I
f only Schiphol wasn’t that big… But what else can be expected from an airport that is the size of a small village (it is bigger than Leiden or Delft as a matter of fact).
And it is not at all complicated – which also could be awaited. It is, after all, the major transportation hub in these parts of Europe. You have busses there, metro to the city, various train lines one of which goes to Paris 9 times a day… Not to mention that this is one of the most common places to stop when you have interconnecting flights.
Don’t get me started on the hours I spent there… I even started to notice and look for some information on the local art collection! Yes, there is one – like a lovely, giant apple sculpture, oversized holland wooden boots, Hahahihi marvel – that is somewhat cute… it is difficult not to smile looking at it. So, if you are bored next time – try to look for them – there are at least two dozens of art pieces scattered around.
There is even a ghost mural next to the escalator. I like to think of it as the captain of a ship who stuck here, on a low water one day in the past… and is still looking for the way out.
This is one of the explanations for the name – Schiphol… There was a lake here once, drained in mid-XIX century. The most plausible explanation though, is that some trees grew here (scip) on the wetland (holl), and their wood was used to build ships. Not necessarily a bunch of ships stuck on low water. Who knows… Maybe there will be a lake here again since the area is 4 meters below the sea level.
But… back to the subject. Our usual favorites in this kind of an article are metro/train lines, busses, and taxis. The self-pickup, Uber, Rent a Car exist as usual and do not need an explanation.
What you didn’t know is that the locals can get here with a BIKE as well! And park it on a dedicated place. Oh… Amsterdam and its bike-people… love it!
The airport is like Holland’s favorite flower. As in a tulip, all the petals meet in the center, so it is here. The petals are the departing halls changing into arrival exits – there are 4 of them. All the exits meet in the central hall.
This is where you will finally find yourself after crossing all the passages. After passing some basic services that greet you, you will find yourself in an open-ish space with yellow- blue machines and newspaper kiosk (check on the plan below or in the Info Sheet).
The stairs leading up from here go to departures.
The stairs leading down go to the area of the train.
The main doors lead to the bus stops and taxis.
Easy! Right?
Train line
Where to buy the tickets?
The place selling it is just before you take the stairs down. In the open space area, there are yellow-blue ticketing machines (or kiosks which are right next to them if you want to talk with someone or buy Amsterdam Travel Ticket). You will get there one of many OV-chip cards (OV-chipkaart). It is basically a normal paper ticket but with a chip inside which you must scan at a dedicated machine as you enter a vehicle.
Unless you are returning to the airport on the same day – don’t buy the return ticket (it is valid only for the same day).
Single ticket price one way only
5,50€ (to Centraal)
4€ (to Amsterdam Zuid)
If you are going directly to the center to start sightseeing – you will be taking a Sprinter to Amsterdam Centraal. The train takes you there in 15-17 minutes. They go frequently, even 6 times per hour.
This is how the train from the airport to the city is called. The Centraal trains depart most often from platforms 13-15 – maybe it will help you a bit.
There is also a Sprinter to Amsterdam Zuid but you will have to change for another means of transport later.
Look out because there are trains here to other destinations! You are in a train station – it may be confusing.
What is more, if your project is to visit the city’s region think about the Amsterdam Region Ticket (also for 1-3 days). Or of Holland Travel Ticket if you want to have a one-day tour from here.
Possibilities are limitless.
Buses
They are a bit more complicated since there are a few companies providing these services.
GVB is the Amsterdam public transport service. They provide busses, metro, and trams and on a day ticket, you can travel on all three.
You buy the tickets in the same places as before, which is the arrival main hall of the airport. The clock starts counting as you scan it at the machine. From there you have respectfully 60min, 90 min or 24 hours, etc.
There is only one GVB bus from /to Schiphol. Its purpose is to take you closer to the city where you can change for another service. A single ticket here lets you interchange within the same company in a period of one hour. That is enough to get to the old town, but it is not the easiest and fastest way to get there.
The bus number is 69. It goes to the west side of the city Interchange is a must unless you have a hotel in Nieuw-West district.
Ticket prices
Single ticket (1h): 3,20€
1 day (24h ticket): 8€
Connexxion is another bus company. It provides faster transportation on longer distances – not only in the city. For this, they are slightly more expensive. From the airport in the direction of Amsterdam there are (check the map to better understand where you will find yourselves in):
341 (Cxx) – goes to Amsterdam Zuid
195 (Cxx) – connects with Lelylaan metro station
300 (Cxx) – is the direction of Amsterdam Zuidoost (not recommended because it doesn’t approach the city center)
397 (Cxx) – the best one of all. It passes through the center: Amsterdam Zuid or Rijksmuseum, finishing close to Jordaan
Prices
Single ticket (1,5h): 6,5€ (you can use both GVB and Cxx for 90 minutes)
return ticket to the airport: 11,25€
EBS busses focus on taking you outside the city
N97 is the night bus departing every hour between 1 AM and 5 AM. It connects Elandsgracht (close to Jordaan and Rijksmuseum) and Schiphol Plaza (the departure hall of the airport). Its price is 5,50€.
Important – you can also buy the multi-functional tickets of course. Amsterdam Travel Card is a multi-day ticket with the airport connections included. I Amsterdam Card is the pass for the attractions + city public transport. You can read more about it here.
Taxi
Their stop is next to the busses. You won’t miss them. They are slight to the left when you exit.
The cost of getting to the center is between 45-55€
Uber is more or less 30€ unless you take the Uber Black (similar price to the taxi)
Rent a car
The booths are next to the exit from the arrival lobby, right before you go out the door. Look for them on your right-hand side (check the plan above or in the Info Sheet).
Whatever else awaits you is just outside the airport. For more information – check the public transport rules or the attractions article. There is also a handy PDF Info Sheet to download at the top of this page.
Enjoy your sightseeing!