Amsterdam Centraal station

Amsterdam Centraal station (Dutch: Station Amsterdam Centraal [staːˈɕɔn ˌɑmstərˈdɑm sɛnˈtraːl]; abbreviation: Asd) is the largest railway station in Amsterdam, North Holland, the Netherlands. A major international railway hub, it is used by 192,000 passengers a day, making it the second busiest railway station in the country after Utrecht Centraal and the most visited Rijksmonument of the Netherlands.[1][2]

Amsterdam Centraal
w:Nederlandse Spoorwegen Deutsche Bahn Eurostar
Station building in 2016
General information
LocationStationsplein 15
Amsterdam
Netherlands
Coordinates52°22′42″N 4°54′0″E / 52.37833°N 4.90000°E / 52.37833; 4.90000
Operated by Nederlandse Spoorwegen
NS International
Arriva
DB Fernverkehr
Eurostar
European Sleeper
ÖBB Nightjet
Line(s)
Platforms11
Tracks15
Connections
  • Metro: 51 52 53 54
  • Mainline rail interchange Tram: 2, 4, 12, 13, 14, 17, 24, 26
  • Ferry transport Ferry: F2, F3, F4
  • Bus transport w:Connexxion: 391, 394, N47, N57, N92, N94, N97
  • Bus transport : 305, 306, 314, 316, N01, N04, N10, N14
  • Bus transport : 18, 21, 22, 43, 48, 248, N81, N82, N83, N84, N85, N86, N87, N88, N89, N91, N93
Construction
ArchitectPierre Cuypers
Other information
Station codeAsd
IATA codeZYA
Websitens.nl/stationsinformatie/asd/amsterdam-centraal
History
Opened15 October 1889; 135 years ago (1889-10-15)
Passengers
192,178 daily (2018)
Services
Preceding station Eurostar Following station
Rotterdam Centraal
towards London
Eurostar
Terminus
Schiphol Airport
towards Paris-Nord
Schiphol Airport
Schiphol Airport Eurostar
(winter)
Schiphol Airport Eurostar
(summer)
Preceding station DB Fernverkehr Following station
Terminus ICE 43 Utrecht Centraal
towards Basel SBB
ICE 78 Utrecht Centraal
IC 77 Hilversum
Preceding station ÖBB Following station
Terminus Nightjet Utrecht Centraal
Utrecht Centraal
towards Zürich HB
Preceding station European Sleeper Following station
Schiphol Airport Brussels - Prague Amersfoort Centraal
towards Praha hl.n.
Preceding station NS International Following station
Schiphol Airport Intercity Direct 9200 Terminus
Preceding station Nederlandse Spoorwegen Following station
Amsterdam Sloterdijk
towards Den Helder
NS Intercity 800 Amsterdam Amstel
towards Maastricht
Schiphol Airport
towards Breda
NS Intercity Direct 900 Terminus
Schiphol Airport NS Intercity Direct 1000
NS Nachtnet 1400
Night train
Utrecht Centraal
Terminus
Terminus NS Intercity 1500 Hilversum
towards Deventer
Amsterdam Sloterdijk NS Intercity 2100 Terminus
Amsterdam Sloterdijk
towards Vlissingen
NS Intercity 2200
NS Intercity 2300
Terminus NS Intercity 2600 Almere Centrum
Terminus
Amsterdam Sloterdijk
towards Enkhuizen
NS Intercity 2900 Amsterdam Amstel
towards Maastricht
Amsterdam Sloterdijk
towards Den Helder
NS Intercity 3000 Amsterdam Amstel
towards Nijmegen
Amsterdam Sloterdijk
towards Enkhuizen
NS Intercity 3900 Amsterdam Amstel
towards Heerlen
NS Intercity 4500 Terminus
Terminus NS Nachtnet 21500
Night train
Hilversum Media Park
Haarlem
Terminus
NS Nachtnet 22200
Night train
Terminus
Amsterdam Sloterdijk
towards Uitgeest
NS Sprinter 4000 Amsterdam Muiderpoort
Amsterdam Sloterdijk NS Sprinter 4600 Amsterdam Muiderpoort
Amsterdam Sloterdijk
towards Hoorn
NS Sprinter 4800 Terminus
Amsterdam Sloterdijk
towards Zandvoort
NS Sprinter 5400
Amsterdam Sloterdijk
towards Hoofddorp
NS Sprinter 5800 Amsterdam Muiderpoort
Amsterdam Sloterdijk
towards Uitgeest
NS Sprinter 7400 Amsterdam Muiderpoort
Location
Amsterdam Centraal is located in Northern Randstad
Amsterdam Centraal
Amsterdam Centraal
Location within Northern Randstad
Amsterdam Centraal is located in Netherlands
Amsterdam Centraal
Amsterdam Centraal
Amsterdam Centraal (Netherlands)

National and international railway services at Amsterdam Centraal are provided by NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen), the principal rail operator in the Netherlands. Amsterdam Centraal is the northern terminus of Amsterdam Metro routes 51, 53, 54, and stop for 52 operated by municipal public transport operator GVB. It is also served by a number of GVB tram and ferry routes as well as local and regional bus routes operated by GVB, Connexxion and EBS.

