The costs: train vs taxi
A train ticket from Haarlem to Schiphol costs about €8 per person (single, 2nd class, without discount). For two people that is about €16, for four people about €32. A taxi from Haarlem to Schiphol costs €55 for a car — so €13.75 per person for four people.
So the train is cheaper, but with four people the difference is less than €6 per person. For that you are picked up at home and taken all the way to the departure hall, without hauling luggage or changing trains. With 5–8 people you travel by minibus for €75.
Good to know
A single 2nd-class ticket Haarlem–Schiphol costs about €8 without discount (checked in October 2026). For four people that is about €32.
Travel time: train vs taxi
The train journey from Haarlem Centraal to Schiphol takes about 20 minutes. But that is the time on the train itself — not the total travel time. You also have to allow for:
- Walking to the station (5–15 min)
- Waiting for the train (0–10 min)
- Checking in with your OV-chipkaart
- Walking from Schiphol Plaza to the terminal (5–10 min)
Total travel time from home: easily 45 to 60 minutes. With a taxi you are picked up at home and driven straight to the terminal — usually 30 to 35 minutes in total.
Luggage: the big drawback of the train
With a small rucksack, the train is fine. But with one or more suitcases it is a different story. You drag your luggage into the station, up the stairs or into the lift, onto the platform, onto the train — and at the other end everything in reverse. Then you still have to walk through Schiphol Plaza to the terminal.
With a taxi you go from your front door to the terminal. Suitcases in the boot, and the driver helps if you wish. No stairs, no jostling on the platform.
Good to know
Schiphol Plaza — the central hall connected to the railway station — is a 5 to 15-minute walk from the furthest departure gates. With luggage this takes extra time.
Early flights: the train is awkward
For an early flight, the train is often not a good choice. Early in the morning only a few trains run from Haarlem and the surrounding area, and you often have to change. As a result you will not always reach Schiphol in time; check the NS journey planner.
AMS Taxi Schiphol runs 24/7 — including at 03:00, 04:00 or 05:00. No night bus needed, no worries about connections.
When should you choose the train?
The train is a good choice if:
- You are travelling with hand luggage only
- Your flight leaves after 09:00
- You live close to a station
- You want to save money and time is not important
Does one of these points not apply? Then a taxi is almost always the better choice.
Conclusion
For families, travellers with luggage and early flights, a taxi to Schiphol is more comfortable and faster than the train — and with four people the difference in price per person is small. AMS Taxi Schiphol offers fixed prices from €50 for the whole car — book easily online or call +31 85 400 5400.
