In this article, I present SchipholAmsterdam airport, to explain how you can easily reach the city center!
Here you'll find
- A presentation of Schiphol airport
- How to get from Schiphol to the city center
- My advice and recommendations for choosing the best solution
- Practical information about Schiphol
- And much more!
If you're looking for information about Amsterdam Schiphol airport, you'll love this article.
Follow the guide!
Schiphol: article summary
Introducing Schiphol, Amsterdam airport
Schiphol airport is the arrival point for most travelers to Amsterdam. It is the country's leading airport and is located 17.5 km south-west of the downtownin the town of Haarlemmermeer.
It owes its name, Schiphol (le refuge/le trou à bateau) of an arm of the nearby lake that formed part of Amsterdam's fortifications. In 1916, it served as an airfield for the military air base, before being transformed into a civilian airport in 1920.
It was at the 1928 Olympic Games that he first experienced a real boomThis is when athletes, visitors and journalists from all over the world flock to the Dutch capital for the event. We have to wait 1963 to expand it, adding 4 more tracks.
In 1980, plans were made for a second airport to relieve some of the traffic at Schiphol, but this was soon abandoned. As a result, the airport remains N°1 for a visit Amsterdameven today.
Good to know The Civil Aviation Museum, which was located at Schiphol until 2003, has now moved to Lelystad, 50 km north of Amsterdam. Calling all enthusiasts!
How do I get to the city center from Schiphol?
One of Schiphol's great strengths is its proximity to Amsterdam city center. It is only only 17.5 km away and there are a number of practical solutions for getting to the city quickly. Here are the most practical methods!
Direct train Schiphol / Amsterdam
Schiphol has its own station and a special train serves Amsterdam Central Station in 16 minutes.
Departures are frequent, service is reliable and tickets can be booked online, so you don't have to queue at the ticket office on arrival.
If you opt for this practical method, you should be aware that the purchase of a return ticket is a great way to save money and benefit from a number of advantages:
- A fixed price of 15 euros
- An audio guide is included with your ticket, so you won't miss a thing. Amsterdam's top activities
- 10 % discount on many city activities
Private shuttle service
If you wish to to simplify your life and enjoy the wonders of Amsterdam as soon as possible, there's an even more practical solution: a private shuttle service.
A driver will be waiting for you directly in the arrivals area, and all you have to do is climb into the vehicle to be taken to your hotel or your Airbnb accommodation in just a few minutes.
It's the perfect method for those who travel with family and friends (to share costs); and to those who have bulky suitcasesThey won't have to travel long distances.
The major advantages of this private shuttle service include :
- Booking day and time of appointmentso you don't have to wait at the airport
- A price defined in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises (from cabs, in particular)
- Welcome by a driver who will give you local advice and recommendations
- Visit time saving consequently!
- No time constraints, because day and night service
Express buses
Several buses express to Schiphol/Amsterdam, and connect to the city's main districts the most central of the city. You can take the :
- 397 (Connexxion company), which will drop you off not far from the Rijksmuseum
- 197 and 370 (Interliner), which make several trips during the day
- 97 and 358 (from Niteliner), for night-time journeys (00:30 /5 a.m.)
Visit 30-minute journey to reach the center of Amsterdam. Ticket prices (which vary from company to company) start at 11.75 euros for a round trip, and can be purchased directly from the driver or online.
Take a cab or Uber
If you're a regular cabs or Uber for your travel needs, these two solutions are available at Schiphol (and throughout the city).
There is little difference in price between the two options - with an average rate of 45 euros for a journey of around 25 minutes - and as everywhere, cabs can tend to inflate the bill when picking up foreign visitors.
A rental car
Driving in Amsterdam isn't exactly a breeze, because the city is full of the bike who is king. There are few parking lots in Amsterdam and those that are available are very expensive.
However, if you choose to rent a car from one of Schiphol's many agencies, you can borrow one of the following the A4for a journey of around 25 minutes.
Which solution do I recommend?
The best way to reach Amsterdam from Schiphol will depend on your expectations and the type of group you have, as well as your budget.
For me, the best options are :
- Visit private shuttle servicefast and practical, ideal for groups and visitors who don't want to complicate their lives on arrival.
- Visit express trainwhich combines excellent value and speed to get you to the heart of Amsterdam.
Schiphol: useful information
Here's some information about Schiphol, to satisfy even the most curious!
How many passengers does Schiphol handle per day? Per year?
In 2020, Schiphol welcomed over 70 million passengersa figure that has grown steadily since the airport was founded.
If Covid has disrupted this growth, the state is targeting 80 million passengers for the next few years.
Schiphol, 3rde Europe's largest airport
Schiphol is the 3e Europe's largest airportsin terms of passengers. It ranks behind London-Heathrow and Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle airports.
A multi-award-winning airport
Throughout its history, Schiphol airport has won numerous awards (more than 120 in all), including top honors in the "Best Airport" ranking. Best European airports for 15 consecutive years, from 1988 to 2003.
He has also been awarded the title of World's best airport !
These awards are due to the excellent organization of the site, its many amenities and the comfort offered to travelers.
Schiphol figures and statistics
- Schiphol dessert 261 destinations (live) and over 90 countries
- This is the main HQ of KLMthe national airline (Royal Dutch Airlines)
- It features 6 tracks
- It is one of only 13 airports worldwide to have 4 stars with the Skytrax rating agency, which evaluates airport services.
What to do in Amsterdam in 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, a week?
Whatever the length of your stay, I invite you to download my special Amsterdam guide.
It's free and in PDF format.
All you have to do is tell me below which e-mail address you'd like to receive it at.
EDIT: you can't enter your email?
Take the quiz at the top of this article and you'll be able to register your email address to receive the special Amsterdam guide!
Leave a Reply