Amsterdam Centraal was designed by Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers and opened in 1889. It features a Gothic, Renaissance Revival station building[3] and a cast iron platform roof spanning approximately 40 metres.

Since 1997, the station building, underground passages, metro station, and the surrounding area have been undergoing major reconstruction and renovation works to accommodate the North-South Line metro route, which was opened on 22 July 2018. Amsterdam Centraal has the second longest railway platform in the Netherlands with a length of 695 metres. Due to the length, each platform may serve two trains, while one embarks from side "a" of a platform and the other, from side "b".

History

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Construction

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Amsterdam Centraal station, designed by Pierre Cuypers, c. 1890–1900.
 
Aerial photograph of Amsterdam Central station, 1920–1940.
 
First station roof (1889), designed by L.J. Eijmer
 
The station viewed from the A'DAM Tower (originally the Shell Tower)

Amsterdam Centraal was designed by Pierre Cuypers, who is also known for his design of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. While Cuypers was the principal architect, it is believed that he focused mostly on the decoration of the station building and left the structural design to railway engineers.[4] The station was built by contractor Philipp Holzmann. The new central station replaced Amsterdam Willemspoort Station, which had closed in 1878, as well as the temporary Westerdok Station used from 1878 to 1889. The idea for a central station came from Johan Rudolph Thorbecke, then the Netherlands Minister of the Interior and responsible for the national railways, who, in 1884, laid two proposals before the Amsterdam municipal council. In the first proposal, the station would be situated between the Leidseplein and the Amstel river. In the other, it would be built in the open harbour front allowing for the station to be connected to the existing main lines in the area to the west and the south, but also to a projected new northern line.[5]

Cuypers' design of the station building in many ways strongly resembled his other architectural masterpiece, the Rijksmuseum, of which the construction had begun in 1876. It features a palace-like, Gothic/Renaissance Revival facade,[3] with two turrets and many ornamental details and stone reliefs referring to the capital city's industrial and commercial importance. A royal waiting room for the Dutch monarchy (one of three in active use in the country today) was also included in the design.[6] Cuypers' station reflects the romantic nationalistic mood in the late nineteenth-century Netherlands, with its many decorative elements glorifying the nation's economic and colonial power at the time.[7][8]

As with the Rijksmuseum, the station's overall architecture reminded many contemporaries of medieval cathedrals.[4] For that reason, as well as for the fact that it became increasingly clear that the national government wanted the station to be built at the city's waterfront effectively separating the city from the IJ lake, the plan was highly controversial. In his book on the history of city, Amsterdam historian Geert Mak writes that:

Almost all of Amsterdam's own experts and others involved thought this to be a catastrophic plan, 'the most disgusting possible attack on the beauty and glory of the capital'. Nevertheless, the building of the Central Station in front of the open harbour was forced through by the railway department of the Ministry of Transport in The Hague, and the Home Secretary, Thorbecke. Finally, the plan made its way through the Amsterdam municipal council by a narrow majority.[9]

Construction works started in 1882.[10] The station is built on three interconnected artificial islands in the IJ lake. These islands were created with sand taken from the dunes near Velsen, which had become available as a result of the excavation of the North Sea Canal. The islands together are known as Stationseiland (Station Island). Like many other structures in Amsterdam, the station was built on wooden piles (8,687 pieces). The construction of the station was delayed because of the instability of the soil, which set back the completion of the work by several years. The station building was completed in 1884, but the commission to Cuypers did not include the roofwork of the platforms. Therefore, the station did not yet feature its distinctive station roof. This roof, consisting of 50 curved trusses and a span of almost 45 meters (147 ft 8 in), was designed by L.J. Eijmer, a civil engineer with the private railroad company Staatsspoorwegen. The roof was manufactured by Andrew Handyside and Company of Derby, England.[11] Cuypers did design the decorations for the trusses and the gable ends. On 15 October 1889, the station was officially opened, drawing large numbers of crowds. The visitors were charged 0.25 guilders to see the station; in the first two days after the opening, several dozens of thousands paid.[12] The opening of the central station marked the city's transition from a waterfront city to an inland city, spurring further redevelopment activities in the city centre which included the realignment of streets and the filling up of canals. The waterways would soon be replaced by tramways and cars as the primary modes of transport in the city.[5]

In 1920, the East Wing of the station (the lower end of the building) was demolished and replaced by "The East", a postal service building designed by Cuypers' son Joseph. A second, narrower and longer but similar roof on the north side of the station was completed in 1922.

