Like most of Europe, the best way to get out of the airport and into the city is via public transportation. Amsterdam’s public transportation system is quick and relatively cheap.  By far the most popular way to get to central Amsterdam is by train. The railway system has a direct line that connects Amsterdam’s Schiphol International ( AMS ) Airport to Central Station. 

There are 4-5 trains per hour. The trip takes 15-20 minutes and the trains generally leave from platform 1, 2 or 3.  It will either be direct or make a couple of stops before Central Station. Avoid the trains labeled FYRA, they require an extra supplement to the fare but on Schiphol-Central stretch don't offer any speed advantage. For all normal trains the single fare is 3,90 Euro, on 2nd class (correct,  February 2012). Some machines will accept euro coins, for others you must have a Dutch debit card. Alone amongst railway stations in the Netherlands there are a few machines that also accept VISA and Mastercard, but only when they have a PIN and at a considerable surcharge of 1 euro. You can also buy tickets at the ticket office. If you choose to do this you may well have to queue, you will also have to pay a surcharge of 50 cents per ticket.

If you’re travelling with lots of luggage there is ample room to stand in the entrance/door area of the carriage rather than try to struggle with your bags up or down the steep and narrow stairs to the seats.  Most people are able to continue their journey from Centraal Station to their hotels by either walking or catching a tram from immediately outside the station. If you want door-to-door instructions for train and subsequent tram or bus or metro: journeyplanner.9292.nl is the site. Select as departure 'trainstation' and then Schiphol, and as destination your hotel address.

When returning from Central Station to Schiphol your train will almost certainly leave from platform 13, 14 or 15. These are the ones furthest from the main station entrance.  As you enter the station you will see two screens. One shows all departures, the other just those that are going to Schiphol. Again avoid the FYRA trains due to the price supplement.

Times and prices for all train travel in the Netherlands can be found on the NS website.

- Since February 2011, the Holland Tourist Information desk at Arrivals in the airport does not sell the now-defunct 'Amsterdam All in one' ticket anymore. However they still offer the service of a convenient all-in-one purchase of the tickets needed, at a small surcharge. They sell bundles consisting of two single undated journeys Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam and back and a  24-, 48-, 72- or 96 hours ticket for unlimited travel on the GVB network in Amsterdam including the nightbusses which are normally € 3,50 one way. The prices for the bundles are currently e.g. 14.90 for 24-hours GVB card and 19.40 for 48-hours and so on; that is 0.50 euro more expensive than buying the cards separately (AKO kiosk at airport sells the GVB cards, NS vending machines are the only cheap source for the NS rides.) For an arriving tourist, this Tourist Information Desk service saves quite some time and might be worth the surcharge.

An alternative for those arriving with a lot of luggage is the Connexxion hotel shuttle. This costs €15 single, €24,50 return (correct Apr 10) and drops off/picks up at most of the city´s hotels. For pickups (return journey) it's not very reliable; general advice is to book them at least 30 to 45 minutes before you think you will need them.

Also for the Leidseplein and Museumpleion areas you can take the direct Connexxionbus 197 (generally 4 x per hour and taking 30 mins).  Cost around 4 euro for a single. Do note that GVB multi-day cards and singles are not valid on these buses and neither on the trains. There are two 'semi-GVB' bus lines from airport to Amsterdam, 192 to Sloterdijk station and 195 to Lelylaan station, but it's quite a slow way to reach the city unless your hotel is on the Western edge of the town. Despite varying stories from GVB about validity of their tickets on these buses, the one-hour tickets ARE valid on these (from and to Schiphol too) and most likely the multi-day cards too.

 

Please note that *since 111th December 2011) the 192 & 195 busses are now run by Connexxion and are branded Schiphol Sternet  so will no longer accept GVB tickets. The 192 has partly been replaced by GVB service 61 and the 195 by bus 69. Neither of these now go to Lelylaan. The 69 leave from Schiphol Plaza in front of the terminal and terminates at Sloterdijk station. Details can be seen on the GVB website or here for a pdf map:-

 

http://www.gvb.nl/reizigers/actuelein...

 

A taxi rank is also immediately outside Centraal Station.  Some taxi drivers will ask you where you are going and quote the fare in advance, which is usually a rip-off.  Metered taxis are also available and are almost always the better option. Fare to the city center is around 45 euros.

Notes about getting the correct train and security.

There are a number of 'Amsterdam' stations. Those of us who use the network regularly often find ourselves amongst visitors on other trains who think they are Centraal station.  When boarding the train at Schiphol look at the overhead signs on the platforms to ensure your train is actually going to Amsterdam C.S. and not to one of the other ones such as Amsterdam Zuid or Amsterdam RAI, which are a few miles south of the town center.

Bag snatchers are known to be particularly active on the trains to and from the airport. They see travellers, those who are in a strange country and who may be tired having just come of a long flight, as relatively easy pickings. Don't be too frightened. Crime levels in NL are low and personal security is generally very good. Just stay alert and keep an eye on your bags.