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.
Amsterdam Centraal Station was completed in 1889 having been designed by Pierre Cuypers, who also architect of the city’s iconic Rijksmuseum. Built in Dutch Neo-Renaissance style, the station’s facade features intricate carvings and two towers with a clock and a wind vane.
Under Construction! Dutch railway infrastructure organisation Prorail is renovating parts of Amsterdam Centraal up to the year 2030 when passenger numbers are expected to reach 275,000 per day. Passenger tunnels and platforms are being expanded.
Also a new Eurostar passenger facility is being constructed for use, scheduled to open from February 2025.
Amsterdam Centraal Station Layout
From the city-side you enter into the monumental main entrance hall (Cuypershal) which is quite compact compared to some of Europe’s grand city stations. This area has staffed information kiosks, ticket machines and a service desk.
At the rear of the station (IJ waterfront side) you will find a more modern concourse (IJhal) with various shops, restaurants, ticket machines and a ticket service desk.
The 2 halls are connected by a number of passages and tunnels which run at a slightly lower level and also have an array of retail and food outlets.
The IJpassage is freely accessible whilst the other tunnels (middle/east/west) require that you go through the gate barriers with a valid ticket.
A valid ticket can be an OV-chipkaart, a debit/credit card or an e-ticket/mobile QR code.
Part of the west tunnel is currently blocked by construction work and the new Eurostar terminal is being developed in the old Amstel passage on the eastern side.
The train platforms run above ground level and can be accessed from the tunnels by stairs, escalators and lifts. There are a total of 15 tracks of which 11 have platforms – from the city-side, numbered 1/2, 4/5, 7/8, 10/11, 13/14 and 15. Central tracks 3/6/9/12 have no platforms.
Amsterdam Centraal is a through-station running west-east for all platforms – except platform 1 which only has a western side.
Platforms numbers are marked a (Western side) and b (Eastern side) and this means 2 trains can simultaneously use the platforms.
There are also letters placed along the platforms to help international passengers find roughly where their carriage will be. The positions will be marked on the overhead boards.
Outside the station there is the Cuyperspassage – a foot and cycle tunnel at the western side of Amsterdam Centraal which also connects the city-side to the IJ-side.
Opened in 2015, the tunnel is 10m wide, 3m high and has a total length of 110 metres with a cycle lane and raised footpath. It’s worth a wander to see the 80,000 glazed Delft Blue tiles adorning the pedestrian side featuring Dutch maritime scenes.
You will find useful maps of Amsterdam Centraal hanging at various points around the station. They look like this:
NS Ticket machines at Amsterdam Centraal
You will find the yellow and blue NS ticket machines at Amsterdam Centraal.
They accept debit/credit cards (Mastercard/Visa/American Express) and some also accept euro coins (change given) via the coin slot. Unfortunately, they do NOT accept euro banknotes.
The NS ticket machine has a touch screen interface with an English language option (click the British flag in the bottom left-hand corner). It looks like this:
To buy disposable tickets, simply select “One-way” or “Day return” on the front page and go from there. Select your destination, class, date (on-the-day or up to 1 week ahead), the number of tickets and choose your payment type.
The machine covers all domestic routes – you just need to choose your destination from an alphabetical list. If required, you can also change the “from” station by clicking on its box.
Press “Other Products” on the homepage screen if requiring children’s Rail Runner tickets, anonymous OV-chip cards, supplements and other ticket types.
Note that the €1 single-use ticket surcharge applies when buying either from the service desk or ticket machine.
You can also buy intercity tickets to Belgium, Luxembourg and some near destinations in Germany.
NS Ticket Offices
There are 2 OV Service & Tickets points at Amsterdam Centraal which deal with both domestic and international train tickets.
One is located on the city centre-side and is open 24 hours although the international desk closes at 2115 (temporarily closed from the renovation).
The other is in the IJhal and is open daily until 1900 (temporarily open around the clock).
Note, the international desk charges a €7.50 per person service fee (max €22.50 per booking). To save the desk booking fee, it is best to book online (no charges) at the NS International site
Domestic Train Services
NS runs domestic Intercity and Sprinter services from Amsterdam Centraal to most major cities in the Netherlands.
