Transfer from/to Amsterdam

If you are travelling to Amsterdam you will most likely be taking a flight to Schiphol, the most important airport in the Netherlands. As such, it is very well connected so I'm going to tell you how to get between the airport and the city.

There are many reasons why you might want to hire a private transfer service to get between Amsterdam airport and your destination, even if it costs more than a train or bus. If you are travelling late at night, with a family, or if you are not fluent in English, hiring a private transfer service will make your journey easier and more comfortable.

This door-to-door service has private cars with professional drivers and a capacity for up to 6 passengers with one suitcase each, and picks you up throughout the day, making the journey in around 20 minutes.

How it works on arrival at the airport

To go from the airport to your accommodation, the driver will wait for you for 45 minutes after your plane has landed so that you can pick up your luggage without haste and with an identification plate with your name on it so that you can locate it. The pick-up point at the airport is located one floor above the baggage reclaim area and is at exit 3, gate D.

How it works on your return, when you leave the hotel

In reverse, the system is very similar. You will have to provide your hotel details and the pick-up time where the driver will wait for you punctually for up to 20 minutes. If I may give you a piece of advice, allow plenty of time before your return to the airport so that traffic will not be a problem.

What is included in this private service

With the Amsterdam Airport Express you can get between Amsterdam city centre and Amsterdam Airport in about 40 minutes. Their buses, line 397, depart from bus stops B15-19 outside the airport every 7.5 minutes. They also run a night service, the Niteliner N97, which follows the same route.

A single ticket for the bus between Amsterdam Airport and the city centre can be purchased online in advance.

When I recommend this option

This bus is recommended for getting directly to a specific location in Amsterdam as it makes several strategically placed stops. If your accommodation is in the city centre, for example, you may want to get off at the Leidseplein stop, while other stops of interest are at the Rijksmuseum, Museumplein and the Olympic Stadium, ending at the Elandsgracht Bus Station.

The Amsterdam Airport Express can accommodate up to 20 people and bulky luggage and is fully equipped with free Wi-Fi, child seats and air-conditioning, as well as being wheelchair, pushchair and pet friendly.

Bus timetables are Monday to Sunday from 00:00 to 23:30.

Another possibility when travelling to Amsterdam is to take one of the hundreds of cruise ships that depart from the port. To facilitate your arrival from the airport to the port, there is a private transfer service to the port that will take you there in about 20 to 40 minutes.

How the service works

A professional bilingual driver, in English and Dutch, will wait for you at the arrivals terminal of the airport, holding a sign with your name on it, for up to an hour. After this time the driver will contact you to verify your location and arrival time. If you are delayed for more than an hour, the company will arrange a new pick-up and extra fees may be charged.

These private vehicles are fully adapted for the transport of wheelchair users and children in need of car seats with an extra child seat service.

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The train

Trains are a common way of getting between Amsterdam city centre and Schiphol airport. Trains run very frequently, about 9 trains per hour, 24 hours a day, from the station under the Schiphol Plaza building and arrive at Amsterdam Central Station in about 15-20 minutes.

If you buy your tickets online or with an OV-Chipkaart card, the train fare is cheaper and starts from €4 per person in second class and from €7 in first class. You can also buy them on arrival at the yellow ticket machines at Schiphol Plaza or at the NS offices at the airport's Meeting Point, but you will have to pay a €1 supplement for the Smart Card.

The country's main train company is Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) and the journey from the airport to the centre of the capital can be made by Intercity Direct and Sprinter trains (via Lelylaan and Sloterdijk). Direct trains to Utrecht, The Hague and Rotterdam are also available from Amsterdam Airport.

The Taxi

If you are travelling with several people or have a lot of luggage, there is also the option of taking a taxi between Amsterdam Airport and your accommodation, which will take you to the city centre in about half an hour.