Amsterdam Centraal station

"Amsterdam Centraal" redirects here. Not to be confused with Amsterdam-Centrum.

Amsterdam Centraal station (Dutch: Station Amsterdam Centraal [staːˈʃɔn 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
Station building in 2016
General information
Location	Stationsplein 15 Amsterdam Netherlands
Coordinates	52°22′42″N 4°54′0″E / 52.37833°N 4.90000°E / 52.37833; 4.90000
Operated by	Nederlandse Spoorwegen
Line(s)	Amsterdam–Elten railway Amsterdam–Rotterdam railway Amsterdam–Schiphol railway Amsterdam–Zutphen railway Den Helder–Amsterdam railway Nieuwediep–Amsterdam railway
Platforms	11
Tracks	15
Connections	GVB Amsterdam Metro: 51 52 53 54 GVB Amsterdam tram: 2, 4, 12, 13, 14, 17, 24, 26 GVB Amsterdam Ferry: F2, F3, F4 : 391, 394, N47, N57, N92, N94, N97 EBS: 305, 306, 314, 316, N01, N04, N10, N14 GVB: 18, 21, 22, 43, 48, 248, N81, N82, N83, N84, N85, N86, N87, N88, N89, N91, N93
Construction
Architect	Pierre Cuypers
Other information
Station code	Asd
IATA code	ZYA
Website	www.ns.nl/en/stationsinformatie/asd/amsterdam-centraal
History
Opened	15 October 1889; 134 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 towards Disneyland Paris Schiphol Airport towards Bourg-Saint-Maurice Eurostar (winter) Schiphol Airport towards Marseille-Saint-Charles Eurostar (summer) Preceding station DB Fernverkehr Following station Terminus ICE 43 Utrecht Centraal towards Basel SBB ICE 78 Utrecht Centraal towards Frankfurt (Main) Hbf IC 77 Hilversum towards Berlin Ostbahnhof Preceding station ÖBB Following station Terminus Nightjet Utrecht Centraal towards Innsbruck Hbf Utrecht Centraal towards Zürich Hbf Utrecht Centraal towards Wien Hbf Preceding station NS International Following station Schiphol Airport towards Brussels-South 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 towards Rotterdam Centraal NS Intercity Direct 1000 NS Nachtnet 1400 Night train Utrecht Centraal Terminus Terminus NS Intercity 1500 Hilversum towards Deventer Amsterdam Sloterdijk towards Den Haag Centraal NS Intercity 2100 Terminus Amsterdam Sloterdijk towards Vlissingen NS Intercity 2200 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 Haarlem Terminus NS Nachtnet 22200 Night train Amsterdam Sloterdijk towards Uitgeest NS Sprinter 4000 Amsterdam Muiderpoort towards Rotterdam Centraal Amsterdam Sloterdijk towards Den Haag Centraal NS Sprinter 4600 Amsterdam Muiderpoort towards Almere Oostvaarders Amsterdam Sloterdijk towards Hoorn NS Sprinter 4800 Terminus Amsterdam Sloterdijk towards Zandvoort NS Sprinter 5400 Amsterdam Sloterdijk towards Hoofddorp NS Sprinter 5800 Amsterdam Muiderpoort towards Amersfoort Vathorst Terminus NS Sprinter 7400 Amsterdam Muiderpoort towards Driebergen-Zeist 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
Location
Amsterdam Centraal Location within Northern Randstad Show map of Northern Randstad Amsterdam Centraal Amsterdam Centraal (Netherlands) Show map of 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

Construction

 

Aerial photograph of Amsterdam Central station, 1920–1940.

 

Amsterdam Centraal station, designed by Pierre Cuypers, c. 1890–1900.

 

First station roof (1889), designed by L.J. Eijmer, as seen from platform 2.

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. 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.^[6][7]

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.^[8]

Construction works started in 1882.^[9] 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.^[10] 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.^[11] 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

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

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 station viewed from the A'DAM Tower (originally the Shell Tower)

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.