This includes direct trains to Amersfoort, Arnhem, Breda, Delft, Den Bosch, Den Haag, Dordrecht, Eindhoven, Groningen, Haarlem, Heerlen, Leeuwarden, Leiden, Maastricht, Nijmegen, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Vlissingen.
Tilburg is the only major Dutch city which requires a change of train from Amsterdam Centraal!
Note that the station gets busy on weekdays during the morning and evening rush hours – around 0730-0900 and 1700-1830.
You can check timetables, prices and make online bookings for Dutch domestic train services at the official NS (Dutch Railways) site here.
Alternatively, train tickets in the Netherlands can also be booked at the Trainline site which offers a wide range of payment options in multiple currencies (including EUR/USD/GBP/AUD).
International Train Services
International rail services from Amsterdam include the blue Eurostar trains to London and red Eurostar (former Thalys) trains to Antwerp/Brussels/Paris, ICE International to Düsseldorf/Cologne/Frankfurt and IC train to Berlin.
The Amsterdam-London Eurostar service is set to resume from 10 February 2025 with an expanded passenger facility.
There are night services from Amsterdam Centraal including the Austrian Railways ÖBB NightJet to Vienna/Munich and Zurich and the European Sleeper train to Berlin and Prague.
Intercity Brussels trains between Amsterdam and Brussels will be rebranded EuroCity Direct and will move to Amsterdam Zuid station from 15 December 2024.
Left Luggage Lockers
Amsterdam Central station has automated left luggage lockers located in the eastern passageway near the front entrance (city) side. You can simply follow the signs with the suitcase symbol and then enter the tunnel marked ‘BAGAGE’ next to the staircase up to platform 2.
The lockers are located inside the departures area of the station so you need to scan a valid train ticket through the gate barriers to enter and exit.
Current costs for a 24 hour rental are €10 for a small locker (90cm deep x 45cm high x 40cm wide) and €13 for a large locker (90cm x 60cm x 40cm). For the 2nd and 3rd day you will then pay €15 per day (small) and €19.50 per day (large).
After the 3 day you will pay the penalty rate of €20 per day (small) and €26 per day (large). Your luggage may be removed from the locker after 3 days and you will pay a €70 rate to get it shipped to your home.
For more on how to rent lockers see our guide Left Luggage Facility at Amsterdam Central Station
Public Transport from Amsterdam Centraal
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
Centraal Staton is the main metro hub of Amsterdam with underground lines 51/52/53/54 running through. The North-South line 52 opened in 2018 and has a separate deeper platform level than line 51/53/54. The metro can be accessed from both the centre side and IJ side.
7 of the 15 GVB tram lines operate from Amsterdam Centraal Station with 2 tram stop areas on the city centre side.
On the eastern side are the A stops (A1-A4) for tram services generally south- and east-bound:
TRAM 2: Amsterdam Central to Oudenaardeplantsoen (Nieuw Sloten)
TRAM 12: Amsterdam Central to Amsteldijk
TRAM 13: Amsterdam Central to Geuzenveld
TRAM 17: Amsterdam Central to Osdorp Dijkgraafplein
On the western side are the B stops (B1-B4) for services south- and west-bound.
TRAM 4: Amsterdam Central to Drentepark
TRAM 14: Amsterdam Central to Javaplein
TRAM 26: Amsterdam Central to IJburg
On the northern IJ side you can find an upper level bus station, taxis and the free ferry services to Amsterdam Noord.
For comprehensive ticket info see our Public Transport Tickets in Amsterdam (Complete Guide)
Taxi at Amsterdam Centraal
There is a taxi rank at Amsterdam Centraal on De Ruiterkade which is on the IJ waterfront side.
Sneleentaxi is a very reliable taxi booking firm offering rides anywhere in the Netherlands. This includes around Amsterdam and to/from airports. It offers competitive fixed fares up to 70% off metered rates if booking in advance.
Food and Drink Options
There are numerous food and drink options at Amsterdam Centraal – from quick take away snacks to full sit-down meals.
