This guide to Amsterdam Centraal train station explains what to look out for when departing and arriving in the city by train.
It also includes details of how to travel to the main tourist sites and the airport from Amsterdam Centraal and our pick of places to stay with easy access to the city's main railway station.
On the latest timetable there have been been significant alterations to the train services which use Amsterdam Centraal station,
In summary they are:
The usual pattern of direct long-distance train services to and from Amsterdam CS station is:
See the journey guides for more detailed information
The usual pattern of direct long-distance train services to and from Amsterdam=Zuid station is:
Beautiful Amsterdam Centraal station, which is also often referred to as Amsterdam CS, is the main railway station in the city and it is located on the northern edge of the historic heart of Amsterdam.
There's a lot to like about taking a train to Amsterdam Central
When you step outside the front of the station, you're greeted with a scene which confirms you have arrived in one of Europe's greatest cities.
You'll see canal boats and bridges and typical examples of Dutch architecture.
If you're not used to how large Dutch stations typically function, with their sub-divided platforms/tracks etc, Amsterdam Centraal can be a confusing place to catch a train, hence the info below.
The nine things worth knowing about the main railway station in central Amsterdam are:
(1) The entrances/exits at Amsterdam Centraal are at street level, but the sporen (platforms/tracks) used by the trains are at an upper level.
(2) These sporen (platforms/tracks) which the trains depart from are exceptionally long and all except platform 1 are divided into 'a' and 'b' sections.
All trains, except the Eurostars, depart from a specific section of these sporen (platforms/tracks) - on the departure screens you will see '6a' and '9b' etc.
The Eurostar trains typically occupy both the 'a' and 'b' sections of the platform while they are in the station.
Platform / sporen 1 is beside platform 2a
(3) There are three passage ways within the station beneath the railway lines which link the concourse, across the front of the main station building, to the sporen (platforms/tracks)
(4) Of these three passage ways, the Westtunnel provides the easiest step-free route to/from the trains as it has a lift / elevator which connects it to the main concourse - Plus it has lift /elevator access to each of the platforms / sporen.
It is on the left hand side of the main course when entering the station from the street - where the tram stops are located.
If you arrive by Metro and exit on to the concourse, turn to the left instead of going straight ahead - this Westtunnel will then be on the other side of the entrance to the Ijpassage.
These lifts in the Westtunnel connect it to the 'a' ends of the platforms / sporen.
However, if your train will be arriving at or departing from the 'b' ends of the platforms / sporen and will be travelling with heavy luggage, young children etc, so will want to avoid using the escalators or stairs, using these lifts is the step-free route, but it is a longer route.
(5) There is also the IJ passage which run beneath the railway lines, but doesn't give access to the trains,
Instead it provides a link between the Metro station and trams, which are on the south side of the station, with the bus station and the ferry piers, which are located on the northern side of the station.
(6) All the signage at the station is in Dutch and English - though Dutch names of cities outside of the Netherlands are used on the departure screens.
Cologne = Koeln
Lille = Rijsel etc
(7) NS International operates a 1st Class lounge which is located by platform/track 2A.
It is only available if you have a 1st class ticket for these international services; Eurostar to Belgium and Paris, the IC and ICE trains to Germany and the Nightjet trains.
(8) If you will be heading TO Amsterdam Centraal by train from another destination, you may see Amsterdam CS on the info screens at stations and on the train.
Amsterdam CS = Amsterdam Centraal.
However, some trains will be heading to Amsterdam Zuid rail station and NOT Amsterdam Centraal; avoid these trains if you are heading to the city centre.
(9) One of the first projects completed as part of the ongoing redevelopment of the station is the provision of an expanded UK Terminal which is used by travellers who will be taking the Eurostar trains to and from London - look out for the signs on the main concourse which spans the front of the station.
Amsterdam Centraal is also in the midst of a major improvement scheme, the completed first phase has improved the access into the station and the environment around the platforms / tracks.
The second phase which will be completed by 2030 will improve the access to and from the trains.
A major benefit is that the station's central passage under the tracks, which most travellers inevitably use, is to be equipped with lifts / elevators, that will connect it to each spoor (platform / track).
Though while the work is carried out many of usual routes around the station will be compromised
ShowMeTheJourney has anticipated what questions are most often asked about taking trains to and from Amsterdam Centraal and answered them below.
