Top Tips for Getting to Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a popular tourist destination and as such is well-connected and easy to get to. That said with so many options to choose from and travel plans to consider, it can be a bit overwhelming! So, if you are looking for some tips to help you plan your trip, then you are in the right place. Here we will show you what your flight and train options are for getting to Amsterdam and how to get to the city from the airports. With all this information in one place, you will be able to plan your trip in no time and join one of our private tours of the city!
Airport parking
Something that many of us forget to consider when booking a flight, is airport parking. This can be an expensive oversight, especially during the peak summer periods when parking spaces are in high demand. Luckily there are two easy steps to help you save money and stress when booking airport parking. Firstly, by booking in advance, you can save up to 60% and if you combine this with booking through a comparison sight you can enjoy even further savings. For example, travellers from the UK can check out Parkhero. This airport parking comparison website makes it simple to find available parking for your travel dates and does not charge you a booking fee. Say you are looking parking near Gatwick, you simply choose the airport, enter your travel dates and the tool will return the available services ranked by the cheapest to the most expensive. This is an easy way to save money for the fun things on your trip to Amsterdam! Travellers from other countries can find similar websites by typing ‘compare … parking’ into a search engine.
Choosing your airport
The Netherlands is a very compact country with excellent transport infrastructure. This is great for the Dutch but also for visitors to the country as there are plenty of options to get around. Amsterdam has one main airport, but as you will see below you also have two alternative airports to consider that are still extremely convenient and often cheaper options.
It is a good idea to purchase an anonymous OV-chip card if you plan to use public transport frequently during your trip. It is an electronic card that you can top up with credit and use on all public transport in the country. It is cheaper than buying a paper ticket and extremely convenient! You can purchase one at the NS desk at the airport or a train station.
Schiphol Airport
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is one of Europe’s busiest airports and provides flights all over the world. It is a base for the national carrier KLM/Air France and offers flights from Ryanair, easyJet, Transavia, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines and more. It is the most convenient airport to visit Amsterdam as it is located just 9 km south-west of the city.
Transfer options
By train
- Quickest and easiest way from Schiphol to Amsterdam is to take the train directly from the airport
- You can buy a ticket online or at the station and it costs just €4.50
- It takes around 15 minutes to Amsterdam Central, but you can also catch a train to almost anywhere in the country from Schiphol if you want to see more of the Netherlands
By bus
- Catch the Amsterdam Express (Bus 397) outside the Arrivals terminal
- It leaves every 8 minutes and costs €6.50 to get to Leidseplein in the city centre
- The bus journey takes 32 minutes
By taxi
- Taxis are not commonly used in the Netherlands as most people cycle, meaning taxi fares are quite high
- From Schiphol to the city centre costs around €40 to €50 but make sure that the meter is on
- Convenient option to get directly to your hotel if you have a lot of luggage
Rotterdam Airport
Rotterdam The Hague Airport is located just outside the Netherland’s second city, Rotterdam. It is just an hour away from Amsterdam by car and public transport and a great choice for budget flights. The airport is served by Transavia, British Airways, TUI, Jetairfly, Corendon and Pegasus Airlines with flights to destinations across Europe.
Transfer options
By bus and train
- Only public transport option is to take Bus 33 from outside the airport to Meijersplein Metro Station and take Metro Line E to Rotterdam Central Train Station
- It is a 30-minute journey and costs around €2 with an OV-chip card
- From Rotterdam Central there are regular trains to Amsterdam which take 40 minutes and cost €40 with an OV-chip card
By taxi
- Taxi travel directly to Amsterdam costs around €160 and takes about an hour
- A taxi to Rotterdam Central costs around €25 and takes around 10 minutes
Eindhoven Airport
Another small airport to the south of the country, Eindhoven Airport provides some great options for budget flights. It is 126 km to the south of Amsterdam but has excellent transport links to the capital. It is served mostly by Ryanair and Transavia flights.
Transfer options
By bus and train
- Outside the airport you can catch buses 10, 400 or 401 to Eindhoven Central Train Station
- Buses take between 20 and 30 minutes and cost around €3 with an OV-chip card (you can also buy paper tickets on the bus/at the airport)
- There are regular trains to Amsterdam from Eindhoven and they take around 1 hour 30 minutes and cost €20.80
By taxi
- Taxis in Eindhoven are not recommended as the cost from the airport to the station is around €30 for a 10-minute journey
Travelling by Train
Amsterdam is also increasingly easily accessible by international train from a across Europe. It is a romantic way to travel and saves your carbon footprint!
Eurostar
This new link between Amsterdam and London currently via Brussels, will soon (Autumn 2020) offer a direct link between the two cities without the change of trains in Brussels. The Eurostar ticket costs start at around €40 but can increase to up to €500 plus for last-minute first-class tickets. Make sure to book in advance, as the cheapest tickets sell out quickly! The journey takes around 5 hours between London St. Pancras and Amsterdam Centraal.
Thalys
This high-speed train travels between Cologne, Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris and is a great option for exploring the continent. Tickets start at around €35 and like the Eurostar you will find the best tickets by booking in advance. Tickets are released 3 months ahead. Trains from Paris to Amsterdam take around 3 hours.
Now you are all prepared to join us for a private tour of Amsterdam and find out all about this fascinating city!
