Find out how to get from Amsterdam airport to the hotel. Here, we give you tips on how to save time and money on your journey.
How do I get from the airport to the hotel by train?
The public transport system in Amsterdam is very good. So the first tip is to take the train, which leaves the airport every half hour during the day and every hour at night – and runs non-stop. In about 15 minutes you’ll be at Amsterdam Centraal Station and from there you can take a cab, tram or walk to your hotel.
At the airport, there are several signs indicating where the ticket offices are. If you’re in any doubt, just go out of the arrivals gate and keep to the left, or buy your ticket as soon as you collect your luggage, because there are totems next to the ticket desks. These are yellow machines with an illuminated sign saying train tickets.
At the machine, you can choose whether you want a one-way ticket or a return ticket. Our tip: buy the one-way ticket only, because the return ticket expires in one day. Leave buying the return ticket in the center, where you’ll find similar machines.
When buying the one-way ticket, simply select the destination (such as Amsterdam Centraal Station) and then the payment method. The machine accepts credit cards, debit cards and coins. It costs an average of six euros.
With your ticket in hand, head to the platform. There will be televisions showing the time of the next train and the number of the platform from which the one to your destination departs. There’s not much you can do wrong: just go down the stairs to the platform number for Amsterdam Centraal Station.
Just be aware of one important thing: next to each escalator, which gives access to the platform, there is a kind of totem pole/mini tower on the ground, where you validate your ticket to board (there is no turnstile, so you might miss it).
Don’t forget to do this BEFORE you get on, because you could pay a fine if you don’t have your ticket validated inside the train. In addition, at the central station, you will also have to validate your ticket at a turnstile in order to get off.
How do I get from the airport to the hotel by bus?
Connexxion bus 397 (formerly 197) takes you from Schiphol Airport to the center of Amsterdam in about half an hour. There are four stops in the area: Museumplein, Rijksmuseum, Leidseplein and Elandsgracht, which is a bus terminal in Amsterdam West.
The ticket costs around 6 euros and the bus runs between 5am and midnight. This is a good option for those staying in the areas mentioned above, but we think the train is a better option. It’s more practical and also easier, especially if you have a lot of luggage.
How do I get from the airport to the hotel by transfer?
This is a great option for those traveling in a group, with more people, or with a lot of luggage. Or simply if you’re looking for comfort and safety. We really like using transfers because it saves you any headaches and is cheaper than buying 4 tickets, for example, if you’re traveling with 4 people. Remember that the transfer can take up to 8 people.
With it, you arrive at the airport and someone is already waiting to take you to your hotel. As we’re always with family, it’s usually our choice on most of our trips.
There’s a very good website that we always use, this Transfer Finder. It offers three options: one way from the airport to the hotel, one way from the hotel to the airport or both (round trip). Just enter the airport you’re arriving at, the destination and choose the best option and the type of car. They’ll give you the price, the journey time and all the information.
How do I get from the airport to the hotel by cab?
Cabs are always an option, especially as they are available 24 hours a day. However, we can tell you that we don’t recommend using them if you want to save money. This is because they are much more expensive than the train, bus or even renting a car. To give you an idea, the same journey that the train makes from the airport to Centraal Station, which costs around 6 euros, costs around 50 euros if you take a cab.
It also takes longer. By train, it will take you around fifteen minutes to get from Schiphol Airport to the center of Amsterdam, while by taxi it will take around half an hour.
Save money on your trip to Amsterdam:
Saving money: do you want to plan your trip while making the most of your budget? Be sure to read our article on how to travel to Amsterdam cheap, with all the tips to save the most, while still enjoying it!
Tickets: find out where to buy your Amsterdam tickets in the cheapest and safest way – for parks, museums and ticket combos. You can save up to 40%!
Car: if you are thinking about renting one this is the best website. It compares the price at all rental companies and finds unbeatable prices. You can save up to 30%!
Mobile chip: we always use this chip. It’s electronic (eSIM), you install it instantly and you can use your cell phone’s Internet anywhere in the world.
Hotels: our article on where to stay in Amsterdam. You will find out the best area, the hotels that we have stayed there and how to save a lot on the hotel.
Travel insurance: medical care in another country is very expensive and it is extremely important to take out travel insurance for any trip abroad. This is the website we always take out our insurance on. Reliable and at a good price.
