Schiphol Airport: Buying Train Tickets Simplified

can you buy train tickets at schiphol airport

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol offers several transportation options, including renting a car, taking a bus, riding a train, hailing a taxi, or using a shared ride service. For travellers who want a mix of affordability, comfort, and timing, taking a train from the airport to the city centre is a great option. Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the airport station. The Schiphol train station is located underneath the airport and has six platforms accessible from Schiphol Plaza via escalators and elevators. Ticket machines at the airport are yellow and accept credit cards or cash in Euros.

Characteristics Values
Location of ticket machines At the Schiphol Plaza and baggage belts of Arrivals 1, 2 and 3
Colour of ticket machines Blue/grey or yellow
Types of tickets Single trip, 1/2/3-day travel tickets, Amsterdam Travel Ticket, OV-chipkaart
Accepted payment methods Cash, debit card, credit card
Ticket price €4.60 to Amsterdam Central Station
Train timings 6 am to 1 am, with hourly departures at other times
Train frequency 8 times per hour to Amsterdam Central Station
Train duration 14-17 minutes to Amsterdam Central Station

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Ticket machines at Schiphol Airport

There are ticket machines at Schiphol Airport that allow you to buy train tickets. These machines are owned by the railway company NS (Nederland Spoorwagon). They are yellow and have a blue sign on top. The ticket machines are located at the baggage belts of Arrivals 1, 2 and 3 and at Schiphol Plaza. The Schiphol Plaza machines are located next to the escalators leading down to train platforms 3 and 4.

The ticket machines offer an English language option. However, some travellers have found the machines confusing to use. The machines do not accept bills, so you will need to have coins to hand. The steps to purchasing a ticket are as follows:

  • Enter the four-digit number on the upper keypad corresponding to your destination listed on the left side of the machine. The code for Schiphol is 1117.
  • Press the lighted button marked "2e Klas" for second class or "1e Klas" for first.
  • Press the "Vol Tarief" button for a full tariff or "Korting" if you have a discount train card.
  • Collect your ticket and any change from the basket near the bottom of the machine.

If you are looking to purchase a multi-day pass for bus, tram, and metro, these tickets are operated by GVB and are not sold at the NS train ticket machines. These tickets can be purchased at Schiphol Airport at the AKO newspaper shop and the tourist information office.

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Online tickets

You can buy train tickets online for the journey from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam's city centre in advance. The NS International website provides timetables, prices, and the option to buy international train tickets online. The NS website also offers live updates and regular departure times for trains departing from Schiphol Airport.

There are several benefits to buying your train tickets online. Firstly, you can avoid the hassle of using the airport's ticket machines, which do not provide instructions in English and only accept coins, not bills. Secondly, e-tickets are cheaper than tickets purchased at ticket machines. A single journey second-class e-ticket from Amsterdam Centraal to Schiphol Airport costs €5.20, while a one-way ride purchased at the airport train station costs €4.60 to €4.90.

If you are travelling with others, you can also benefit from group discounts when purchasing online tickets. For example, a group of seven people travelling during off-peak hours can avail of a discounted rate of €7.60 per person. Additionally, if you are a frequent traveller, you can purchase a seasonal ticket online, which allows for unlimited travel.

When purchasing your online train ticket, you can select your departure point and destination, and the website will provide you with the best route, travel time, ticket price, and departure times from Schiphol Airport railway station. This allows you to plan your trip in advance and make informed decisions about your travel arrangements.

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Amsterdam Travel Ticket

Yes, you can buy train tickets at Schiphol Airport. There are blue/grey public transport ticket machines located at the baggage belts of Arrivals 1, 2 and 3, and at Schiphol Plaza. You can also buy tickets online or at the station.

If you're travelling to Amsterdam, the Amsterdam Travel Ticket might be a good option. This ticket allows you to travel across Amsterdam without limits for one, two or three days. You can use it on the train and bus to and from Schiphol, and all trams, metros and buses in the city centre. The ticket is valid from the moment you check in for the first time until 4:00 am the next morning.

