Trains from Amsterdam Airport
Without a doubt, Amsterdam airport train journeys are the most popular transit option for AMS passengers wishing to travel from Schiphol Airport to their destination fast and affordably. In fact, trains don’t just link Amsterdam Airport to the city center. On the contrary, Schiphol Train Station is considered an important rail hub, connecting Amsterdam to every part of the Netherlands and serving international destinations too. Trains are comfortable and reliable, and even though they don’t have designated luggage space, passengers can store their baggage under or between the seats.
Our Tip: Unfortunately, pickpocketing incidents occur from time to time on Amsterdam airport train lines. Therefore, you should keep an eye on your personal belongings at all times.
Train Lines from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
Regional trains, intercity lines, and international rail services depart from Schiphol NS Train Station. For instance, rides to Amsterdam Centraal Station are handled by Sprinter lines and Intercity trains (IC direct). There are generally two types of trains serving the NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen – Dutch National Railway Company) routes. Sprinter trains serve short-distance journeys and make many stops. They basically stop at all stations along the route. On the other hand, Intercity trains operate longer routes, making fewer stops on their way. However, in practice, intercity journeys from AMS Airport to Amsterdam are just 3 minutes shorter (14 instead of 17 minutes) than trips on Sprinter trains.
Overall, 139 trains depart daily from the airport to Amsterdam, with 8 routes per hour available, at least during the day. Therefore, you’ll find trains leaving the airport station frequently from 05:22 am to 12:18 am, while services become less frequent late at night. Hence, there is always a train line serving Amsterdam International Airport, even if you may have to wait a bit to catch it.
Where is the NS Train Station at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport?
The AMS Train Station is conveniently located underneath the huge Amsterdam airport terminal. Thus, after retrieving your luggage, you’ll have to follow the signs to Schiphol Plaza and use the stairs, the escalators, or the elevators lying there to get down to the station’s level. Ramps are to be found as well, an extremely helpful fact for passengers carrying lots of luggage. Overall, the 3-platform airport railway station is easily accessible for passengers landing or departing from Amsterdam Airport.
Our Tip: Trains to Amsterdam typically depart from Track 3.
Schiphol Airport Train Tickets and Fares
Schiphol airport train tickets’ prices vary depending on the chosen train line and the destination. Nevertheless, the train fares are the same for day and night rides. One-way and round-trip tickets are also available, yet return journeys must take place on the same day. Please note that during off-peak hours (from 09:00 am to 04:00 pm and from 06:30 pm to 06:30 am on weekdays and during weekends and holidays), NS offers deals and discounts for group travel. Hence, the Off-peak Group Ticket can be used when 2 to 7 passengers travel during off-peak hours. Additionally, discounts for in-advance reservations are also available. On the other hand, dogs and bicycles bring extra charges.
Schiphol Airport Train Tickets: Which Ticket to Choose
You’ll have the following options concerning your Schiphol airport train tickets:
- the anonymous OV-chipkaart / the paper single-use OV-chipkaart
- the e-ticket
- the Amsterdam Travel Ticket
The OV-chipkaart
An OV-chipkaart is a rechargeable card that can be used for tram, subway, bus, and train journeys. The 5-year-valid card can be personal (used by the locals), and anonymous. The anonymous OV-chipkaart can be used by more than one passenger, yet not at the same time. Costing 8.50€/9$, it is available from the yellow vendors at Schiphol Plaza. However, it must be loaded with at least 20€/21.30$. Therefore, it is basically addressed to passengers staying in Amsterdam for a long time and mainly using the public transit system.
The disposable paper, single-use OV-chipkaart is available through the NS yellow ticket machines or the ticket counters located at Schiphol Plaza (one level above the train station). Please keep in mind that cash isn’t accepted at the ticket kiosks. You simply enter your destination and pay the relevant fee in cash or via debit/credit card. However, an extra 1€/1.07$ is added to the Schiphol airport train ticket fare.
The OV-chipkaart is currently being replaced. Indeed, its replacement will be gradual, giving way to OVpay (payments via bank cards, mobile phones, and smartwatches) and OV-pas. OV-pas is also valid for 5 years and comes with a 6€/7.10$ price. You can use it for rides on trains, buses, trams, and on the subway. While it must be ordered, requiring about a week to be delivered, it offers the advantage of being able to be topped up directly through the OV account, skipping the need to load it at ticket machines.