If you can't find the information you are seeking, you can ask a question and the AI enabled service will try to write an answer, telling you what you wish to know.
Yes, the Middletunnel passge way has escalators which connect it with platforms / sporen 1 to 10, but the Westtunnel is equipped with both lift/elevator and escalator access with all of the platforms.
It is at the 'a' ends of platforms 2 to 15 and also gives access to platform 1 - and when entering the station it is on the left side of the main station building.
If your train will be departing from a 'b' platform and you'll want to use a lift/elevator, you will need to use this Westtunnel and then walk down to the the other end of the platform, to board the train.
Conversely if your train arrives at the 'b' end of a platform and you'll want to use a lift/elevator, you will need to ignore the first sets of exits that you will come to, and then walk along the platform until you come to the lift/elevator.
Amsterdam Centraal station is at the northern edge of the city centre, Dam Square, in the heart of the city, is a 10-15 min walk away along the street named Nieuwendijk - though this street is also the heart of the city's red light district.
All trams from the front of the station, go to Dam Square - though the lines 4 and 14 stop closer to the main attractions in the area.
There are two sets of tram stops on the station forecourt:
By metro
The comparatively new Amsterdam Nord-Zuid Metro line '52', the blue line connects Amsterdam Centraal with city centre stations at
Rokin in the heart of the city's shopping district - And at Vijzelgracht; located a 5 min walk from the Rijksmuseum.
The public transport operator in Amsterdam is GVB and it offers multiple methods of paying to travel by the city's buses, metro and trams.
Though GVB is now in effect ticket-less and it uses pay and go / contactless methods of payment - Inserting payment into a ticket machine to obtain a ticket. which opens gates / barriers, isn't an option.
When first arriving at Amsterdam Centraal, particularly on an international train, if you'll only want to make a journey to your final destination in the city, the easiest payment methods are to tap in and out with bank cards, credit cards, or by phone - if you have downloaded a payment app.
The alternative is to download the GVB app and then purchase barcode tickets for each journey pre-boarding.
Multi-journey options
There are three options which can be put to good use, by making the public transport options during a stay in Amsterdam, cheaper and easier.
(1) If you will be taking multiple public transport journeys (tram, bus, metro) within Amsterdam,, a good option is a paper chip card.
These cannot be purchased online, but they can be obtained from the GVB travel and info centre, which is in front of the main exit from Centraal station - it's opening hours are Monday to Sunday: 8.30 am - 7 pm.
Or they can be purchased from the conductors on a tram, though the conductors will only sell card payments.
The paper chip cards can only be used on GVB's services, so they are not valid on
(2) The Amsterdam Region Travel Ticket lives up to its name.
It can be used for unlimited travel by train (2nd class) between stations in Amsterdam and
There are versions valid for 1 Day, 2 Days and 3 Days and the ticket is also valid on all trams, buses, night buses, metros and ferries run by the Amsterdam transport companies; GVB, EBS, Keolis and Connexxion.
(3) The multi journey option which can be purchased online is using OV - and it also covers journeys nationwide rail journeys to and from Amsterdam - plus the public transport networks in other Dutch cities,
At Schiphol the train station is conveniently located in the middle of the airport.
What's new is that specific 'Airport Sprinter' rail services have been introduced between Central station and Schiphol.
In Centraal station these trains, which will be heading to Hoofddorp, typically depart from spor (platform/ tracks) 10a or 11a every 7 to 8 mins - with the first departure shortly after 05:30; and the final train of the day leaving after 00:30.
The journey time is 16 mins.
These Sprinter trains also call at Amsterdam Sloterdijk station where connections are available with trains heading to/from Alkmaar, Enkhuizen, Haarlem and Hoorn.
Booking tickets at Schiphol
Contactless payment has replaced buying tickets for machines for journeys between Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam.
You simply tap your mobile device linked to your bank account, on the ticket gates.
If you will be using public transport while you're in Amsterdam, you can go to the NS ticket office in Schiphol and purchase an OV-chipkaart, though you will need have a passport photo with you.
These are cards which can be used on public transport in Amsterdam and throughout The Netherlands, including the metro, trams and buses.
Instead of buying tickets, you tap in and out of ticket gates when taking rail journeys and tap machines on the buses, tram and metros.
