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AMS

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Where to start
Intercity Train

The NS Sprinter train from directly underneath Schiphol Plaza is the right choice for almost every traveler — about 17 minutes to Amsterdam Centraal, frequent service, tap with contactless. Taxi and Uber both work but rarely beat the train. Uber and Bolt use the airport's designated app pickup point near Koepelstraat — a short walk from Schiphol Plaza, separate from the taxi rank.

Ride Options

Uber

rideshare

Convenient to Amsterdam neighborhoods not on a direct train route

AvailabilityCommonly available
Pickup NoteDesignated rideshare pickup area in the car park near arrivals.
Convenience
Relative costMid cost
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Intercity Train (NS)

transit

Fastest, most affordable option to Amsterdam Centraal and beyond

AvailabilityTrains every 10–15 minutes, 24/7
Pickup NoteSchiphol Plaza station is directly under the terminal. Follow train signs. Amsterdam Centraal in ~15–20 min.
Convenience
Relative costLower cost
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Official Schiphol Taxi

taxi

Direct service with luggage to hotel; useful late at night

AvailabilityAvailable 24/7
Pickup NoteTaxi rank outside Arrivals Hall 2. Only use official Schiphol Taxis — avoid illegal taxis.
Convenience
Relative costHigher cost
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SIXT Ride — Pre-booked Airport Transfer

Private Transfer

Fixed-rate pre-booked door-to-door transfer

AvailabilityAvailable at Amsterdam Schiphol — book via SIXT app or website
Pickup NoteDriver meets you in arrivals with a name sign. Fixed price, flight tracking, up to 60 min free waiting.
Convenience
Relative costHigher cost
Book Transfer

Bolt

rideshare

Often more affordable than Uber in Amsterdam

AvailabilityAvailable in Amsterdam
Pickup NoteRequest your Bolt at the designated rideshare pickup area near Arrivals Hall 2.
Convenience
Relative costMid cost
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Pickup Guidance

Rideshare

Uber and Bolt both operate, but pickup is at the airport's designated app pickup point near Koepelstraat — a short walk from Schiphol Plaza, separate from the taxi rank. Follow the in-app pin and "App pick-up" signage. Standard surge applies at peaks.

Taxi

Use only licensed taxis — white cars with blue "TX" plates — from the official rank in front of Schiphol Plaza at ground level. Metered fares with no airport surcharge; some drivers quote an inflated flat rate, so insist on the meter.

Shuttle

Hotel shuttles and cross-border coaches use the designated hotel-shuttle area outside Schiphol Plaza — confirm your hotel's pickup point in advance.

Transit

NS trains run from the station directly beneath Schiphol Plaza (follow "Trains" signs, step-free via escalators/lifts). Sprinters reach Amsterdam Centraal in ~17 min, 8 times an hour; Intercity Direct serves Amsterdam Zuid; Rotterdam ~35 min, The Hague ~25 min. Tap your contactless card or OV-chipkaart at the yellow poles on both entry and exit — forgetting to tap out triggers a steep default fare.

Private Transfer

Pre-booked transfers wait at Schiphol Plaza with a name sign; the meet-and-greet point is near the main exit.

Travel Extras

Need a SIM?Need a lounge?Need a hotel?Need bag storage?

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Local Tips

  • Always use the NS train — it's the fastest and lowest-cost way to Amsterdam Centraal.
  • Never accept rides from unofficial taxi drivers approaching you in the terminal.
  • OV-chipkaart or bank contactless payment works for all NS trains.
  • NS Intercity train runs from AMS to Amsterdam Centraal in ~17 min, low fare — by far the fastest and lowest-cost option.
  • Uber and Bolt both operate at AMS — Bolt usually wins on price during off-peak.

Tarmyq local tip

Tap your contactless card at the yellow poles both when boarding AND when leaving the train — if you only tap in, the system charges a default fare around four times the regular cost.