Take the train. It costs €5.90, takes 17 minutes, and runs every 7 minutes during the day. You don't need to buy a ticket in advance — tap your contactless bank card or phone directly at the yellow OVpay gate. That's it.
The bus (line 397) only makes sense if you're heading straight to the Museumplein or Leidseplein area. The taxi almost never makes financial sense unless you have a specific reason.
Journey time at a glance
Full comparison
| Option | Price | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train | €5.90 | 17 min | Tap in with contactless card or phone at the yellow OVpay gate. No ticket needed. Runs every 7 minutes during the day, less frequent late at night. |
| Bus line 397 | €5.90 | 40–55 min | Runs to Leidseplein and Museumplein, which the train doesn't. Same OVpay tap-in. Only worth it if those neighbourhoods are your destination. |
| Taxi (metered) | €45–60 | 40–60 min | Same roads as the bus, same traffic. Legitimate use case: late at night with heavy luggage going somewhere the train doesn't reach. Use the official Schiphol taxi stand, not street touts. |
| Shared shuttle | €15–25 | 60–90 min | Makes multiple stops. Only worth it for door-to-door service. Book in advance; don't book at the airport. |
Which train, and which station to get off at
Two NS train types serve the Schiphol route: the Intercity (IC) and the Sprinter. Both call at Amsterdam Centraal and both cost the same via OVpay. The Intercity has fewer intermediate stops; the Sprinter stops more often. On this short route the difference is two or three minutes. Take whichever comes first on the platform.
Most travellers get off at Amsterdam Centraal: it is the main hub for trams, metro, ferries north across the IJ, and is walking distance from the historic centre.
If your accommodation is in the south of the city, near Museumplein, or in the Zuidas business district, get off one stop earlier at Amsterdam Zuid. The journey from Schiphol is about 11 minutes. Amsterdam Zuid connects directly to metro line 52, which runs north through De Pijp to Centraal, or south to the RAI convention centre. It is also considerably closer than going all the way to Centraal and doubling back south.
How to pay
Since 2023, OVpay has changed how you pay for trains and buses in the Netherlands. You no longer need a separate OV-chipkaart or a physical ticket for most journeys. Just tap your contactless Visa, Mastercard, or phone at the yellow reader when you enter and exit.
Tap on entry and tap off when you arrive. If you forget to tap off, you'll be charged the maximum fare for that route (€20+). It recalculates and refunds automatically if you have an account registered, but it takes a few days.
If your card doesn't support contactless, buy a single-use ticket from the NS machines in the main terminal. They accept most cards and cash.
Metro and tram connections once you arrive
All GVB metro and tram services use the same OVpay tap-in system as the NS train. Tap your contactless card when you board and again when you exit.
Metro
Amsterdam has five metro lines (50, 51, 52, 53, 54). The one most visitors need is line 52, the Noord/Zuid line. It runs from Amsterdam Noord through Centraal Station, Rokin (one stop from Dam Square), Vijzelgracht (near Rembrandtplein), and De Pijp, continuing south to Amsterdam Zuid, RAI, and further. If you are staying in De Pijp or want to travel south quickly from Centraal, line 52 is faster than the tram.
Lines 51, 53, and 54 serve the eastern and western ring suburbs. Line 50 is a ring line that bypasses the centre entirely. Most short-stay visitors will not need any of these.
Trams
Trams cover the centre and inner neighbourhoods that the metro does not reach. They run from early morning until around midnight, less frequent after 9pm. Key lines from Amsterdam Centraal:
- Tram 2 runs south along Leidsestraat to Leidseplein and on to Museumplein, closest to the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum. The most useful tram for most tourists.
- Tram 4 runs south via Rembrandtplein and Utrechtsestraat.
- Tram 12 runs south through the Museumplein corridor to Amstelveen. Same useful corridor as tram 2 for the museum quarter.
- Tram 14 runs east via Waterlooplein and the old Jewish Quarter.
- Tram 17 runs west through the Jordaan.
Late night and early morning
The regular train service from Schiphol runs from around 5am to 1am. After 1am, the night bus network takes over. The night bus doesn't go to Amsterdam Centraal directly — it stops at Leidseplein and a few other points in the city. Check the GVB night bus map before you land if you're arriving after midnight.
Taxis are the better option for late-night arrivals with luggage going to addresses not near a night bus stop. Use the official Schiphol taxi stand rather than drivers who approach you inside the terminal.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book the train in advance?
No. The Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal train runs frequently and doesn't require a booking. Just tap your contactless card at the gate.
Is there a direct train from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal?
Yes. Both the NS Intercity (IC) and the Sprinter stop at Amsterdam Centraal from Schiphol. The journey takes 17 minutes. Both train types cost the same via OVpay. Take whichever leaves first.
Should I get off at Amsterdam Centraal or Amsterdam Zuid?
Amsterdam Centraal for most visitors: it has the best onward connections and is within walking distance of the main sights. Get off at Amsterdam Zuid if you are staying near Museumplein, De Pijp, or the Zuidas business district. Amsterdam Zuid is about 11 minutes from Schiphol and connects directly to metro line 52.
What if I'm staying near Leidseplein or Museumplein?
Take bus 397 from Schiphol to Leidseplein. It costs the same as the train but takes 40–55 minutes. If speed matters, take the train to Centraal and then tram 2 or 12 south — it's often quicker overall.
Does my hotel offer a shuttle?
Most central Amsterdam hotels don't, because public transport is so convenient. If yours does, it will almost certainly be slower and more expensive than the train. Ask what it costs before you commit.