With the Amsterdam Travel Ticket, you can travel by train (2nd class) between Schiphol Amsterdam Airport and any of the following train stations in Amsterdam: Amstel, Bijlmer ArenA, Central Station, Holendrecht, Lelylaan, Muiderpoort, RAI, Sciencepark, Sloterdijk, Zuid, Duivendrecht, Diemen and Weesp. You can also use it on all GVB trams, day buses, night buses, metros and ferries.

The Amsterdam Travel Ticket is available for purchase online or at the I amsterdam Store at Amsterdam Central Station, selected hotels and campsites, and ticket counters of participating public transport companies. You can also collect your ticket at any train station with an NS Tickets & Service desk and the blue/red ticket vending machines at Schiphol Airport or Amsterdam Central Station.

If you're only travelling by train, you can buy a train ticket at the airport from the ticket machines or at the station. These machines give change but do not accept bills, so it's best to have some coins on hand. The machines are in Dutch, but there is a four-digit code for each destination, which you enter on the upper keypad. For Central Station, the code is 1000, and for Schiphol, it is 1117. After entering the code, press the button for your class of travel. There is almost no difference between first and second class in Holland. Finally, press the "Vol Tarief" button for a full tariff or "Korting" if you have a discount train card.

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OV-chipkaarts

Yes, you can buy train tickets at Schiphol Airport. The airport is an important hub for train traffic and is easily accessible by rail from all over the Netherlands. A sprinter train runs between Amsterdam Central Station and Schiphol eight times per hour.

There are several options for purchasing train tickets at Schiphol Airport. One option is to use the blue/grey Public Transport Tickets machines located at the baggage belts of Arrivals 1, 2 and 3, and at Schiphol Plaza. These machines offer single tickets or 1, 2, or 3-day travel tickets. The machines provide instructions in English and accept credit cards. Alternatively, you can purchase tickets from a person at the airport, which may have a short waiting time.

If you plan to use public transportation frequently during your stay in the Netherlands, it may be more cost-effective to purchase a rechargeable public transport chip card, also known as an OV-chipkaart. This card can be used for trains, trams, and buses throughout the country. The OV-chipkaart can be purchased at Schiphol Airport or various train stations. If you choose to buy the card at the airport, you can find ticket machines at the baggage claim area. These machines accept credit cards and can be switched to the English language.

When using the OV-chipkaart for train travel, you must activate the card at an NS vending machine and ensure a minimum credit balance of €20 when "checking in". Anonymous OV-chipkaarts are also available from NS vending machines for €7.50. It is important to note that when travelling by train to or from Schiphol, you need to “check in” and “check out" using the gates or poles at the station.

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Ticket validation

It is important to note that the ticket machines at Schiphol Airport do not provide instructions in English and can be confusing to some users. These machines accept coins but not bills or notes, so it is advisable to have some change with you. Alternatively, you can purchase your train tickets online or at the NS International counter in Schiphol Plaza, using cash or a payment card.

When travelling by train from Schiphol Airport, you have the option to buy an Amsterdam Travel Ticket, which offers unlimited use of trains, buses, trams, metros, and buses in the city centre for a specified duration, typically 24 hours. This can be a convenient option if you plan to use multiple forms of public transportation during your stay.

Once you have validated your ticket, you can proceed to the train platforms, which are located underneath the airport in the Schiphol Plaza area. Trains to Amsterdam Centraal station usually depart from platform 3, and the average journey time is between 14 and 17 minutes. It is recommended to check the latest departure information on the station signs or through the NS website or mobile app.

In addition to ticket validation, don't forget to check out when you reach your destination. This can usually be done at the gates or check-in poles at your destination station. Checking out ensures that you are charged correctly for your journey and helps maintain an accurate record of your travel history.

Frequently asked questions

You can buy train tickets from the yellow vending machines at Schiphol Plaza, which is located one level above the train station. You can also buy tickets from the blue/grey Public Transport Tickets machines at the baggage belts of Arrivals 1, 2 and 3.

Yes, you can buy a ticket for a one-way ride at the airport train station. You can pay by credit card or with cash (in Euros).

Yes, you can buy your train ticket online in advance. You can then print it, keep it on your phone, or load it onto the NS app.

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