Early expansions and modernization

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In the 1950s, a pedestrian tunnel was created between the station and the road in front of it, which terminated inside the station. With the construction of the metro tunnel in the late 1970s, both the pedestrian tunnel and the road in front of the station disappeared. In the early 1980s, the central hall and middle tunnel were considerably widened and modernized. In the 1990s, a new signaling post was built on the western side of the station. In addition, the number of tracks on that side was expanded in order to increase capacity in the direction of Sloterdijk station. In 1996, a third, 'centre roof' designed by Jan Garvelink, architect at Holland Rail Consult, was built between the two existing roofs, whereby all platforms at the station were now covered.

Later reform and expansion

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IJzijde station hall

Since 1997, the station has been continuously undergoing reconstruction works because of the development of the North-South Line of the Amsterdam Metro, which was originally planned to be completed in 2014. Due to several setbacks, some at the Amsterdam Centraal building site, the line was fully completed in 2018. Construction works at the station include a renovation of the station building, including the reconstruction of original station features which had disappeared over the years, a redevelopment of the Stationsplein (Station Square), and a new bus station on the north side of the station. In 2000, the new western passenger tunnel opened replacing the main tunnel in the centre of the station which was shut down enabling the construction of the new metro line. In 2004, platforms 10-15 were extended to accommodate international high-speed rail services. Construction works for the bus station commenced in 2003, opened in 2009 and finished in 2014. It includes the construction of a fourth station roof and a station hall with space for shops and restaurants. It replaces 5 small bus stations and several isolated bus stops across the Station Island. With all buses eventually moving to the new bus station on the north side, the Station Island should only be accessible to pedestrians, cyclists and trams.

The three passenger tunnels underneath the station were upgraded and provided with convenience stores and kiosks. In addition, two new passageways were created enabling the hosting of larger retail stores, geared towards passengers who have more time to spend at the station.

 
Eurostar calling at Amsterdam Centraal station

On 4 February 2020, the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, Cora van Nieuwenhuizen, and the UK Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, announced that juxtaposed controls would be established in the station. According to the announcement, starting from 30 April 2020, Eurostar passengers travelling to the UK would clear exit checks from the Schengen Area as well as UK entry checks (conducted by the UK Border Force) in the station before boarding their train (without having to disembark at Brussels-South station, go through the juxtaposed controls there, and re-board the train before continuing their journey to the UK).[13][14] However, the launch was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[15] The inauguration of juxtaposed controls in the station subsequently took place on 26 October 2020.[16][17]

From 2017 there will be further reconstruction works at the station. A number of platforms will be widened making use of the tracks which do not currently have platforms. This means that alterations will be made in the tunnels under the platforms again. Furthermore, the eastern tunnel will be made wider, based on the example of the middle tunnel. The old railway bridges to the east of the station will also be replaced.

Railway station layout

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Amsterdam Centraal station from the side
Amsterdam Centraal station
Train services:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A'dam–Schiphol ry.
to Schiphol Airport
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Den Helder–A'dam ry.
to Zaandam
 
Metro access:  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A'dam–Haarlem–R'dam ry.
to Haarlem
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Korte Prinsengracht
Metro station
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
52 to Zuid  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
52 to Noord  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
51 53 54 to Amstel  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Westertoegang
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ferry lines F4 to NDSM
and F3 to Buiksloterweg
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4
a
 
 
 
7
a
 
 
10
a
 
 
 
13
a
 
 
15
a
 
 
 
 
Tram lines 2, 12  , 13, and 17
to Dam Square (west side)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2
a
 
 
 
 
5
a
 
8
a
 
 
 
 
11
a
 
14
a
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
B3
 
 
B1
 
 
 
 
3
 
 
 
 
 
9
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
B4
 
 
B2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tram lines 4 and 14
to Dam Square (east side)
 
 
 
 
 
 
A3
 
 
 
A1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A4
 
 
 
A2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6
 
 
 
 
 
12
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2
b
 
 
 
 
5
b
 
8
b
 
 
 
 
11
b
 
14
b
 
 
 
 
 
 
for the Dutch monarchy
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4
b
 
 
 
7
b
 
 
10
b
 
 
 
13
b
 
 
15
b
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Border control terminal
for cross-Channel trains
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oostertoegang
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ferry line F2
to IJplein
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oosterdoksdoorgang
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tram line 26 (IJtram)
to Rietlandpark
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A'dam–Zutphen ry./Weesp–Lelystad ry.
to Almere
 
 
 
 
 
