Public Transport To and From Amsterdam Schiphol Airport by public tranport is easy, cheap, and fast. Schiphol, Amsterdam’s airport, is located 18km (11mi) southwest of the city. The airport includes a train station – right underneath the main hall. Trains to and from Amsterdam Central Station run every 10-15 minutes. They usually leaves from tracks 1 or 2, and sometimes track 3. Signs above the escalators will show you when the next trains departs, and where it is headed. Signs near the yellow ticket machines list trains that will depart within the next half hour or so. The train ride itself takes 15-20 minutes and costs €4.00. Tickets for the train can be obtained from machines (or at the service counter, where you pay a 50 cents service charge) inside Central Station as well as in Schiphol’s main arrival hall. The train ticket machines at Schiphol airport are easy to use -- with English-language menus available. The train ticket machines at Schiphol airport are easy to use — with English-language menus available. The machines accept major credit cards and have English-language menus. TIP: Dutch trains have First Class and Second Class cars. Most Dutch people travel second class, which usually is good enough. First Class offers a bit more space and a bit more comfort, especially in newer trains — but the extra expense (€6.80 instead of €4.00) is not really worth it. At Schiphol, the NS (Dutch Railways1) refers to First Class as ‘Comfort Class.’ Note: If you use a First Class carriage while you only carry a Second Class ticket, you risk a fine. Do not buy return trip tickets, unless you plan on returning to the airport on the same day. Round-trip tickets are valid for one day only. ‘Electronic Ticket’ — Note that starting July 9, 2014, your ticket will be a ‘chipcard.’ You will have to Check In before entering the train, and Check Out when you exit the station. Pickpockets Be aware of the fact that this route is popular with pickpockets and luggage thieves. Keep an eye on your belongings at all times, and be careful whom you accept help from. • By Taxi Amsterdam’s taxis are among the most expensive in Europe. The 30-minutes ride to Amsterdam should set you back about €45.00 – €50.00, and it is a good idea to let the driver know you are aware of this rate. Note: Do not accept rides from people who offer you taxi services inside the airport terminals or halls. Instead, select a taxi from the official taxi lot in front of the main hall. Incidentally, you can select any of the taxis you see there. You are not obligated to take the first one in line — though lately airport-authorized ‘guards’ have been used at peak times. Follow their instructions. Theoretically you could catch a taxi after traveling to Amsterdam Central Station by train. However, we advise against doing so. Amsterdammers refer to the taxi rank at Central Station as the ‘Gaza Strip.’ You run a high risk of running into boorish drivers with the mentality of mafia gangsters. You’ll either truly be taken for a ride, or — if your hotel is deemed too close by — refused a ride altogether.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Nov 2014 10:31:43 +0000
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