Amsterdam Central Station is the principal railway station in the city although there are a number of other stations which may be useful for visitors.
The following is an overview of each rail station in Amsterdam covering station facilities, rail services, transport connections and convenient hotels.
Check our Amsterdam Rail Network Map to get a visual overview of all train station locations in Amsterdam.
How To Book Dutch Train Tickets
You can check timetables, prices and make online bookings for Dutch domestic train services at the official NS (Dutch Railways) site here. Prices are in euros (EUR) only and payment is accepted by iDeal or credit cards (Visa/Mastercard/American Express). There are no booking fees, however tickets are non-refundable.
Train tickets in the Netherlands can also be booked at the Trainline site. It offers a wide range of payment options in multiple currencies (including EUR/USD/GBP/AUD). There is a small booking fee but the tickets are fully exchangeable and refundable right up to the day before travel.
Amsterdam Central Station
Amsterdam Centraal is located at the northern edge of the city centre and is Amsterdam’s main rail and transport hub with normally around 200,000 passengers per day. You can connect here onto trains, trams, metro, buses and ferries.
The magnificent building was completed in 1889 and designed by Pierre Cuypers who was also architect of the city’s Rijksmuseum. In recent years the station has had a significant facelift and upgrade, particularly at the northern end with the IJ-side hall hosting shops, cafés and restaurants.
Rail travellers can buy tickets at the automatic ticket machines or the various NS sales desks around the station.
Other facilities include the NS International lounge (for 1st class international rail ticket holders) and Amsterdam Central’s left-luggage lockers.
There is a Royal waiting room at the eastern city-side end although it is not open to the public.
Amsterdam Central has 15 rail tracks running through the station with 11 platforms numbered 1-15. Platforms are also marked a (Western side) and b (Eastern side).
There are 5 adjacent tunnels which run under the platforms and connect the main Cuypers Hall (city side) to the IJ hall (water side).
3 of these tunnels – West, Middle and East – provide access up to the platforms – to enter these passenger tunnels you need to go through the gate barriers at either end using an OV-chip card or e-ticket barcode.
The other 2 tunnels (IJpassage and Amstelpassage) are freely accessible, although the latter is being renovated.
Domestic Intercity train services from Amsterdam Central can get you directly to most parts of the Netherlands.
International rail services from Amsterdam include the Eurostar trains to London and Antwerp/Brussels/Paris, ICE International to Düsseldorf/Cologne/Frankfurt and IC train to Berlin.
There is a Eurostar check-in terminal upstairs on platform 15b at Amsterdam Central station. There are plans to move this facility to the Amstelpassage in future.
Stores at Amsterdam Central include AKO (newsagent), AH To Go (mini-supermarkets), Cheese and More, Erica Kruiderijen (health store), Etos (chemist), Moonflower (flowers), Rituals (toiletries), Simon Lévelt (coffee/tea), Sissy Boy (fashion) and an I amsterdam Store.
There are GWK Travelex money outlets for currency exchange. Toilet facilities are located on platform 2a and at the IJ hall – note, there is a charge of €0.70.
For a drink or bite to eat head to the IJ hall which includes the likes of Burgerij, EXKI, Starbucks and Wagamama – some offering pleasant waterside views.
It is also possible to book a 3 course meal at the restored 1st class waiting room.
For stocking up on supplies the nearest large supermarket is Albert Heijn at Prins Hendrikkade 20 – exit the station (south) and cross the main road and head right.
At the northern IJ waterfront side exit (IJzijde) you can find taxis and the free ferry services.
At the southern city exit (Centrumzijde) there is a GVB public transport tickets & info office. From this area you can take Amsterdam trams and the Amsterdam Metro
The city’s Dam Square is a short distance away walking south down Damrak street. Be aware of passing trams outside the station and that pickpockets could be operating in the area
Convenient hotels for Amsterdam Central are: art ‘otel Amsterdam, Room Mate Aitana, Park Plaza Victoria, Barbizon Palace, Kimpton-De Witt, Amrath, Doubletree by Hilton, Ibis and Ibis Styles
See more on hotels around Amsterdam Central
Amsterdam Amstel Station
This station near the river Amstel (south-east of the centre) opened in 1939. In the main hall there are 2 transport-themed murals which were designed by visual artist Peter Alma (1886-1969). The murals are 9m high and 20m wide and are grandly titled “The global significance of the railway system, and its technical progress“.
There are a few shops including AKO (newsagents), ETOS (chemist), Julia’s (pasta) and a Starbucks (coffee).
GVB Amsterdam Metro lines 51/53/54 run through Amstel via the central platforms 2 (northbound) and 3 (southbound). Note there are separate OV-chip card readers and gate barriers for train and metro – these are adjacent each other so make sure you use the right one!
GVB tram 12 normally departs from Julianaplein outside and heads north-west from Amstel to Amsterdam Central via De Pijp and Museumplein. Various GVB bus services also depart from Amstel.