 
A'dam–Zutphen ry.
to Amersfoort
 
 
 
 
 
A'dam–Arnhem ry.
to Utrecht
 

Amsterdam Centraal has 15 tracks, 11 of which are alongside a platform: four island platforms with tracks along the full length on both sides (tracks 4/5, 7/8, 10/11, 13/14); one side platform with one track along the full length (track 15); and one bay platform with two tracks (tracks 1/2). Platforms 2-15 have an A-side (to the west) and a B-side (to the east). This means that there are 21 places where a train can be positioned for passenger access, with scissors crossings in the middle enabling trains to pass each other. Track 1 terminates short of the western end of the station building, which fronts track 2. Tracks 3, 6, 9, and 12 have no platform.

Railway services

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Amsterdam Centraal is a terminus station on many historical railway lines in the Netherlands: the Amsterdam–Rotterdam railway (1839), also known as the Oude Lijn, via Haarlem, Leiden and The Hague (Den Haag); the Den Helder–Amsterdam railway (1865), also known as the Staatslijn K, from Den Helder to Amsterdam via Alkmaar and Uitgeest; the Amsterdam-Zutphen railway (1874), also known as the Oosterspoorweg, via Hilversum, Amersfoort and Apeldoorn; the Amsterdam-Elten railway (1856), also known as the Rhijnspoorweg, via Utrecht and Arnhem; and the Amsterdam-Schiphol railway (1986), also known as the Westtak Ringspoorbaan.

As of December 2014, Amsterdam Centraal is served by 8 international rail routes and 22 national rail routes.[18]

From Amsterdam Central Station, one can travel by train to most major destinations in the Netherlands and surrounding countries. In the 2024 timetable, the station will be served by the following train series:

International rail

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Train Operator(s) Route Notes
450 European Sleeper Brussel-ZuidAntwerpen-CentraalRoosendaalRotterdam CentraalDen Haag HSSchiphol AirportAmsterdam CentraalAmersfoort CentraalDeventerBad BentheimBerlin HbfDresden HbfPraha hl.n. Stops 2-3x per week. Does not stop at Schiphol Airport and Den Haag HS towards Brussels.
Eurostar 9100 Eurostar Amsterdam Centraal – Rotterdam Centraal – Brussel-Zuid – Lille-Europe London St Pancras International Lille-Europe is served irregularly.
Eurostar 9300 Eurostar Amsterdam Centraal – Schiphol Airport – Rotterdam Centraal – Antwerpen-Centraal – Brussel-Zuid – Paris-Nord Various journeys only between Amsterdam and Brussels
Eurostar 9900 Eurostar Amsterdam Centraal – Schiphol Airport – Rotterdam Centraal – Antwerpen-Centraal – Brussel-Zuid – [ Aéroport Charles-de-Gaulle 2 TGVMarne-la-Vallée - Chessy ] / [ Chambéry-Challes-les-EauxAlbertvilleMoûtiers - Salins - Brides-les-BainsAime-La PlagneLandryBourg-Saint-Maurice ] / [ Valence-Rhône-Alpes-Sud TGVAvignon TGVAix-en-Provence TGVMarseille Saint-Charles ] Marne-la-Vallée - Chessy 2 times a day. Bourg-Saint-Maurice 1 time a week in winter. Marseille Saint-Charles 1 time a week in summer.
140/240

IC 77

Intercity (NS International / DB Fernverkehr) Amsterdam CentraalHilversum – Amersfoort Centraal – ApeldoornDeventerHengelo – Bad Bentheim – RheineOsnabrück HbfBünde (Westf)Hannover HbfBerlin-Spandau – Berlin Hbf – Berlin Ostbahnhof Doesn't stop in Almelo. Runs every 2 hours.
9200

IC 35

Intercity Direct, Beneluxtrein (NS International) Amsterdam Centraal – Schiphol Airport – Rotterdam Centraal – BredaNoorderkempen – Antwerpen-Centraal – MechelenBrussels Airport-ZaventemBrussel-NoordBrussel-Centraal – Brussel-Zuid Via HSL-Zuid, between Schiphol and Rotterdam, a surcharge is payable for travel within the Netherlands.
100

ICE 43

Intercity Express (NS International) Amsterdam CentraalUtrecht CentraalArnhem CentraalOberhausen HbfDuisburg HbfDüsseldorf Hbf ] / [ Hannover HbfMinden (Westf)HerfordBielefeld HbfGütersloh HbfHamm (Westf)Hagen HbfWuppertal Hbf ] – Köln HbfSiegburg/Bonn Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen FernbahnhofMannheim HbfKarlsruhe HbfOffenburgFreiburg (Breisgau) HbfBasel Bad BfBasel SBB Once a day between Amsterdam and Basel.
400 ÖBB (Nightjet) Amsterdam Centraal – Utrecht Centraal – Arnhem Centraal – Innsbruck Hbf / Vienna / Zürich HB

National rail

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National rail services at the station are provided by NS, the principal rail operator in the Netherlands. NS offers four types of rail service from Amsterdam Centraal: Intercity Direct operating on the HSL-Zuid high-speed rail line, long-distance Intercity services, local Sprinter services, and the Nachtnet night service.

