Travelling to and from Amsterdam: The Complete Guide

Aug 28

12 min read

Amsterdam is one of Europe's most accessible capital cities and, thankfully, very easy to reach.

Whether you are flying in for a weekend, starting a longer journey through the Netherlands, joining a photography workshop or simply using Amsterdam as part of a wider European adventure, there are several good ways to get there.

Flying directly into Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is naturally the easiest option, but it is certainly not the only one. Brussels, Paris, London and several major German cities are connected to Amsterdam by international rail, while Eindhoven and Rotterdam The Hague airports can occasionally offer useful alternatives.

In this guide, we cover the main ways to travel to and from Amsterdam, how to get between the airport, railway station and city centre, and a few practical tips to know before you travel.

Getting to Amsterdam
Flying directly to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Getting from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to the city
Alternative airports for Amsterdam
Travelling to Amsterdam by train
Driving to Amstedam
Public transport in Amsterdam
Taxis and private transfers
Practical travel tips
Choosing the best option

Getting to Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands and one of Europe's major international travel destinations.

Its location in western Europe makes it exceptionally well connected.

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is one of Europe's largest aviation hubs, with direct connections to more than 300 destinations, while Amsterdam's railway network provides easy access from Belgium, France, Germany and the United Kingdom.

For international travellers, this flexibility can be extremely useful.

Someone travelling from the United States or Canada will usually find Schiphol the most convenient option, while travellers already in Europe may discover that taking the train is just as easy as flying.

The best option therefore depends on where you are coming from, how much luggage you have and whether you prefer the fastest journey or the simplest one.

Flying Directly to Amsterdam

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

For most visitors, flying directly into Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the easiest option.

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) is the Netherlands' main international airport and one of Europe's busiest aviation hubs.

It is located approximately 15 kilometres southwest of central Amsterdam.

One of Schiphol's biggest advantages is its excellent public transport connection.

The railway station is located directly underneath the airport terminal, meaning you can collect your luggage, walk into Schiphol Plaza and be on a train towards Amsterdam within minutes.

If you can find a convenient direct flight at a sensible price, there is usually very little reason to make your journey more complicated.

A small tip for photographers

If you are travelling with a large camera bag, tripod and suitcase, convenience becomes particularly valuable.

Schiphol is particularly easy in this respect because you do not need to take a shuttle between the airport terminal and railway station.

Simply collect your luggage, follow the signs towards Trains, and take the escalator or lift down to the platforms.

After a long international flight with 15 or 20 kilograms of photography equipment, that simplicity can make quite a difference.

Getting from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to the City Centre

Getting from Brussels Airport into central Brussels is very straightforward.

You have four main choices.

Train (Here)

For most visitors, the train is the easiest option.

Schiphol Airport railway station is located directly underneath the terminal.

Trains run between Schiphol and Amsterdam Central Station approximately eight times per hour, and the journey normally takes around 14–17 minutes.

Once you arrive at Amsterdam Centraal, you are right in the historic centre.

Dam Square, the canal district and many central hotels are within walking distance, while trams, metros, buses, ferries and taxis can take you onwards if your accommodation is farther away.

Buying your train ticket

Buying a ticket is very straightforward.

You can purchase a ticket from one of the yellow NS ticket machines at Schiphol Plaza, buy one online, or simply use OVpay.

With OVpay, you can check in using a contactless debit card, credit card, smartphone or smartwatch and check out with the same card or device when you arrive.

The card readers are located at the top of the escalators and lifts leading to the railway platforms.

One important thing to remember:

Always check in and check out with exactly the same card or device.

If you check in with your physical bank card but check out using the same card through your phone, the system sees them as two different payment methods.

Amsterdam Airport Express Bus (Here)

Another very useful option is the Amsterdam Airport Express, bus 397.

The bus connects Schiphol directly with several useful locations in Amsterdam, including:

Museumplein
Rijksmuseum
Leidseplein

This makes it particularly convenient if your hotel is around the Museum Quarter, Leidseplein or the southern part of the city centre.

