Just landed at Schiphol and staying near Museumplein, Leidseplein or Vondelpark? Then the red Amsterdam Airport Express (bus 397) is the ride I always recommend to friends. It leaves right outside the arrivals hall, takes about half an hour and drops you a short walk from most hotels in the Museum Quarter. You don’t have to drag your suitcase through Centraal Station.
Amsterdam Airport Express at a glance (checked 12 November 2026)
- Tickets: € 6,50 one way or € 11,75 return, bought online
- Pay as you go: tap your bank card with OVpay, € 4,21, no cash on board
- Kids: € 1 from age 4 to 11, under 4 ride free
- Where: Schiphol Plaza bus station, platforms B15-B17, one minute from arrivals
- How often: every 6-15 minutes from about 05:30 to 00:15, night bus N97 after that
- Prefer a taxi? private ride with hotel drop-off from € 42
- Travel time: 28 minutes to Museumplein, 38 to Elandsgracht, no stop at Centraal Station
- Staying 1-3 days? Amsterdam Travel Ticket from € 20 covers this bus, the airport train and all city trams
Last updated: 12 November 2026 by Anastasia Dudina
The Airport Express runs from early morning until just after midnight. Arriving on a late flight? From 01:00 to 05:00 the night bus N97 (Niteliner) follows the same route once an hour. It makes a few more stops, so the ride takes a bit longer.
Where to catch the Amsterdam Airport Express at Schiphol
Walk out of Schiphol Plaza, the big arrivals hall, and turn slightly to the right. The Airport Express leaves from bus platforms B15-B17, literally a minute on foot. Look for the red bus with number 397.
Building works at Schiphol Plaza: the bus station is being rebuilt, so some buses use temporary platforms. The new locations are shown on signs and on the information at the bus stops, so have a quick look before you get on.
Amsterdam Airport Express tickets and prices
You have three easy options: a fixed-price bus ticket bought online, a tap of your bank card at the reader, or a travel pass if you’ll be using trams and metro during your stay too. Here is how they compare.
| Ticket | Price | Good to know | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Express one way | € 6,50 | Fixed price, also sold by the driver (bank card only) | Check availability |
| Airport Express return | € 11,75 | Cheaper than two singles, handy for your flight home | Check availability |
| Kids (4 to 11 years) | € 1 | Ask the driver for a kids ticket, bank card only. Under 4: free | On the bus |
| OVpay (contactless bank card) | € 4,21 | Tap in and tap out, cheapest single ride | Tap on board |
| OV-chipkaart | € 4,21 | Needs credit on the card | Tap on board |
| Amsterdam Travel Ticket | from € 20 | 1-3 days, airport bus and train included | Check availability |
| Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket | from € 23 | 1-3 days, adds trips to Zaanse Schans, Volendam and more | Check availability |
GVB day tickets don’t work here. The Airport Express is run by Connexxion, not by the Amsterdam city operator GVB. A regular GVB 24 hour ticket is not valid on it, but the Amsterdam Travel Ticket is.
Amsterdam Travel Ticket: airport transfer plus city transport
For a short city break this is my favourite pass. One ticket covers your ride from Schiphol, unlimited travel around Amsterdam and the trip back to the airport:
- Airport Express bus 397 between Schiphol and Amsterdam, both ways.
- The train from Schiphol to Amsterdam and back.
- All GVB trams, metro and buses in the city.
| Ticket valid for | Price | Cost per day | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day | € 20 | € 20 | Check availability |
| 2 days | € 27 | € 13,50 | Check availability |
| 3 days | € 34 | € 11,33 | Check availability |
Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket: for day trips too
Planning to leave the city for a day? The Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket gives you 1-3 days of unlimited bus, tram, metro and train travel in Amsterdam and the area around it. That includes Schiphol, Volendam, Edam, Marken, Zaanse Schans, the beach at Zandvoort and Keukenhof in spring.
| Ticket for | Price in 2026 | Cost per day | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day | € 23,00 | € 23,00 | Check availability |
| 2 days | € 34,00 | € 17,00 | Check availability |
| 3 days | € 44,00 | € 14,67 | Check availability |
Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket map. Check a full-size map at Iamsterdam.com official website. Learn more about ARTT >>
OVpay and OV-chipkaart: the cheapest single ride
Simply hold your contactless bank card or phone against the card reader when you get on and again when you get off. A ride from Schiphol to the city costs € 4,21 this way, the same as with an OV-chipkaart. Don’t forget to tap out, otherwise you pay a higher fare. Using OVpay on a card from outside Europe? Check with your bank that contactless payments abroad are switched on.
Airport Express bus or train: which one suits your hotel?
Both are quick, so the right choice mostly depends on where you sleep. My rule of thumb: hotel south of the canal ring, take the bus. Hotel around Centraal, Dam Square or in the east, take the train.
| Airport Express bus 397 | Train from Schiphol | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Museum Quarter, Vondelpark, Leidseplein, Amsterdam West | Centraal Station, Dam Square, the old centre |
| Leaves from | Bus station outside Schiphol Plaza | Station right under the airport |
| Travel time | 28-38 minutes, depending on your stop | About 15 minutes to Centraal |
| Runs | Every 6-15 minutes, N97 at night | Several trains an hour, also at night |
| Tickets | € 6,50 online or OVpay | Train ticket or OVpay |
Travelling with kids, lots of luggage or arriving tired after a long flight? Skip both and go door to door: a private ride from Schiphol with drop-off at your hotel starts at € 42, a fixed price you pay in advance, so there are no surprises on the meter.