Train Operator(s) Route
800 Intercity (NS) MaastrichtSittardRoermondWeertEindhoven Centraal's-HertogenboschUtrecht CentraalAmsterdam CentraalAlkmaar – (Den Helder)
1400 Intercity (NS) Utrecht Centraal – Amsterdam CentraalSchiphol AirportDen Haag HSRotterdam Centraal
1500 Intercity (NS) Amsterdam CentraalHilversumAmersfoort CentraalApeldoornDeventer
2100 Intercity (NS) Amsterdam CentraalHaarlemLeiden CentraalDen Haag Centraal
2200 Intercity (NS) Amsterdam CentraalAmsterdam Sloterdijk – Haarlem – Leiden Centraal – Den Haag HS – DelftSchiedam Centrum – Rotterdam Centraal – DordrechtRoosendaalVlissingen
2300 Intercity (NS) Amsterdam Centraal – Amsterdam Sloterdijk – Haarlem – Leiden Centraal – Den Haag HS – Delft – Schiedam Centrum – Rotterdam Centraal – Dordrecht – Roosendaal – Vlissingen
2600 Intercity (NS) Almere CentrumAmsterdam Centraal
12600 Intercity (NS) GroningenAssenZwolleLelystad Centrum – Almere Centrum – Amsterdam Centraal
2900 Intercity (NS) EnkhuizenHoornAmsterdam Centraal – Utrecht Centraal – 's-Hertogenbosch – Eindhoven Centraal – Weert – Roermond – Sittard – Maastricht
3000 Intercity (NS) Nijmegen – Arnhem Centraal – Ede-Wageningen – Veenendaal-De Klomp – Driebergen-Zeist – Utrecht Centraal – Amsterdam Centraal – Zaandam – Alkmaar – Den Helder
3900 Intercity (NS) Enkhuizen – Hoorn – Amsterdam Centraal – Utrecht Centraal – 's-Hertogenbosch – Eindhoven Centraal – Weert – Roermond – Sittard – Heerlen
12100 Intercity (NS) Amsterdam Centraal – Amsterdam Sloterdijk – Haarlem – Zandvoort aan Zee
22200 Intercity (NS) Amsterdam Centraal – Haarlem
900 Intercity Direct (NS) Amsterdam Centraal – Schiphol Airport – Rotterdam Centraal – Breda
1000 Intercity Direct (NS) Amsterdam Centraal – Schiphol Airport – Rotterdam Centraal – Breda
4000 Sprinter (NS) UitgeestZaandamAmsterdam CentraalBreukelenWoerdenGouda – Rotterdam Centraal
4500 Sprinter (NS) Amsterdam Centraal – Hoorn – Enkhuizen
4600 Sprinter (NS) (Den Haag Centraal – )Leiden Centraal – Schiphol Airport – Amsterdam Sloterdijk – Amsterdam CentraalWeesp – Almere Centrum – (Almere BuitenAlmere Oostvaarders)
4800 Sprinter (NS) Amsterdam Centraal – Haarlem – Alkmaar – Hoorn
5400 Sprinter (NS) Amsterdam Centraal Haarlem – Zandvoort aan Zee
5800 Sprinter (NS) Amersfoort Vathorst – Amersfoort Centraal – Hilversum – Weesp – Amsterdam Centraal – Amsterdam Sloterdijk – Schiphol Airport – Hoofddorp
7400 Sprinter (NS) Uitgeest – Zaandam – Amsterdam Centraal – Breukelen – Utrecht Centraal – Driebergen-Zeist
32790 Nachttrein (Arriva) Groningen – Assen – Zwolle – Lelystad Centrum – Almere Centrum – Amsterdam Centraal – Schiphol Airport

Other transport

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Metro services

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Centraal Station
 
Amsterdam Centraal metro station platform for Line 52
General information
LocationStationsplein 15, Amsterdam
  Netherlands
Owned byCity of Amsterdam
Operated by  Amsterdam Metro
Line(s)51 Line 51
52 Line 52
53 Line 53
54 Line 54
Platforms2
Tracks2
Train operatorsGVB
Construction
Structure typeUnderground
History
Opened22 July 2018
Services
Preceding station Amsterdam Metro Following station
Terminus Line 51 Nieuwmarkt
towards Isolatorweg
Line 53 Nieuwmarkt
towards Gaasperplas
Line 54 Nieuwmarkt
towards Gein
Noorderpark
towards Noord
Line 52 Rokin
towards Station Zuid

Amsterdam Centraal metro station (called Centraal Station on the Amsterdam Metro system) opened in 1980. It is the terminus station of three routes: Line 51 (Amsterdam Centraal - Isolatorweg), Line 53 (Amsterdam Centraal - Gaasperplas), and Line 54 (Amsterdam Centraal - Gein). In July 2018, the new Line 52 (Noord Station - Zuid Station) opened.

