Amsterdam Schiphol is one of the most passenger-friendly airports in Europe, partly because the city-centre connection is remarkably simple: a direct train runs from a station built directly beneath the terminal, reaching Amsterdam Centraal in about 15 minutes. Here is how that transfer works, and what the alternatives are if the train does not suit your journey.
The direct train — the obvious first choice
Schiphol Plaza, the main departures and arrivals area, sits directly above Schiphol station, which is accessed via escalators and lifts within the terminal — no outdoor walk, no shuttle bus. From there, intercity and Sprinter trains run to Amsterdam Centraal approximately every 5–10 minutes during the day. The journey takes about 15–20 minutes.
Trains from Schiphol also continue directly to other Dutch cities without a change: Amsterdam Centraal onwards to Utrecht, Rotterdam, The Hague (Den Haag) and Eindhoven are all reachable without changing at the airport. If your final destination is somewhere other than Amsterdam, it may be worth checking whether you can travel directly to that city rather than going via Centraal.
Tickets and the OV-chipkaart
The Dutch rail network is operated by NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen). You can pay with an OV-chipkaart (the national smartcard, available from yellow ticket machines at the station), a contactless bank card or phone (accepted on most NS services since 2023), or a standard NS ticket purchased at the yellow machines or online. Single tickets can be expensive if bought at peak times; check-in and check-out at the yellow card readers on the platform is required for the OV-chipkaart.
Note that there is a small supplement for travelling from or to Schiphol with certain ticket types — the machines will calculate this automatically.
Night trains
NS runs night trains (Nachttrein) between Schiphol and Amsterdam Centraal on Friday and Saturday nights, roughly once an hour. For late arrivals outside these hours, or on other nights, a taxi or night bus is the alternative. Check the NS night train timetable — it is limited, and gaps of an hour or more are possible in the early hours of the morning.
Bus from Schiphol
Several bus routes connect Schiphol to Amsterdam and surrounding areas. Bus stop A (ground floor of Schiphol Plaza) is the main departure point. Amsterdam-specific routes and connections to the wider GVB city bus network are available, useful for destinations not served by the direct train route. Journey times by bus are longer than by train — typically 40–60 minutes to central Amsterdam — but buses can be useful for destinations in western Amsterdam or areas away from Centraal.
International long-distance coaches (FlixBus and others) also depart from Schiphol for destinations across Europe. If you are arriving at Schiphol and need to connect directly to a European city by coach, check the FlixBus guide for options.
Taxi from Schiphol
Taxis queue at the official rank at Schiphol Plaza (follow signs to the taxi rank from arrivals). The fare to Amsterdam Centraal area is typically in the range of €35–€55 depending on time of day, traffic and precise destination. A surcharge often applies at night and at weekends. The journey takes about 20–30 minutes in normal traffic, and can be longer during rush hour on the A4 or A10 ring road.
Rideshare apps including Uber operate in Amsterdam and can be requested from the designated pick-up zone at Schiphol. Official taxis are white and display the taxi logo; avoid unlicensed drivers who may approach you in the terminal.
Cycling from Schiphol (really)
It is worth noting that Amsterdam's cycle infrastructure means you can, in theory, cycle from Schiphol to parts of Amsterdam — the airport has a cycle hire point. In practice, this is only a realistic option without luggage, in daylight and in good weather. But it says something about Amsterdam that the option exists at all.
Onward from Amsterdam Centraal
Amsterdam Centraal is the hub of the city's GVB public transport network. Trams depart from directly in front of the station entrance, the Metro is accessible from platforms below the main hall, and ferries across the IJ to Amsterdam Noord leave from the back of the station. The Amsterdam to Berlin and Paris to Amsterdam intercity trains also depart from Centraal, as do Thalys and Eurostar services to Brussels, Paris and London.
Quickest route in summary: descend to Schiphol station (within the terminal building), buy or tap a ticket, and take any direct train to Amsterdam Centraal. From the station, you are walking distance from the Dam, the canals and most central hotels. Door to door from the gate, about 30–40 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the train from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal take?
About 15–20 minutes on the direct train. Services run every 5–10 minutes during the day, so you will rarely wait long.
Is there a direct train from Schiphol to Rotterdam or The Hague?
Yes. Intercity trains from Schiphol run directly to The Hague (Den Haag Centraal) in about 30 minutes and Rotterdam Centraal in about 25 minutes, without needing to change at Amsterdam.
Can I use a contactless bank card on the train from Schiphol?
Yes — NS has introduced contactless payment on its trains. Tap your card or phone on the reader at the platform gate or on the train. The OV-chipkaart remains widely used and is available from machines at the station.
Are there night services between Schiphol and the city?
NS runs night trains on Friday and Saturday nights, roughly hourly. On other nights, services thin out significantly after midnight. A taxi or rideshare is the practical option for very late arrivals on weeknights.
Sources and further reading:
- Train timetables and ticketing: NS (ns.nl).
- Amsterdam city transport: GVB (gvb.nl).
- Taxi information: Schiphol official site (schiphol.nl).