You can load the card with money to travel at the ticket counter or on the OV payment machines.
The alternative to travelling between Amsterdam Centraal and Schiphol.
The Amsterdam Metro doesn't serve Schiphol Airport, but multiple Metro lines call at Amsterdam Zuid station, which is one stop hop from Schiphol on very frequent regular trains.
These Metro lines also call at Amsterdam Centraal, but the station is located on the northern edge of the city centre.
So if you will be travelling between Schiphol and the areas of the city convenient to the stations named
There are more than twenty food / drink outlets in Amsterdam Centraal, those which offer a full seated meal service include:
Holders of the equivalent of First Class tickets to travel on international services can use the International Lounge, which is located on spoor (platform/track) 2a
There are left luggage lockers which are now located outside the main station building.
The left luggage is now housed in the bicycle rental facility, turn to the right when exiting from the front of the station and head to the white building, which is on the other side of a busy roadway - the road goes under the platforms used by the trains.
Payment can be made by using bank / debit cards, or by a payment app on a mobile device.
Luggage can be deposited for a maximum of three days.
When planning a trip, finding convenient accommodation can be trickier than working out which train to take.
Hence ShowMeTheJourney has partnered with the innovative accommodation portal, Stay 22, to offer three options for discovering your optimum accommodation:
1: Use the map above to see which hotel rooms and Vrbo rentals, with easy access to Amsterdam Centraal, are available.
2: Or click on these cherry-picked properties, offered by Stay 22 partner Booking.com, which are by Amsterdam Centraal and have been selected on the basis of high guest ratings:
NH Collection Amsterdam Barbizon Palace
The Flying Pig Downtown Hostel
3: Or see what's available with Stay 22's accommodation partners; which include, Expedia, Hotels.com and Trivago - by clicking the large button below.
Stay 22 will 'shuffle' the booking services so that you can be automatically directed to its partner that currently has the optimum availability at this location.
For first time users taking a train from Amsterdam Centraal can be a somewhat bewildering experience.
It is an enormous station with multiple access points to the trains; which are out of sight because they don't depart from street level.
It isn't a terminus, therefore many of the trains to other Dutch destinations are passing through the station, hence most of the sporen (platforms/tracks) have multiple departures per hour.
Seven things which are good to know about the train departure information:
(1) Amsterdam Centraal does not have a main large electronic departure board.
Instead departures are listed solely on the smaller TV screens that are scattered around the station; in the multiple entrance halls and passage ways that give access to the platforms/spoors.
(2) However, most of the time, only trains departing within the next 30-45 minutes will be shown on these screens; and that's because there are so many departures per hour.
(3) Only the final destination and the main calling points are shown on these summary screens - also note that the Train Numbers for the international trains are NOT shown.
(4) When looking at these summary screens, you may see both Intercity and Sprinter trains heading to your destination; the Intercity trains will likely be faster.
(5) The numbers of the spoors (platforms/tracks) which each train will be departing from are shown on these screens as soon as they're added.
Amsterdam Centraal isn't a station, at which the specific sporen (platforms/tracks), that each train will be leaving from, is only confirmed 10-15 mins prior to departure.
(6) Other (lesser) stations that trains will call at, are listed on the yellow departure poster sheets, which you can find in the passage ways that lead to the platforms.
You can also find information about subsequent departures on these departure posters, but beware that each train route from the station has a dedicated sheet.
So you may need to look through multiple departure sheets to find your destination.
(7) Each spoor / platform has a dedicated screen which shows the full details of the next departure, including all of its station calls.
(8) Though be aware that your train may not be the next departure, but at the bottom of the screen, the time and final destination of the subsequent departure will be shown.
Five things worth knowing about the Sporen (platforms/tracks):
(1) Most of the sporen (tracks /platforms) at Amsterdam Centraal are exceptionally long and are divided into two separate and distinct sections 'a' and 'b''.
These 'a' and 'b' sections are at either end of a spoor (platform/track) - 'a' to the west and 'b' to the east.
Therefore trains rarely use the middle section of a spoor (platform/track) - the Eurostar trains to London and Paris are the exception.
If you’re new to using the station, this can be confusing; so aim to be at Amsterdam Centraal a minimum of 10 minutes before your train departs.
(2) Trains nearly always depart from these specific sections of a spoor (platform/track); 8a or 8b etc.