The metro station is only accessible with an OV-chipkaart smart card, the national fare system for public transport in the Netherlands. Disposable cards for one-hour, one-day or multiple-day use are available at ticket machines in the metro station hall.

As of 2018, the following metro services call at Centraal Station:

Route Line From Via To Frequency
 
Line 51 Centraal Station Nieuwmarkt, Waterlooplein, Weesperplein, Wibautstraat, Amstelstation, Spaklerweg, Overamstel, Station RAI, Station Zuid, Amstelveenseweg, Henk Sneevlietweg, Heemstedestraat, Station Lelylaan, Postjesweg, Jan van Galenstraat, De Vlugtlaan, Station Sloterdijk Isolatorweg 8/hour (peak hours), 6/hour (Mon-Sun until 8.00 pm), 5/hour (from 8.00 pm, Sat-Sun until 10.00 am)
 
Line 52 Noord Noorderpark, Centraal Station, Rokin, Vijzelgracht, De Pijp, Europaplein Station Zuid 10/hour (Mon-Sun until 10.00 pm), 8/hour (Sat-Sun until 10.00 pm, Mon-Sun after 10.00 pm)
 
Line 53 Centraal Station Nieuwmarkt, Waterlooplein, Weesperplein, Wibautstraat, Amstelstation, Spaklerweg, Van der Madeweg, Venserpolder, Station Diemen Zuid, Verrijn Stuartweg, Ganzenhoef, Kraaiennest Gaasperplas 8/hour (peak hours), 6/hour (Mon-Sun until 10.00 pm), 4/hour (Sat-Sun until 10.00 am, Mon-Sun after 10.00 pm)
 
Line 54 Centraal Station Nieuwmarkt, Waterlooplein, Weesperplein, Wibautstraat, Amstelstation, Spaklerweg, Van der Madeweg, Station Duivendrecht, Strandvliet, Station Bijlmer ArenA, Bullewijk, Station Holendrecht, Reigersbos Gein 8/hour (peak hours), 6/hour (Mon-Sun until 8.00 pm), 5/hour (Sat-Sun until 10.00 am, Mon-Sun after 8.00 pm)

Tram services

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Tram stop for routes 2, 12, 13 and 17 on the west side (Westzijde)

Tram services at Amsterdam Centraal are provided from two tram stations on Stationsplein (Station Square), situated in front of the station's main entrance. Tram routes 2, 12, 13 and 17 call on the west side (Westzijde, Platform B) of the square, the other routes call on the east side (Oostzijde, Platform-A).[19]

Tram Service Operator From To Via Frequency
2 GVB Centraal Station Nieuw Sloten Leidseplein, Museumplein, Willemsparkweg, Hoofddorpplein, Heemstedestraat metro station, Sloten 8 to 10x per hour (Monday-Friday), 6x per hour (Weekends)
4 GVB Centraal Station Station RAI Rembrandtplein, De Pijp, Rivierenbuurt 6x per hour. 4x per hour (Evenings/Sundays)
12 GVB Centraal Station Amstel Station Leidseplein, Museumplein, De Pijp 6 to 8x per hour. 6 to 9x per hour (Saturday). 6 to 8x per hour (Sundays)
13 GVB Centraal Station Geuzenveld Westermarkt, Oud West, Overtooseveld Noord, Jan van Galenstraat metro station, Slotermeer 6 to 8x per hour. 4 to 8x per hour (Sundays)
14 GVB Centraal Station Flevopark Waterlooplein, Artis, Alexanderplein 8 to 10x per hour (Monday-Friday), 6 to 8x per hour (Saturday), 4 to 6x per hour (Sundays)
17 GVB Centraal Station Dijkgraafplein (Osdorp) Westermarkt, Marnixstraat Bus Station, Kinkerstraat, Surinameplein, Lelylaan station, Meer en Vaart, Osdorp Central 6 to 10x per hour (Monday-Friday), 6x per hour (Weekend)
26 GVB Centraal Station IJburg Piet Heinkade, Rietlandpark, Zuiderzeeweg (P&R), IJburglaan 6 to 10x per hour. 6x per hour (Saturdays). 4 to 6x per hour (Sundays)

