Transfer city center

Schiphol Airport train station: Airport ↔ Amsterdam city centre – Train connections to European cities



Schiphol Airport train station: Airport ↔ Amsterdam City Centre
Train connections to European cities – travel guide

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has its own railway station. It is located under the terminal building of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

  • Transfer to the city centre:
    The station offers a fast and direct connection to Amsterdam Central Station, which is located in the city centre. The journey takes about 16–18 minutes.
  • Long-distance connections:
    In addition to trains to other Dutch cities, there are also numerous connections to international destinations in Europe, such as Brussels and Paris.

In this travel guide will find all information about the station, important train connections and our tips for buying tickets.

Schiphol Airport railway station is located directly below the airport building. From here, there are direct train connections to Brussels or with the Thalys to Paris. (Image: DennisM2, CC 2.0 licence)



The train ride from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Centraal station, which is located directly in the city centre, takes only 16 minutes. (Image: © Hans Westerink)


Airport train station ↔ Amsterdam city centre – Direct train connection

How do I get from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam city centre by train?

There is a direct train connection from Amsterdam Airport to Amsterdam Centraal station, which is located right in the city centre of Amsterdam.

  • Journey time: about 16–18 minutes, without changing trains.
  • Frequency: every 10–15 minutes, depending on the time of day.

The central station “Amsterdam Centraal”, and thus the city centre of Amsterdam, can be reached from the station “Schiphol Airport” in 16 minutes. (Picture: travelguide.amsterdam)

Ticket price 2025 and online tickets



Current ticket prices (2025) for the train transfer “Amsterdam Schiphol Airport” ↔ city centre (Amsterdam Centraal station):

Train journey one way, 2nd class: €6.20 (incl. single use OV chip card)

Train journey one way, 1st class: €9.84 (incl. single use OV chip card)


You can get to the city center of Amsterdam quickly and cheaply by train. An online ticket saves you time and stress in Amsterdam.


Our tips for buying tickets: save time and money

1 The train ticket does not entitle you to continue your journey on local transport (metro, tram, bus, …) in Amsterdam. For this you need an extra ticket. In this case, we recommend the Amsterdam Travel Ticket (see below).

2 You can buy the train ticket online via the following website. This will save you time and stress. After a flight, there are better things to do than to deal with the Dutch rail fare system.

Our tip: Easy, cheap and convenient – the Amsterdam Travel Ticket (ATT)


Many visitors to the city use the Amsterdam Travel Ticket. This combination ticket includes train travel from the airport to the city centre and is also a day ticket for local transport (metro, tram, bus…).

It offers the following advantages:

1 Save time:

The Amsterdam Travel Ticket is valid for the airport transfer by train AND local transport in Amsterdam. You only need one ticket.
When you travel, you no longer have to deal with the different fare systems of local transport and Dutch Railway.

You can buy the ticket online before you travel at no extra cost (→ link to website). This saves time and stress during your trip.


Amsterdam Travel Ticket: Train ticket for transfer airport → city centre + day ticket for local transport. An easy and cheap way to be mobile in Amsterdam. You can buy the ticket online before you travel. This saves time and stress during your Amsterdam trip.



2 Save money

Current prices for the Amsterdam Travel Ticket (2025):
Day ticket: €18
Two-day ticket: €24
Three-day ticket: €30

The Amsterdam Travel Ticket is cheaper than buying tickets individually.

Example calculation 2 days:
Amsterdam Travel Ticket: €24

vs.

2 train tickets + two-day local transport ticket Amsterdam: 2 x €6.20 + €15.50 = €27.90.

Most importantly, you’ll save yourself stress and vacation time because you won’t have to deal with ticket purchases and local transportation fares in Amsterdam.

Overview: tickets for airport transfers and local transport


Train ticket
airport ↔ city centre

Amsterdam
Travel Ticket

GVB day
ticket

Amsterdam
& Region
Travel Ticket



Amsterdam city:
unlimited use of
public transport (GVB)
Amsterdam region:
Connexxion &
EBS buses, train
Airport transfer
by Express Bus 397
Airport transfer
by train
One-way ticket price

6.20 €


Price: 1 day

18 €

9.50 €

21 €


Price: 2 days

24 €

15.50 €

31.50 €


Price: 3 days

30 €

21.50 €

40.50 €


Price: 4 days

27 €


Price: 5 days

34 €


Price: 6 days

38.50 €


Price: 7 days

42.50 €




More information in this travel guide:
local transport tickets Amsterdam (single ticket, day ticket, OV card…) – current prices (2025)

There are often queues at the ticket machines. Many international passengers are using the Dutch Railways ticket machine for the first time. This means waiting time. An online ticket saves time and stress.

How long does the journey take and how often do the trains run?

The airport is about 18 km from the centrally located Amsterdam Centraal station. The train takes about 16 -18 minutes to cover this distance.  You do not have to change trains.

How often do the trains run from Amsterdam Airport to the city centre?