Bus 397 departs from bus stop B17 at Schiphol and generally runs every 10 minutes during the day. At night, the N97 Niteliner operates approximately once per hour.

A one-way Amsterdam Airport Express ticket currently costs €6.50, while a return ticket costs €11.75. Contactless payment is also possible.

If your accommodation is close to Amsterdam Centraal, we would normally choose the train.

If you are staying around Museumplein or Leidseplein, however, bus 397 can be extremely convenient because you do not need to change onto a tram after reaching the city.

Taxi (Here)

For many travellers, a taxi is the easiest door-to-door option.

There is an official taxi rank directly outside Schiphol Plaza.

Reservations are normally unnecessary, as taxis are available at the official rank. Always follow the airport signs towards the official taxi stand rather than accepting transport from someone approaching you inside the terminal.

A standard taxi journey between Schiphol and central Amsterdam typically costs around €35 – €55, although the final fare depends on your destination, traffic and journey time.

If you have a suitcase, camera backpack, tripod or simply want to reach your hotel without navigating public transport after a long flight, the additional cost can be well worth it.

Ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Bolt also operate in Amsterdam.

At Schiphol, Uber and Bolt use their own designated App pick-up point rather than the regular taxi rank. Follow the signs inside the terminal after booking your ride.

NOTE: you might encounter taxi drivers in the Airport. Those are not legit. Just follow the signs for the taxistands on the boards in the airport and you'll get to the legit taxi drivers stand just in front of the Airport.

Private Transfer

You can also arrange a private transfer in advance.

This is generally more expensive than the train or a regular taxi, but you know someone will be waiting for you when your flight arrives.

It can be particularly useful for families, small groups or travellers carrying a significant amount of luggage or photography equipment.

Joining an organised tour or workshop?

Always check what your tour operator provides before arranging your own transfer.

For example, participants joining our Grand Holland Photography Workshop who arrive at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol on the official arrival day will receive collection information before the trip, so they

do not need to arrange a separate airport transfer.

Alternative Airports for Amsterdam

Sometimes the cheapest flight to Amsterdam does not actually land at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

There are a couple of other Dutch airports worth checking, particularly for travellers coming from elsewhere in Europe.

Eindhoven Airport

Eindhoven Airport (EIN) is the Netherlands' second-largest airport and is used extensively by European low-cost airlines.

It is located considerably farther from Amsterdam than Schiphol.

Eindhoven Airport does not have its own railway station.

Instead, buses 400 and 401 connect the airport with Eindhoven Centraal railway station. The bus journey takes approximately 20 minutes. From Eindhoven Centraal you can continue towards Amsterdam by train.

The complete public transport journey to Amsterdam generally takes considerably longer than travelling from Schiphol.

That means Eindhoven can make sense if the flight is substantially cheaper or offers much better departure times, but it is rarely more convenient than Schiphol.

For travellers carrying photography equipment, we would only choose Eindhoven if the flight advantage is significant.

Rotterdam The Hague Airport

Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM) is another possible alternative.

It is considerably smaller than Schiphol and serves a selection of European destinations.

The airport does not have its own railway station.

From Rotterdam Centraal, you can either take bus 33 directly or use metro line E to Meijersplein and change there to bus 33. The journey from Rotterdam Centraal to the airport takes around 30 minutes.

From Rotterdam Centraal, frequent trains continue towards Amsterdam.

Rotterdam The Hague Airport can occasionally be a useful option if you find a particularly good European flight, but for most international visitors we would look at Schiphol first.

Travelling to Amsterdam by Train

One of the nicest ways to reach Amsterdam from elsewhere in Europe is by train.

The Netherlands has an extensive railway network, while Amsterdam has excellent international connections.

The city's main railway station is:

Amsterdam Centraal

Amsterdam Centraal sits right on the edge of the historic city centre.

Walking out of the station immediately brings you towards the canals, Damrak and the old centre of Amsterdam.

International trains connect Amsterdam directly with several major European cities, including London, Paris, Brussels, Cologne and Frankfurt.