Therefore 8a or 8b etc will be shown on the train departure screens which are located in the entrance halls and the passage ways which lead to the sporen (platforms/tracks)
Having seen 8a etc on a departure screen, don't then wait for your train anywhere on spoor (platform/track) 8.
(3) Each specific spoor (platform/track) 8a, 8b etc, has its own dedicated departure indicator on its part of the platform, showing the details of its next departure.
(4) Trains can be departing simultaneously from the 'a' and 'b' sections at each end of a platform/track/spoor.
(5) The sporen/tracks/platforms are now also split into zones, but this zone info is typically only used for the international trains; the Eurostar, ICE, Thalys,, IC to Germany and Nightjets, as these trains have numbered coaches.
So you can use the zone info to locate a specific coach in which a reserved seat or bed is located, as this zone info is used on the departure info for these trains.
The zone info isn't used for Dutch trains to other destinations in The Netherlands.
As a result, when waiting for a train, people tend to gather by the spoor/platform departure indicators; resulting in a scramble to board by the nearest door when the train arrives.
So move away from the crowds.
If a departure indicator, further along the spoor/platform also shows your train, wait by it instead.
An aspect of the redevelopment of Amsterdam Centraal that has been completed, is the construction of an expanded zone within the station that's dedicated to travellers taking the Eurostar to and from the UK.
It's access point is from the concourse which spans the front of the station building, it's located between the Middletunnel and the Oosttunnel.
So when accessing the station from its main entrance, the metro exit in the main station hall, or the entrances by the train stops used by routes 2, 12 and 17 - turn to the right once you're in the station.
If you arrive by another train you will need to use a route that connects the platform to the front of the station, so that you can enter the UK terminal.
If your train arrives at platforms 2b to 10b, and won't mind taking the stairs, the Oosttunnel provides the shortest routes from these platforms to the UK terminal.
Amsterdam Central is an exceptionally huge station, most of its platforms can handle two 10 coach trains simultaneously, departing from either end, with a large space between them.
Therefore there are multiple routes to and from the trains. as the station has three main passage ways that provide routes between the platforms and the entrances / exits
Plus there are numerous shortcuts which only available in certain parts of the station - one of these is a flight of stairs which links platforms 1 and 2a with the forecourt in front of the station.
So the station can be particularly confusing if you need to seek out a step-free route.
You won't need to use the stairs or escalators when arriving and departing by train, but avoiding them can involve going the long way round, particularly if your train will be using platforms 2b - 10b.
Also these three passage ways, that cross the station beneath the trains, are at a lower level to the main concourse / passage which spans the front of the station.
So if you arrive into the main station hall, it can seem that the only route to the trains is to first head down the stairs into the Middletunnel passage, but there are alternative routes which are step-free.
Despite it's most obvious access being by stairs, the Westtunnel pictured above, provides the step-free access to and from all of the platforms.
Look out for the escalator and lift which enable the step-free access from the main concourse.
Platform 2 is above the concourse that spans the front of the station and platform 1 is beside 2a.
Hence you don't need to go into the passage ways to access them, look out for the ticket gates which lead to their dedicated escalators and lifts.
The spoors (platforms/tracks) are above street level, but if you will be OK with using the stairs, you can follow the crowd and take the first exit you will see.
Though if you have luggage etc there are alternative to using the stairs:
The exit from the UK terminal is on the east side of the main passage which spans the front of the station.
As the sign shows, from here you can use the doors out to the station forecourt, because outside the front of the station there is an entrance to the Metro and the tram stops - though tram lines / routes 2, 12 and 17 typically use the stops on the other side of the station forecourt.
Amsterdam Centraal station is at the northern edge of the city centre, Dam Square in the heart of the city, is a 10-15 min walk away.
Canal tourist cruises depart from jetties which are less than a five minute wall from the station
The station is on the south bank of the Ij river, so the station has a rear entrance on the river bank which is beneath the city's main bus station.
All of Amsterdam's Metro lines call at Amsterdam Centraal and there are three entrances / exits to the metro, one on either side of the station forecourt and now another in the main station hall.
The new Amsterdam Nord-Zuid Metro line '52', the blue line, has now opened and as a result, access to many parts of the city from Amsterdam Centraal, station has been hugely improved.