Bus services

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City services

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A GVB route 43 bus on platform E

As of July 2018, GVB city bus routes 18, 21 and 22 and 48 depart from the new bus platform G on the lake side of the station (IJzijde or 'IJ side').[19][20]

Bus Service Operator Platform From Via To
18 GVB G-K Centraal Station Westerdok, De Baarsjes, Mercatorplein, Postjesweg metro station, Johan Huizingalaan Slotervaart
21 GVB G-K Centraal Station Westerdok, Van Hallstraat, Haarlemmerweg, Bos en Lommerplein, De Vlugtlaan metro station, Geuzenveld Noord Geuzenveld
22 GVB G-C & G-J Muiderpoort Station Spaarndammerbuurt, Centraal Station, Indische Buurt Station Sloterdijk
43 GVB G-E Centraal Station Java Eiland, KNSM Eiland Borneo Eiland
48 GVB G-J Centraal station Spaarndammerbuurt Houthaven

City nightbuses

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Night bus services operate daily, starting around midnight and running until around 6 AM. From Monday to Thursday, night buses run once per hour. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, they run twice per hour. As of December 2014, all night buses depart from platform G on the lake side of the station and call at all main entertainment areas in Amsterdam's city centre, including Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein.[20]

Bus Service Operator From To
N01 EBS Centraal Station Purmerend Overwhere
N04 EBS Centraal Station Purmerend Purmer-Noord
N10 EBS Centraal Station Edam
N14 EBS Centraal Station Hoorn
N23 Keolis Centraal Station Station Almere Centrum
N47 Connexxion Centraal Station Uithoorn, via Amstelveen
N57 Connexxion Centraal Station Aalsmeer, via Amstelveen
N81 GVB Centraal Station Station Sloterdijk
N82 GVB Centraal Station Geuzenveld
N83 GVB Centraal Station Osdorp de Aker
N84 GVB Centraal Station Amstelveen Busstation
N85 GVB Centraal Station Gein
N86 GVB Centraal Station Station Bijlmer ArenA
N87 GVB Centraal Station Station Bijlmer ArenA
N88 GVB Centraal Station Nieuwe Sloten
N89 GVB Centraal Station IJburg, via Muiderpoort Station
N91 GVB Centraal Station Nieuwendam
N92 Connexxion Centraal Station Zaandam Station
N93 GVB Centraal Station Molenwijk
N94 Connexxion Centraal Station Westzaan
N97 Connexxion Centraal Station Nieuw-Vennep, via Schiphol Airport

Noord Holland services

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An R-Net EBS bus at the new bus station.

EBS (part of Egged) regional bus services depart from a new bus station on the IJ lake side of the station (beyond platform 15). This can be reached from the main central walkway via escalators. Connexxion bus services depart from the Kamperbrug bus stops on the city centre side of the station.

Bus Service Operator Route
305 EBS R-Net Amsterdam Centraal – Ilpendam – Purmerend – De Rijp
314 EBS R-Net Amsterdam Centraal – Monnickendam – Edam – Station Hoorn
316 EBS R-Net Amsterdam Centraal – Monnickendam – Volendam – Edam Busstation
391 EBS R-Net Amsterdam Centraal – Zaandam – Zaanse Schans
800 EBS Amsterdam Centraal → Zaanse Schans → Edam → Volendam → Amsterdam Centraal
801 EBS Amsterdam Centraal → Volendam → Edam → Zaanse Schans → Amsterdam Centraal

Ferry services

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IJ lake ferry at Amsterdam Centraal.

Free-of-charge ferry services from Amsterdam Centraal to the borough of Amsterdam North across the IJ lake depart from the quay on the northern side of the station at the De Ruijterkade. Just behind the station is the EYE Film Institute Netherlands, easily accessible with a free ferry.[21]

Ferry Service Operator From To Frequency Notes
IJpleinveer (F2) GVB Centraal Station IJplein 2 to 4x per hour(Monday to Saturday). 2x per hour (Sunday) On Sunday mornings limited services.
Buiksloterwegveer (F3) GVB Centraal Station Buiksloterweg 24 hours a day, every 6 to 12 minutes (Monday to Sunday)
NDSM-werfveer (F4) GVB Centraal Station NDSM-werf 2 to 6x per hour (Monday to Friday). 2 to 6 (Weekend). 2x per hour late evenings and night Late night services Friday (Saturday early morning) and Saturday (Sunday early morning).

Underwater bicycle parking

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Stationsplein bicycle parking
 
IJboulevard bicycle parking

Due to the completion of the Stationseiland project and the implementation of the Entree plan, the station has had two indoor bicycle parking station and two station bicycle parking stations around the station since 2023. After moving both car traffic and bus traffic from the station square to the rear of the station, the municipality has further reduced the large number of bicycles parked on the street around the station with the construction of these two large station bicycle parkings at the station, whereby cyclists have to park their bicycles in the sheds and no longer on the street.

