The fastest way from Schiphol into Amsterdam is the train. It leaves from directly under the airport, runs every few minutes, and reaches the city in well under 20 minutes. Take it to Amsterdam Zuid if your meetings are in the Zuidas business district or near the RAI. Take it to Amsterdam Centraal if your hotel is in the centre. A taxi is the easy, expensive fallback at around 40 to 50 euros.
That is the short answer. Below are the details that save a busy traveller the guesswork.
Which station should you get off at?
This is the one decision that matters, and it depends entirely on where you need to be.
- Amsterdam Zuid: for the Zuidas (ING, ABN AMRO, WTC, the law and finance cluster) and the RAI convention centre. The train from Schiphol takes roughly 6 to 9 minutes. If you are here for work in the south, get off here. Do not ride on to Centraal and double back.
- Amsterdam Centraal: for the historic centre and most city centre hotels. About 15 to 20 minutes from Schiphol.
- Amsterdam RAI: handy if your event is at the RAI specifically.
Schiphol to the city: your options at a glance
| Option | Time to centre | Rough cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train (NS) | ~15 to 20 min (Centraal), ~6 to 9 min (Zuid) | ~€4 to 7 one way | Almost everyone: fastest and cheapest |
| Taxi | ~25 to 35 min in traffic | ~€40 to 50 | Lots of luggage, very early or late, expense account |
| Uber / Bolt | ~25 to 35 min | Similar to taxi, sometimes less | Same as taxi, app based |
| Bus 397 (Airport Express) | ~30 to 40 min | ~€7 | Staying near Museumplein or Zuid West |
For a single traveller heading to a meeting, the train wins on every axis that matters: speed, cost, and not sitting in motorway traffic.
Our pick, honestly: for all of that, we still often take a taxi. It drops you right at the door, with no platforms, no transfers, and no dragging a bag through Centraal. If you would rather use Uber or Bolt, note that Schiphol has a dedicated app pickup zone, separate from the official taxi rank. Follow the “app taxi / Uber” signs rather than queueing at the stand.
Paying for it (don’t overthink it)
You can tap in and out with a contactless bank card or phone on NS trains and on the city’s GVB trams, metro and buses. There is no need to buy a paper ticket or a travel card for a short trip. Tap on the way in and again on the way out, and the fare is calculated automatically.
Getting around once you’re here
- Tram & metro (GVB): the centre and Zuidas are well covered. The North South metro line connects Centraal and Amsterdam Zuid in minutes.
- Walking: the centre is compact, and for many meetings it is faster than waiting for a tram.
- Taxi, Uber or Bolt: fine for early starts, luggage or crossing the city quickly.
- Bikes: everywhere, and very Amsterdam, but rarely the right call in a suit between meetings. Skip it unless you have time to spare.
A few things that save time
- Trains run through the night, less frequently, so a late landing is not a problem.
- Stand near the doors at Schiphol. The platforms are busy and stops are short.
- If two or more of you are travelling together with luggage, a taxi split can rival the train on cost and beats it on convenience.
FAQ
How do I get from Schiphol to Amsterdam city centre? The train to Amsterdam Centraal is fastest and cheapest, about 15 to 20 minutes for roughly 4 to 7 euros. Taxis and ride hailing take 25 to 35 minutes and cost around 40 to 50 euros.
How much is the train from Schiphol to Amsterdam? Roughly 4 to 7 euros one way, depending on your destination station. Amsterdam Zuid is the closest and cheapest; Centraal is slightly more.
How far is Schiphol from the centre of Amsterdam? About 15 km. By train it is 15 to 20 minutes to Centraal; by road it is 25 to 35 minutes depending on traffic.
How do I get from Schiphol to the Zuidas? Take the train to Amsterdam Zuid. It is only about 6 to 9 minutes and puts you right in the business district.
Do I need to buy a ticket in advance? No. Tap in and out with a contactless bank card or phone on both the trains and city transport.