Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) is one of Europe's busiest hubs, yet it sits only 18 km from the city center. Your options into town: the NS train — ~$5.50 (€5), 15-17 min, effectively 24/7; the Airport Express bus 397 — ~$7 (€6.50), ~30 min; a taxi or Uber/Bolt — 25-40 min, $44-77.
🚇 Ways into the center
- NS train → Amsterdam Centraal: 15-17 min, ~$5.50 (€5)
- Bus 397 (Airport Express) → Leidseplein / Museumplein: ~30 min, ~$7 (€6.50)
- Night bus N97: runs all night, ~$7
- Uber / Bolt: 25-40 min, $44-60 (€40-55)
- Official taxi: $55-77 (€50-70)
🚆 The NS train — the best pick
The train station is directly beneath the terminal — from the arrivals hall (Schiphol Plaza) an escalator takes you straight down to the platform. Amsterdam Centraal is 15-17 minutes away; trains run every 5-10 minutes during the day and hourly at night, so the service effectively operates 24/7.
The easiest way to pay is OVpay: tap your contactless bank card on the gate when entering (check-in) and again when leaving (check-out) — the system charges the fare automatically.
- Ticket: ~$5.50 (€5) — via OVpay, ticket machines or the NS app
- From Centraal the old town is a 5-10 minute walk
- Every carriage has luggage space; crowds only at rush hour
Don't forget to check out with OVpay — otherwise the system charges you the maximum fare.
🚌 Bus 397 and the night N97
If your hotel is in the museum quarter or near Leidseplein, bus 397 can actually beat the train — it stops right in those neighbourhoods. The stop is just outside Schiphol Plaza; buy tickets from the driver, a machine or the app.
After midnight the night bus N97 takes over the same corridor — together with the train's sparse overnight schedule, it's a solid backup.
🚖 Taxis and apps
The official taxi rank is right outside Schiphol Plaza — $55-77 (€50-70) to the center, taking 25-40 minutes depending on traffic. Uber and Bolt both operate and usually cost $44-60 (€40-55) — the pickup zone is marked in the app.
Don't follow 'Taxi?' touts inside the terminal — take a licensed cab only from the official rank.
💡 Tips
- For planning the whole trip from Tbilisi, see Tbilisi → Amsterdam
- The I amsterdam City Card also covers public transport — well worth it for museum lovers
- Arriving late at night? The train still runs (hourly) — check the schedule in the NS app
- ETIAS phases in from H2 2026 — check whether you need the online authorization before flying
For other European airport transfers, see Berlin (BER) → city center and the broader comparison in Travel365's airport transfer guide. Find a cheap ticket to Amsterdam on the price calendar.
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