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).^[12][13] However, the launch was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[14] The inauguration of juxtaposed controls in the station subsequently took place on 26 October 2020.^[15][16]

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 services

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.^[17]

International rail

Train	Operator(s)	From	Via	To	Freq.	Service
Nightjet 40490	NS, ÖBB	Amsterdam Centraal	Utrecht - 's-Hertogenbosch - Bonn Hbf - Koblenz Hbf - Frankfurt Airport - Frankfurt (Main) Süd Bahnhof - Nürnberg Hbf - Passau Hbf - Linz/Donau Hbf - Wels Hbf - St. Pölten Hbf - Wien Meidling	Wien Hbf	1/day	NJ
Nightjet 420	NS, ÖBB	Amsterdam Centraal	Utrecht - 's-Hertogenbosch - Bonn Hbf - Koblenz Hbf - Frankfurt Airport - Frankfurt (Main) Süd Bahnhof - Nürnberg Hbf - Augsburg Hbf - München Hbf - Rosenheim Bahnhof - Kufstein Bahnhof - Wörgl Hbf - Jenbach Bahnhof	Innsbruck Hbf	1/day	NJ
Intercity-Express 100	NS, DB	Amsterdam Centraal	Utrecht - Arnhem - Oberhausen Hbf - Duisburg Hbf - Düsseldorf Hbf - Cologne - Sieburg/Bonn - Frankfurt Airport - Mannheim Hbf - Karlsruhe Hbf - Offenburg Hbf - Freiburg Hbf - Basel Bad bf	Basel SBB	1/day	High-speed
Intercity-Express 120	NS, DB	Amsterdam Centraal	Utrecht - Arnhem - Oberhausen Hbf - Duisburg Hbf - Düsseldorf Hbf - Cologne - Frankfurt Airport	Frankfurt (Main) Hbf	5/day	High-speed
Intercity (DB) 140	NS, DB	Amsterdam Centraal	Hilversum - Amersfoort - Apeldoorn - Deventer - Hengelo - Bad Bentheim - Rheine - Osnabrück - Bünde - Hanover - Berlin-Spandau - Berlin Hbf	Berlin Ostbahnhof	two-hourly (7/day)
Eurostar 9100	Eurostar	Amsterdam Centraal	Rotterdam Centraal - Brussels South ( - Lille-Europe )	London St Pancras International	3/day	High-speed. Juxtaposed controls and security facilities opened on 26 October 2020.^[18]
InterCity 9200	NS, NMBS	Amsterdam Centraal	Schiphol Airport - Rotterdam - Breda - Noorderkempen - Antwerp-Central - Antwerp-Berchem - Mechelen - Brussels Airport-Zaventem - Brussels-North - Brussels-Central	Brussels-South	hourly (16/day)
Thalys 9300	NS, NMBS, SNCF	Amsterdam Centraal	Schiphol Airport - Rotterdam - Antwerp-Central - Brussels-South	Paris Nord	10/day	High-speed
Thalys 9916	NS, NMBS, SNCF	Amsterdam Centraal	Schiphol Airport - Rotterdam - Antwerp-Central - Brussels-South - Aéroport Charles de Gaulle	Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy	1/day	High-speed
Thalys 9920	NS, NMBS, SNCF	Amsterdam Centraal	Schiphol Airport - Rotterdam - Antwerp - Brussels-South - Chambéry - Albertville	Bourg-Saint-Maurice	1/week	High-speed, winter only
Thalys 9926	NS, NMBS, SNCF	Amsterdam Centraal	Schiphol Airport - Rotterdam - Antwerp - Brussels-South - Avignon	Marseille	1/week	High-speed, summer only

