Arrival by plane
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is situated approximately 20 km south-west of Amsterdam. Schiphol is a national and international airport and handles over 48 million passengers a year traveling to 260 destinations worldwide. Schiphol is Europe’s fifth largest passenger airport.
One-stop shopping
Schiphol is also a well-organised airport. The arrival and departure halls are located under the same roof as the shopping centre, Schiphol Plaza. Clear signage guides you easily to your destination. After passing customs, you will reach the shops and bars of Schiphol Plaza. From here you are offered a selection of transportation methods into Amsterdam.
Tax-free shopping
Non-EU residents are eligible to get back the Value Added Tax (VAT) on purchases in the European Union. In the Netherlands the VAT is 21% and the minimum spend is €50. To claim a refund, visit Customs before leaving the EU to get a stamp. You can either send the stamped receipt back to the store for a full VAT refund or make use of the following services:
Shop only at retailers affiliated with Global Blue. Ask for a tax-free cheque and then reclaim the VAT at their desk at the airport. Visit www.global-blue.com for more information.
Shop wherever you like, save your purchase receipt and then reclaim the VAT online or at the VAT Free service desk at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, departure hall 3. Visit www.vatfree.com for more information.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, was established on 7 October 1919, making it the world’s oldest airline still operating under its original name.
KLM Group KLM and KLM Cityhopper form the heart of the KLM Group. Via a vast network of 92 European cities and 70 intercontinental destinations, KLM offers direct services to key economic centers all over the world. KLM is a partner in the SkyTeam Alliance, which offers passengers even more possibilities, jointly serving 1,063 destinations in 173 countries. The KLM Group also includes the wholly-owned subsidiaries Transavia and Martinair. Transavia is the leading low-cost airline in the Netherlands, carrying almost 9 million passengers in 2018, operating out of Amsterdam, Eindhoven and Rotterdam.
KLM pursues profitable growth in order to achieve its own commercial objectives as well as more general economic and social objectives. KLM is actively driving sustainable growth at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and seeks to gain access to any market that will improve the quality of its network. In addition, KLM endeavours to ensure a level playing field for all participants in the sector.
From Schiphol into Amsterdam
By bus
Connexxion Amsterdam Round Trip Ticket
The Connexxion Amsterdam Airport Express costs €11.25 for a return journey. Departing from bus stop B17 every 8 minutes, the Amsterdam Airport Express (bus number 397) will take you directly to the city centre in about 30 minutes. The Amsterdam Round Trip Ticket allows two trips on the Amsterdam Airport Express (the trips don’t have to be on the same day). One-way tickets are also available for €6.50 (kids 4-11yrs €1,-). E-tickets can be purchased in advance for this service. Visit the Connexxion website for more information and the bus schedule.
Connexxion Schiphol Travel Taxi
A hotel shuttle service enables you to travel to a number of large hotels that are situated in the airport area. The Connexxion Schiphol Travel Taxi connects Schiphol to over 170 hotels in Amsterdam.
By taxi
The taxi rank is located at the airport’s exit. Depending on traffic, a taxi can take you to the city centre in about half an hour. One ride will cost you approximately €40 – €60, depending on the destination. It is strongly advised not to take rides from drivers soliciting within the airport. These are not officially approved taxi drivers. Find information on authorised taxis or compare transport options on Airport Transfer Amsterdam.
By rail
Schiphol train station is located directly underneath the airport. From here, intercities and slower trains from the Nederlandse Spoorwegen (Dutch Railways - NS) can take you to Amsterdam Central Station (city centre), Amsterdam Zuid (World Trade Center) and Amsterdam RAI (conference centre). Learn more about travelling by train in and around Amsterdam.
Train ticket sales
Train tickets are available at the ticket office in the airport's main hall and from the yellow ticket machines. The latter are located near the baggage claims, shopping centre Schiphol Plaza and near the platforms. These machines accept international credit cards (€0.50 surcharge); Dutch cash cards and some also accept coins. At the ticket office, you can also purchase the Amsterdam Travel Ticket, which includes return train travel between Schiphol and Amsterdam, plus free public public transport in the city itself. Read more about the Amsterdam Travel Ticket.
Disabled travellers
There is an elevator at Schiphol train station which can take you from the platform to the airport and vice versa. Call the Nederlandse Spoorwegen for help at the train station of your departure and arrival, telephone number +31 (0)30 230 5566. By doing so, it is possible to gain wheelchair access to trains.
The train timetable is detailed on the NS website or see the Schiphol website for information on the airport.
Regional airports
Many smaller airlines also fly to regional airports such as Rotterdam or Eindhoven, or airports near the Dutch border. From these, you can travel via public transport or taxi to Amsterdam. To travel to and from Eindhoven airport to Amsterdam you can use the Air Express Bus.
Find more details about transportation to airports on www.schiphol.nl.
