Is There Uber in Amsterdam 2023: Tips to Get From Airport to Amsterdam
Is there Uber in Amsterdam?
You have finally touched down at Schiphol Airport and you are so excited and ready to start your adventure in Amsterdam! Bags are in hand, and you are beelining for the closest exit. At this point, you may be wondering, what is the best and fastest way to get to my hotel from the airport?
Do you take a taxi or other public transportation? Or is there Uber in Amsterdam?
In this post, you will discover if there is Uber in Amsterdam, when is Uber not your best option, and an ultimate guide to getting from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam City Center.
🌎 ✈️ Planning a trip soon? Check out my favorite resources below!
🏨 Accommodation: I recommend Booking.com
🚗 Rental Car: I recommend Discover Cars
🚁 Tours & Experiences: I recommend Viator or GetYourGuide
💵 Travel Insurance: I recommend Travel Insurance Master
Is There Uber in Amsterdam 2023
Uber is available in Amsterdam and other cities in the Netherlands. Including the Randstad area and the cities of Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Eindhoven, Haarlem, and ‘t Gooi.
Once you arrive in the Netherlands, you can open your already downloaded app and should easily be able to order an Uber to your desired destination.
When is Uber Not the Best Option
We had a positive experience using Uber during our stay in Amsterdam and Haarlem, especially when we booked our Uber in advance for our journey to the airport. We booked the ride day before with no issues, and the price was relatively reasonable.
However, there are times during your travels through the Netherlands when I would not recommend taking Uber. One would be if you are traveling outside any of the major cities listed above. Uber is not popular or available in the smaller cities outside of Amsterdam.
Another would be wait times. You can only book an Uber when there are Ubers available. The Schiphol Airport is notoriously known as being an overcrowded and busy airport. Depending on the time of day you are traveling, you may experience long wait times when waiting for your Uber.
If you are traveling with a large group or as a family with young children, you can avoid the stress of public transportation or wait for an Uber by booking a private transfer to Amsterdam in advance.
Lastly, Uber is not your cheapest option for transportation to the city center. If you are looking to spend less then I suggest buying an Amsterdam Travel Ticket where you can take unlimited rides on Amsterdam’s public transportation. Including trams, buses, night buses, metros, and ferries.
How Do You Get to Amsterdam From the Airport
Fortunately, there are numerous forms of transportation to get from the Schiphol Airport to the city of Amsterdam.
You can either try public transportation by hopping on the train or bus. Grab a taxi or Uber. Or you can book a private transfer from the airport to your accommodations in Amsterdam.
Travel to Amsterdam By Train
The NS train station is located at Schiphol Airport below the terminal building. The trains run frequently throughout the day to Amsterdam Central Station, and NS station also provides night trains running once an hour between 2:00 am and 5:00 am.
If you book a direct train, you can get to Amsterdam Central Station in 14 to 17 minutes.
You can purchase your train tickets at either the Train tickets & Services desk or the yellow and blue Public Transport Tickets machines. The transport ticket machines accept credit cards or Euros.
Here you can find an updated train schedule and book your tickets in advance here. One-way tickets to Amsterdam Central (known as Amsterdam Centraal or Amsterdam CS) cost €5.70 for standard 2nd class or €8.85 for 1st class.
Travel to Amsterdam By Bus
There is a bus station right outside of the airport at Schiphol Plaza. The Amsterdam Airport Express Bus 397 has the fastest and most direct connection to Amsterdam City Center by bus.
The express bus departs every 10 minutes from bus platform B17. The bus stops at numerous main city locations like Stadionplein, Emmastraat, Museumplein, Rijksmuseum, Leidseplein, and more.
The bus trip is about 30 minutes to Amsterdam. During your trip, you will have access to Wifi, charging ports, and a display screen that allows you to easily follow along the bus route so you do not miss your stop.
Tickets can be purchased at the red Public Transport Service & Tickets minibus outside the airport near the hotel shuttle bus stops. Or you can book your Amsterdam Airport Express Bus ticket in advance here. This ticket also includes a return ticket to the airport that is valid for 14 days from first use.
✅ Book the Amsterdam Airport Express Bus to & from Airport here
Amsterdam Travel Ticket
Save money during your time in Amsterdam and book an Amsterdam Travel Ticket. The Travel Ticket will be your city pass to public transportation in Amsterdam including all trams, buses, night buses, metros, and ferries run by the Amsterdam Transport company GVB.
If you plan on exploring Amsterdam and using public transportation the Amsterdam Travel Ticket will easily pay for itself and is 100% worth it. It offers unlimited rides during your stay in Amsterdam. You can purchase either a one day ticket to three a day ticket.
✅ Book your Amsterdam Travel Ticket here
Travel to Amsterdam By Taxi
Traveling by taxi to Amsterdam is a popular choice for many travelers departing from Schiphol Airport because it’s easy to do and doesn’t require any planning in advance. However, is it your best option?
There is an official taxi stand outside the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. When we arrived at the taxi stand on a Thursday night at around 8:00 pm, I was shocked by the number of people in line to get a taxi. The line was enormous and by far one of the largest I have ever seen. There are attendants there that help move the line along, but it still was a decent wait.
