amsterdam takes 5 to 15 minutes, depending on your destination.

At Schiphol Airport, you must check in on the yellow check-in poles in front of the platform stairs and escalators. Most other stations have traditional ticket gates.

Switching to metro, tram, or bus

Once you arrive at your station, you might need to take another form of public transport to reach your hotel.

Amsterdam has an excellent local transport system operated by GVB (the city's transit agency), providing frequent Metro, tram, and bus connections.

For directions and real-time travel info, check:

• The NS journey planner: Door-to-door directions but primarily used for planning journeys with train connections.
• GVB app: focused on metro/tram/bus within Amsterdam

Transfers

You can easily transfer from NS trains to GVB metros, trams, and buses when checking-in/out with your bank card. Just check-in and out each time you change mode of transport.

In some stations, you can transfer directly between metros and trains on the same platform. In these stations you'll see check-in/out poles. To make sure you pay the correct fare tap out and in again. (Metros use blue poles, NS yellow).

Taking the bus from Schiphol

Buses leave from the Schiphol Plaza area outside Arrivals.

• Bus 397 goes to Amsterdam Zuid, Museumplein, and Leidseplein
• Travel time: around 35 to 45 minutes
• Tickets: Buy at red kiosks, on board (card only), or tap in/out with your bank card

This is a good alternative if you're staying near the museums or in the southern part of the city.

You can tap in and out with your contactless debit or credit card. No need to buy a separate ticket.

Taking a taxi from Schiphol

Taxis are available outside Arrivals 1–3, at the official rank. You can pre-book a taxi with services like Welcomepickups, Sneleentaxi.

• Ride time: 25 to 35 minutes
• Cost: Around €50 to €60
• Payment: Cards usually accepted
• Ignore anyone offering taxis inside the terminal, always go to the official taxi rank
• Rideshares like Uber and Bolt also operate from designated pick-up zones

For official taxi advice, please see Schiphol's website.

Accessibility on trains, trams, buses, and metros

Public transport in the Netherlands is generally accessible for travelers with reduced mobility or disabilities.

Trains (NS)

• Most NS trains are accessible for wheelchair users and people with mobility aids
• Newer trains have low-floor entry, wheelchair spaces, and accessible toilets
• Many stations have elevators or ramps to reach platforms
• NS offers free travel assistance, which can be booked in advance via their Travel Assistance service
• Staff are on hand at all major stations and speak English
• SOS and Information pillars are on hand in all stations/platforms to request assistance

Image of SOS and Info pillar

Metros, trams, and buses (GVB)

Most but not all GVB trams, metros, and buses are low-floor and accessible. When planning a journey with the GVB planner toggle "Accessible Journey" on to make sure you get accessible travel advice (see image below).

In general:

• Metro stations have elevators and wide entry gates
• Newer trams are designed to allow easy access for wheelchair users, though some older models have steps
• Bus drivers and tram conductors will offer assistance if requested/needed

For more details on accessible travel, visit ns.nl and gvb.nl.

Top travel tips

• Public transport should almost always get you from a-to-z. They're fast, frequent, and affordable
• Check-in and out with your bank card to avoid having to queue for ticket machines or kiosks
• Don't worry about changing between modes of transport. Transport hubs are easy to navigate, and switches can often be made from a single platform
• Use the NS journey planner, GVB app, or 9292.nl to plan your journeys