Amsterdam Central Station

The Basics

Whether you’re riding the city trams and local trains around Amsterdam, catching a long-distance train to Paris or Brussels, or heading to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, you’re likely to pass through Amsterdam Central Station at some point during your travels. Sightseeing walking tours of the city often include a stop to admire the station’s striking 19th-century façade, while boat tours of Amsterdam’s canals leave from the quays right outside the station.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Facilities at Amsterdam Central Station include ATMs, restrooms, luggage storage, a tourist office, currency exchange, and a range of coffee shops, fast-food restaurants, and shops.

• Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the station.

• Amsterdam Central Station is fully wheelchair accessible.

How to Get There

Amsterdam Central Station is built upon three artificial islands on Stationsplein at the center of Amsterdam’s canal ring and within walking distance of many of the city’s central attractions. The northern terminus of Metro lines 51, 53, and 54, the station serves numerous national and international train services, several GVB tram and ferry routes, as well as local and regional buses operated by GVB, Connexxion and EBS. Taxis and water taxis can be found outside the station and trains to and from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport depart every 10 minutes and take around 20 minutes.

When to Get There

Amsterdam Central Station is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and gets particularly busy during the weekday rush hours (early morning and early evening). However, if you have an early morning departure or late-night arrival, you may find many visitor facilities are closed.

A Walking Tour of Amsterdam

Thanks to its strategic central location, Amsterdam Central Station is within walking distance of many popular tourist sights. Follow the scenic waterfront lanes into the atmospheric Red Light District; loop around to see attractions such as the Rembrandt house, the Amsterdam Museum, and the Anne Frank House; and finish by admiring the historic monuments of Dam Square.

Ways to explore

You’re likely to pass through Amsterdam Central Station at some point during your time in the Dutch capital, whether you’re riding the tram around the city, catching an international train to Paris, or heading to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Many walking and bike tours stop to admire the station’s striking 19th-century facade, and boat tours of the UNESCO-listed Canal Ring (Grachtengordel) typically leave from the quays right outside the station. You can also take a train from Central Station to the open-air museum of Zaanse Schans, famous for its windmills and clog factories.

Accessibility

The station and its platforms offer step-free access. Ticket barriers have wider gates for wheelchairs.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Even though Amsterdam is a safe city, keep your valuables secure in this often crowded station. There’s luggage storage available.

What to wear

Air-conditioned trains can start to feel chilly after a while, so take a sweater if you’ve got a long journey ahead.

Not allowed

Smoking, parking scooters in the bicycle storage

Amenities

Shops, cafés, fast food outlets, bike storage, currency exchange, luggage lockers, bike rental services, paid restrooms

Address

Amsterdam Central Station is built on three artificial islands on Stationsplein at the center of the Amsterdam Canal Ring. It is walking distance from many of the city’s central attractions.

Driving

Due to the wealth of public transportation options, it’s not recommended to drive to Amsterdam Central Station. A cab rank is on the Ij-zijde (waterside), which is also where you can call rideshare apps.

Public transportation

Metro lines 51, 53, and 54 start at the station, and numerous national and international trains depart from here. It’s also the terminus for several GVB tram and ferry routes, and local and regional buses. Trains to and from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport depart 4–6 times per hour during the day; the journey is around 20 minutes.

Best times to visit

The station gets particularly busy during the commuter rush hours in the early morning and early evening, so avoid visiting then if you want to admire its architecture.

Best days to visit

Amsterdam Central Station is busy with commuters every day of the week, but it’s typically a little quieter on Mondays when more people work from home.

Best months to visit

Plan your trip to Amsterdam for March through May, when buses depart outside the station for the seasonal Keukenhof Gardens.

Special events

Central Station is the starting point for many of the King’s Day celebration cruises at the end of April.