Amsterdam Airport Express Bus 397 Timetable & Frequency

How often does Bus 397 run from Schiphol?

From Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam Airport Express Bus 397 departs from bus stop B17. After exiting Schiphol Plaza, walk to the right to reach the stop. Based on the timetable shown in the route images you shared, daytime service is generally strong throughout the day, especially on weekdays and weekends during the main travel hours.

In practical terms, the service pattern looks like this:

• Early morning: departures begin before 6:00 on most days, with a lighter pattern at first.
• Main daytime period: usually every 7 to 10 minutes, depending on the day and hour.
• Evening: frequency gradually reduces.
• Night: Bus 397 stops, and N97 Niteliner runs about once per hour.

Amsterdam Airport Express 397 timetable from Schiphol Airport

Hour-by-hour departure details

If you want more precise planning, these are the visible departure patterns from the timetable image.

Monday to Friday: normal daytime pattern

Saturday pattern

 

Sunday and holiday pattern

 

N97 night bus timetable

If you arrive after Bus 397 has stopped running, the N97 Niteliner covers the route overnight toward Amsterdam Centraal Station, passing several of the same intermediate areas.

• Monday night to Thursday night: around 01:19, 02:19, 03:19, 04:19
• Friday night: around 01:19, 02:19, 03:19, 04:19
• Saturday night: around 01:22, 02:22, 03:22, 04:22
• Sunday and holiday night: around 01:19, 02:19, 03:19, 04:19

This is the key difference many travelers miss: the route does not disappear at night, but the frequency changes from “very frequent” to “once per hour,” which matters a lot if your flight lands late or you are delayed at baggage claim.

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Common rider takeaways

Because you asked for practical, experience-based guidance, here are the kinds of real-world takeaways that matter most when people use this route:

• “It feels easy during the day.” When the bus is running every few minutes, most travelers do not need a strict minute-by-minute plan.
• “It is more useful for south-central Amsterdam than Centraal-only travelers.” If your hotel is near the museum district or Leidseplein side, the route often saves a change.
• “Late-night timing matters more than daytime timing.” Once the N97 takes over, missing one bus can mean a long wait.

Those are not marketing points; they are the practical differences that shape whether this route feels convenient or not on the day you travel.

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When Bus 397 is a good choice

• You are staying near Museumplein, Leidseplein, Concertgebouw, or Elandsgracht.
• You arrive during the daytime frequent-service window.
• You want a direct airport-to-city bus without switching at the central station.
• You prefer a simple boarding point at Schiphol rather than navigating train platforms first.

When you should be more careful

• Your flight lands very late and you may miss the hourly N97.
• You are staying closer to Amsterdam Centraal than to the 397 corridor.
• You are traveling with a lot of luggage and want to compare door-to-door convenience, not just ticket price.

Onward travel in Amsterdam

Once you are in the city, official GVB tools are useful for checking tram, bus, and metro connections inside Amsterdam. The official GVB journey planner is the most useful place to continue your route, while the GVB tourist guide and the Amsterdam visitor transport page help with local ticket and network basics.

For a fuller comparison of costs and route logic, you can also read our guides on Amsterdam Airport Express bus price, what Bus 397 actually is, and whether the Amsterdam Airport Express is worth it.

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FAQs about Amsterdam Airport Express Bus 397 timetable

1. How often does Bus 397 run from Schiphol Airport?

During the main daytime period, Bus 397 usually runs every 7 to 10 minutes, depending on the hour and day. Frequency becomes lower later in the evening, and the N97 takes over overnight at roughly one bus per hour.

2. Where does Bus 397 leave from at Schiphol?

It departs from bus stop B17. After exiting Schiphol Plaza, walk to the right to reach the stop.

3. What is the first Bus 397 of the day?

The timetable shown in your image starts with departures in the 5:00 hour on all main day types. Exact first-minute timing depends on the day, but early service begins before 6:00.

4. What happens after Bus 397 stops running?

The N97 Niteliner replaces it during the night. That is important because service continues, but the convenience level changes due to the hourly frequency.

5. Is Bus 397 better than going by train?

It depends on where you are staying. If your hotel is near the 397 corridor in south-central Amsterdam, the bus can be more direct. If your destination is near Amsterdam Centraal, the train may be more straightforward.

6. Do I need to time my arrival exactly?

Usually not during the day, because departures are frequent. At night, yes. Missing an N97 can add a long wait, so late arrivals should pay more attention to the timetable.

7. Does Bus 397 run on Sundays and holidays?

Yes. The timetable image shows a dedicated Sunday and holiday schedule, with regular daytime departures and a slower late-evening pattern.

8. Is the night bus N97 direct to Amsterdam Centraal?

Yes, the N97 timetable image is labeled toward Amsterdam Centraal Station. It also passes several intermediate stops, so it can still be useful even if Centraal is not your final destination.

For the complete cluster overview, visit the main guide here: Amsterdam Airport Express Bus Transfer Guide.