Amsterdam Airport Schiphol: where to stay, areas and recommended…

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.

Schiphol, in-terminal hotels

At the airport · 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 in this area

Sheraton Amsterdam Airport Hotel and Conference Center: Linked to the terminal by a covered passage, about 2 minutes on foot from the arrivals and departures halls; it stands above the railway station.
Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol: Reachable from the terminal by a covered passage, without a shuttle; more than 400 rooms and meeting rooms, handy for business travellers.
citizenM Schiphol Airport: A hotel about 250 metres from the terminal, 4 minutes on foot along a covered route; self check-in and guest assistance available 24 hours a day.

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Amsterdam Zuid and Zuidas

Neighbourhood · 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 in this area

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.

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Amsterdam Centraal

Near the airport link · 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 in this area

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.

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