What is the cheapest way from Schiphol to central Amsterdam?

The NS train to Amsterdam Centraal, €5.50 one-way in 2nd class and about 17 minutes. Tap a contactless card via OVpay to avoid the €1.60 paper-ticket surcharge.

How long does the train from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal take?

About 17 minutes on the train, and roughly 25 minutes door-to-centre once you walk down to the station. Up to 8 trains run each hour, with hourly night trains after 01:00.

Do I need to buy a ticket, or can I just tap my bank card?

You can just tap any contactless bank card or phone at the grey OVpay posts — check in at Schiphol and out at Centraal for the same €5.50, with no paper-ticket surcharge. Give each traveller their own card.

Where is the train station at Schiphol?

Directly under the terminal, one level below Schiphol Plaza. There is only one station, so follow the 'Trains' signs down from arrivals.

How much is a taxi from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to the city?

Rarely — a metered taxi is about €50–80 to the centre, roughly ten times the €5.50 train and no faster in traffic. Avoid anyone calling 'taxi' inside the terminal; use the official rank or the train instead.

What is the best way from AMS to downtown Amsterdam?

For budget travellers the best way is also the cheapest: the NS train straight to Amsterdam Centraal in the city centre — €5.50 one-way in 2nd class, about 17 minutes.

How do you get from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) to downtown Amsterdam — the cheapest way?

The cheapest way from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) to central Amsterdam is the NS train straight to Amsterdam Centraal: it costs €5.50 one-way in 2nd class and takes about 17 minutes, with up to 8 trains an hour. Tap a contactless card at the OVpay gates rather than buying a paper ticket, which adds a €1.60 surcharge. Don't take a taxi or a 'Schiphol Travel Taxi' shuttle — those run €50–80 to the centre and are no faster.

How to find it

AIRPORTAmsterdam Airport Schiphol
01After baggage reclaim and customs, follow the 'Trains / Tickets' signs down to Schiphol Plaza. The single railway station sits directly under the terminal, so there is only one station to find — no transfer between buildings.
02Check the yellow departure screens for the next train to Amsterdam Centraal (platforms 1–4), then either tap a contactless card at the grey OVpay posts or buy a €5.50 e-ticket on the NS app before heading to the platform.
03Board the next Sprinter or Intercity heading to Amsterdam Centraal — both cost the same €5.50 and up to 8 run each hour, roughly 05:30–01:00, with hourly night trains after that. The ride is about 17 minutes.
04At Amsterdam Centraal, remember to tap out at the OVpay gates (or you'll be charged the maximum fare). From the station, trams, metro, buses and the free GVB ferries fan out across the centre.
CITY CENTREAmsterdam

Ticket

NS single train ticket, 2nd class (Schiphol Airport → Amsterdam Centraal)

Where to buy: Cheapest by tapping a contactless bank card or phone at the OVpay gates on the platform (standard €5.50 fare). Also buyable as an e-ticket on the NS app or ns.nl, or at the yellow NS machines on Schiphol Plaza; a paper disposable ticket adds a €1.60 surcharge (about €7.10).

How to pay: OVpay takes any contactless bank card or phone — tap in at Schiphol and tap out at Amsterdam Centraal, no ticket needed. E-tickets and machines take cards; machines also take coins. An OVpay tap or e-ticket needs no separate validation.

Local's trick: Skip the ticket machines entirely: tap any contactless bank card or phone at the grey OVpay posts to check in at Schiphol and out at Centraal, and you pay the same €5.50 with no €1.60 paper-ticket surcharge. Just tap out at the end, and give each traveller their own card — you can't tap two people through on one.

Trap to avoid: Don't take a taxi or a booked 'Schiphol Travel Taxi' / branded shuttle — a metered taxi is about €50–80 to the centre, roughly ten times the €5.50 train, and no faster in traffic. Ignore anyone calling out 'taxi' inside Schiphol Plaza; those are illegal touts.

All ways to downtown, compared

Option	Price	Time	Ticket
TrainCheapest route	€5.50	25 min	NS single train ticket, 2nd class (Schiphol Airport → Amsterdam Centraal)
Bus	€6.50	40 min	Amsterdam Airport Express (bus 397) single ticket

Frequently asked

What is the cheapest way from Schiphol to central Amsterdam?: The NS train to Amsterdam Centraal, €5.50 one-way in 2nd class and about 17 minutes. Tap a contactless card via OVpay to avoid the €1.60 paper-ticket surcharge.
How long does the train from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal take?: About 17 minutes on the train, and roughly 25 minutes door-to-centre once you walk down to the station. Up to 8 trains run each hour, with hourly night trains after 01:00.
Do I need to buy a ticket, or can I just tap my bank card?: You can just tap any contactless bank card or phone at the grey OVpay posts — check in at Schiphol and out at Centraal for the same €5.50, with no paper-ticket surcharge. Give each traveller their own card.
Where is the train station at Schiphol?: Directly under the terminal, one level below Schiphol Plaza. There is only one station, so follow the 'Trains' signs down from arrivals.
How much is a taxi from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to the city?: Rarely — a metered taxi is about €50–80 to the centre, roughly ten times the €5.50 train and no faster in traffic. Avoid anyone calling 'taxi' inside the terminal; use the official rank or the train instead.
What is the best way from AMS to downtown Amsterdam?: For budget travellers the best way is also the cheapest: the NS train straight to Amsterdam Centraal in the city centre — €5.50 one-way in 2nd class, about 17 minutes.

Last verified: Jul 1, 2026. Prices and timetables change — confirm at the official transport source.