The Schiphol Airport Bus Lines Connecting Amsterdam Airport
Amsterdam is well known for its efficient public transit system. Thus, AMS travelers searching for a cheap alternative for their journey from Schiphol Airport often opt for a Schiphol airport bus ride. Verily, the effective Amsterdam Airport Express Bus 397 links Amsterdam Airport to the city center, while the GVB public buses link the capital’s airport to Sloterdijk.
The Schiphol Airport Bus 397
The Amsterdam Airport Express is the red bus leaving Amsterdam International Airport and heading to the city. Available from 05:27 am to 12:18 am, Bus 397 runs on a 7-15-minute frequency and needs around 40 minutes to reach its terminal (the Bus Station Elandsgracht). On its way, the Amsterdam Airport Express makes limited stops in crucial parts of the city. Thus, the Museumplein and Rijksmuseum stops should be your disembarking points if you’re heading to the notable Amsterdam areas, housing some of the city’s most well-known museums, as well as many shopping and eating options, whereas the Leidseplein stop leads to the famous homonymous square. Please note that Bus 397 doesn’t get to Centraal Station, though.
Our Tip: The Connexxion buses offer Wi-Fi to their passengers, are equipped with mobile charging points, and feature luggage storage space. Moreover, they have a low entry point. Thus, hopping on the bus with your luggage shouldn’t trouble you much.
The Night Bus N97 from Amsterdam Airport
The Niteliner N97 follows roughly the same route as the Amsterdam Airport Express Bus 397 — from Nieuw Vennep to Elandsgracht — but runs only at night. Hence, it has available routes from 01:19 am to 04:18 am every 60 minutes. Therefore, Schiphol Airport is linked via the fast bus lines provided by Connexxion around the clock. You’ll easily reach the city center of Amsterdam from Schiphol Airport, no matter the day or time you arrive at the airport.
The GVB Amsterdam Airport Buses
The GVB Schiphol airport bus lines are public buses handling journeys from Amsterdam Airport. Hence, Bus 369 runs to Sloterdijk from 04:45 am to midnight, with available routes every 15 minutes. On the other hand, Buses 245, 246, and 247 operate a few times a day, in the early mornings. Bus 245 travels from Oostzanerdijk to AMS Airport (only in this direction) at 04:34 am, 04:49 am, and 05:19 am, while Bus 246 links Borneolaan to the airport (and not vice versa) at 04:40 am and 04:54 am. Finally, Bus 247 connects Bos en Lommerplein to Schiphol Airport (but doesn’t run in the opposite direction) at 04:45 am, 05:15 am, and 05:45 am.
Where is the Bus Station at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport?
The airport bus stops are located right outside Schiphol Plaza, mainly on Lane B. Both the Connexxion Airport Shuttle 397 and the GVB buses, as well as hotel shuttles, and the airport bus to Car Park P3 call at that area. Thus, after collecting your luggage, all you have to do is head to Schiphol Plaza and exit the airport doors. In detail, Amsterdam Airport Express 397’s stop lies at Bus Stop B17.
Our Tip: A new bus station, part of the multimodal hub being built at Amsterdam Airport (Multimodal Hub Schiphol – MHS), is currently under construction and is expected to be completed in 2027. As a result, some bus stops are temporarily located elsewhere, particularly behind the location of the old bus station. The new bus station will feature 20 bus stops and a sheltered waiting area, designed to provide a comfortable waiting zone regardless of the weather conditions (rain or heat). A taxi lane will also be available, and the bus station will be connected to the airport railway station located directly below. Bicycle parking will also be part of the new Schiphol transportation hub.
Schiphol Airport Bus Tickets
Tickets for the Amsterdam Airport Express 397 cost 6.50€/6.90$ for a one-way ride and 11.75€/12.50$ for a round trip. Please keep in mind that the return journey doesn’t have to take place on the same day. Conversely, you can buy a ticket with an open date. Nevertheless, it must be used within 14 days. You also don’t need to specify a departure time when booking — just select the day, and the ticket is valid for 24 hours. Alternatively, you can buy your ticket on board. However, only contactless payments (via a credit/debit card or digital wallet) are accepted. The same fares apply to Night Bus N97 as well.
