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AMS → Amsterdam · head to head

Night train to Amsterdam CentraalorAmsterdam Airport Express bus 397?

The short answer

For one traveler the Night train to Amsterdam Centraal is cheaper by €1. That does not change up to 8 travelers.

The Night train to Amsterdam Centraal is quicker: 15 min against 28 min. The Amsterdam Airport Express bus 397 varies between 25 and 34 minutes.

Night train to Amsterdam Centraal: 02:03–05:02. Amsterdam Airport Express bus 397: 05:27–00:19.

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.
TravelersNight train to Amsterdam CentraalAmsterdam Airport Express bus 397Difference
1€5.50€6.50€1
2€11€13€2
3€16.50€19.50€3
4€22€26€4
5€27.50€32.50€5
6€33€39€6
7€38.50€45.50€7
8€44€52€8

Side by side

Where each one leaves you
regional · NSNight train to Amsterdam Centraal
From
Platforms 1–2, directly below Schiphol Plaza
To
Amsterdam Centraal — between 01:00 and 05:00 the station is exited only via the Westtunnel and the IJ side
Luggage
An Intercity, with racks and space by the doors.
Runs
02:03–05:02
Journey
14–15 min

Not on Tuesday nights. The direct night train does not run Tuesday to Wednesday; the N97 bus does, hourly from 01:19, and NS offers a two-train route via Bijlmer ArenA at the same fare.

Between the 01:09 Sprinter and the 02:03 night train nothing leaves for Amsterdam except the 01:19 bus.

It stops at Amsterdam Centraal only in Amsterdam, then goes on to Utrecht. For Zuid or Sloterdijk at night take the N97.

Night train to Amsterdam Centraal: price for every party size →

See the fare on NS
bus · 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 10 options. See all of them ranked for your party size →

The other comparisons at Airport Schiphol