How to navigate Amsterdam Centraal Station like a pro

Amsterdam is one of the premier travel destinations in the world, which explains why it’s one of the most visited. With picturesque canals and unique architecture, if you see a picture of the city, you’ll immediately know it’s in Amsterdam. The city’s attractions are also renowned for their cultural and historical impact, and most of these are centrally located, making it easy to pack a lot of sights in on travel days or layovers. 

If you’re traveling from other cities in Europe, you’ll likely arrive through the gorgeous Neo-Renaissance Amsterdam Centraal Station, one of the busiest train stations in the world. It’s a world-class transit hub, but it can be confusing to navigate, and it’s even harder to get around when you’re carrying more than you need to. And if you plan to explore the surrounding areas, it’s best to seek out convenient Amsterdam Centraal luggage storage to keep things simple. 

Here’s everything you need to know for traveling through Amsterdam Centraal Station:

Getting around Amsterdam Centraal Station 

Main Hall

The primary entrance from the street and transportation stops is through the Main Hall. While its cavernous ceiling makes it feel grand, it’s quick to walk through and easy to navigate. The main features are a few information desks run by Dutch Railways (or NS) and a few dozen yellow ticketing machines. 

Ticketing gates

Automated ticket machines are situated on the far side of the Main Hall from the entrance and are the primary points of purchase for train tickets. You will need a ticket to access the passageways underneath the main hall. These ticket kiosks are easy to use, with multiple language options and instructions for purchasing Eurostar, ICE, Nightjet, and Thalys tickets, depending on which carrier you choose and where you’re going. 

If you booked online ahead of time, you won’t need these kiosks as you can scan your QR code or barcode on your mobile device to enter the passageways. If your ticket doesn’t scan or there is any confusion, head to the information desks in the Main Hall or find an attendant. 

Passageways

Once you’ve scanned your tickets and gotten through the gates, you’ll find secret passageways that lead to the station platforms. Each passageway is accessible via any ticket. You’ll find all the Amsterdam Centraal amenities here, including ATMs, shops, and all the food and beverage offerings. These passageways are on the lower levels, and you’ll find escalators leading up to each platform.

Station platforms

There are 15 platforms in Amsterdam Centraal, each of which (aside from 1) can leave in either direction. There is an ‘a’ side on the left (northwest) and a ‘b’ side to the right (southeast) of each platform, so it’s important to note which platform you board from. If you are boarding at platform 13b, you will head to the right. Everything is clearly demarcated on the departure screens.

Getting to and from Amsterdam Centraal Station 

By Metro

Centraal Station is the center hub of the city’s public transit system, with all lines running through the Metro Station outside of the front of Centraal’s Main Hall. You can purchase tickets at the electronic kiosks (card and coins only). There will be a map and guide for each metro line in the Main Hall. 

On Foot

Amsterdam is one of the most walkable cities on the planet. Even better, the canal network that makes up the city center provides scenic routes anywhere in the city. Centraal Station is aptly named, so you can get to the heart of Amsterdam on foot in about 10 minutes, with plenty of attractions right at your fingertips. 

By Tram

The most popular public transit method from Amsterdam locals is its efficient tram network. You can access some of the most common travel destinations and attractions right from Amsterdam Centraal via tram, with stops right from the street outside the train station. To get to Dam Square, take the 4 or 14 lines. The 2, 11, and 12 Westsidje tram lines will get you to the Rijksmuseum or van Gogh Museum. There will be a map in the Main Hall, which should help you plan your route.

By boat

Fittingly, you can take a boat from Amsterdam Centraal Station to other parts of the city. It’s situated along the River Ij, and both ferries and charters can shuttle you to different parts of the city. Some hotels even offer this service, so check with your accommodations. 

Pro tips 

Using your mobile ticket correctly

Long gone are the days when you’ll need to print a PDF of your ticket, but that doesn’t mean you won’t want to make sure you’re ready to board before heading to the train station. You can save your Eurostar ticket in your Apple Wallet or Google Pay Wallet and scan your barcode upon boarding. 

Signage

The signage is in English, but the city names aren’t: English speakers will have an easy time traveling through Amsterdam, as Dutch locals speak impeccable English. Signage in both English and Dutch is common everywhere, including Centraal Station. The one caveat is the names of cities. If you didn’t know, European cities have different names in different languages, so you’ll want to familiarize yourself with how your destination city is spelled. A few examples: Munich= München, Cologne=Koeln, Copenhagen=Kobenhaven, and so on. 

Stop at Grand Cafe 1e Klas

The food and drink options at Centraal Station are fairly standard. Not bad, by any stretch of the imagination, but you’re better off heading out into the city to explore Amsterdam’s highly diverse restaurant scene. With one exception! Grand Café 1e Klas is the premier spot in the train station to grab a bite or a coffee. 

Modeled after the grand train stations of yesteryear, this historic café boasts wonderfully accurate recreations of 19th and early 20th-century restaurants. The coffee and small menu of continental European favorites (like Flanders Stew or prawns sauteed in olive oil) is exceptional, but the overall experience and atmosphere is the main reason to head to Platform 2’s waiting area. 

 

Conclusion

If you plan sightseeing during a travel day, you’ll want to find a place to store the bags. While there are limited luggage lockers at Centraal Station, the actual location isn’t all that convenient. Finding a centrally-located luggage storage facility near the action is far better. That’s where Bounce comes in. With dozens of locations throughout the city center, including ones near key travel destinations, Bounce is the best option for storing luggage in Amsterdam.