RAI Amsterdam is the largest convention centre in the Netherlands. With an exhibition area of over 90,000 square metres, the RAI is a popular choice for both national and international fairs, conferences, sports and cultural events.
In this article we will see how visitors can get to the RAI Amsterdam from Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam Central.
RAI Amsterdam is located at Europaplein in the southern district of the city. It is approximately 4km from the city centre and 10km from Amsterdam Schiphol airport.
Schiphol Airport to RAI Amsterdam
There are a few options to get from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to the RAI Amsterdam convention centre.
TAXI: Many business travellers and convention visitors decide to travel by taxi to RAI. A taxi from Schiphol airport to RAI Amsterdam will cost about €35-50. Uber is also present in the city and an UberBlack trip would be around €44.
 Sneleentaxi is a reliable taxi firm offering rides anywhere in the Netherlands – including around Amsterdam and to/from airports. It offers competitive fixed fares to RAI Amsterdam with standard, luxury, electric and van options.You can book with Sneleentaxi here |
TRAIN ONLY: The train is a convenient way to travel between the airport and RAI. NS Dutch Railways has a sprinter train service from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam RAI station (direction Hilversum or Almere Oostvaarders). The journey takes about 10 minutes and runs up to 4x hourly.
Amsterdam RAI is the second stop on the trip just after Amsterdam Zuid station. Check the overhead boards at Schiphol Airport station platform to ensure your train stops at Amsterdam RAI. You should not take a train to Amsterdam Central which goes via another route.
Amsterdam RAI station is about 300m away from the exhibition centre on Europaplein.
The cost of a one-way train ticket (2023 prices) from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam RAI is €3.50 (2nd class) or €5.95 (1st class) plus a €1 surcharge if purchasing a disposable train ticket. See how to buy train tickets in the Netherlands for more detailed info.
TRAIN+METRO: Alternatively, get the train from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Zuid – €3.30 (2nd class) or €5.61 (1st class) – there are more trains going to Zuid station including Intercity services. You then need to make a change of platforms via stairs or lift (separate GVB ticket required) to get onto the North-South metro line 52.
You only need to travel one stop (direction Noord) to Europaplein station which is very near to the RAI Amsterdam convention centre entrance – actually much closer than Amsterdam RAI station.
Note that the metro is operated by city transport company GVB – so you will either need a GVB 1 hour single ticket (€3.40) for the metro trip or one of the following tickets aimed at visitors. Consider these multi-day tickets if you wish to use public transport during your stay in Amsterdam:
 Unlimited GVB Day/Multi-Day tickets – 1 to 7 day ticket (€9 to €41). Valid on all GVB transport (trams/metro/buses) in Amsterdam on a 24 hour basis. Book GVB 1-7 day tickets online here and pick-up in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam Travel Ticket – 1/2/3 day card (€18/€24/€30) combines airport train/bus journey with unlimited GVB transport in Amsterdam. Valid on a day (not 24 hours) basis. Book online here and pick-up in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket – 1/2/3 day card (€21/€31.50/€40.50) for unlimited travel in entire Amsterdam region. Valid on a day (not 24 hours) basis on NS trains (in region), regional buses and Amsterdam GVB transport. Book online here and pick-up in Amsterdam.
Iamsterdam City Card – Tourist pass which includes a GVB multi-day ticket as well as admission to many Amsterdam attractions. 24/48/72/96/120 hour cards (€65-€135). Book the Iamsterdam City Card online here |
It is also possible to walk (1km, 10-15 mins) from Amsterdam Zuid station (exit to the north side) to RAI thorough Beatrix Park.
Amsterdam Central to RAI Amsterdam
METRO: To travel from Amsterdam Central station to RAI Amsterdam simply take the underground metro line 52. The journey from Central to Europaplein (direction Zuid) takes just 8 minutes with frequent departures. The train makes stops at Rokin (Dam Square/Spui), Vijzelgracht and De Pijp before reaching Europaplein. The train then terminates at Amsterdam Zuid station.
There is also a metro station at Amsterdam RAI (adjacent to the train station) which serves lines 50 and 51 – see our Amsterdam metro map. This can get you to/from other areas such as Amstelveen, Amsterdam Amstel, Amsterdam Bijlmer-Arena and Amsterdam Sloterdijk.
TRAM: GVB tram 4 travels between Amsterdam Central and Amsterdam RAI stations via the route Dam-Rokin-Rembrandtplein-Utrechtsestraat-van Woustraat-Rivierenbuurt-Europaplein. This is slower (but perhaps more scenic) than metro line 52.
TAXI: A taxi between RAI Amsterdam and the city centre should cost €15-25. You can pre-book with Sneleentaxi here
RAI Amsterdam by Car
RAI Amsterdam is located just inside the A10 southern ring road of Amsterdam and is easily accessible by car.
Extensive parking facilities can cater for up to 5,000 cars. The car park is open for entry 0600-0000, exit can be anytime 24/7. Parking costs €4.50 per hour or a maximum day rate of €28 (€22 if pre-booked).
Hotels at RAI Amsterdam
There are numerous hotel options around the Zuidas and RAI areas. Good mid-range options include the nhow Amsterdam RAI hotel, Motel One Amsterdam and Van der Valk Hotel Amsterdam Zuidas. The nearest 5-star property is the Okura.
RAI Amsterdam, Europaplein 24, 1078 GZ Amsterdam
T:+31(0)20 549 1212
Last update 22 December 2022 (originally published in 2010).
