Transfer from/to Amsterdam

If you travel to Amsterdam you will most likely do so by taking a flight to Schiphol, the most important airport in the Netherlands. As such, it is very well connected so I am going to tell you how to get between the airport and the city.

There are many reasons that may motivate you to hire a private transfer service to move between Amsterdam airport and your destination, even if the price is higher than the train or bus. If you are traveling late at night, with your family or you do not speak English, hiring a private transfer service will make your trip easier and more comfortable.

This door-to-door service has private cars with professional drivers and capacity for up to 6 passengers with one suitcase each, and makes pick-ups throughout the day, making the journey in about 20 minutes.

How it works when arriving at the airport

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

How it works on the way back, when leaving the hotel

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

What is included in this private service

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

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

When I recommend this option

This bus is recommended to get directly to a specific place in Amsterdam as it makes several strategically located stops. If your accommodation is in the center, for example, you can get off at the Leidseplein stop, while other stops of interest are at the Rijksmuseum, Museumplein and the Olympic Stadium, ending the journey 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, stroller and pet friendly.

Bus schedules are from Monday to Sunday from 00:00 to 23:30 hours.

Another possibility that exists when you travel to Amsterdam is that you go to take one of the hundreds of cruises that depart from its port. To facilitate your arrival from the airport to the port there is this 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 one hour. After this time the driver will contact you to verify your location and arrival time. In case your delay is longer than one hour the company will schedule a new pick-up and extra fees may be charged.

These private vehicles are fully adapted to transport people in wheelchairs and children in need of safety seats with an extra child seat service.

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The train

The train is a very common way to move between the center of Amsterdam and Schiphol airport. Trains depart with great frequency, about 9 every hour and 24 hours a day, from the station located under the Schiphol Plaza building and arrive at Amsterdam Central Station in about 15 to 20 minutes.

If you buy tickets online or with an OV-Chipkaart card the price of the train ticket 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 machines at Schiphol Plaza or at the NS offices at the Meeting Point of the airport, but you will have to pay a supplement of 1€ for the Smart Card.

The main train company in the country is Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) and the journey from the airport to the center of the capital can be made with Intercity Direct and Sprinter trains (via Lelylaan and Sloterdijk). In addition, from Amsterdam Airport you can also take direct trains to Utrecht, The Hague and Rotterdam.

The Taxi

If you are traveling with several people or you have a lot of luggage, there is also the option of taking a cab between Amsterdam Airport and your accommodation, arriving in about half an hour to the city center.