Amsterdam airport taxi
 

Do the taxis from Amsterdam airport run on fixed rates? About how much do they charge to go to the Canal District for 1 person?

Are there any other options for airport transport other than the train. I got lots of luggage and don't want to drag it around too far.

Thanks

There is a shuttle service. I don't recall what we paid but def less than taxi which was 50+ euros one way.

There are airport buses going to some locations in Amsterdam - probably near your hotel.

If you want a taxi from Schiphol it is better to book one in advance than to just take one from the rank. It is also normally cheaper to do so. The Schiphol site offers the choice of sharing a ride or taking it solo. Sharing is cheaper, but may take longer, and if you have a lot of luggage it could be too much for a shared cab.
If you don't want to book then you do not have to take the first taxi at a rank but do make sure it the vehicle has blue number plates, and if in doubt ask to see the driver's taxi permit.
Check with your hotel if they offer a shuttle themselves or can arrange a taxi.
The Connexxion hotel shuttle costs €17 one way, €27 return. It may or may not go near your hotel, and again with a lot of luggage may not have room for you - also note that the return shuttle to Schiphol is unreliable, and the company won't refund your ticket or pay the taxi fare if the bus fails to turn up.
http://www.schipholhotelshuttle.nl/

You could also consider http://www.taxielectric.nl/en/home who also offer a last minute service, but you have to call them for that.

Whereabouts is your hotel?

You could always get the train in and then get a taxi at CS (same rules apply about the rank and checking the bona fides). if it is really too far to walk.

At the taxi rank at Schiphol, there is usually a coordinator whose one job seems to tell the passengers that they don't have to take the first taxi in the queue.

While I take taxis in other countries at official ranks, Amsterdam taxis felt "creepy." Perhaps I have not had good experiences, but the taxi drivers I had didn't smile, didn't talk, responded with curt answers, and drove aggressively.

Prearrange taxi, as mentioned above, was a different story altogether. The driver was very courteous, responded cheerfully to questions, and drove sanely.

I now take a train, a prearranged taxi, or a #197 connexxion bus (not shuttle, but a plain city bus) if I am heading to Leidseplein area.

Thanks for all the help. I would be headed near the Old Church.

I will try Schiphol.

Took a taxi from basically Amsterdam Centraal Station to the airport last year and it cost at least Euro 50 as I recall. You could take the train into town for a lot less than that not to mention the Bus http://www.schipholhotelshuttle.nl/

The Oude Kerk is only a short walk from Centraal Station. Unless you have several large heavy bags it should be walkable with luggage without too much stress.