I know it is an "easy" train ride from the airport to central city. But as we get older, we like the ease of taxi/limo, especially early morning after a flight, and neither of us sleep on the overseas flight.

I saw that Uber is active in Amsterdam. We have the app on the phone and use it all the time here at home. Question: will we be able to do the transaction in English?

Uber is illegal in the Netherlands. It may be active but it is illegal here. Taxi drivers have to be licenced. Uber is an illegal taxi service because the drivers are not licenced and their vehicle do not have the required blue number plates.

Do not use Uber here.

You still have to use licensed taxis.These have blue number plates on the car.
http://www.licenseplatemania.com/lan...#Taxi%20series
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...etherlands.cfm
http://www.wsj.com/articles/dutch-au...ear-1443526747

One could add that it is very easy to find the outside taxi rank and to get a cab at Schipol.

Uber apparently is however operating in Amsterdam and from the airport - whether to use it or not is a personal matter. If they are allowed to have a web site advertising their services I don't think you will get in trouble - perhaps Uber but if Uber says they will pick you up at the airport and you do not have any qualms about using an alternative to Amsterdam's taxi and airport shuttle monopolies go for it - again a personal matter.

https://www.uber.com/cities/amsterdam/

I just entered Schipol into my Uber app and it said it would take 2 minutes and to meet the driver at "departures".

Just because it is still operating doesn't make it legal.

Apart from the shuttle, Bus 197 leaves from Portal B9 right outside the airport, and stops at many major stops (e.g., Leidseplain).

Just because it is still operating doesn't make it legal.>

You have a strange country - it's illegal but allowed to openly operate - kind of like the cannabis sales - illegal but tolerated?

And I did not say having a web site made them legal - I said the user then probably would not get int to too much trouble if they let them have a web site that says they are operating throughout Amsterdam.

No it is not legal but allowed to run as normal. Weird country yours. I don't really care - just giving info to the OP so they can make a choice.

I would take either the airport shuttle buses StCirq mentions which may go right by your hotel or the train and then walk or take a cab that is Hoyle to your hotel.

If they are allowed to operate how can they be illegal? an oxymoron for sure.

There are taxi's lined up outside the airport just waiting to take you, no need to use uber upon arrival. We did use uber once or twice during our stay and there was always a car available within a minute or two.

limmy - is Uber cheaper? If not why use them - better service - quicker response? Curious. Why do folks use Uber rather than traditional licensed, regulated taxis and why can't Uber get licensed like any cabbie? Curious

It's actually safer than a taxi because you can track an uber car on your phone's gbs. You also see your driver and rating before accepting them. You never exchange cash because you get charged by the app. It's also cheaper because the drivers are using their own cars. It's also in their interest to treat you well because they want a high rating.

I thought just one kind of Uber was illegal, the kind without professional drivers? I think that is Uberpop, but if the driver has a professional license (chauffeur or whatever it is called there), I thought it was legal from the articles I read. It is odd that if it is totally illegal, why they are allowed to operate a website specifically for Amsterdam. Although I know their offices have been raided by the police at least once. But I wouldn't worry about the language issue, that's for sure.

Lots of people don't exchange cash if they use a credit card.

But I also have read that it isn't cheaper in Amsterdam, it can even cost more than a taxi, I have no idea.

What is really funny is they claim they are not a transportation service, I suppose trying to get around the law. I can't imagine what else they think they are. This is from their Amsterdam website:

<< Uber is not a transportation provider. No need to tip. Flat rates apply to direct trips between specified locations. Additional stops may result in a higher fare. Applicable tolls and surcharges may be added to your fare. At times of intense demand, our rates change over time to keep vehicles available.>>

Pal, I don't know if uber is cheaper than a taxi. My guess would be sometimes yes and sometimes no. I choose uber or a taxi purely from a standpoint of convenience.

Sometimes there isn't a taxi in sight & you have no idea where the nearest taxi stand is and it suddenly starts pouring rain. So you order up a uber.

Some general pluses with uber:
-Your phone tells uber your location (you don't have to tell the driver yourself-which could be tricky in foreign countries)
-There is no physical money transaction between you & driver. (No "broken" cc machines)
-9 times out of 10 the car is nicer, cleaner, smells better than a taxi
-They will often have free bottles of water for passengers
-Drivers are usually exceptionally nice, polite and sometimes quite interesting (but I'm aware there have been some very not nice incidents too http://www.freep.com/story/news/loca...wife/81762070/ )

I don't go out of my way to use uber over a taxi. I use them interchangeably.

Just thought I'd throw this into the conversation
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertain...icle-1.2582359

Since they are not allowed to use the taxi rank at Schiphol, I wonder where you will meet your Uber driver, and where he parks his car?

It's easier to take a taxi - they will be waiting outside the terminal. These are good cars; BMW, Mercedes, Tesla.

Uber does operate in Amsterdam. The hotel I recently stayed in advertised them.

following this thread...

Yes, Uber, but not Uber Pop.

I wonder whether Uber will be much cheaper than a regular taxi: the Schiphol to Amsterdam route is a premium one for all taxi services. The entire taxi system at Schiphol is geared toward protecting licensed taxis.

As with any taxi, it's wise to check the route beforehand. I have an app on my iPhone that calculates approximate taxi fares by shortest routes and alerts you when a a taxi deviates from a pre-set route.

"I have an app on my iPhone that calculates approximate taxi fares by shortest routes and alerts you when a a taxi deviates from a pre-set route."

Will you share the name of that app?

If I know in advance that I'll be needing a taxi, say from the airport arrival to a hotel, I sometimes print out the route suggested on google maps ahead -- it helps in communicating the exact destination to the driver, and also indicates that I have an idea how long the ride should take...

Pre book a taxi, you will know exactly how much it costs in advance, they will meet you in the terminal and be there when your flight arrives. They will be fully insured, legal and paid a decent wage.
The Schiphol website has some links.