On the other hand, a 1-hour GVB ticket for the ride via GVB buses costs 3.40€/3.62$, and can be bought online through the Tranzer website, offering tickets for trains, certain bus lines (including GVB buses), trams, and metro lines. You can also use the automatic ticket machines. Single paper tickets are available from the blue-grey machines located near all baggage claim areas (Arrivals 1, 2, and 3) and, outside that zone, at Schiphol Plaza. Contactless payments via bank cards and mobile phones (OVpay) are also accepted. Day tickets and multi-day tickets are also available.
Our Tip: Please remember to validate your barcode tickets, or scan your mobile (in case of online reservations) at the automatic readers once entering and before exiting the bus.
Using the OV-chipkaart for your Schiphol Ride
If you want to make your life simpler and benefit from lower prices, you should purchase an OV-chipkaart. OV-chipkaart is a rechargeable card, valid for rides with tram, subway, train, and bus over a 5-year period of time. There are two types of OV cards: the personal, meaning that the card is registered to your name, while you can exploit many benefits, from age discounts to automatic reloading. And the anonymous, which can be used by multiple passengers, yet not simultaneously.
That being said, the OV-chipkaart is gradually being replaced by contactless payments via bank cards, mobile phones, and smartwatches, as well as by the OV-pas. OV-pas is also valid for 5 years and costs 6€/7.10$. It can be used for journeys on buses, trains, trams, and the metro. Its main advantage is that it isn’t topped up at ticket machines but can be directly loaded via the OV-account. However, you must order the OV-pas, which will be delivered within 5 days.
The Amsterdam Travel Ticket
Unlimited free subway, tram, and bus rides (including trips on Amsterdam Airport Express 397 and the Night Bus N97) are provided when buying an Amsterdam Travel Ticket. The Amsterdam Travel Ticket is probably the most popular choice among Amsterdam visitors. It is available for 1, 2, or 3 days and includes rides from and to the airport with the Airport Shuttle 397. The price of a 1-day Travel Ticket is 20€/25$, for 2 days is 27€/33$, and for 3 days is 34€/41$. The ticket’s validity starts from the moment it is first used until the next morning (at 04:00 am). You can purchase an Amsterdam Travel Ticket online, via the Schiphol vendors, or through the Connexxion Ticket & Info point at bus platform B15-B19. Please keep in mind that you’ll have to swipe the ticket once entering and when exiting each public transit mode.
Our Tip: Apart from the Amsterdam Travel Tickets, you can also opt for Amsterdam & Region Travel Tickets, allowing rides inside the city limits and in the Amsterdam region, as well as Holland Travel Tickets if you intend on traveling around the Netherlands.
Intercity Buses from Amsterdam International Airport
Intercity buses (basically routes operated by FlixBus) leave Amsterdam Airport, heading to other Dutch cities. The intercity bus station is located in the same area as the urban bus stops. Hence, intercity destinations are served by Schiphol airport buses departing from the bus lane outside Schiphol Plaza. Additionally, the KLM Bus travels from AMS Airport to Eindhoven Airport, and Maastricht/Aachen Airport before reaching Maastricht Central Station. It runs all week long, offering two trips per day, and departs from the terminal for touring coaches at Koepelstraat. The transfer is free of charge, but you must book the bus ticket when booking your flight with KLM. Other European countries and destinations (for instance, Paris, Brussels, etc.) are also connected to Schiphol Airport via bus.
FAQs
How much is the bus from Schiphol to Amsterdam?
The ticket for the fast and efficient Amsterdam Airport Express Bus 397 costs 6.50€/6.90$ for a one-way ride. On the other hand, round journeys are priced at 11.75€/12.50$ and can take place within a 14-day period from the purchase date.
How do I pay for the airport bus in Amsterdam?
You can book your Schiphol airport bus tickets online. Inside-the-bus purchases are also an option. However, you must pay contactless via a bank card, your mobile phone, or smartwatch (cash isn’t accepted).