The Grand Café Restaurant 1e klas offers perhaps the most memorable experience to passengers at Amsterdam Centraal.
Located upstairs near platform 2a this was the 19th century restaurant for 1st class passengers. It offers an elegant room with period decor, high ceilings and a resident cockatoo named Elvis.
It has an extensive menu or you can book a 3 course meal here
Alternatively, head to the IJ hall which includes the likes of Burgerij, EXKI, Julia’s, Starbucks and Wagamama – some offering pleasant waterside views.
Shops/Facilities
There are a good number of stores at Amsterdam Central.
This includes AH To Go (mini-supermarkets), Bruna (newsagent), Cheese and More (cheese), Erica Kruiderijen (health store), Etos (chemist), GWK Travelex (bureau de change), HEMA (general store), LUSH (toiletries), Moonflower (flowers), Rituals (toiletries), Simon Lévelt (coffee/tea), Sissy Boy (fashion) and an I amsterdam Store.
In the IJ hall there is a pharmacy and doctor service.
Toilet facilities are located on platform 2a/2b and at the IJ hall – note, there is a charge of €0.70.
NS International Lounge
The NS International Lounge-Regus Express lounge is located on platform 2a of Amsterdam Centraal.
It is open 0700-1900 (Mon-Fri) and 1000-1800 (Sat-Sun). Closed on national holidays.
The lounges include sofa seating with media wall, reading table with power outlets and free WiFi. A free drink is included with a visit, note there are no food options available.
Access is granted to 1st class international rail ticket holders (including 1st class Interrail tickets) and various train status cards such as Eurostar Carte Blanche, DB BahnBonus comfort card.
You can also pay for entry at €6 per hour or €15 per day. Payment by debit card only at-the-door.
Bike Parking at Amsterdam Centraal
There are 4 large bike parking facilities (fietsenstallingen) around Amsterdam Centraal where you can park your bike for free for 24 hours.
- Stationsplein (7,000 bikes, open 24 hours)
- Stationsplein Oost (1,300 bikes)
- IJzijde West (1,200 bikes)
- IJboulevard (4,000 bikes)
Hotels near Amsterdam Centraal
Being in the heart of the city there are numerous hotels in and around Amsterdam Centraal station. For those with early train departures here are a few convenient hotels:
Ibis Amsterdam Centre – The Ibis sits literally on top of the train platforms at the western edge of Amsterdam Central. Rooms are very basic and compact, it has a stylish bar/lobby area. Book the Ibis Amsterdam Centre
Kimpton-De Witt Amsterdam – This hotel is located in the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal street, a short walk from the station. We’ve stayed here and the rooms are comfortable and spacious with some stylish touches. It offers a good breakfast and a free wine hour in the lobby during the early evening. Book the Kimpton-De Witt Amsterdam
Doubletree by Hilton Amsterdam Central Station – A modern hotel close to the eastern flank of Amsterdam Central station. Rooms are stylish but compact and include an iMac computer rather than TV. The top floor Luminair has excellent views of the surrounding area. Book Doubletree Hilton Amsterdam Central
Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam – The Victoria has an excellent location across the road from Central station. Rooms are comfortable and some have good views of the station. Book the Park Plaza Victoria
Ibis Styles Amsterdam Central Station – Also located across the road from the station, the IBIS Styles has small, functional rooms with comfortable beds. Reasonable breakfast buffet. Book the Ibis Styles Amsterdam Central
Hotel Jakarta – This eco-themed hotel is located on Java island on the Amsterdam IJ waterfront – a little further out than the previous hotels, about 15-20 minutes walk from Central station. It offers modern, stylish rooms and a light, airy interior decorated with tropical plants. Very well-rated by travellers. Book the Hotel Jakarta
Amsterdam Centraal Station Address
Amsterdam Centraal Station, Stationsplein, 1012 AB Amsterdam, Netherlands
If arriving at the station, if you exit the city-side and walk south you find yourself heading down the Damrak. After 5-10 minutes walk you will reach the city’s Dam Square.
Amsterdam Centraal is certainly a gateway for many arriving and departing visitors to Amsterdam.
First published on 11 November 2024.
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