The frequency of trains depends on the time of day. There is a train from the airport to the city centre (Amsterdam Centraal station) approximately every 10–15 minutes.

The train takes 16-18 minutes for the route Schiphol Airport ⇿ Amsterdam city center. Many passengers use the “Amsterdam Travel Ticket”. This allows you to use the airport train and local transport. (Picture: P vL, CC 2.0 license)

Schiphol Airport station: access and platforms

The railway station under the airport is operated by the Dutch railway company NS. It has six tracks, with three platforms each located between two tracks.

Accessibility

Escalators, lifts and ramps provide easy access.

The “Schiphol Airport” train station is located below the terminal building.



An escalator or lift takes you directly from the airport to the train station (Image: J. Lonnee, CC 2.0 License)


Platforms at “Schiphol Airport” station

Schiphol Airport station has three platforms. Each platform is located between two tracks. There are 6 tracks in total. The tracks are used flexibly.
It is determined a few minutes in advance which train will arrive on which track. The trains and platforms are clearly displayed on large screens.

The “Airport Amsterdam” station has 3 platforms and 6 tracks.



The tracks on which the trains arrive are displayed on large screens.


Map / Plan: Schiphol Airport & Schiphol Airport Station, Platforms

Although Amsterdam Airport is one of the largest airports in Europe, passengers can easily find their way around. The station has six tracks, which can be reached via three platforms.

Trains to Amsterdam Centraal usually depart from platform 1 or 2. It is usually only a few minutes before the train arrives that it is shown on which side of the platform the train will stop. Therefore, pay attention to the display boards.

Schiphol Airport – Download map

Download → Plan of Schiphol Airport Amsterdam incl. station and tracks (*.pdf)

Schiphol airport / train station – interactive map

Here you can find our interactive map. If you zoom in more, you will find all the shops, restaurants, piers and terminals at the airport.

If you zoom out further, you can explore the area around the airport. For example, all stops of the Airport Express Bus 397 (shuttle bus to the city centre) or the central station in the city centre (Amsterdam Centraal) are also marked.


Alternatives to the train for the transfer airport ↔ city centre

In addition to the train, there are other transfer options:

  • Airport Express Bus 397: If you do not want to travel directly to the city centre, but your destination is between the city centre and the airport, the Airport Express Bus may be faster.
    more information
  • Taxi: More expensive, but convenient for direct travel.
    more information

For a detailed overview of prices and travel times for the alternatives, read our transfer guide Schiphol Airport ↔ Amsterdam city centre incl. travel times and current prices (2025)

Taking the airport express bus 397 is a good alternative if your destination is between the airport and the city centre.
We have listed all transfer options with prices and travel times on a separate page.

One station – several names

Until the 2016 timetable change, the station was called “Schiphol”. To avoid confusion, the name was supplemented by an airplane symbol  in timetables and on signs. Nameplates on the platforms did not display this symbol. This led to questions and confusion among passengers.
The name of the station was therefore changed to “Schiphol Airport”. This is why you will still find the name “Schiphol ” in older travel guides.

Schiphol Airport – pioneer in the connection between rail and air

The train station at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport has an interesting history. It was opened in 1978 and was one of the first railroad stations to be directly connected to an airport.
Since then, the station has developed steadily and is now one of the busiest stations in the Netherlands. It offers a convenient connection to the national and international rail network and allows travelers to get to the airport quickly and easily.
The station at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is an important transportation hub and plays an important role in the region’s travel traffic.

Frequently asked questions in this guide – FAQ 2025



The airport is about 18 km from Amsterdam Centraal station, which is in the city centre. The train takes about 16 -18 minutes to cover this distance and you do not have to change trains.
You can find tips on how to save time and money when buying tickets in our travel guide.


Current ticket prices (2025) for the train transfer “Amsterdam Schiphol Airport” ↔ city centre (Amsterdam Centraal station):

Train journey one way, 2nd class: €6.20 (incl. single use OV chip card)
Train journey one way, 1st class: €9.84 (incl. single use OV chip card)

More information (journey time, station …) and tips on how to save time and money when buying tickets can be found in our free online travel guide.


The train frequency depends on the time of day. There is a train from the airport to the city centre (Amsterdam Centraal station) approximately every 10 – 15 minutes.
For more information (journey time, station …) and tips on how to save time and money when buying tickets, see our free online travel guide.


Amsterdam Schiphol Airport has its own train station called “Schiphol Airport“. It is located directly under the terminal building of Schiphol Airport.
From this station there are direct train connections to the centre of Amsterdam (Amsterdam Centraal station), but also long-distance connections to many Dutch and European cities.


Amsterdam Schiphol Airport has its own train station called “Schiphol Airport”. It is located directly under the terminal building of Schiphol Airport.
From this station there are direct train connections to the centre of Amsterdam (Amsterdam Centraal station), but also long-distance connections to many Dutch and European cities.

travelguide.amsterdam