Amsterdam Central Station (Dutch: Amsterdam Centraal)
Travel guide: map, local transport (metro, tram, bus), tickets, lockers, parking …
Amsterdam Centraal is the largest railway station in the city of Amsterdam, with approximately 200,000 travellers per day.
It is centrally located and is the gateway to the city for many visitors.
In this guide you will find all the important information for passengers, such as General map, information on getting around by public transport, tips on buying tickets, lockers, cheap parking and much more.
The famous station building was extensively renovated in 2018 and is a listed building. (picture: travelguide.amsterdam)
Arrival in Amsterdam: continue your trip with local transport (metro, streetcar, bus…).
Amsterdam Centraal train station is well connected to local transport. Many passengers arriving at Amsterdam Centraal station use metro, streetcar, ferry or bus to get to their destination.
Hub of local transport
Amsterdam Centraal station is not only the most important station for regional and long-distance traffic. It is also a hub for local transport:
- 4 of the 5 metro lines stop at the station’s metro station
- the central bus station “Busstation Amsterdam Centraal” is part of the station building. It is the main bus station for city and regional bus lines in Amsterdam.
- Many streetcar lines stop at Stationsplein, the square in front of the station building.
- On the north side of the station is the IJ ferry terminal.
Metro, trams, ferries, buses… you can start right from Amsterdam Central Station. With the right ticket, using public transport in Amsterdam is easy and cheap.
Public transport – the best way to see Amsterdam
For visitors to the city, public transport is the number one way to get around.
Parking in the city center is expensive and all sights and museums are easily accessible by metro, streetcar or bus.
Amsterdam public transport tickets: Which ticket option is best for me?
Whether single trip by e-purse or OV card, day ticket, “I amsterdam Card” or “Amsterdam Travel Card”, here you will find detailed information & current ticket prices. This makes it easy to find the right ticket for your stay in Amsterdam.
Doing a little research before you leave to find out which ticket is best suited to your needs will save you money, time and stress abroad.
Our tip – if you don’t want to deal with the fare system and ticket machines:
The single-day or multi-day tickets that are available for the public transport system in Amsterdam are typically the best choices for visitors.
These tickets allow unlimited use of the Metro (subway), GVB bus system, trams, as well as ferries for the entire period of validity (1 – 7 days).
These tickets are rather inexpensive for a European metropolitan city. For 2024 fares range between €5.85 and €9 a day, depending on period of validity.
You can buy your ticket online before your travel via the website of the authorised GVB ticket seller without having to pay a surcharge (click here). This means you no longer have to deal with ticket machines and fare systems abroad. This saves time and nerves – after all, there are better things to do in Amsterdam …
Metro / Underground at Amsterdam Central Station
The station has its own metro stop. It is called “Centraal Station”.
The Amsterdam metro network has 5 lines in total. Four lines stop at the station..
The stop “Centraal Station” is the terminus of three metro lines:
- Metro line 51 (Amsterdam Centraal – Isolatorweg)
- Metro line 53 (Amsterdam Centraal – Gaasperplas)
- Metro line 54 (Amsterdam Centraal – Gein)
In 2018, the new metro line 52 (Noord station – Zuid station) was opened, which also stops at Centraal station.
Amsterdam Central Station has its own metro stop. Accesses are in front of or directly in the station building.
The metro station “Centraal Station” is located directly below Amsterdam Central Station.
→ Download: ap / plan: metro lines in Amsterdam / route map (250 KByte)
- The stop “Centraal Station” is located in the upper right corner of the map.
- Access to the metro station is only possible with a valid ticket.
Streetcar / Tramway
Amsterdam Cetraal station has two tram stops, ‘Stationsplein’ in front of the main entrance to the station and ‘Westseite’.
A total of 9 tram lines serve these two stops.
The station has two streetcar stops (image: travelguide.amsterdam)
Streetcar lines 2, 11, 12, 13 and 17, which leave the station via Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal in the direction of Leidseplein or Rozengracht stop at “Westzijde”.
Bus station “IJzijde” (IJ side)
Until the new IJzijde bus station was built, the bus stops for local and regional transport were scattered all around the station. This was not very convenient for passengers.
New central bus station “IJzijde”
The large new building on the north side, directly on the banks of the IJ, has changed all that. Now almost all bus lines, whether they belong to GVB or the EBS and Connexxion bus companies, stop at the central bus station ‘IJzijde’.
