To get from Amsterdam to Haarlem in the day time, it’s easy. It takes only 15 minutes by train and that’s the best option you have. The problem starts at night. The last train to Haarlem leaves at 1:25 am and the earliest is at 5:34 am, so what can you do in the meantime?
The last train from Amsterdam to Haarlem is at 1:25 am and the morning train is at 5:34 am. In the middle of the night, there are night buses N97, N30, or you get by train to Schiphol and take a bus from there. Just keep in mind that night transport may take up to 90 minutes.
I struggled with this for a long time while living in Haarlem. If you want to get back to Haarlem in the middle of the night it’s a headache, definitely. Sometimes I would even give up going to a party because I didn’t want to deal with night transport. Of course, you can get back to Haarlem in the middle of the night but it takes a long time or you can take a taxi which is quite expensive.
Night Bus
After 1:25 am and before the morning train these are the ways to get from Amsterdam to Haarlem.
Train to Schiphol From Amsterdam Centraal -> From Schiphol Bus N40 to Haarlem
Bus N97 to Schiphol From Amsterdam Centraal -> From Schiphol Bus N40 to Haarlem
If not a Public Transport, Than Get an Uber
For the taxi you pay up to 60 euros, that’s pretty expensive, even if you are with friends. Uber is popular in the Netherlands and there are plenty of Uber drivers especially in Amsterdam. It’s cheaper than a taxi but it isn’t that cheap. There isn’t that big price difference between Uber and taxi prices because in the Netherlands Uber driver needs a taxi driver’s license.
What Time is a Night Bus?
Dutch people often use some transport apps(link below) but I just use Google Maps to check buses and trains. It’s very accurate and maps are updated often.
9292 – use this website to plan any trip in the Netherlands
Night Bus – you can check night buses here
Where to Buy A Ticket?
Train – Train Station
Bus – on the bus
Tram – in the tram
If you have an OV card than that’s your best option. Public transport costs less when you have an OV card. Here you can find out where to get an OV Card. Keep in mind that to get to the train station you need at least 20 euros on your OV card.
Important
- On buses and tram, you can pay only by OV Card, credit and debit cards. It’s not possible to pay cash. Yeah, I know, that’s a bit weird but that’s how it goes. In the Netherlands, everyone uses their card. (Article on cards that you may not be able to use in the Netherlands)
- To get to the Centraal Station you need at least 20 euros on your OV card or a ticket for a particular train.
Wrap Up
To be honest it’s a headache to get from Amsterdam to Haarlem in the middle of the night. The best thing you can do is to take the last train, and if you want to party just order an UBER. Night transport takes 90 minutes just to get from Amsterdam Centraal to Haarlem and I don’t count waiting time in Amsterdam and time you need in Haarlem to get home.
