Transit Options from Amsterdam Airport to Rotterdam
If Amsterdam is one thing, Rotterdam is the exact opposite. Modern, fresh, and up-to-date, Rotterdam attracts tourists wanting to witness the “dissimilarity” of the Dutch city to the rest of the more “traditional” country. Luckily, Schiphol Airport is well-connected to Rotterdam. Verily, to get from Amsterdam Airport to Rotterdam, you can use the airport taxis or the luxurious Amsterdam airport transfers. On the other hand, airport car rentals guarantee independent rides, whereas train journeys are preferred for their speed and prices and bus trips for their cheap cost.
| Options | Price (€) | Price ($) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | 120 | 128 | 50-60 min |
| Train | 14.50-17.40 | 15.55-18.65 | 26-52 min |
| Bus | 4-10 | 4.30-10.70 | 50-90 min |
Amsterdam Airport to Rotterdam by Taxi
If you want to avoid unnecessary hassle and aren’t traveling on a budget, catching an Amsterdam airport taxi is definitely one of the most comfortable ways to travel from Amsterdam Airport to Rotterdam. After retrieving your luggage, you can head to the airport taxi stand outside Schiphol Plaza. Taxis are always available there and are all licensed. Hence, you don’t risk getting scammed by unauthorized drivers. Still, if you want to be 100% sure about the legitimacy of your taxi, you should check if it has the “taxi” sign, the company’s name, and the taxi number on its roof, as well as its price list on its exterior. Once entering the cab, you should notice the price table, along with the license number. What’s more, the taxi license plates are blue.
Overall, Amsterdam taxis are metered. However, the Dutch government has set only the higher allowed taxi rates. Thus, each taxi company can offer different tariffs as long as they don’t exceed those limits. That’s the reason why you are allowed to pick whatever taxi you may want from the taxi rank and not the first in line. Hence, once reaching the taxi stand, you can check and compare the prices and settle on the vehicle of your choice.
In general terms, Amsterdam taxi companies have fixed fares for the most popular rides. Nevertheless, please take into account that even during set-fare journeys, the taximeter must be on. In fact, if it displays a lower price, passengers are allowed to pay that cheaper fare. The average fare for the ride from Amsterdam Airport to Rotterdam is 120€/128$, and the traveling time is 50-60 minutes under normal traffic. However, traffic jams can raise the journey’s duration to even 100 minutes. What’s more, tipping the driver isn’t compulsory. Still, it is customary to round up the final fare when the ride services are satisfactory. Cash payments and bank cards are among your options. If you are planning on paying via a credit/debit card, you’d better let the driver know though.
Our Tip: Besides ordinary taxis, ride-sharing is another common practice at Amsterdam Airport.
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Amsterdam Airport to Rotterdam by Train
The Dutch railway system is well-known for its efficiency. Thus, Amsterdam airport trains are widely appreciated by AMS passengers wishing to reach Rotterdam fast and affordably. Schiphol Station lies underneath Schiphol Plaza and is easily reachable via stairs, lifts, and escalators. Almost 100 trains depart around the clock with Rotterdam Central Station as their destination. In fact, trains run on a 6-15-minute frequency, yet their routes are scarcer at night. Both Intercity (IC) and Intercity direct (IC direct) trains travel from Amsterdam Airport to Rotterdam. IC lines need 51 minutes to get to Rotterdam Centraal, whereas IC direct routes only 26 minutes.
Besides the NS (National Rail Services) rail lines, Thalys also links Schiphol Airport to Rotterdam. Running approximately from 06:30 am to 08:30 pm on weekdays, from 07:00 am to 06:00 pm on Saturdays, and from 07:00 am to 09:00 pm on Sundays, Thalys needs only 20 minutes to get to Rotterdam Centraal. However, it is a pricier option. Please note that Holland Travel Tickets aren’t valid for Thalys rides.
Tickets for the Train from Amsterdam Airport to Rotterdam
OV-chipkaarts are mainly bought by passengers staying in Amsterdam for a long time. In fact, the personal OV-chipkaarts are primarily used by the locals, while the anonymous rechargeable OV cards are a value-for-money option if planning on staying in the Netherlands long, as they cost 8.50€/9$, and must be loaded with at least 20€/21.30$. In any case, should you have settled on an OV-chipkaart, you can buy it from the yellow machines at Schiphol Plaza and use it for all your tram, subway, bus, and train rides, including your rail journey from Amsterdam Airport to Rotterdam.
Apart from the reloadable OV-chipkaarts, online tickets (e-tickets) are one of the most popular options when it comes to rail fares. The personal e-tickets (note that your ID, passport, or driver’s license will be required in case of inspection) must be printed, loaded in the NS app, or just kept on your phone. The price for the train from Amsterdam Airport to Rotterdam is 14.50€/15.55$ for the Intercity train and 17.40€/18.65$ for the Intercity direct. The IC direct has a 2.90€/3.10$ surcharge, which must be purchased extra from the e-ticket. The supplement fee can be bought from the Supplement Pole at Schiphol Station, as an autonomous e-ticket, or from the airport ticket machines and counters. On the other hand, kids from 4 to 11 years have to buy the Railrunner ticket at 2.50€/2.67$ and aren’t obligated to pay the supplement fee. Younger children travel for free.
