Schiphol is about 17 km from Amsterdam city centre. The range of transport costs is wide because the direct train link makes this one of Europe's cheapest airport-to-city routes if you are willing to use public transport.
Train: from EUR 5.50
NS publishes the single to Amsterdam from EUR 5.50. The cheapest and simplest way to pay is to tap in and out at the gates with a contactless debit or credit card. The journey takes 15-20 minutes and trains run every 10-15 minutes during the day.
Note: if you buy a paper ticket — at a yellow NS machine or at the counter — NS adds a EUR 1.60 single-use surcharge. This catches people out because it applies at the machines too, not just at the desk. Tapping in with a card avoids it. NS revises fares each January.
Bus 397 (Airport Express): EUR 6.50
Bus 397 runs from stop B17 to Museumplein, Rijksmuseum, and Leidseplein. The operator's published fare is EUR 6.50 one way, or from EUR 11.75 return, and the same ticket covers the N97 Niteliner overnight. The journey takes 30-40 minutes. This is useful if your hotel is in the museum district, as it saves a tram connection from Centraal Station.
Taxi: metered, with a national maximum
The single most common myth about Schiphol is that its taxis run on fixed zones with no meter. They do not. Dutch taxis on the rank are metered, and what the government sets is a national maximum tariff — a ceiling, not a price.
From 1 January 2026 the maxima are:
| Vehicle | Start | Per km | Per minute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car, up to 4 passengers | EUR 4.31 | EUR 3.17 | EUR 0.52 |
| Van, 5-8 passengers | EUR 8.77 | EUR 4.00 | EUR 0.59 |
Fixed-price private transfer
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Other destinations
Over the 17 km into central Amsterdam, and a 20-35 minute ride, that ceiling works out at roughly EUR 70-75. You will normally pay less: every company sets its own rate below the maximum and must display it on a tariff card inside and outside the car, and many will agree a fixed price with you before the ride starts.
So the practical advice is the opposite of "the zone price protects you": read the tariff card, or ask what the trip will cost, before you get in. Tariffs are revised annually.
Rideshare (Uber)
Uber is dynamically priced, so the app quote before you confirm is the only number that means anything. During surge periods (late night weekends, major events) it can run above what a rank taxi would charge. The pickup area is outside Schiphol Plaza.
Pre-booked transfer
A transfer fixes the price when you book, and includes meeting service, flight tracking, and a set waiting period. Get quotes for a sedan and, if you are a larger group, a minivan — and compare them against the meter ceiling above.
Getting to other Dutch cities
The train wins on price for every one of these, and by a widening margin as the distance grows — the taxi meter keeps running at EUR 3.17 per kilometre while the train fare barely moves.
| Destination | Approx. distance from Schiphol |
|---|---|
| Amsterdam Centraal | 17 km |
| Haarlem | 15 km |
| Leiden | 25 km |
| Utrecht | 45 km |
| The Hague | 45 km |
| Delft | 55 km |
| Rotterdam | 65 km |
Check current train fares in the NS journey planner, and get a fixed price before taking a car to any of them.
What affects the price
Transport type is the obvious factor. The train is dramatically cheaper than any car-based option.
Distance and time determine the taxi fare, because it is metered on both. Traffic genuinely costs you money here — the per-minute component keeps ticking while you sit still.
Group size affects the per-person calculation. Split four ways, a car-based option closes much of the gap on four train tickets and takes you door to door.
Time of day does not change the train fare or the taxi maximum — there is no night rate in the national tariff. Rideshares may surge during peak demand.
Vehicle type for transfers: sedan, minivan, luxury, or bus all have different price points. Note the maximum tariff itself is higher for a 5-8 seat van than for a car.
Common money traps
- Currency exchange at Schiphol: rates are poor. Use an ATM or pay by card. The Netherlands is almost entirely cashless.
- Paper train tickets: buying a paper ticket rather than tapping in with a contactless card adds NS's EUR 1.60 single-use surcharge — at the machines as well as the counter.
- Assuming there is a fixed zone price: there is not. Ask the driver for the price or read the tariff card; the meter is running on distance and time.
- Tram connection: if your hotel is not near Amsterdam Centraal, you may need a tram on top of the train. Check GVB for current fares and passes — it adds to the real cost of taking the train.
The honest recommendation
The train is the clear winner for solo travellers and couples heading to Amsterdam. From EUR 5.50 against a meter that can climb toward EUR 70 at the legal ceiling, it is hard to justify a taxi unless you have heavy luggage, small children, or are arriving during the train gap (1-5:30 AM). For groups of 3-4, a taxi or transfer becomes competitive per person and offers door-to-door convenience.