Due to works until September 2024 tram 12 currently terminates at Amsteldijk rather than Amstel Station.
There are only 2 rail platforms at Amstel – platform 1 for northbound trains and platform 4 southbound trains. The following services stop at Amsterdam Amstel:
Den Helder-Amsterdam Central-Amstel-Utrecht-Arnhem-Nijmegen (Intercity)
Alkmaar-Amsterdam Central-Amstel-Utrecht-s-Hertogenbosch-Eindhoven-Maastricht (Intercity)
Enkhuizen-Amsterdam Central-Amstel-Utrecht-s-Hertogenbosch-Eindhoven-Heerlen (Intercity)
Uitgeest-Amsterdam Central-Amstel-Breukelen-Woerden-Gouda-Rotterdam (Sprinter)
Uitgeest-Amsterdam Central-Amstel-Breukelen-Utrecht-Rhenen (Sprinter)
Convenient hotels for Amsterdam Amstel are: Casa, V Fizeaustraat, Ruby Emma, Meininger, Volkshotel
Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA Station
Bijlmer ArenA is a modern train and metro station complex in south-east Amsterdam which originally opened in 1971 but was totally refurbished in 2007.
The area includes the Johan Cruijff ArenA football stadium, the AFAS Live Music Hall, the Ziggo Dome, a Pathé multiscreen cinema and Arena Poort shopping area.
Bijlmer-ArenA is a major office district of Amsterdam with the likes of ABN-Amro, ING, Cisco Systems and Adidas-Reebok present. It is also the site of large social housing flat blocks with a multi-cultural population.
Facilities at the station include AKO (newsagents), AH To Go (mini-supermarket), ETOS (chemist) and Starbucks.
GVB Amsterdam Metro lines 50 and 54 run through Bijlmer ArenA via the central platforms and various bus services run from outside the station.
Bijlmer ArenA is connected by rail to both Amsterdam Central and Amsterdam Zuid/Schiphol airport.
There are 6 rail platforms at Bijlmer ArenA with southbound intercity services usually at platform 7 and services to Schiphol from platform 2. The following services operate from Bijlmer ArenA:
Schiphol Airport-Amsterdam Zuid-Bijlmer ArenA-Utrecht-Arnhem-Nijmegen (Intercity)
Schiphol Airport-Zuid-Bijlmer ArenA-Utrecht-s-Hertogenbosch-Eindhoven-Venlo (Intercity)
Uitgeest-Amsterdam Central-Bijlmer ArenA-Breukelen-Woerden-Gouda-Rotterdam (Sprinter)
Uitgeest-Amsterdam Central-Bijlmer ArenA-Breukelen-Utrecht-Rhenen (Sprinter)
Convenient hotels for Bijlmer ArenA are: Hampton by Hilton, Holiday Inn ArenA Towers, Holiday Inn Express ArenA Towers, Jaz Amsterdam, Courtyard by Marriott
Duivendrecht Station
Duivendrecht is a 2 level train and metro station between Amstel and Bijlmer ArenA originally opened in 1993. Facilities at the station includes AH To Go (mini-supermarket) and a snack bar.
The main station hall is on the lower level which has the Schiphol-Weesp Zuidtak rail track running east-west.
Trains go east to Hilversum, Amersfoort, Lelystad, Almere, Zwolle and Enschede; and west to Amsterdam Zuid, Schiphol Airport, Hoofddorp, Leiden, Den Haag, Delft, Rotterdam and Dordrecht.
The upper level has the north-south rail track between Amsterdam and Utrecht which is served by the same Sprinter services as at Amstel and Bijlmer ArenA.
GVB Metro lines 50 and 54 operate from the upper level central platforms.
Amsterdam Zuid Station
Amsterdam Zuid station opened in 1978 and is the fastest growing station in the Netherlands.
Located in the major Zuidas office district, the station will be expanded and upgraded from 2018-2028 with 2 new tracks and covered platforms, part of the huge Zuidasdok infrastructure project in the area.
With the North-South metro line, the direct train link to Schiphol Airport and with possible international rail services planned, Amsterdam Zuid may become a major transport hub.
Current facilities at the station include AH To Go (mini-supermarket), HEMA (general retailer), ETOS (chemist), Rituals (toiletries) and Sissy Boy (fashion) plus Starbucks and various snack bars.
There are also a number of cafés and restaurants just outside the station – such as Wagamama – catering to the many office workers in the area.
GVB Amsterdam Metro lines 50, 51 and 52 operate at Amsterdam Zuid. The North-South line 52 runs via Amsterdam Central to Amsterdam North. GVB tram 5 also runs from outside the station (at Strawinskylaan) and operates from Amstelveen to Westergasfabriek.
The Zuidtak rail line connecting Schiphol and Weesp runs through Zuid station and you can reach the following main stations from Amsterdam Zuid:
West: Schiphol Airport, Hoofddorp, Leiden, Den Haag, Delft, Rotterdam and Dordrecht.