National rail

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)	From	Via	To	Freq.	Service
InterCity 800	NS	Den Helder	Den Helder Zuid - Anna Paulowna - Schagen - Heerhugowaard - Alkmaar Noord - Alkmaar - Castricum - Zaandam - Amsterdam Sloterdijk - Amsterdam Centraal - Amsterdam Amstel - Utrecht Centraal - 's-Hertogenbosch - Eindhoven - Weert - Roermond - Sittard	Maastricht	2/hour	Runs only between Alkmaar and Schagen during peak hours Runs only between Alkmaar and Den Helder during peak hours and in the peak direction (morning Den Helder → Schagen, evening Schagen → Den Helder) Also calling at Den Helder Zuid, Anna Paulowna, Schagen, Heerhugowaard and Alkmaar Noord
Intercity Direct 900	NS	Amsterdam Centraal	Schiphol Airport - Rotterdam Centraal	Breda	2/hour	High-speed Supplement required between Schiphol Airport and Rotterdam Centraal
Intercity Direct 1000	NS	Amsterdam Centraal	Schiphol Airport	Rotterdam Centraal	2/hour	High-speed Supplement required between Schiphol Airport and Rotterdam Centraal
InterCity 1400	NS	Utrecht Centraal	Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA - Amsterdam Centraal - Schiphol Airport - Leiden Centraal - Den Haag HS - Delft/Gouda	Rotterdam Centraal	1/hour	Night train Not calling at Amsterdam Amstel and Amsterdam Sloterdijk Also calling at Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA Runs via Gouda on Wednesday and Thursday only. There are replacement bus services between Den Haag HS, Delft and Rotterdam Centraal
InterCity 1500	NS	Amsterdam Centraal	Hilversum - Amersfoort Centraal - Apeldoorn	Deventer	2/hour	Runs only 1x per 2 hours between Amersfoort Centraal and Deventer outside peak hours Does not run between Amersfoort Centraal and Deventer at evenings and weekends
InterCity 2100	NS	Amsterdam Centraal	Amsterdam Sloterdijk - Haarlem - Heemstede-Aerdenhout - Leiden Centraal	Den Haag Centraal	2/hour	Does not run after 10.00 pm Also calling at Heemstede-Aerdenhout
InterCity 2200	NS	Amsterdam Centraal	Amsterdam Sloterdijk - Haarlem - Heemstede-Aerdenhout - Leiden Centraal - Den Haag Laan van NOI - Den Haag HS - Delft - Schiedam Centrum - Rotterdam Centraal - Rotterdam Blaak - Dordrecht - Roosendaal - Bergen op Zoom - Rilland-Bath - Krabbendijk - Kruiningen-Yerseke - Kapelle-Biezelinge - Goes - Arnemuiden - Middelburg - Vlissingen Souburg	Vlissingen	2/hour	Also calling at Heemstede-Aerdenhout, Den Haag Laan van NOI, Schiedam Centrum, Rotterdam Blaak, Rilland-Bath, Krabbendijk, Kruiningen-Yerseke, Kapelle-Biezelinge, Arnemuiden and Vlissingen Souburg
InterCity 2600	NS	Amsterdam Centraal	Almere Centrum		2/hour
InterCity 12600	NS	Groningen	Groningen Europapark - Haren - Assen - Beilen - Hoogeveen - Meppel - Zwolle - Kampen Zuid - Dronten - Lelystad Centrum - Almere Centrum	Amsterdam Centraal	1/day	One service from Groningen to Amsterdam Centraal on Friday and Saturday night only Also calling at Groningen Europapark, Haren, Beilen, Hoogeveen, Meppel, Kampen Zuid and Dronten
InterCity 2900	NS	Enkhuizen	Bovenkarspel Flora - Bovenkarspel-Grootebroek - Hoogkarspel - Hoorn Kersenboogerd - Hoorn - Amsterdam Sloterdijk - Amsterdam Centraal - Amsterdam Amstel - Utrecht Centraal - 's-Hertogenbosch - Eindhoven - Weert - Roermond - Sittard	Maastricht	2/hour	Runs only after 9.00 p.m. and on Sundays Not calling at Zaandam Also calling at Hoorn Kersenboogerd, Hoogkarspel, Bovenkarspel-Grootebroek and Bovenkarspel Flora
