Amsterdam taxis and Uber are easy, reliable, and well-regulated — but expensive compared to public transport. Expect €55-65 from Schiphol Airport to the city centre by taxi, €30-50 by Uber, and €15-25 for typical centre-to-centre rides. This guide covers all your options — TCA taxis, Uber, Bolt, FREE NOW, airport taxis — with 2026 prices, how to pay, tipping etiquette, late-night considerations, and how to avoid the common Amsterdam taxi scams.
Quick Cost Comparison
- Centre to centre (3 km): Taxi €15-22 | Uber €10-15 | Bolt €9-14.
- Centraal to Schiphol: Taxi €55-65 | Uber €30-50 | Bolt €28-45.
- Public transport (NS train): €5.40 to Schiphol.
- Night surcharge: 10-25% for taxis Fri-Sat 22:00-06:00.
- Tipping: Round up to nearest euro; 5-10% optional.
Official Taxi Fares (2026)
Standard Taxi (Cars up to 4 passengers)
- Flag/base fare: max €4.31 (typically €3.50).
- Per kilometre: max €3.17 (typically €1.80-2.40).
- Per minute: max €0.52 (typically €0.25-0.45).
- Schiphol pickup surcharge: €7.50 minimum + standard rates.
- Night surcharge: 10-25% Fri-Sat 22:00-06:00 (varies by operator).
Large/Group Taxis (5-8 passengers)
- Base fare €7-9.
- Per km €2.50-3.50.
- Best booked in advance.
Uber vs Bolt vs FREE NOW (App-Based)
Uber
- UberX: base €1.60, €0.90/km, €0.20/min. Cheapest option.
- Uber Comfort: base €2.00, €1.10/km, €0.25/min.
- Uber Black: base €3.50, €2.00/km, €0.35/min.
- Uber XL (up to 6): higher rates.
- Surge pricing: applies during peak times (Fri/Sat night, ADE, Pride).
- Wait times: 2-8 minutes typical.
Bolt
- Estonian-based competitor; often cheaper than Uber by 5-15%.
- Similar service categories.
- Sometimes lower wait times in residential areas.
- Many drivers run on both apps.
FREE NOW
- Merger of mytaxi + Kapten.
- Connects to licensed traditional taxis (you book a real metered taxi through app).
- Slightly more expensive than Uber/Bolt; equivalent to street taxi.
- Useful for receipt-required business travel.
TCA (Taxicentrale Amsterdam)
- Largest traditional Amsterdam taxi cooperative.
- Book by phone: +31 20 777 7777.
- Or via TCA app.
- Same regulated meter prices.
Schiphol Airport Transfers
- Schiphol Official Taxi: €55-65 to centre.
- UberX: €30-50 to centre.
- Bolt: €28-45.
- Schiphol Travel Taxi (pre-booked): €50-70.
- NS Train (Schiphol-Centraal): €5.40, 15 minutes (cheapest option).
- Connexxion 397 Bus: €7-8, 35 minutes to centre.
- Best value: NS train, unless heavy luggage or 4+ people.
How to Pay
- Card: all Amsterdam taxis legally required to accept card.
- Contactless: standard.
- Cash: always accepted.
- Apple Pay / Google Pay: yes.
- Uber/Bolt: in-app payment only.
- Receipts: ask "reçu alstublieft" — taxis legally required to print.
- Forex: euros only; don’t pay in pounds/dollars (poor rate).
Tipping
- Not mandatory.
- Standard: round up to the nearest euro.
- Good service: 5-10% extra.
- Luggage help: €1-2 per heavy bag.
- Uber tip: in-app after the ride (€1-2 typical).
- American 20%: not expected; awkward.
When to Use a Taxi/Uber
- Late at night (after night buses stop): yes.
- Heavy luggage to/from Schiphol: yes for groups of 3+.
- Mobility issues: yes (request wheelchair-accessible).
- Quick cross-town (more than 2 km): consider tram first.
- Bad weather: a taxi splurge can be worth it.
- Going to airport from edge of city: yes.
- Single across-centre rides: usually walk or tram for €3.40.
- Avoid in Centrum traffic: trams are faster during rush hour.
Late-Night Considerations
- Night surcharge: 10-25% Fri-Sat 22:00-06:00 (some operators).
- Uber surge: 1.5-3x typical late Fri/Sat.
- Long waits: 10-30 minutes peak late-night.
- Official ranks: Centraal Station, Leidseplein, Rembrandtplein, Dam Square — safest.
- Hail on street: legal but rare in Amsterdam.
