How to Travel from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to Central Station by Train or Bus
How to get from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) to Amsterdam Centraal. Compare NS Dutch Trains (14 min), Airport Express Bus 397, OVpay, and transit fares.
- ✓The NS Dutch Railways train connects Schiphol Airport Station to Amsterdam Centraal in 14–17 minutes for €4.90 using contactless payment.
- ✓The Amsterdam Airport Express Bus 397 provides a direct connection to the Museum Quarter (Museumplein and Leidseplein) in 30 minutes for €6.50.
- ✓OVpay contactless payment allows foreign bank cards and Apple Pay to tap directly at yellow reader poles, avoiding the €1 disposable ticket surcharge.
Touching down at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) places you 15 kilometers (9 miles) southwest of the historic canal belt. Connecting to the city center is one of the smoothest airport transit trips in Europe.
Deciding between the direct NS Dutch Railways train (to Amsterdam Centraal) and the Amsterdam Airport Express Bus 397 (to the Museum Quarter and Leidseplein) comes down to where your hotel sits in the canal network.
Quick Comparison: Schiphol Airport (AMS) to Amsterdam City Routes
| Transport Option | Destination Hub | Travel Time | One-Way Fare (EUR / USD) | Frequency | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NS Dutch Railways Train (Direct) | Amsterdam Centraal Station | 14–17 mins | €4.90 (~$5.30 USD) | Every 6–10 mins | Fastest, zero traffic, canal belt hotels & Red Light District |
| Airport Express Bus 397 (Connexxion) | Leidseplein / Museumplein | 28–35 mins | €6.50 (~$7.00 USD) | Every 8–10 mins | Staying near Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum & Vondelpark |
| NS Night Train (Nachtnet) | Amsterdam Centraal | 15 mins | €4.90 (~$5.30 USD) | Every 60 mins (01:00–05:00) | Late-night & early-morning red-eye flights |
| Official Airport Taxi / Uber | Direct door-to-door | 25–40 mins | €50–€65 (~$55–$70 USD) | 24 Hours on demand | Traveling in a group of 3–4 with heavy luggage |
Destination Match: Choosing Between the Train and Bus 397
- For stays near Amsterdam Centraal, the northern Jordaan, or along the northern canal rings, take the non-stop NS train directly to Centraal Station.
- If your hotel is located in the southern cultural district around Museumplein, the Rijksmuseum, or Leidseplein, the Airport Express Bus 397 brings you straight to your neighborhood without an extra tram transfer.
- Travelers heading to business conferences near the RAI Convention Centre or Zuidas financial district can catch frequent direct trains to Amsterdam Zuid in just 6 minutes.
NS Dutch Railways Train: Direct to Amsterdam Centraal
The NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) rail network provides express frequency straight from the terminal:
- Platforms sit directly beneath Schiphol Plaza, accessed via central escalators.
- Non-stop trains take 14 to 17 minutes, departing every 6 to 10 minutes throughout the day.
- Most trains are modern double-decker Sprinter or Intercity sets with overhead luggage space and wide vestibules.
- Tapping with a contactless card or mobile wallet through OVpay costs €4.90. Purchasing a single-use paper chip card at station kiosks incurs a €1.00 issuance surcharge (€5.90 total).
Airport Express Bus 397: Direct to the Museum Quarter
For travelers staying in the cultural district around Museumplein, Vondelpark, or Leidseplein, Bus 397 eliminates transferring through the central station:
- Board at Bus Platforms B15 through B19 located outside Schiphol Plaza.
- Major stops include Olympic Stadium, Museumplein (near the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum), and Leidseplein.
- Travel time is around 30 minutes to Leidseplein.
- The standard one-way ticket is €6.50 (€11.75 return). Tap your contactless card or phone upon boarding and exiting.
- Overnight connections along the same route are maintained by Night Bus N97 on hourly intervals.
Step-by-Step: Tapping In with OVpay at Schiphol
Boarding the NS Train at Schiphol Airport using OVpay
Exit Customs into Schiphol Plaza Concourse
Schiphol Arrivals HallAfter collecting your luggage, exit through the automatic customs doors into Schiphol Plaza. The train departure boards are prominently displayed overhead.
Tap Contactless Card / Apple Pay on Yellow OVpay Pole
OVpay Reader PoleDo NOT queue at the yellow ticket kiosks! Walk to any yellow reader post, tap your physical contactless Visa/Mastercard or iPhone, and hear the confirmation beep.
Take Escalator Down to Platforms 1–3 and Board
NS Intercity TrainTake the escalator down to the underground platform. Board any train indicating 'Amsterdam Centraal' as a stopping point. Stow luggage in overhead racks or between seat backs.
Recommended Central Accommodations Near Amsterdam Centraal and Canal Ring
Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam & Kimpton De Witt (Centraal)
📍 Steps from Amsterdam Centraal Station, Dam Square, and the Canal Ring
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Deciding on the Best Transit Route for Your Amsterdam Stay
Taking the NS train (€4.90, 14 to 17 minutes) is the fastest option if your accommodation sits near Amsterdam Centraal, the northern canal ring, or the Jordaan, as well as for passengers catching high-speed Eurostar connections toward London, Brussels, or Paris. If your hotel is located around Museumplein, Leidseplein, or Vondelpark, the Airport Express Bus 397 (€6.50, 30 minutes) drops you directly along museum avenue without requiring a tram change with heavy suitcases. Taxis and app rides (€50–€65) are useful for late-night family arrivals with bulky luggage seeking direct curbside delivery.