InterCity 3000	NS	Nijmegen	Arnhem Centraal - Ede-Wageningen - Veenendaal-De Klomp - Driebergen-Zeist - Utrecht Centraal - Amsterdam Amstel - Amsterdam Centraal - Amsterdam Sloterdijk - Zaandam - Castricum - Heiloo - Alkmaar - Alkmaar Noord - Heerhugowaard - Schagen - Anna Paulowna - Den Helder Zuid	Den Helder	2/hour	Also calling at Veenendaal-De Klomp, Heiloo, Alkmaar Noord, Heerhugowaard, Schagen, Anna Paulowna and Den Helder Zuid Calls after 8.00 p.m. also at Driebergen-Zeist
InterCity 3900	NS	Enkhuizen	Bovenkarspel Flora - Bovenkarspel-Grootebroek - Hoogkarspel - Hoorn Kersenboogerd - Hoorn - Amsterdam Sloterdijk - Amsterdam Centraal - Amsterdam Amstel - Utrecht Centraal - 's-Hertogenbosch - Eindhoven - Weert - Roermond - Sittard	Heerlen	2/hour	Runs only from Monday to Saturday until 9.00 p.m. between Enkhuizen and Sittard Not calling at Zaandam Also calling at Hoorn Kersenboogerd, Hoogkarspel, Bovenkarspel-Grootebroek and Bovenkarspel Flora
Sprinter 4000	NS	Rotterdam Centraal	Rotterdam Noord - Rotterdam Alexander - Capelle Schollevaar - Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel - Gouda - Gouda Goverwelle - Woerden - Breukelen - Abcoude - Amsterdam Holendrecht - Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA - Duivendrecht - Amsterdam Amstel - Amsterdam Muiderpoort - Amsterdam Centraal - Amsterdam Sloterdijk - Zaandam - Koog aan de Zaan - Zaandijk Zaanse Schans - Wormerveer - Krommenie-Assendelft	Uitgeest	2/hour
InterCity 4500	NS	Enkhuizen	Amsterdam Sloterdijk - Hoorn - Hoorn Kersenboogerd - Hoogkarspel - Bovenkarspel-Grootebroek - Bovenkarspel Flora	Amsterdam Centraal	2/hour	Peak hours and peak direction only (morning Enkhuizen → Amsterdam Centraal, evening Amsterdam Centraal → Enkhuizen) Not calling at Zaandam Also calling at Hoorn Kersenboogerd, Hoogkarspel, Bovenkarspel-Grootebroek and Bovenkarspel Flora
Sprinter 4600	NS	Den Haag Centraal	Den Haag Laan van NOI - Den Haag Mariahoeve - Voorschoten - De Vink - Leiden Centraal - Sassenheim - Nieuw Vennep - Hoofddorp - Schiphol Airport - Amsterdam Lelylaan - Amsterdam Sloterdijk	Amsterdam Centraal	2/hour
Sprinter 14600	NS	Amsterdam Centraal	Amsterdam Muiderpoort - Amsterdam Science Park - Diemen - Weesp - Almere Poort - Almere Muziekwijk - Almere Centrum - Almere Parkwijk - Almere Buiten - Almere Oostvaarders - Lelystad Centrum - Dronten - Kampen Zuid	Zwolle	2/hour
Sprinter 4800	NS	Amsterdam Centraal	Amsterdam Sloterdijk - Halweg-Zwanenburg - Haarlem Spaarnwoude - Haarlem - Bloemendaal - Santpoort Zuid - Santpoort Noord - Driehuis - Beverwijk - Heemskerk - Uitgeest - Castricum - Heiloo - Alkmaar - Alkmaar Noord - Heerhugowaard - Obdam	Hoorn	2/hour	Runs only 1x per hour between Alkmaar and Hoorn after 8.00 p.m.
Sprinter 5400	NS	Amsterdam Centraal	Amsterdam Sloterdijk - Halweg-Zwanenburg - Haarlem Spaarnwoude - Haarlem - Overveen	Zandvoort aan Zee	2/hour
Sprinter 5800	NS	Amsterdam Centraal	Amsterdam Sloterdijk - Amsterdam Lelylaan - Schiphol Airport	Hoofddorp	2/hour
Sprinter 15800	NS	Amersfoort Vathorst	Amersfoort Schothorst - Amersfoort Centraal - Baarn - Hilversum - Hilversum Media Park - Bussum Zuid - Naarden-Bussum - Weesp - Diemen - Amsterdam Science Park - Amsterdam Muiderpoort	Amsterdam Centraal	2/hour
Sprinter 7400	NS	Uitgeest	Krommenie-Assendelft - Wormerveer - Zaandijk Zaanse Schans - Koog aan de Zaan - Zaandam - Amsterdam Sloterdijk - Amsterdam Centraal - Amsterdam Muiderpoort - Amsterdam Amstel - Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA - Duivendrecht - Amsterdam Holendrecht - Abcoude - Breukelen - Utrecht Zuilen -Utrecht Centraal - Utrecht Vaartsche Rijn - Bunnik - Driebergen-Zeist - Maarn - Veenendaal West - Veenendaal Centrum	Rhenen	2/hour	Only on weekdays until 8.00 p.m.
InterCity 22200	NS	Amsterdam Centraal		Haarlem	1/day	One service in both directions on Friday and Saturday night only Not calling at Amsterdam Sloterdijk