This new new Nord-Zuid line has stops at Rokin in the heart of the city's shopping district, and at Vijzelgracht; located a 5 min walk from the Rijksmuseum.
The other three Metro lines all share a route in central Amsterdam, so they provide the easiest access from Centraal station to the Nieuwmarkt and Waterlooplein areas of the city centre.
The easiest means of accessing most of Amsterdam's most popular tourist sites from Amsterdam Centraal station is to take the tram.
There are two sets of tram stops (tram stations) outside the exits to the front of the station.
As you face the city centre, the tram stops to the right are the Westsidje tram stops - and tram lines/routes 2, 11, 12, 13 and 17 typically depart from there; Though due to construction work on the Amsterdam tram network, the 11 and 13 aren't currently serving Amsterdam Centraal.
The tram lines/routes 4 and 1 use the set of tram stops over to the left.
(1) For the heart of the city at Dam Square, you can take any tram, though the lines 4 and 14 take you to closer to the main attractions in the area.
Or it is a 10 - 15 min walk along the street named Nieuwendijk, but this street is also the heart of the city's red light district.
(2) For the Rijksmuseum take tram lines 2 or 12, all of which depart from those Westsidje tram stops.
(3) For the Van Gogh Museum take tram line 12 and alight at the Van Baerlstraat tram stop.
(4) For the Ann Frank House take tram lines 13 or 17, which also depart from those Westsidje tram stops, and then alight from these trams at the Westermarkt tram stop (temporarily unavailable).
Amsterdam Centraal is located on the south of a waterway named The Ij, which is much wider than the canals in the city centre.
Frequent ferry shuttles connect Centraal station to the north bank of The Ij, but there are two piers at Amsterdam Centraal.
If you're heading to the main tourist area on the north bank, the neighborhood in which the The A'DAM Tower is located, you can take ferry to the Buiksloterweg terminal.
If the start or end point of your journey is adjacent to the Metro stations at Rokin**or Vijzelgracht or De Pijp taking trains to and from Amsterdam Zuid, can be a faster and easier option than travelling through Amsterdam Centraal.
All of these stations are served by Metro line, M52, and it's southern terminus is at Amsterdam Zuid.
It's platform, which at Amsterdam Zuid is above ground, can be accessed by lift / elevator as well as stairs.
There are also lifts on the platforms used by the mainline trains, so the transfer between train and metro is typically step-free - plus the transfer between train and Metro is a shorter route than at Amsterdam Centraal.
These travel guides will help you see and expererience the best of Amsterdam - btw nobody has paid to be on this list, ShowMeTheJourney has simply taken the time to curate a list of relevant and current articles.
35 Things To Do In Amsterdam (newly added to Tripplo)
20 Essential Things To Do (I am Amsterdam)
10 Insider Tips (The Guardian)
Multiple Articles Giving Insights into the best the city has to offer (Dutch Wannabe)
Top Things To Do In Amsterdam (Lonely Planet)
65 Tips From Locals (livelikealocal)
50 Best Things To Do (Netherlands Tourism)
12 Best Things To Do In The Netherlands (Bookmundi)
10 Musts On A First Visit (Hand Luggage Only)
31 Unusual Things To Do (Atlas Obscura)
This second version of ShowMeTheJourney is exciting and new, so we are genuinely thrilled that you are here and reading this, but we also need your help.
We’re striving not to let anything get in the way of providing the most useful service possible, hence a facility has been set up with DonorBox which can be used to support the running costs and make improvements.
Instead of advertising or paywalls, your financial support will make a positive difference to delivering an enhanced service, as there’s a lot of ideas which we want to make happen.
So if you have found the info provided here to be useful, please go here to say thank you.
This second version of ShowMeTheJourney is exciting and new, so we are genuinely thrilled that you are here and reading this, but we also need your help.
We’re striving not to let anything get in the way of providing the most useful service possible, hence a facility has been set up with DonorBox which can be used to support the running costs and make improvements.
Instead of advertising or paywalls, your financial support will make a positive difference to delivering an enhanced service, as there’s a lot of ideas which we want to make happen.
So if you have found the info provided here to be useful, please consider saying thank you.
This is one of more than 100 train travel guides available on ShowMeTheJourney, which will make it easier to take the train journeys you want or need to make. As always, all images were captured on trips taken by ShowMeTheJourney.