Amsterdam Airport Schiphol - Flight Information and Guide (AMS)

How to get to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

Amsterdam city center is approximately 15 km from the airport: the most convenient connection is the train, with approximately 17 minutes to Amsterdam Central Station.

By Car

Those arriving by car reach the city center of Amsterdam in approximately 20-30 minutes, with variable traffic.

By Train

The Intercity Direct train connects Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal in approximately 17 minutes, single ticket 5.50 euros; a weekly night train (Friday) also connects Groningen and Maastricht.

By Bus

A bus connects the airport to the city centre, single ticket 6.50 euros.

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Tips The train is generally the fastest and most economical solution to reach the city center: the station is located directly below the terminal.

Average travel time to AMS

Train17 minutes (6.20 euro)

Shuttle bus20-30 minutes (6.50 euro)

Taxi / Private hire20-30 minutes (40-60 euro, regulated rate)

Parking near Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

A multi-story parking structure stands next to the terminal.

Rates are among Europe's highest for a major hub, with discounts available for online advance bookings.

How to get to Amsterdam from AMS

By Train

The Intercity Direct train reaches Amsterdam Centraal in approximately 17 minutes (5.50 euros), the fastest and most economical solution.

By Bus

A bus connects the airport to the city center (6.50 euros).

By Taxi

Official taxis apply a rate regulated by the municipality, approximately 40-60 euros to the city center (with a cap around 47 euros); Uber and Bolt apply similar rates, 35-55 euros, plus an airport pickup surcharge.

Airport transfers you can book in advance

Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.

From AMS to the most sought-after destinations

If you want to...	Choose	Estimated cost
Spend less	Sprinter train (stops at all stations, including Sloterdijk and Zuid)	~5.50€
Reach Amsterdam Centraal as quickly as possible	Intercity Direct (17 min, no stops)	6.20€
Reach the museum district without transfers	Bus 397 Airport Express (direct to Museumplein)	6.50€
Have heavy luggage or a night flight	Taxi at regulated municipal rate	~40–60€

Schiphol → Amsterdam Centraal

It is the city's main railway hub: international trains depart from here, along with trams and metro lines to every neighborhood, plus boats to the historic center just outside the station.

Schiphol → Amsterdam Zuid / Zuidas

The business district with skyscrapers of major Dutch banks and multinationals is reached in just 8 minutes by train—faster even than the journey to Centraal.

Schiphol → RAI

Amsterdam RAI, the conference and exhibition hub, has its own railway station about 11 minutes from the airport, convenient for those attending trade fairs or conferences without needing to go through the city center.

Schiphol → Museumplein

To reach Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and Concertgebouw without transfers, bus 397 goes directly to the square every 10 minutes—a comfortable alternative for travelers with luggage who want to avoid the walk from the train station.

Car rental at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

The reference car rental companies have a desk in the arrivals area.

A driver's license, passport and credit card are all you need for a rental.

Hotels near Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

Schiphol has its station beneath the terminal and Amsterdam Centraal is 17 minutes away by train, with frequent services: the centre is close enough that the choice depends mainly on the flight time. With a departure before 8 it is best to pick one of the hotels linked on foot to the terminal, which removes any doubt about the morning train. For two or more nights in Amsterdam, however, it is better to sleep in the city: airport prices offer no advantage and you lose the atmosphere of the canals. Zuidas, with its station 8 minutes from the airport, is the middle ground for business travellers.

At the airport

Schiphol, in-terminal hotels

The Sheraton, Hilton and citizenM can be reached on foot from the arrivals area: the Sheraton is above the railway station, the Hilton is linked by a covered passage, and citizenM is about 250 metres away along a covered route.

Best for: Those leaving early or arriving late who want to go from bed to check-in without taking any transport.

Pros

A few minutes on foot from check-in, without relying on trains
The Sheraton sits above Schiphol station, useful for continuing by train the next day

Cons

Schiphol Plaza has only airport shops and restaurants: no city life
Amsterdam is 17 minutes away by train: a visit requires a return ticket

Recommended hotels

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Neighbourhood

Amsterdam Zuid and Zuidas

From Amsterdam Zuid station the train to Schiphol takes about 8 minutes; the citizenM South is a 5-minute walk from the station.

Best for: Business travellers or those wanting a compromise: the city close by and the airport a few minutes away by train.

Pros

By train it is about 8 minutes from Schiphol, faster than from Centraal
Metro and tram reach the centre in under 20 minutes

Cons

A district of skyscrapers and offices: quiet in the evening and at weekends
To reach the canals you still need transport, it is not walkable

Recommended hotels

citizenM Amsterdam South A 5-minute walk from Zuid station, with a train to Schiphol in about 6 minutes and the metro to the centre; small but modern rooms. View availability

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Near the airport link

Amsterdam Centraal

From the station the Intercity Direct takes you to Schiphol in 17 minutes; from Oosterdoksstraat it is about 5 minutes on foot to Centraal.

Best for: Those who want to see Amsterdam and leave with a single direct train to the airport.

Pros

Frequent trains to Schiphol, with no changes
Canals, the Dam and the historic districts can be reached on foot or by tram

Cons

Around the station the streets are crowded with tourists at almost any hour
With heavy luggage and a dawn departure you need to allow a good margin for the train

Recommended hotels

DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station A 5-minute walk from Centraal, with a view of the harbour; within a kilometre of Dam Square and the Royal Palace. View availability

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Airport services

Schiphol is among Europe's major aviation hubs, with global flight connections.

Shopping & Duty Free

The duty-free area ranks among Europe's largest, with Dutch cheese, tulips, jewelry, and luxury goods.

Lounges & relaxation

Each side of the border between the Schengen area and non-Schengen has its own lounges at Schiphol, and KLM, Aspire and Privium have a lounge on each side. The KLM Crown Lounges welcome business and SkyTeam status, but also accept paid entry from those flying economy outside peak hours. Those with Priority Pass or DragonPass use the Aspire Lounges, where you cannot enter too far ahead of the flight. Star Alliance and oneworld have lounges of their own, Privium is reserved for its members.

lounges: 9
with Priority Pass: 2
paid entry: from €41
earliest opening: 04:45

Which lounge to choose: full comparison

Connectivity & Wi-Fi

The entire terminal is covered by free Wi-Fi.

Families & Children

The terminal provides families with generous play areas plus standard assistance services.

Terminal guide

The airport has a single large terminal divided into areas (piers), among Europe's most efficient despite its size.

Better not to risk it: 2.5-3 hours in advance for international flights is the safest choice.

Map of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

Frequently asked questions

Q. Is the train or taxi better for getting to Amsterdam?

The train is clearly faster and cheaper (17 minutes, 6.20 euros) than a taxi (20-30 minutes, a regulated maximum fare of about 47 euros but often 55-65 euros in practice): the station is located directly beneath the terminal.

Q. Is it true there's a museum inside the airport?

Yes, a branch of the Rijksmuseum displays works by Dutch masters right inside the terminal, and it can be visited free of charge by all passengers.

Q. Why is Schiphol located below sea level?

The airport is built on a former polder (land reclaimed from the sea), a technique typical of Dutch hydraulic engineering.

Q. Do you need an OV-chipkaart to take the train from Schiphol?

No, for a tourist it's almost never necessary: a contactless credit or debit card tapped on the gates when entering and exiting is enough, or you can buy a single ticket at the automatic machines in the station below the terminal. The OV-chipkaart is only worth it for those staying long-term and using public transport daily.