Getting from Schipol Airport to Amsterdam City Centre
Getting from Schipol Airport to Amsterdam City Centre
Getting aroubnd Amsterdam on public transport
Travelling from Schipol Airport to Amsterdam City Centre is a breeze, just be aware of how to pay.
The train station is within the actual airport so you never need to exit and the trains are frequent even through the night.
Depending on where you are staying you might want to head to Amsterdam Zuid or Amsterdam Centrale, but they are both simple. You just check the train boards to see which stops where you are going. Travellers to Amsterdam Zuid will probably be on a long distance train for just 1 (short stop), from where there are connections to the tram network if your hotel is not local.
Here's where we come to the big caution... Paying for the journey. In Amsterdam you tap in and out of public transport, but it's slightly different (and less obvious) in Schipol. Each traveller needs their own card - but it really is simple. And for more on payments in general in Amsterdam do take a look at our do you need cash in Amsterdam page.
Tapping In and Out of Amsterdam's Public Transport
If you each have your own card, whether that's a physical plastic card or Apple / Google Pay, that's all that you need. Outside of Schipol on the main trains there will be gates which you operate by tapping the contactless logo on the top. The response to this is an indication 'in' or 'out' to say whether you are tapping in to start or out to end your journey.
For the trams it's slightly different - board the tram them find the machine by the door and tap it. At the end of the journey tap again as you get off (or any time after the stop before you are leaving) and the system records your journey length.
Tapping In and Out of Amsterdam's Schipol Airport
Here's where I had a slight difficulty - the tap in / out barriers aren't barriers at the airport so I missed them. Luckily on the platform I realised and back tracked. Knowing I had missed them I searched around and realised I'd walked straight through them.
The tap in / out barriers for the main train services in Schipol Airport look like barriers to stop you pushing a trolley too near the station escalators! Just before you reach the top of the escalator (descending to the platform) or after you have ascended the escalator you pass through these barriers, maybe a metre high each. Look carefully and they have the contactless logo on the top and a screen. Tap that and you're sorted!
How Much Does Public Transport Cost from Schipol Airport To The Centre
The system uses dynamic pricing. If you've been travelling around the city already and tapping in / out then you might be charged very little as the system calculates the cheapest rate. In our case, from Airport to Amsterdam Zuid, it cost us Euro 3.50 (£ 2.99) each person each way. A full day on the trams cost us Euro 8.72 (£ 7.45) each in comparrison, which was Amsterdam Zuid to the central area twice in each direction (morning to visit the Anne Frank Huis and the evening for a meal and a walk).
Summary
Amsterdam's public transport is easy to use, regular and cost effective. Just remember to tap in & out, and have a different card available to each person (different cards on same account is fine, e.g. physical and Apple / Google Pay). The cards just need to be contactless enabled.
Getting aroubnd Amsterdam on public transport
Depending on where you are staying you might want to head to Amsterdam Zuid or Amsterdam Centrale, but they are both simple. You just check the train boards to see which stops where you are going. Travellers to Amsterdam Zuid will probably be on a long distance train for just 1 (short stop), from where there are connections to the tram network if your hotel is not local.
Here's where we come to the big caution... Paying for the journey. In Amsterdam you tap in and out of public transport, but it's slightly different (and less obvious) in Schipol. Each traveller needs their own card - but it really is simple. And for more on payments in general in Amsterdam do take a look at our do you need cash in Amsterdam page.
Tapping In and Out of Amsterdam's Public Transport
If you each have your own card, whether that's a physical plastic card or Apple / Google Pay, that's all that you need. Outside of Schipol on the main trains there will be gates which you operate by tapping the contactless logo on the top. The response to this is an indication 'in' or 'out' to say whether you are tapping in to start or out to end your journey.
For the trams it's slightly different - board the tram them find the machine by the door and tap it. At the end of the journey tap again as you get off (or any time after the stop before you are leaving) and the system records your journey length.
Tapping In and Out of Amsterdam's Schipol Airport
Here's where I had a slight difficulty - the tap in / out barriers aren't barriers at the airport so I missed them. Luckily on the platform I realised and back tracked. Knowing I had missed them I searched around and realised I'd walked straight through them.
The tap in / out barriers for the main train services in Schipol Airport look like barriers to stop you pushing a trolley too near the station escalators! Just before you reach the top of the escalator (descending to the platform) or after you have ascended the escalator you pass through these barriers, maybe a metre high each. Look carefully and they have the contactless logo on the top and a screen. Tap that and you're sorted!
How Much Does Public Transport Cost from Schipol Airport To The Centre
The system uses dynamic pricing. If you've been travelling around the city already and tapping in / out then you might be charged very little as the system calculates the cheapest rate. In our case, from Airport to Amsterdam Zuid, it cost us Euro 3.50 (£ 2.99) each person each way. A full day on the trams cost us Euro 8.72 (£ 7.45) each in comparrison, which was Amsterdam Zuid to the central area twice in each direction (morning to visit the Anne Frank Huis and the evening for a meal and a walk).
Summary
Amsterdam's public transport is easy to use, regular and cost effective. Just remember to tap in & out, and have a different card available to each person (different cards on same account is fine, e.g. physical and Apple / Google Pay). The cards just need to be contactless enabled.