- Don’t accept unmarked "tip taxis": drivers at Centraal offering cheap rides — often unlicensed.
- Night buses: cheaper alternative; 00:30-07:30 hourly. See our night transport guide.
Common Taxi Scams to Avoid
- Unmetered "flat rate": legally taxis must use the meter; ask for the meter to be on.
- Long routes: drivers detouring through scenic routes. Use Google Maps for awareness.
- Unlicensed "snorders": street touts offering cheap rides — illegal and unsafe.
- Damrak / Centraal late-night touts: especially aggressive; refuse politely.
- Wrong change scams: count change carefully.
- Fake card readers: if a card reader looks suspicious, pay cash.
- If overcharged: photograph the licence plate + driver ID; report to Schiphol Taxi Inspectorate or Amsterdam Politie (0900 8844).
Wheelchair-Accessible Taxis
- Connexxion WAV: book +31 88 339 4444.
- TCA wheelchair taxis: book ahead +31 20 777 7777.
- Uber Assist: in-app option for accessibility.
- Notice period: 1-2 hours ahead ideal.
- No extra cost: regular taxi rate.
When Public Transport Wins
- Schiphol-Centraal: NS train €5.40 vs taxi €55-65. Train wins.
- Centrum to Museum Quarter: tram €3.40 vs taxi €15. Tram wins.
- Cross-town (3 km): tram + walk vs taxi at €15-22. Tram wins.
- Free ferries: Centraal to Noord — free vs taxi €20+. Ferry wins.
- Taxi wins when: heavy luggage, late at night, mobility issues, 4+ people.
Daytime vs Night Pricing
- Standard hours (06:00-22:00): regular meter rates.
- Night surcharge (22:00-06:00): 10-25% extra (some companies).
- Fri/Sat night: peak Uber surge — often 2x standard.
- NYE / King’s Night / Pride weekend: 3x+ surge possible.
- Solution: book in advance or use night buses.
Getting to/from Suburbs
- Schiphol to Amstelveen: €25-35 taxi; train + bus €5.
- Centraal to Bijlmer-Arena: €30-40 taxi; metro €3.40.
- Centraal to Sloterdijk: €18-25 taxi; train €3-4.
- Schiphol to Haarlem: €30-45 taxi; train direct.
Useful Numbers
- TCA Amsterdam: +31 20 777 7777.
- Connexxion Taxi: +31 88 339 4444.
- BIOS Groep: +31 88 075 4400 (Schiphol-area).
- Police (non-emergency): 0900 8844.
- Schiphol Taxi Inspectorate: 0900 0388.
Travelling with Kids
- Child seats: not standard in Amsterdam taxis; bring your own if needed.
- Uber Child: not available in Amsterdam currently.
- Booster seats: legally required for children 3-12 under 135cm in private cars.
- For airport transfer: book a child-seat taxi in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a taxi from Schiphol to Amsterdam?
€55-65 standard taxi; €30-50 by Uber. NS train is €5.40.
Is Uber cheaper than taxi in Amsterdam?
Yes — usually 20-40% cheaper than a metered taxi, especially for longer trips.
Are Amsterdam taxis safe?
Yes — Amsterdam taxis are regulated; drivers ID checked. Avoid unmarked "snorders".
How do I pay?
Card or cash. Uber/Bolt in-app only. All Amsterdam taxis must accept card by law.
Should I tip?
Round up; 5-10% for good service. Not mandatory.
Best app — Uber or Bolt?
Both work; Bolt often 5-15% cheaper. Many drivers run both — same car, different app.
Can I get a taxi at Schiphol?
Yes — taxi rank at Schiphol Plaza. Or book Uber/Bolt for cheaper. NS train is the best value for solo/duo travellers.
Final Thoughts
Amsterdam taxis are reliable but pricey — Uber and Bolt offer better value for most trips, and the NS train + tram network handles airport transfers and cross-city travel for a fraction of taxi prices. Save taxis for late-night returns, heavy luggage days, or when travelling with mobility issues. For everything else, public transport or a 5-minute walk usually beats a €15 taxi ride.
Related Amsterdam guides
- Getting Around Amsterdam — trams, metro, bikes, ferries and taxis explained.
- Night transport guide — night buses, trams and taxis after last service.
- Schiphol to Amsterdam — every airport transfer option compared.
- Public transport guide — trams, metro, buses and ferries for visitors.
- Common scams to avoid — the tricks that target visitors.
- Amsterdam trip cost breakdown — what a trip actually costs, line by line.
