Schiphol taxi rank: how does it work?

The official taxi rank is outside Schiphol Plaza, on the arrivals side. Follow the 'Taxi' signs from the arrivals hall to the exit and get into the first taxi in the queue. There are usually several taxis waiting, even at night.

At the rank the taxi runs on the meter: a starting fare plus a charge per kilometre and per minute, within the legal maximum fares. The final amount depends on the distance and on how busy the roads are: in a traffic jam the meter keeps running. So you only know the exact amount at the end of the ride.

It can be. On the meter you pay for the actual time and distance, so traffic jams and detours push the price up. If you book a fixed price in advance, that risk isn't yours: the amount is fixed, even when it's busy. For many routes from Schiphol you can save money with a fixed price booked in advance. Depending on the route, the saving can be as much as 50 to 60% compared with an expensive metered ride at rush hour.

At the rank you can get in without a booking, which is handy if you leave on the spur of the moment. If you want certainty about the price and a car waiting for you, book in advance. With a booked ride your flight is also tracked, so the driver adjusts to a delay or an early landing.

Yes, there are usually taxis waiting at the rank day and night. If you want to be sure of transport and know the price beforehand (after a late landing or a missed train, for example), booking in advance is the safest choice. You then pay a fixed price with no night surcharge.