South or East: Amsterdam Bijlmer Arena, Utrecht Central, s-Hertogenbosch, Eindhoven, Venlo, Hilversum, Amersfoort, Apeldoorn, Enschede, Arnhem, Nijmegen, Almere, Lelystad, Zwolle, Groningen and Leeuwarden.
Convenient hotels for Amsterdam Zuid are: Crowne Plaza, HI Express, Citizen M, Element, Qbic
Amsterdam RAI Station
This is a small train and metro station (opened 1981) just east of Amsterdam Zuid station on the same Schiphol-Weesp rail line. RAI is the home of Amsterdam’s main exhibition and conference centre.
The station has a Kiosk drinks/snack facility. GVB Metro lines 50 and 51 serve RAI and tram 4 runs from outside to Amsterdam Central via Rivierenbuurt and Rembrandtplein. Metro 52 stops at the nearby Europaplein square.
Normally only the Almere Oostvaarders-Hoofddorp and Hilversum-Hoofddorp Sprinter services stop at RAI – although during big exhibitions some Intercity trains will make an additional stop here.
Convenient hotels for Amsterdam RAI are: Nhow, Novotel, Holiday Inn, Motel One, Van der Valk Hotel Zuidas (plus those at Amsterdam Zuid above)
Amsterdam Sloterdijk Station
Amsterdam Sloterdijk station in the north-west of the city opened in 1983 and is a major junction for rail traffic. The Sloterdijk area is an office district with significant presence from government, publishing and telecoms.
Facilities at Sloterdijk station include AKO (newsagents), AH To Go (mini-supermarket), ETOS (chemist) plus Julia’s, Starbucks and various snack bars.
GVB Metro line 50 runs through Amsterdam Sloterdijk and tram 19 serves Diemen via Leidseplein; GVB bus 369 serves Schiphol Airport.
Also departing from outside Sloterdijk are international coach services from Blablacar bus and Flixbus
Sloterdijk station has the following rail lines: Amsterdam-Schiphol (upper level), Amsterdam-Haarlem and Amsterdam-Zandam (both lower level). The main station hall is at an intermediate level.
There is also a separated section of the station (platforms 9 and 10) where the Schiphol track connects to Haarlem/Zandam via the Hemboog chord.
The following rail services operate from Sloterdijk:
Intercities Den Helder-Nijmegen, Alkmaar-Maastricht, Enkhuizen-Heerlen, Amsterdam-Den Haag and Amsterdam-Vlissingen.
Sprinters Amsterdam-Den Haag, Amsterdam-Hoofddorp, Hoorn-Leiden, Uitgeest-Rotterdam, Uitgeest-Rhenen, Amsterdam-Beverwijk and Amsterdam-Zandvoort.
Convenient hotels for Amsterdam Sloterdijk are: Holiday Inn Express Sloterdijk, Mercure Sloterdijk, Hotel2Stay, Meininger City West
Amsterdam Lelylaan Station
This train and metro station is in the south-west of Amsterdam (opened 1986, directly south of Sloterdijk) on the Amsterdam-Schiphol line. It is located in the western residential suburb of Slotervaart. There is an AH To Go (mini-supermarket) at the station.
GVB Metro line 50 stops at Lelylaan whilst trams 1 and 17 go to the city centre.
The following Sprinter services stop at Lelylaan: Amsterdam-Den Haag, Amsterdam-Hoofddorp and Hoorn-Leiden.
Convenient hotel for Amsterdam Lelylaan is: WestCord Fashion Hotel
Amsterdam Muiderpoort Station
A small local station in the residential Amsterdam Oost (East Amsterdam) dating back to 1939. Facilities include Big Burger and Kiosk outlets.
GVB trams 1 and 3 head to the city centre.
The rail line runs from Amsterdam Central to Muiderpoort and then splits – one part going to Amstel (south) and the other going to Weesp (south-east).
Only the following Sprinter services stop at Muiderpoort: Amsterdam Central-Zwolle, Amsterdam Central-Amersfoort Vathorst, Uitgeest-Rotterdam and Uitgeest-Rhenen.
Amsterdam Science Park Station
This is another small station in Amsterdam Oost (opened 2009) located near the Amsterdam Science Park, a scientific research/business hub and residential area.
The station lies between Muiderpoort and Diemen with only the following Sprinter services making stops: Amsterdam Central-Zwolle and Amsterdam Central-Amersfoort Vathorst.
Amsterdam Holendrecht Station
This train and metro station (opened 2008) in the south-east of Amsterdam is near the UMC (AMC) hospital and Museum Vrolik. Amsterdam Holendrecht is served by GVB Metro lines 50 and 54.
The station lies on the Amsterdam-Utrecht rail track (south of Bijlmer ArenA) and has Sprinter services Uitgeest-Amsterdam Central-Rotterdam and Uitgeest-Amsterdam Central-Rhenen.
Convenient hotel in the Amsterdam Holendrecht area is: Fletcher Hotel
This article was originally published in 2010 and has been regularly updated. Last update 21 December 2023.
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