The e-Ticket
E-tickets can be purchased online. They are more affordable as they don’t have the 1€/1.07$ surcharge. Please note that a 1-hour GVB ticket can be used for journeys on trains, buses, trams, and the metro. However, it isn’t valid on night buses. After purchasing your ticket, you can print it, keep it on your phone, or load it onto the NS app. In any case, e-tickets are personal. Thus, you should have your ID, passport, or driver’s license with you. Nevertheless, you won’t have to check in or out with your e-ticket. You’ll simply have to swipe the barcode through the readers.
Our Tip: Apart from the NS website or app, you can also visit the Schiphol Tranzer website and book all your transfer tickets there.
The Amsterdam Travel Ticket
The Amsterdam Travel Ticket is the ideal way to pay for your Schiphol airport train tickets if you intend on making more onward train, bus, subway, or tram rides. You can opt for a 1-day, 2-day, or 3-day Amsterdam Travel Ticket paying 20€/25$, 27€/33$, and 34€/41$ respectively, and use Amsterdam’s public transport system as many times as you want (including the Connexxion Amsterdam Airport Express Bus 397 and the Night Bus N97). A 1-day ticket is valid from midnight (basically from its first use) to the next morning, at 04:00 am. Amsterdam Travel Tickets are available from the Connexxion Ticket & Info point at Bus Stops B15-B19 and the airport vendors. However, the Amsterdam Travel Ticket is valid only for 2nd-class travel. On the other hand, if you intend to travel beyond Amsterdam, Amsterdam & Region Travel Tickets, as well as Holland Travel Tickets, are also available.
Our Tip 1: Please remember to check in your card or ticket at the yellow readers (yellow columns) lying at the top of the escalators and next to elevators at Schiphol Plaza, and check it out before leaving your destination station (but only swipe the barcode of your e-ticket).
Our Tip 2: Children between 4 and 11 years of age pay just 2.50€/2.67$ for their Schiphol airport train tickets (Railrunner), while kids up to 3 years old travel for free, provided they don’t occupy a seat.
Our Tip 3: Your destination is displayed on your ticket. Thus, you are allowed an uninterrupted ride from your departure stop to your destination station. On the other hand, you can check in and out from the in-between stations and benefit from their eating, drinking, and shopping options without disrupting your journey.
Intercity Trains from Amsterdam Airport
Schiphol Train Station is an important Dutch rail station, serving intercity and international destinations as well. Verily, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is served by major train lines, such as ICE International, Eurostar, and CityNightLine. Tickets and info about those rides are provided by Nederlandse Spoorwegen Hispeed Desks, situated near the Meeting Point at Schiphol Plaza. Arriva also offers night train rides from Groningen to Schiphol Airport and to and from Maastricht Train Station in the early hours of Saturday. Tickets are available through the free Glimble travel app or the 9292 app. Alternatively, you can also purchase your tickets on board the train. In that case, you’ll receive a QR code to use at the tap points of your destination station.
FAQs
Does Amsterdam Airport have a train station?
Amsterdam Airport Train Station lies underneath the AMS terminal. To reach the NS rail station, you’ll have to use the stairs, escalators, or elevators lying at Schiphol Plaza.
How to buy a train ticket at Schiphol Airport?
You can buy your train ticket online through the NS website or app, or the Schiphol Tranzer website. Alternatively, you can pay for your train fares contactlessly (mobile phone, smartwatch, etc.) or with a bank card, or use an OV-pas. Finally, Amsterdam Travel Tickets are ideal if you plan onward public transportation rides during the same or following days, with options for 1, 2, or 3 days.
Is there a direct train from Schiphol to Amsterdam?
Trains leave around the clock from Schiphol Airport. During peak hours, every 3 minutes, a train departs from the airport station. Direct train rides from Schiphol to Amsterdam are also provided to AMS passengers. In fact, both Sprinter trains and Intercity lines (IC direct) head straight to the Dutch capital.