There’s a train strike in the Netherlands — how do I get to or from Schiphol?
Check first whether the airport train is running: during the national public-transport strike of September 9, 2026, the only trains were Sprinters between Amsterdam Centraal, Schiphol and Hoofddorp, four times an hour, while Amsterdam’s trams, metros and buses stopped. A pre-booked car doesn’t depend on the railways — Schiphol to any Amsterdam address is a fixed €90 in Business Class — but roads are busier on strike days, so book early and leave extra time.
Last updated:
When the trains don’t run: fixed prices per car
| Option | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Business Class, Schiphol → any Amsterdam address | €90 | E-Class, EQE, EQE SUV, BMW i5, BMW 5 Series · up to 3 passengers, 3 bags |
| Van Class, Schiphol → any Amsterdam address | €125 | V-Class, EQV · up to 7 passengers, 7 bags |
| First Class, Schiphol → any Amsterdam address | €140 | S-Class, EQS, EQS SUV, BMW i7 · up to 3 passengers, 3 bags |
| Business Class, Schiphol → Rotterdam | ≈ €209 | about 61 km · per-kilometer price, fixed at booking |
| Van Class, Schiphol → Rotterdam | ≈ €271 | about 61 km · up to 7 passengers, 7 bags |
Amsterdam → Schiphol: €80 in Business Class. Strike days don’t change our prices; booking within 12 hours of pickup adds 10%, so book as early as you can. Prices are per car, not per person, with 9% Dutch VAT included, and the same day and night. Booked less than 12 hours before pickup: +10%. At Schiphol the first 60 minutes of waiting are free, elsewhere 15 minutes; after that waiting is charged per minute at the class's hourly rate (Business €65 an hour). Free cancellation up to 1 hour before pickup.
Latest disruption we know of: September 9, 2026
| What | On strike day |
|---|---|
| Trains | None, except the Sprinter Amsterdam Centraal – Schiphol – Hoofddorp, four times an hour |
| Amsterdam trams, metros, buses, ferries | Not running |
| Roads | Extra traffic expected; commuters were asked to work from home |
| Why the Schiphol train ran | A court obliged the railways to keep the airport reachable, after a case Schiphol brought during a 2024 strike |
From NL Times, September 8, 2026. For a future strike, check the Dutch railways (NS) and your airline on the day; this table is updated when we learn of the next one.
What is included in the price
- Flight tracking and a chauffeur inside the arrivals hall, as on any day
- A fixed price confirmed before the ride — no strike surcharge
- Dispatch on WhatsApp 24/7 to re-plan if roads jam
On a strike day
When the train is fine
- The airport Sprinter is running and you are going between Schiphol, Amsterdam Centraal or Hoofddorp.
- You travel light and can walk from Centraal, because trams and metros may be stopped.
When a chauffeur is the better choice
- Your destination needs a tram, metro or bus from the station.
- You are going beyond Amsterdam — Haarlem, The Hague, Rotterdam, Utrecht.
- You arrive at night and connections are uncertain.
Roads get busier when trains stop. A car avoids the rail strike, not the traffic it causes.
What to do when a strike is announced
- Check the railways and your airline. Strikes are usually announced days ahead; the airport train has run during recent strikes, but check.
- Book the car early. Booking more than 12 hours ahead avoids the 10% short-notice surcharge and gives dispatch time to plan.
- Leave extra time. Especially to Schiphol for a departure: roads fill when the trains stop.
- Keep your phone on. Dispatch and the chauffeur message you if anything changes.
Related questions
Are trains running from Schiphol to Amsterdam today?
Check the Dutch railways (NS) journey planner on the day. During the September 9, 2026 national strike, the Sprinter between Amsterdam Centraal, Schiphol and Hoofddorp kept running four times an hour.
My train to Rotterdam was canceled — can I get a car from Schiphol instead?
Yes. Schiphol to Rotterdam is about 61 km: €209 in Business Class or €271 in Van Class, fixed at booking, with the chauffeur meeting you inside the arrivals hall.
I land at night and there are no trains — how do I get to my hotel?
With a pre-booked car at the same price as daytime: €90 in Business Class to any Amsterdam address. There is no night surcharge.
Is there traffic around Schiphol because of road works this weekend?
Road works on the A4 and A10 happen regularly; check Rijkswaterstaat’s traffic information before you leave. Our dispatch plans routes with announced closures in mind, but on a closure weekend allow extra time either way.
Sources
- NL Times — public transport strike of September 9, 2026, Schiphol Sprinter kept running (checked September 24, 2026)
Book it, or ask dispatch first
Book online in a few minutes (no account, no app), or send your flight number and address on WhatsApp and dispatch replies in English, 24 hours a day.