Depending on traffic and the location of your accommodation, an average taxi ride from Schiphol Airport to the city center is approximately 30 to 45 minutes. And the cost is between €45 to €60.
Our taxi driver allowed us to pay with credit. However, I do recommend having some euros on hand. During our trip, many of the taxi drivers requested us to pay in euros.
If we didn’t have enough cash for the trip, they would eventually agree to credit or ask us to use some cash and put the rest on credit. To avoid confusion and awkwardness, always have some euros just in case.
Travel to Amsterdam By Uber
There is Uber available in Amsterdam, making it another option for transportation to the city.
Uber in Amsterdam offers a variety of cars including Uber Green, Uber Black, UberX Saver, Uber Comfort, and Uber Van for larger groups of up to 7 people.
Once you have arrived in the Netherlands, you do not need to make any alterations to your Uber app. Just make sure that the credit card linked to your app accepts international charges.
Can I Uber from Amsterdam Airport
Uber is available, and you can book a ride from the Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam. After you have picked up your luggage, you can open your Uber app, and it will give your instructions on the pickup location, how much the ride will be, and the estimated time of arrival.
The Uber pickup spot at Schiphol Airport is across from exit B on the Arrival level. To get there, follow the signs toward the trains and car rental agencies after leaving the baggage reclaim area and passing through customs. Follow to exit B by the car rental desk.
How Much is Uber From Amsterdam Airport to City
The prices vary depending on the time of day, availability of cars, and what service you book. Uber prices fluctuate according to supply and demand.
However, an advantage of taking Uber that you do not get with a taxi is that you know how much it will cost in advance and can decide beforehand.
To get an idea of price, the average price for an Uber from the Schiphol airport to Amsterdam Central is UberX: €28-36, Uber Black: €50-60, and UberVAN: €49-64.
Book a Private Transfer to Amsterdam
To avoid the hassle and wasted time depending on public transportation, another option to get to Amsterdam from Schiphol Airport is by booking a private transfer.
A private transfer to Amsterdam is the perfect idea if you are traveling in a group or family, have a decent amount of luggage, and want a reliable form of transportation to get to your accommodations in Amsterdam.
The best part about a private transfer is that they will be waiting and ready for you at the airport during the time of your arrival.
No stress with flight delays, your driver will be notified when you land and will welcome you at arrivals. Also, you will have security knowing that your driver will wait up to 90 minutes after your arrival time.
The transfer can fit up to 7 people per group and is a great option to avoid standing in the taxi line or waiting for your Uber to arrive.
✅ Book your Private Schiphol Airport Transfer to Amsterdam here
Renting a Car in Amsterdam
If you are only planning on visiting Amsterdam and not any other locations in the Netherlands, I do not suggest renting a car. Amsterdam is a very walkable city that offers numerous options for affordable public transportation.
Even the locals prefer biking in the city to driving. Amsterdam is known as one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world. Also, parking in the city can be very expensive and add up over time.
However, having a car can come in handy. Especially, if you are traveling with a family and want to explore more than just Amsterdam. Also, it could be the cheaper option and save you the hassle of public transportation.
If you are planning on having a car during your stay in the Netherlands, you can conveniently pick up your car rental at the Schiphol Airport or at a nearby location.
✅ Book your car rental at Schiphol Airport here
Other Frequently Asked Questions: Taxi vs. Uber
Are Taxis Cheaper Than Uber in Amsterdam
Taxi fares are typically more expensive than Uber in Amsterdam. Taxis in the Netherlands are considered costly, and Amsterdam’s taxi fares are among the highest in Europe. Uber is known for being cheaper. However, their rates fluctuate with the time of day, weather, and availability of cars.
Your cheapest and fastest option from Schiphol Airport to the Amsterdam City Center would be to ride public transportation either by bus or train.
Are Ubers reliable in Amsterdam
Ubers are reliable and a safe option for transportation in Amsterdam. Uber was released in the Netherlands in 2012 and now covers more than five cities.
A ride with Uber is typically cheaper than taking a taxi and it is a great way to get you from point A to point B when you don’t want the hassle of public transportation.
Looking for More Amsterdam Content:
🛶 Are Canal Cruises Worth it in Amsterdam 2022: 7 Unique Tours
🚆 Is it Better to Fly or Take the Train From Paris to Amsterdam 2022
✈️ 7 Hour Layover in Amsterdam: What To Do On a Long Layover 2022
In Conclusion: Is There Uber in Amsterdam 2022
Now you know, there is Uber in Amsterdam and it is a reliable option to get to or from the airport. Amsterdam is historically known for its beautiful canal systems that cover over 60 miles of the city. However, are canal cruises touristy or are they worth booking?
Spoiler, in my opinion booking a canal cruise in Amsterdam, is 100% worth it. Here you can find all of the reasons why you should book a canal cruise, which tours not to book, and the top tours for visiting the canals. And discover the perfect amount of days you need to spend in Amsterdam + a 3 day itinerary