Useful connections include:

Brussels – direct Eurostar services from Amsterdam Centraal and Eurocity Direct services from Amsterdam Zuid
Paris – direct Eurostar
London – direct Eurostar
Cologne – direct ICE
Frankfurt – direct ICE

Current fastest direct journey times are approximately 1 hour 56 minutes from Brussels, 3 hours 25 minutes from Paris, 4 hours 20 minutes from London, 2 hours 37 minutes from Cologne and 3 hours 53 minutes from Frankfurt.

This makes the train an especially attractive option for travellers combining Amsterdam with another European city.

Instead of travelling between airports, you leave one city centre and arrive directly in another.

Getting from Amsterdam Centraal to your hotel

Once you arrive at Amsterdam Centraal, reaching your accommodation is normally very easy.

Trams, metros, buses, ferries and taxis are all available directly around the station.

If your hotel is in the historic centre or canal district, walking may even be the simplest option.

Just remember that Amsterdam's beautiful bridges, cobblestones and narrow pavements can feel considerably less romantic when you are pulling a heavy suitcase and carrying a tripod.

Driving to Amsterdam

The Netherlands has an excellent motorway network, and Amsterdam is easily accessible by road from Belgium, Germany and other parts of the Netherlands.

Driving can make sense if Amsterdam forms part of a wider road trip.

You could, for example, combine the city with places such as Haarlem, Leiden, Delft, Rotterdam, the Dutch countryside or the coastal regions.

Once you reach Amsterdam itself, however, a car becomes much less useful.

Parking in central Amsterdam is expensive, space is limited and much of the city is considerably easier to explore on foot or by public transport.

If you are staying in the centre, it may therefore make sense to use one of Amsterdam's Park and Ride (P+R) facilities instead.

Amsterdam Low Emission Zone

Amsterdam also has a Low Emission Zone.

The zone covers most of the area inside the A10 ring road and currently restricts older diesel vehicles.

Diesel passenger cars with emission standard Euro 4 or lower are generally not permitted inside the zone. Euro 5 and newer diesel passenger cars are allowed.

Unlike some European cities, Amsterdam does not require an emissions sticker or advance registration if your vehicle complies with the rules.

If you are driving your own vehicle, particularly an older diesel vehicle, check the current regulations before travelling.

Public Transport in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is extremely easy to explore without a car.

Public transport includes:

Trams
Metro
Buses
Ferries
Trains

The main public transport operator within Amsterdam is GVB.

For visitors, one of the easiest payment options is OVpay.

Simply tap your contactless debit card, credit card, smartphone or smartwatch when entering public transport and tap the same card or device again when leaving.

You do not need to register or purchase an OV-chipkaart beforehand.

Don't forget to check out

This is important.

The Dutch public transport system normally requires you to check in and

check out.

Use the same card or device both times.

Amsterdam's ferries

Amsterdam also has several ferry routes across the IJ.

The ferries from behind Amsterdam Centraal to destinations such as Buiksloterweg and NDSM are free for pedestrians and cyclists.

These can be useful for reaching Amsterdam Noord — and the short ferry journey gives you a rather nice view back towards the city as well.

For most visitors spending several days in central Amsterdam, however, walking and trams will probably cover most journeys.

And for photographers, walking is often the nicest option.

The Jordaan, canal belt, Nine Streets, Dam Square, Nieuwmarkt and countless smaller bridges and streets are close enough together that some of Amsterdam's most interesting photographs appear while simply wandering between locations.

Taxis and Private Transport

Taxis are easy to find throughout Amsterdam.

Official taxi ranks can be found at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam Centraal and various locations throughout the city.

Official Amsterdam taxis can be recognised by a blue number plate, a roof light displaying the company name and taxi number, a taximeter and the driver's permit.

Always ask for a receipt after your journey.

For normal journeys within central Amsterdam, public transport is normally considerably cheaper.

However, a taxi can become very attractive when you are travelling with several bags, expensive photography equipment or arriving late in the evening.

Uber and Bolt are both available in Amsterdam.

Ride-hailing apps are widely used alongside traditional licensed taxis.

If you already use one of these apps at home, they can be particularly convenient because you can see the estimated fare, pickup location and vehicle details before travelling.

