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Amsterdam Airport Express bus 397orPrivate transfer to Leiden?

The short answer

These do not go to the same place, so price is not the comparison. The Amsterdam Airport Express bus 397 reaches Amsterdam Centraal station, at the top of the old center; the Private transfer to Leiden does not. This goes to Leiden, not Amsterdam: the driver takes you to any address there.

The Amsterdam Airport Express bus 397 is quicker: 28 min against 30 min.

Amsterdam Airport Express bus 397: 05:27–00:19. Private transfer to Leiden: Runs all night.

Priced against each other

Whole-party totals · adult fares
What each costs for the whole party, in EUR. The cheaper of the two is marked on every row.
TravelersAmsterdam Airport Express bus 397Private transfer to LeidenDifference
1€6.50€78€71.50
2€13€78€65
3€19.50€78€58.50
4€26€78€52
5€32.50€106€73.50
6€39€106€67
7€45.50€106€60.50
8€52€212€160

Side by side

Where each one leaves you
397 · Connexxion (Transdev)Amsterdam Airport Express bus 397
From
Bus stop B17 (the timetable says B15–B17) on lane B in front of Schiphol Plaza — out of the doors and to the right; the bus station is being rebuilt until October 2027
To
Museumplein, Rijksmuseum and Leidseplein, ending at Elandsgracht — not Centraal station
Luggage
A coach-style bus with luggage racks.
Runs
05:27–00:19
Journey
25–34 min

It is a euro more than the train and takes nearly twice as long. Its case is the museum quarter and Leidseplein, where it stops at the door.

It does not serve Centraal station or the Dam by day.

The e-ticket is valid on the date shown and cannot be refunded or used to change buses.

No cash on board: a debit or credit card, or a ticket bought beforehand.

Amsterdam Airport Express bus 397: price for every party size

Buy the e-ticket from Connexxion

This compares two of 15 options. See all of them ranked for your party size

The other comparisons at Airport Schiphol