The 24 stops are not permanently assigned to specific bus lines. They are assigned dynamically. An electronic display at the entrance to the bus station shows passengers the current bus stop.
“IJzijde” – bus station and ferry pier (image: M.Bußman)
Important national and international train connections
There are numerous national and international train connections to Amsterdam Centraal.
Here are some of the main train connections for visitors to the city:
| Train Name | Company | Destination | via | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICE 100 | Nederlandse Spoorwegen; Deutsche Bahn | Basel | Arnhem – Oberhausen Hbf – Duisburg Hbf – Düsseldorf Hbf – Cologne – Sieburg/Bonn – Frankfurt Airport – Mannheim Hbf – Karlsruhe Hbf – Offenburg Hbf – Freiburg Hbf – Basel Bad | |
| Intercity 77 | Nederlandse Spoorwegen; Deutsche Bahn | Berlin (Ostbahnhof) | Amersfoort Centraal – Deventer – Hengelo – Bad Bentheim – Rheine – Osnabrück Hbf – Hannover Hbf – Berlin Hbf – Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| Eurostar 9100 | Eurostar | London St Pancras International | Rotterdam Centraal – Brussel-Zuid – Lille-Europe | |
| Thalys 9300 | Thalys | Paris Gare Du Nord | Schiphol Airport – Rotterdam Centraal – Antwerpen-Centraal – Brussel-Zuid |
How do I get from Amsterdam Centraal station to Schiphol Airport?
In addition to long-distance connections, there is also a direct connection to Schiphol Amsterdam Airport.
The airport has its own train station “Schiphol Airport”, which is located directly under the terminal building.
→ More information in this travel guide:
Travel time, ticket prices, online tickets, …. for the train from Amsterdam Centraal ↔ Schiphol Airport.
→ More information in this travel guide:
Airport transfer (Airport Express bus, train, cab,…) incl. travel times and current prices (2024).
Lockers at Amsterdam Centraal station
Luggage lockers are available in the main building.
Lockers – prices for 24h (2024)
For a small locker you currently (2024) pay €8.50, for a large locker €11.50 for the first 24 hours.
Opening hours: Daily from 05:00 a.m. – 01:00 a.m.
Book luggage storage online
What do I do with my luggage if, for example, I arrive in Amsterdam early in the morning but can’t move into my accommodation until the afternoon?
A well-organized luggage storage can therefore save a whole vacation day.
There are also many options for storing your luggage outside the station.
There is a simple solution to this problem. You can book luggage storage online befor your trip via this website (click here). It is similar to booking a hotel.
The advantage over a locker at the station: With an online reservation there is no “Sorry, we are fully booked…”.
Map / Plan: Amsterdam Centraal Station
Here you can find our interactive map.
If you zoom in, you will find all the shops and restaurants in the station, as well as a detailed map of the platforms.
If you zoom out further, you can explore the surroundings of the station.
How much does a train ticket to Amsterdam cost?
Many visitors arrive in Amsterdam by train. Unlike Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam Central Station is centrally located in the city centre. As there are many high speed connections to Amsterdam, the journey time is short.
In addition, train travellers do not have the costly problem of finding a parking space in Amsterdam.
EEurostar, ICE, Thalys – many high speed services pass through Amsterdam Centraal – book early to get the best deal
Prices for a train ticket to Amsterdam
For several years, the price of a ticket has been determined by supply and demand. Popular and heavily booked times are more expensive than infrequently booked connections.
With a bit of luck, you can travel to Amsterdam from Berlin, Paris or London for as little as €19.90 (one way, 2nd class).
With Amsterdam Centraal as your destination, you arrive in the middle of the city. There is no additional travel time, such as for an airport transfer, when you arrive by train.
1 Book early:
Book as early as possible to get the best price. It is our experience that prices start to rise about 3–4 months before departure.
2 Book online directly at SNCF Europe:
It is easy and convenient to book on the European portal of the SNCF (even without a departure station in France).
3 Cheap travel days:
The cheapest days to travel to Amsterdam are usually Saturday, Tuesday or Wednesday. The other days tend to be used by commuters and business travellers.
Amsterdam Centraal station has many national and international train connections. In most cases you can find the cheapest tickets online (Image: Billie Grace Ward, CC 2.0 License)
Popular accommodation around the Amsterdam Central Station
Because of its central location, many travellers choose to stay near the station.
Another advantage is that if you return home early, you can sleep longer as the walk to the station is not far.