At Schiphol Airport, remember that Uber and Bolt use the dedicated App pick-up point, rather than the normal taxi rank.

A Few Practical Travel Tips

Give yourself enough connection time

If you are combining a flight with a long-distance train, do not make your connection unnecessarily tight.

Schiphol can be a very busy airport.

International arrivals may involve immigration, baggage collection and a considerable walk through the terminal before you even reach the railway station.

Flights can also be delayed.

A slightly longer connection and a relaxed coffee at Schiphol is usually preferable to watching your train leave while you are still waiting for your suitcase.

Take the train from Schiphol if you are staying centrally

For hotels around Amsterdam Centraal and the historic centre, the train is normally the simplest option.

The station is directly underneath the terminal and the journey to Amsterdam Centraal takes only around 14–17 minutes.

Consider bus 397 for Museumplein and Leidseplein

If you are staying near the Museum Quarter, Rijksmuseum, Vondelpark or Leidseplein, the Amsterdam Airport Express can be more convenient than travelling via Amsterdam Centraal.

Bus 397 runs directly from Schiphol to these areas without requiring a change.

Remember to check in and out

Whether you use a bank card, credit card, smartphone or smartwatch, always use exactly the same payment method to check in and out.

This applies to trains as well as much of Amsterdam's public transport.

Think about your luggage

Amsterdam is extremely walkable.

But a route that looks simple on Google Maps may feel very different with a 20-kilogram suitcase, camera backpack and tripod.

The historic centre contains bridges, narrow pavements, bicycle traffic and plenty of cobbled surfaces.

Sometimes the slightly more expensive transport option is worth every cent.

Watch out for bicycles

This is perhaps the most important Amsterdam-specific advice.

Bike lanes are very much part of the road network, not an extension of

the pavement.

Before crossing a bicycle lane, look carefully in both directions.

Amsterdam cyclists tend to travel quickly and generally expect pedestrians to stay out of the cycle path.

Allow enough time for your return flight

Schiphol currently advises travellers to arrive approximately two hours before departure for European flights and three hours before departure for international flights. It is always worth checking the latest airport information before travelling, as waiting times can vary.

Give yourself additional time for your journey to the airport as well.

Trains get delayed, traffic happens and airports rarely cooperate perfectly with our carefully planned schedules.

Consider arriving one day earlier

This is particularly useful if you are joining a tour, cruise, photography workshop or other organised trip with a fixed starting time.

Flights get cancelled and connections occasionally go wrong.

Arriving the previous day removes much of that stress and gives you an opportunity to enjoy Amsterdam before your main trip begins.

It is even more useful if you are arriving from North America and dealing with a significant time difference.

Staying Connected in the Netherlands

Planning your journey is only part of preparing for your trip.

Reliable mobile internet can make travelling considerably easier, whether you need navigation, weather information, messaging, train updates or access to your bookings.

For more information about roaming, mobile data, eSIMs and Dutch networks, read our guide Staying Online While Travelling in the Netherlands.

So, What Is the Best Way to Reach Amsterdam?

For most travellers, we would recommend checking the options in this order.

1) Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the easiest.

If you can find a convenient direct flight, this will usually be the simplest option.

2) International train is an excellent alternative if you are travelling from elsewhere in Europe.

Amsterdam has direct rail connections with cities including London, Paris, Brussels, Cologne and Frankfurt.

3) Eindhoven Airport can occasionally be worth considering, particularly if you find a substantially cheaper European flight.

Just remember that it is considerably farther from Amsterdam and requires a bus and onward train journey.

4) Rotterdam The Hague Airport is another possible alternative for some European routes, although the onward journey is less convenient than arriving directly at Schiphol.

5) Driving can make sense if Amsterdam forms part of a wider journey through the Netherlands or neighbouring countries.

For most international visitors, however, flying into Schiphol or arriving by international train will be the most convenient options.

The good news is that Amsterdam is exceptionally well connected.

Find the combination that best balances price, travel time and convenience, then start looking forward to Amsterdam itself.

Because once you arrive, getting there will very quickly become the least interesting part of the trip.