Railway station layout

 

Amsterdam Centraal station at night, 2001

 

Amsterdam Centraal station from the side

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.

Diagram (platforms are yellow, tunnels are grey, north is up):

15a	==========		==========		==========		==========	15b
14a	==========		==========		==========		==========	14b
13a	==========		==========		==========		==========	13b
12a	==========		==========		==========		==========	12b
11a	==========		==========		==========		==========	11b
10a	==========		==========		==========		==========	10b
9a	==========		==========		==========		==========	9b
8a	==========		==========		==========		==========	8b
7a	==========		==========		==========		==========	7b
6a	==========		==========		==========		==========	6b
5a	==========		==========		==========		==========	5b
4a	==========		==========		==========		==========	4b
3a	==========		==========		==========		==========	3b
2a	==========		==========		==========		==========	2b
1	====

Other transport

Metro services

 

Metro train at Centraal Station

 

Amsterdam Metro network

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

Metro Route	Operator	From	To	Via	Frequency
51	GVB	Centraal Station	Isolatorweg	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	8/hour (peak hours), 6/hour (Mon-Sun until 8.00 pm), 5/hour (from 8.00 pm, Sat-Sun until 10.00 am)
52	GVB	Noord	Station Zuid	Noorderpark, Centraal Station, Rokin, Vijzelgracht, De Pijp	10/hour (Mon-Sun until 10.00 pm), 8/hour (Sat-Sun until 10.00 pm, Mon-Sun after 10.00 pm)
53	GVB	Centraal Station	Gaasperplas	Nieuwmarkt, Waterlooplein, Weesperplein, Wibautstraat, Amstelstation, Spaklerweg, Van der Madeweg, Venserpolder, Station Diemen Zuid, Verrijn Stuartlaan, Ganzenhoef, Kraaiennest	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)
54	GVB	Centraal Station	Gein	Nieuwmarkt, Waterlooplein, Weesperplein, Wibautstraat, Amstelstation, Spaklerweg, Van der Madeweg, Station Duivendrecht, Strandvliet, Station Bijlmer ArenA, Bullewijk, Station Holendrecht, Reigersbos	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

 

Stationsplein, tram stop for routes 1, 2, 5, 13, 17

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

City services

 

A GVB route 33 bus leaves Amsterdam Centraal.

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

City nightbuses

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
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

 

An 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.

• 305 (EBS - R-Net) Centraal Station - Schouw - Watergang - Ilpendam - Purmerend Tramplein - Zuidoostbeemster - Middenbeemster - De Rijp
• 306 (EBS - R-Net) Centraal Station - Ilpendam - Purmerend Gors-Noord - Purmerend Wheermolen - Purmerend Overwhere
• 314 (EBS - R-Net) Centraal Station - Broek in Waterland - Edam Bus Station - Oosthuizen - Scharwoude - Hoorn
• 316 (EBS - R-Net) Centraal Station - Volendam East - Edam - Edam Bus Station Limited stop between Amsterdam and Volendam
• 391 (Connexxion - R-Net) Centraal Station - Amsterdam Noord - Zaandam De Vlinder - Zaandam ZMC - Zaandam Kogerveld - Zaanse Schans
• 394 (Connexxion - R-Net) Centraal Station - Amsterdam Noord - Zaandam De Vlinder - Zaandam Zuid - Zaandam Station

Ferry services

 

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 4x per hour (Monday to Saturday). 2x per hour (Sunday)	Late night services Friday (Saturday early morning) and Saturday (Sunday early morning). On Sunday mornings limited services.

See also

• Railway stations in the Netherlands
• List of tourist attractions in Amsterdam

References

Inline citations

1. "Stationsplein 9 Amsterdam". Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
2. . Amsterdam Central Station Island Coordinator Bureau. Archived from the original on 23 July 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
3. "Revival Styles: Holland". European Architecture. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
4. "Royal waiting room at Amsterdam Central Station". Netherlands Architecture Institute. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
5. "Centraal Station (1882-1889)" (in Dutch). City of Amsterdam. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Mak, Geert. Amsterdam. A Brief Life of the City. 1999
9. Groß, p. 50
10. Robert Thorne, "Handyside, Andrew (1805–1887)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Sept 2004; online edn, Jan 2008 accessed 9 Jan 2008
11. "Stations in aanbouw". Spoor (in Dutch). Nederlandse Spoorwegen. 2014 (3): 50–51. September 2014.
12. "Transport Secretary hails new horizons for rail travel across Europe". Gov.uk. HM Government. 4 February 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
13. . Eurostar. 4 February 2020. Archived from the original on 28 March 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
14. Hampson, Laura (30 April 2020). "Amsterdam to London Eurostar launch delayed due to coronavirus pandemic". Evening Standard. London. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
15. "Eurostar to launch £40 Amsterdam to London trains". BBC News. 24 August 2020.
16. "Eurostar's Amsterdam odyssey kicks off to little fanfare". EURACTIV. 27 October 2020.
17. "Dienstregeling 2015 (Timetable 2015)" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Spoorwegen. Archived from the original on 14 December 2014. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
18. RAILNEWS. "Eurostar launches regular Amsterdam services - Railnews - Today's news for Tomorrow's railway". www.railnews.co.uk.
19. "Map of Central Station". GVB. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
20. "Bus station IJzijde". GVB. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
21. "EYE Film Institute in Amsterdam". Amsterdam.info. Retrieved 21 April 2018.

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.

External links

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Amsterdam Central station.

• Official website  
• , project site about the station renovation