Amsterdam Centraal (Train Station): Departures and guide

Travel to Amsterdam Centraal train station from Amsterdam city centre

Amsterdam is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. The cityscape is characterized by historic 17th century houses lining canals crossed by picturesque bridges. The city's museums, such as the Rijksmuseum, the Anne Frank House, and the Van Gogh Museum, are also important attractions. Apart from its historic and cultural value, the city is known for its epic nightlife. Being a tourist hotspot, train station Amsterdam Centraal hosts thousands of international and national passengers a year. The station is located right in the middle of the city, and passengers arriving at the station can walk straight into the hustle and bustle of the city straight away. Although Amsterdam is a great city to explore on foot, there are also plenty of public transportation options available. Train station Amsterdam Centraal is a public transport hub hosting subways, city trams and buses. It's the jump-off point for city ferries to the northern part of the city, and tourist boats cruising the canals depart near the station as well.

What is the best way to get to Amsterdam Centraal from the city centre?

From the Dam Square and nearby Royal Palace, train station Amsterdam Centraal is within easy walking distance. For travelers that prefer using public transport, plenty of trams are available as well. Tramlines 2, 4, 12, 13, 14, 17, and 24 all stop at the Dam. The Anne Frank House is located a bit further away from the station, and although the distance to the station can be walked, it might be easier to take a tram. Tramlines 13 and 17, stopping at the Westermarkt, both bring passengers to the train station. The famous Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh museum are located on the edge of the city centre. Walking is recommended only for those who are fit and enjoy walking. Otherwise, taking the tram or subway is preferable, as there are good connections between the museums and the train station. Travelers using the tram can either take tramlines 2 and 12 from the Rijksmuseum, or tramline 24 from the Vijzelgracht. Travelers using the subway should use line 52, which can be accessed via the subway station on the Vijzelgracht.

How far is it from the city centre to the train station? 

The distance from Dam Square to train station Amsterdam Centraal is 0.5 miles (0,75 km), and on foot the station can be reached within nine minutes. Getting lost on the way is virtually impossible: travelers just have to follow the Damrak and keep going straight, until they arrive at the station. Traveling by tram, it's just a short ride of a few minutes. The distance from the Anne Frank House to train station Amsterdam Centraal is 0.9 miles (1.5 km), and on foot the journey takes approximately 19 minutes. The fastest route is via the Prinsengracht, Prinsenstraat, and Spuistraat. Alternately, the tram ride takes approximately nine minutes. From the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum, the distance to the train station is 1.6 miles (2.5 km). At average speed, this journey takes about half an hour on foot. The fastest option is to take the subway, which takes around 12 minutes to arrive. Alternately, by tram the trip lasts approximately 17 minutes.

How accessible is the train station for those with limited mobility?

Train station Amsterdam Centraal is accessible to travelers with limited ability. Ramps for wheelchair users are available and assistance for boarding can be arranged in advance with the national railway service NS, or directly at the service desk. Check-in points are equipped with extra-wide gates for wheelchairs. Service and alarm posts have speakers and microphones that are accessible to wheelchair users, and feature Braille indicators. Visually-impaired travelers can use guidelines to check-in points, gates, and service desks. A tactile station map is available as well.

Local tips: the train station points of interest

The station building first opened in 1889 and is built in Gothic and Renaissance Revival architectural style. The station building is labeled a national heritage site - and due to the large amounts of passengers passing through the station on a daily basis, it's effectively the most visited national heritage site in the country. The station offers plenty of practical services, such as a money exchange service, a bike rental service, and luggage lockers. The main Amsterdam Tourist Office is based in the station as well. The station hosts various stores where travelers can buy delicacies such as cheese and chocolate, and souvenirs.  There's also a wide range of dining venues. Travelers can take their pick from a variety of dishes from all over the world, including Japanese sushi and ramen, Vietnamese pho, German sausages, Belgian fries and burgers, and fresh Dutch sandwiches.