The Stationsplein Bicycle Parking, the largest bicycle shed in Amsterdam, opened on 26 January 2023 at Central Station. The bicycle shed is located under the water of the Open Havenfront, between Stationsplein and Prins Hendrikkade. The main entrance is at the Martelaarsgracht. Access to and from the station is via the central metro hall. The bicycle parking has space for 7,000 bicycles. There is no space for cargo bikes, fat bikes and scooters.

Construction started in the summer of 2018 and was completed after more than four years. During this period, the water from the Open Havenfront was pumped away and part of the Prins Hendrikkade, with the former Prins Hendrikplantsoen, was excavated. The storage facility was built in the construction pit, after which the water returned. Above the storage facility there are now jetties for tour boats.[22][23][24]

On 22 February 2023, the IJboulevard Bicycle Parking was also completed and put into use on the north side of Central Station, which was built in the water of the IJ and will be located under the new IJboulevard along the De Ruijterkade (construction started in March 2021). 4,000 bicycles can be parked here.

See also

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References

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Inline citations
  1. ^ "Stationsplein 9 Amsterdam". Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  2. ^ "Amsterdam Central Station Island". Amsterdam Central Station Island Coordinator Bureau. Archived from the original on 23 July 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  3. ^ a b "Revival Styles: Holland". European Architecture. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  4. ^ a b "Royal waiting room at Amsterdam Central Station". Netherlands Architecture Institute. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  5. ^ a b "Centraal Station (1882-1889)" (in Dutch). City of Amsterdam. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  6. ^ "Caring for National and Cultural Railway Heritage". Nederlandse Spoorwegen. Archived from the original on 26 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  7. ^ Wintle, Michael. 'Visualising Commerce and Empire: Decorating the Built Environment of Amsterdam', in: de Waard, Marco (ed.). Imagining Global Amsterdam: History, Culture, and Geography in a World City. Amsterdam University Press 2012.
  8. ^ Banerjee, Jacqueline (10 August 2013). "Central Station, Amsterdam, by P. J. H. Cuypers (1827-1921), with Adolf L. van Gendt (1835-1901)". The Victorian Web. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  9. ^ Mak, Geert. Amsterdam. A Brief Life of the City. 1999
  10. ^ Groß, p. 50
  11. ^ Robert Thorne, "Handyside, Andrew (1805–1887)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Sept 2004; online edn, Jan 2008 accessed 9 Jan 2008
  12. ^ "Stations in aanbouw". Spoor (in Dutch). 2014 (3). Nederlandse Spoorwegen: 50–51. September 2014.
  13. ^ "Transport Secretary hails new horizons for rail travel across Europe". Gov.uk. HM Government. 4 February 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  14. ^ "Eurostar transforms link between London and Amsterdam with services now direct both to and from the Netherlands". Eurostar. 4 February 2020. Archived from the original on 28 March 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  15. ^ Hampson, Laura (30 April 2020). "Amsterdam to London Eurostar launch delayed due to coronavirus pandemic". Evening Standard. London. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  16. ^ "Eurostar to launch £40 Amsterdam to London trains". BBC News. 24 August 2020.
  17. ^ "Eurostar's Amsterdam odyssey kicks off to little fanfare". EURACTIV. 27 October 2020.
  18. ^ "Dienstregeling 2015 (Timetable 2015)" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Spoorwegen. Archived from the original on 14 December 2014. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  19. ^ a b "Map of Central Station". GVB. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  20. ^ a b "Bus station IJzijde". GVB. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  21. ^ "EYE Film Institute in Amsterdam". Amsterdam.info. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  22. ^ "Nieuwe fietsenstalling bij station Amsterdam: 'Een oase, maar je moet geen haast hebben'". nos.nl (in Dutch). 26 January 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  23. ^ "Ondergrondse fietsenstalling bij CS valt in de smaak: "Eindelijk kan ik hier mijn fiets kwijt"". www.at5.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  24. ^ "Ondergrondse fietsenstalling bij CS valt in de smaak: "Eindelijk kan ik hier mijn fiets kwijt". www.parool.nl. 22 January 2023.
General sources
  • Groß, Lothar (2012). Made in Germany: Deutschlands Wirtschaftsgeschichte von der Industralisierung bis heute Band 1: 1800 - 1945. Books on demand. ISBN 978-3-8482-1042-8.
  • Mak, Geert (1999) [1994]. Amsterdam, A Brief Life of the City. Translated from the Dutch by Philipp Blom. The Harvill Press.
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