Alternatively, you can buy your ticket for the train from Amsterdam Airport to Rotterdam from the Schiphol Plaza’s ticket counters and automatic machines (cash payments are accepted only at the ticket machines). Indeed, the disposable single-use OV-chipkaarts are a convenient option, yet it comes with an extra 1€/1.07$ fee, making the total cost of your ride 15.50€/16.60$ and 18.40€/19.70$ respectively.
Last but not least, you can opt for the one-day Holland Travel Ticket, allowing unlimited rides with the Dutch public transit modes for 24 hours, costing 48€/51.50$ if bought for the non-peak hours (meaning you can’t use it from 06:30 am to 09:00 am on weekdays, but you can freely use it on weekends and public holidays) and 70€/75$ if opting for the ticket allowing rides all day long. Please note that it isn’t valid for journeys with Talys.
Important note: You’ll always have to check in and out once entering the station and before exiting it. Thus, you should always remember to scan your tickets.
Our Tip 1: The NS trains have recently adopted a contactless-payment system.
Our Tip 2: If you buy your supplement fee from the station’s Supplement Pole during off-peak hours (09:00 am to 04:00 am and 6:30 pm to 06:30 pm on weekdays, on weekends, or during public holidays), you’ll benefit from a 40% discount.
Amsterdam Airport to Rotterdam by Bus
Apart from the undoubtedly fast and comfortable trains, you can also opt for a bus ride from Amsterdam Airport to Rotterdam. Verily, Flixbus coaches leave Schiphol Airport and head to Rotterdam CS -the Central Railway Station of the city- and specifically to the International Bus Stop (Platform GG). The Flixbus stop at Schiphol Airport lies in front of Schiphol Plaza. In fact, buses leave Platform C. Please note that you won’t spot signage to the Flixbus stop at the airport. Still, finding the bus area outside Schiphol Plaza isn’t a difficult task.
Buses run to Rotterdam from 09:00 am to 10:40. Their exact timetable and frequency depend on the day of the week. A night route at 03:50 am is also available. Their traveling time ranges from 50 minutes to 95 minutes, and their tickets cost from 4€-10€/4.30$-10.70$. Payments can be made online, via the Flixbus app, or onboard.
Car Rental from Amsterdam Airport to Rotterdam
You won’t relish a more independent journey from Amsterdam Airport to Rotterdam than with an Amsterdam airport car rental. It is recommended to make your reservation in advance so as to benefit from the top deals and have access to a wider variety of vehicle types. Hence, once landing at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, your car rental will be waiting for you. You’ll simply have to put the keys at the engine and head off to Rotterdam stress-free. In general terms, Amsterdam car rentals are a convenient way to explore the small country. As you can traverse the Netherlands from one side to the other in no more than 4 hours, why limit your stay to Rotterdam when you can visit the entire country hassle-free?
Overall, the ride from Amsterdam Airport to Rotterdam lasts 50-60 minutes, depending on the location of your destination. Still, heavy traffic can even double that traveling time. When reaching Rotterdam, you can either park your car on the street (upon payment) or opt for one of the parking lots scattered around the city and downtown as well. The P&R (Park & Ride) system applies in Rotterdam too. Thus, you can park your Amsterdam car rental in one of the parking lots located outside the city center (most of them are complimentary, whereas the rest of them have affordable fees) and use the city’s public transit network to reach your destination.
Amsterdam Airport Transfers from Amsterdam Airport to Rotterdam
If you want to travel from Amsterdam Airport to Rotterdam in style and comfort, you should settle on an Amsterdam airport transfer. When booking a private transfer from Amsterdam Airport, you can expect the driver waiting for you at Schiphol Plaza, on tap to assist you with your luggage and show you the way to your reserved vehicle outside the exit doors. Many side amenities, along with the handiest tips about Rotterdam’s and Amsterdam’s main attractions and hidden gems as well are among the top plus points of Amsterdam airport transfers. On the other hand, the cost of your journey shouldn’t trouble you either. As long as you search and compare the services and rates of the private airport transfer companies operating at Amsterdam International Airport, you’ll almost certainly ferret out the best value-for-money option for you.
FAQs
How to go from Schiphol Airport to Rotterdam?
Reaching the futuristic Rotterdam from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is easy in general terms. Thus, you can catch one of the 24/7 airport taxis, rent a car from Schiphol Airport, or opt for an Amsterdam airport transfer and relish the most luxurious ride from Amsterdam Airport to Rotterdam. On the other hand, train rides are the best value-for-money choice as they combine speed and tempting prices, whereas bus journeys are the cheapest alternative.
Is there a direct train from Schiphol to Rotterdam?
Almost 100 trains (IC and IC direct routes) depart daily from Schiphol Airport to Rotterdam. What’s more, Thalys routes are also available to AMS passengers heading to Rotterdam. All the train lines are direct, heading to Rotterdam CS, the city’s Central Station.
How much is the train from Schiphol to Rotterdam?
The price for the train from Amsterdam Airport to Rotterdam depends on the selected route. Hence, IC lines cost 14.50€/15.55$, whereas the super fast Intercity direct is priced at 17.40€/18.65$.