Schiphol to Amsterdam cruise port: train, tram, taxi
Passenger Terminal Amsterdam is 15 minutes on foot from Amsterdam Centraal, and the NS train links Schiphol to Centraal in about 17 minutes. So the cheapest route is a train and a short tram ride or walk. A taxi at 40 to 60 euros is a fair choice for a group with cruise cases. Check that your ship uses this terminal, because some lines call at IJmuiden instead.
- Cheapest
- €5.50NS train to Centraal, then walk · 55 min
- Fastest
- 30 minTaxi from the Schiphol rank · €40–€60
- Taxi
- €40–€60Taxi from the Schiphol rank · 30 min
NS train to Centraal, then tram 26: €13.80 for the group, about 50 min. No booking needed.
Train
NS train to Centraal, then tram 26
50 min
For the group€13.80estimate
NS train to Centraal, then tram 26
NS and GVB · one change, about 50 min
- Per person
- €6.90
- Door to door
- 50 min
- Runs
- -
- Frequency
- trains up to 8 an hour, tram about every 10 min
- Board at
- Platform 3 beneath Schiphol Plaza, then tram 26 at Centraal
- Suitcases
- Fine
Train
NS train to Centraal, then walk
55 min
For the group€11
NS train to Centraal, then walk
NS · the 15-minute walk is flat and by the water
- Per person
- €5.50
- Door to door
- 55 min
- Runs
- 24 hours
- Frequency
- up to 8 an hour
- Board at
- Platform 3 beneath Schiphol Plaza
- Suitcases
- Fine
Taxi
Taxi from the Schiphol rank
30 min
For the group€40–€60estimate
Taxi from the Schiphol rank
Licensed taxis · metered, no fixed fare
- Per person
- €40–€60 per vehicle
- Door to door
- 30 min
- Runs
- 24 hours
- Frequency
- Rank outside arrivals
- Board at
- Official taxi rank outside Schiphol Plaza
- Suitcases
- Carried for you
Private car
Pre-booked private car
35 min
For the group€52estimateCheck price
Pre-booked private car
Meet in arrivals · price fixed when you book
- Per person
- €52 per vehicle
- Door to door
- 35 min
- Runs
- 24 hours
- Frequency
- Pre-booked
- Board at
- Driver waits in the arrivals hall
- Suitcases
- Carried for you
Every option in detail
TrainNS train to Centraal, then tram 26
- €6.90 (estimate)
- 50 min
- → Muziekgebouw / Bimhuis stop, next to the terminal
Take the NS train from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal, 5.50 euros with a contactless card, and tap out at the gates. Tram 26 towards IJburg leaves from the front left side of the station and the first stop, Muziekgebouw / Bimhuis, is the terminal's. The tram costs about 1.40 euros by our calculation from GVB's 2026 rate, so the total is about 6.90 euros. The tram is a ride of a few minutes, and the terminal says it runs every 10 minutes. We could not confirm the last tram, so walk if it is late.
TrainNS train to Centraal, then walk
- €5.50
- 55 min
- 24 hours
- → Amsterdam Centraal, then on foot to the terminal
The train costs 5.50 euros with a contactless card and takes about 17 minutes. Leave Centraal on the IJ side, turn right and head east along the water. Cruise Port Amsterdam says the walk is about 15 minutes, and the entrance is next to the Movenpick hotel. It is flat and has no stairs, but a wheeled case is easier with a free hand. NS trains run through the night on this line at the same fare, so this works at any hour.
TaxiTaxi from the Schiphol rank
- €40–€60 per vehicle (estimate)
- 30 min
- 24 hours
- → Terminal entrance on Piet Heinkade
Cruise Port Amsterdam says a ride between Schiphol and the terminal costs between 40 and 60 euros, which is a guide to the metered fare and not a fixed price. If you are asked for much more, the terminal asks you to report it. Allow about 30 minutes, longer in the morning peak. Take the taxi from the official rank and ask for a receipt.
Private carPre-booked private car
- €52 per vehicle (estimate)
- 35 min
- 24 hours
- → Terminal entrance
A pre-booked sedan for up to three passengers typically starts in the low 50s, about 52 euros, which is an estimate. The price is fixed when you book, and the driver tracks your flight. The drive takes about 30 to 35 minutes. Book a day ahead and give your terminal name.
The same trip in a different situation
Arriving late at night
You can still get there at 00:30. NS night trains run through Schiphol and Amsterdam Centraal about once an hour, and the fare is the same as in the day. Tram 26 may have stopped, but the walk along the water from Centraal takes about 15 minutes and is flat. The taxi rank outside Schiphol Plaza works all night, at 40 to 60 euros to the terminal. Cruise passengers normally embark by day, so a late arrival usually means a hotel and an early start.
See the comparison →4 people, 4 suitcasesTravelling as a group of four
Four people on the train and tram pay about 27.60 euros in total, or 22 euros if you walk the last stretch. A taxi at 40 to 60 euros is 10 to 15 euros each and takes you and the cases to the terminal door. A pre-booked sedan fits three, so four people need a larger vehicle or two cars. With cruise-size cases, the taxi is worth the extra for three or four.
See the comparison →Practical tips
- Embarkation margin: ships usually sail in the evening, and check-in closes before that, so confirm your cut-off time on the cruise line app. Aim to land at least four hours before the all-aboard time, and leave Schiphol for the terminal at least two hours before it. That is our guidance, not the line's rule.
- IJmuiden: if your ship uses the Felison Terminal, this route does not apply. It is about 25 km to the west with no direct train, and the practical choice is a taxi or pre-booked car, so check your cruise line's transfer details.
- Tap in at Schiphol and tap out at Centraal with the same card or phone. Do not buy a paper single, because NS adds a 1.60 euro surcharge.
- At Centraal, leave on the IJ side. Tram 26 towards IJburg leaves from the front left of the station, and the terminal is one stop away at Muziekgebouw / Bimhuis.
- Sea cruise calls here are capped at about 100 a year with one ship a day in 2026. Check your ticket names Passenger Terminal Amsterdam.
- Take the official rank outside Schiphol Plaza for a taxi and avoid unmarked drivers in the terminal.
Questions travellers ask
How do I get from Schiphol to the Amsterdam cruise terminal?
Take the NS train to Amsterdam Centraal for 5.50 euros, then tram 26 for about 1.40 euros or walk 15 minutes to Passenger Terminal Amsterdam. The total is around 50 to 55 minutes.
How much is a taxi from Schiphol to the Amsterdam cruise port?
Cruise Port Amsterdam says between 40 and 60 euros. Taxis are metered and wait at the rank outside Schiphol Plaza.
How early should I land before an Amsterdam cruise?
Aim to land at least four hours before the all-aboard time. The transfer takes 30 to 55 minutes, and you also need time for bags and check-in.
Is the cruise terminal in Amsterdam or IJmuiden?
It depends on your ship. Passenger Terminal Amsterdam is next to Centraal, while some lines use the Felison Terminal at IJmuiden, about 25 km west. Your boarding pass names the terminal.
Can I walk from Amsterdam Centraal to the cruise terminal?
Yes. Cruise Port Amsterdam says it is about 15 minutes on foot. Leave on the IJ side, turn right and follow the water east.