Accommodation prices in Amsterdam are generally very high.
| Name | Description | Single room price from | Link |
|
A-Train Hotel |
Hotel for railway fans – opposite the station and with railway look furnishings. | 180 Euro | Pictures, reviews, availability, prices |
|
Hotel Library Amsterdam |
good price / performance ratio | 146 Euro | Pictures, reviews, availability, prices |
|
Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam |
274 rooms, modern furnishings, central location | 240 Euro | Pictures, reviews, availability, prices |
|
Houseboat Westerdok |
Bed & Breakfast houseboat near the station – a unique experience | 180 Euro | Pictures, reviews, availability, prices |
|
THIS HO(S)TEL |
This popular hostel offers inexpensive, clean rooms with en suite facilities. | 139 Euro | Pictures, reviews, availability, prices |
Amsterdam public transport tickets: Which ticket option is best for me?
Whether single trip by e-purse or OV card, day ticket, “I amsterdam Card” or “Amsterdam Travel Card”, here you will find detailed information & current ticket prices. So you can quickly and easily find the right ticket for your Amsterdam stay.
If you briefly inform yourself before your trip, which ticket fits best for your purposes, this will save money, time and stress abroad.
Our tip – if you don’t want to deal with the fare system and ticket machines:
The single-day or multi-day tickets that are available for the public transport system in Amsterdam are typically the best choices for visitors.
These tickets allow unlimited use of the Metro (subway), GVB bus system, trams, as well as ferries for the entire period of validity (1 – 7 days).
These tickets are rather inexpensive for a European metropolitan city. For 2024 fares range between €5.85 and €9 a day, depending on period of validity.
You can purchase you ticket online before your trip via the website of the authorised GVB ticket seller without having to pay a surcharge (click here). This means you no longer have to deal with ticket machines and fare systems abroad.
This saves time and nerves – after all, there are better things to do in Amsterdam …
Parking fees and parking around Amsterdam Central Station
Parking around Amsterdam Central Station can often be a challenge due to its proximity to the busy city centre. Parking spaces in the historic city centre are rare and expensive.
How do I quickly find an affordable parking space?
If you are looking for a safe and convenient way to park your car for the duration of your trip, we strongly recommend that you reserve a parking space in advance.
Similar to booking a hotel, there are portals where you can easily find and book a parking space.
I’ve finally found a car park – and it’s full. This cannot happen with an online booking.
Booking online has several advantages:
- You save money: in the vast majority of cases, an online booking is significantly cheaper than the standard daily rate at the car park. For your orientation: The “Q-Park Amsterdam Centraal” car park next to the station currently (2024) has a daily rate of €55!
- Save time: You don’t have to drive through the streets to find a parking space. Instead, you can drive straight to your reserved parking space and concentrate on your journey.
- Your space is reserved for you: you don’t have to worry about whether there is a space available in the car park where you want to park. When you book online, the parking space is reserved for you.
- Better planning: The price is fixed at the time of booking. There are no surprises. You can also filter the car parks online according to specific criteria, such as maximum access height for underground car parks, etc.
Frequently asked questions in this travel guide – FAQ 2024
Does Amsterdam have a main train station?
Yes, the main train station of the Dutch capital Amsterdam is called “Amsterdam Central Station”. It is located in the city center and is also a hub for local transport. More information and tips about it in our travel guide.
Is the main station Amsterdam Centraal located directly in the city center?
Yes, the main train station of the Dutch capital Amsterdam “Amsterdam Central Station” is located in the city center. It is also a hub for local transport. More information and tips about it in our travel guide.
How much does a train ticket to the central station "Amsterdam Centraal" cost?
For some years now, it has also been true for the railroad that the ticket price is determined by supply and demand. Popular and much booked travel times are more expensive than little booked connections.
With a little luck, you can travel from Berlin, Paris or London to Amsterdam from €19.90 (one way, 2nd class). In our travel guide, you will find tips on how to book a cheap ticket.
How much will a car park at Amsterdam Centraal station cost in 2024?
Car parks and multi-storey car parks around Amsterdam Centraal station are rare and expensive. For orientation: The car park “Q-Park Amsterdam Centraal” directly at the station currently (2024) has a daily rate of €55!
If you are looking for a safe and convenient way to park your car for the duration of your trip, we strongly recommend that you reserve a parking space in advance.
Similar to booking a hotel, there are portals where you can easily find and book a parking space. You can find more information and tips in our free online travel guide.
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