Amsterdam Airport Express timetable 2026/2027
There is no need to plan around a timetable: on weekdays a bus leaves every 6 to 8 minutes in the daytime. Evenings and weekends are a bit quieter, with 4 to 6 buses an hour, and from 23:00 there are 4 an hour.
| Bus | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| 397 Airport Express | About 05:30 to 00:15 | Every 6-8 minutes on weekday daytimes, 10-15 minutes in the evening and at weekends |
| N97 Niteliner | 01:00 to 05:00 | Once an hour |
For exact departure times and live delays, use the 9292.nl website or app. The new 2027 timetable for all Dutch buses starts in mid-December 2026, and I’ll check this page again once it is out.
Airport Express route: the stops that matter
After a few stops around the airport, the bus drives through Amstelveenseweg and the Olympic Stadium area. These are the four stops most visitors use:
| Stop | From Schiphol | Get off here for |
|---|---|---|
| Museumplein | 28 min | Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk, Concertgebouw |
| Rijksmuseum | 32 min | Rijksmuseum, Museum Quarter hotels |
| Leidseplein | 34 min | Restaurants, theatres, Vondelpark |
| Elandsgracht | 38 min | Last stop, a short walk to the Jordaan |
Want every stop on the line, a bigger route map and hotels within walking distance of each stop? I put it all together in my bus 397 route map and stops guide on Holland Explorer.
🟡 On now until 17 January 2027
Going to the Kusama exhibition? Get off at Museumplein
The Stedelijk Museum is a short walk from the Museumplein stop. Tickets from € 32,50 sell out fast, so book before you fly.
Taking the Airport Express back to Schiphol
On your way home, catch the bus at the same stops, in the direction of Schiphol. Elandsgracht is the first stop, so that is where you have the best chance of a seat. From Leidseplein or Museumplein, allow about half an hour to the airport, plus extra time in rush hour.
Bought a return ticket? Just show it again. With OVpay, tap in and out like before. If your flight leaves very early, the night bus N97 runs once an hour between 01:00 and 05:00.
Be well-prepared and you’re half way there
FAQ about the Amsterdam Airport Express
How much is the Amsterdam Airport Express in 2026 and 2027?
A one-way ticket costs € 6,50 and a return € 11,75. Paying with OVpay or an OV-chipkaart costs € 4,21 per ride. These are the 2026 fares. New fares for 2027 usually start on 1 January and will be added here as soon as they are known.
Is it better to travel from Schiphol to Amsterdam center by train or by bus?
For most visitors going from the airport to the city center, the train is faster. It leaves from the station directly under Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. The Airport Express bus 397 is the better choice if your hotel is in Amsterdam South, the Museum Quarter or near Leidseplein, see the bus or train comparison.
Where does bus 397 stop in Amsterdam?
Bus 397 (Amsterdam Airport Express) runs between Schiphol Airport and Elandsgracht in Amsterdam West. Key stops in Amsterdam include Amstelveenseweg, Olympisch Stadion, Emmastraat, Museumplein, Rijksmuseum, Leidseplein and Elandsgracht. It’s especially convenient for hotels around the Museum Quarter and Leidseplein. It does not stop at Amsterdam Centraal Station. See the key stops and travel times.
How do I pay on the Amsterdam Airport Express?
Buy a ticket online before you fly, buy one from the driver with a bank card, or tap in and out with OVpay. The driver doesn’t accept cash.
Do kids pay on the Amsterdam Airport Express?
Under 4, no: they ride for free. Kids from 4 to 11 need a kids ticket of € 1, sold by the driver (bank card only). From 12 they pay the adult fare.
Can I use a regular GVB day ticket on bus 397?
No. Bus 397 (Amsterdam Airport Express) is operated by Connexxion, so standard GVB day tickets are not valid. Use OVpay, an OV-chipkaart with credit, or an Amsterdam Travel Ticket if you want airport transfers included.
Can I use an Amsterdam Travel Ticket on bus 397?
Yes, both the Amsterdam Travel Ticket and the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket include unlimited travel on bus 397 (Amsterdam Airport Express).
Is there a night bus from Schiphol to Amsterdam?
Yes. Between 01:00 and 05:00 the night bus N97 (Niteliner) takes over from the Airport Express and runs once an hour on the same route. It makes more stops, so the trip takes a little longer. See the timetable.
Is the Amsterdam Airport Express wheelchair accessible?
Yes. Bus 397 is wheelchair accessible. It has low-floor boarding, a dedicated wheelchair space and access ramps to make boarding easier. There is also space for prams and luggage. Travellers using larger electric wheelchairs should check Connexxion’s size and weight requirements before travelling.
Enjoy your stay in Amsterdam!
Read more:
- How to get from Schiphol airport to Amsterdam
- How to travel from Schiphol airport to Paris?
- Amsterdam public transport tickets
- Schiphol airport railway station
- Night buses in Amsterdam
- Things to do in Amsterdam with kids
- How to travel from Schiphol airport to Keukenhof?
- What is included in the I amsterdam city card?
About the author:
Written by a local
Anastasia Dudina
I’ve been living in the Netherlands since 2013 and exploring it ever since. I write and update all articles on Amsterdam Explorer and Holland Explorer myself: real tips, not tourist traps. All of them are kept regularly updated, and if you find this guide helpful, sharing it is the best way to support the project.