Trains at Amsterdam Schipol Airport
For the quickest and easiest transportation to Amsterdam from Schiphol Airport, the train is the best option. The train station at Schiphol Airport is located right underneath the main hall. Trains to Amsterdam Central station run every 10 to 15 minutes. The duration of the train ride is approximately 15 - 20 minutes.
The metro train tracks are well built to avoid level crossings with other traffic. They run on an elevated track or through an underground tunnel. In Amsterdam there are four metro lines. Number 50 is the Gein - Isolatorweg and number 51, the Centraal Station - Westwijk (Amstelveen). Number 53 is Centraal Station - Gaasperplas (Amsterdam Zuidoost) and 54, Centraal Station - Gein (Amsterdam Zuidoost).
Tickets must be purchased before boarding the train. At Schiphol Airport, there are ticket machines and ticket offices near the station platforms at Schiphol Plaza. The ticket vending machines are easy to use and their instructions are displayed in English. A convenient way of traveling by train is to use the ‘strippenkaart’. Your ‘strippenkaart’ can also be used for the buses or trams that you will be needing to continue to your destination from the train station. If you do not have a valid ticket on the train, then you will be fined an extra 35 Euro!
Schiphol railway station is operated by the Dutch national railway company, Nederlandse Spoorwegen. Six escalators from the airport’s main concourse provide access to the station.
From Schiphol Airport, one can travel to Amsterdam as well as to other cities. The intercity train service provides transportation to The Hague, Rotterdam, Eindhoven and to the country’s northern and eastern parts via Amersfoort. In March 2006, a new Flyover was created that provides a direct connection to Utrecht. The Utrechtboog joined the already existing lines of Utrecht-Amsterdam Central Station and Schiphol-Weesp so that the interchange at Duivendrecht Station could be avoided. There is a night train available that runs every hour between 01:00 and 05:00. This service connects Schiphol to Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam, Leiden, Delft and The Hague.
Thayls is an international, high speed train that is available from the airport to destinations such as Antwerp, Brussels and Paris. Passengers wanting to travel to Berlin, should board the InterCity train of Deutsche-Bahn. This train operates approximately every two hours.
At the airport, the Schiphol Plaza is a convenient shopping centre for train travellers. There is a supermarket and a Food Village that is open seven days a week until midnight. The usual soft drink and candy vending machines are available.
Passengers should be aware of potential pickpockets and luggage thieves. Keep a watchful eye on your personal belongings.