Schiphol to cruise terminal: getting to Passenger Terminal Amsterdam (PTA) after midnight
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.
← Back to the full comparison for Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam cruise terminal
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.
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
Schiphol to cruise terminal at 00:30: what still runs?
Every option on this page runs at 00:30: NS train to Centraal, then tram 26 (€6.90 per person, 50 min); NS train to Centraal, then walk (€5.50 per person, 55 min); Taxi from the Schiphol rank (€40–€60 per vehicle, 30 min); Pre-booked private car (€52 per vehicle, 35 min). Fares are per person unless marked per vehicle.
Schiphol to cruise terminal: what is the cheapest way after midnight?
The cheapest option running at 00:30 is NS train to Centraal, then walk: €5.50 per person, about 55 min door to door.
Schiphol to cruise terminal: how much is a taxi at night?
Taxi from the Schiphol rank: €40–€60 per vehicle, counted for up to 4 people, about 30 min door to door. The price is an estimate. Pre-booked private car: €52 per vehicle.
Schiphol to cruise terminal: what is the best option for two people with two bags at 00:30?
NS train to Centraal, then tram 26: €13.80 for the group, about 50 min. No booking needed.
Schiphol to cruise terminal: where do these prices and times come from?
Prices and times were checked on October 4, 2026 against NS, Cruise Port Amsterdam, linked in the list of options on this page.
