Getting Around Amsterdam from Centraal Station

Where You Are

Amsterdam Centraal sits on an island between the IJ waterway to the north and the main canal ring to the south. You're literally in the centre of the city. Dam Square is a 5-minute walk. The canal ring, the Jordaan, and the Red Light District are all within 10–15 minutes on foot.

Trams

Trams are the best way to get around Amsterdam. Multiple lines depart from the large tram plaza on the south side of Centraal station:

• Trams 2, 11, 12 — head south through the centre towards Museumplein (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk). About 15 minutes.
• Tram 4 — runs to Rembrandtplein and beyond.
• Tram 13, 17 — head west through the Jordaan and towards Westerpark.

Use a contactless bank card directly on the reader when boarding (tap on and tap off). Or buy an OV-chipkaart or GVB day pass (€8.50 for 24 hours of unlimited tram, bus, and metro).

Key Destinations

• Dam Square / Royal Palace — 5-minute walk south from the station.
• Anne Frank House — 15-minute walk or tram 13/17 to Westermarkt.
• Rijksmuseum / Van Gogh Museum — Tram 2 or 12 to Museumplein (15 min).
• Vondelpark — Tram 2 or 12, get off one stop past Museumplein.
• Jordaan — 10-minute walk west from the station.
• Albert Cuyp Market — Tram 4 to Albert Cuypstraat (20 min).

Ferries

Free GVB ferries depart from behind the station (north side) across the IJ to Amsterdam Noord. The Buiksloterweg ferry runs 24/7 and takes 5 minutes. Noord is home to the A'DAM Lookout tower, the EYE Film Museum, and a thriving food and nightlife scene at NDSM Wharf.

Metro

The North-South metro line (Line 52) runs from Centraal through the city centre to Amsterdam Zuid (South) in about 10 minutes — useful for the RAI convention centre, the Zuidas business district, or connecting to Schiphol Airport via train at Zuid.

Taxis

Taxi ranks are on the east side of the station. Expect to pay €10–€15 to most central hotels. Amsterdam taxis are expensive by European standards. Uber and Bolt are usually cheaper and widely available.

Cycling

This is Amsterdam — cycling is king. Several bike rental shops operate near Centraal station, including MacBike and Black Bikes. A day rental costs about €10–€15. Ride carefully, use the bike lanes (not the pavement), and always lock your bike to a fixed object.

Onward Trains

Dutch Railways (NS) runs frequent intercity services from Centraal:

• Schiphol Airport — direct train, 15 minutes, runs every 10 minutes. €4.80.
• Haarlem — 15 minutes, every 15 minutes.
• Utrecht — 27 minutes, very frequent.
• The Hague — 50 minutes direct.
• Rotterdam — 40 minutes by Intercity Direct (surcharge applies).