Bus from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam

The “Amsterdam Airport Express” (Bus 397 or N97)

The Amsterdam Airport Express is the bus to look for — a big red Connexxion coach that runs straight from Schiphol to the city for about €15 return. The trip takes roughly 30–40 minutes and ends near Leidseplein, in the thick of the action.

It is the right call if your hotel sits in the south-western part of the centre, close to one of its stops (have a look at the map below) — think:

By day (roughly 5 AM to midnight) it runs as line 397, leaving 4 to 8 times an hour depending on the day and time.

Overnight (around midnight to 5 AM) the same route becomes the N97, dropping to one bus an hour.

• the Olympic Stadium
• the area just south of the Vondelpark
• the Museum Square (Concertgebouw, Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum, MOCO)
• the Leidseplein
• the southern or western Jordaan area

Purchase Your Online Bus Tickets

There is a red ticket-selling bus parked outside Schiphol Plaza, but it only opens 9 AM–6 PM. It is far easier to buy online: your ticket arrives by email, so you simply walk straight on — no queue, no hunting around for the ticket bus.

Getting to the airport’s bus station and getting on the right bus

The open-air bus station is right in front of Schiphol Plaza — a short walk once you are through customs, following the yellow “Bus” signs. The Airport Express leaves from platform B17, over on the right of the terminal.

The line number (397 or N97) shows on the big display at the front of the coach, along with its destination, “Leidseplein City Center”. The line actually finishes a few minutes further on at “AMS Elandsgracht”, which is the name you will see on timetables.

One thing to watch: do not board the 397 or N97 signed “Nieuw Vennep” — that is the same line heading the opposite way.

Luggage on the Amsterdam Airport Express Bus

Bags ride free of charge. The coach has a low, step-free entrance and a shared luggage area — just keep your things within sight during the trip.

Combining the Bus with other Public Transport or a Rental Bike

For the last stretch from the bus stop to your door — and for getting around afterwards — you have options. If you are travelling light and staying central, walking may be all you need.

For anything further, a bike or public transport is quicker and easier. Amsterdam is one of the great cycling cities and its tram, metro and GVB city-bus network are excellent, so it is worth renting a bike near the Vondelpark or rolling your bus trip into an all-in travel card.