Centraal Station

Centraal Station (Central Railway Station) is Amsterdam's largest railway station.

A palace-like building in Gothic and Neo-Renaissance style from 1889, that was built on 8,687 wooden piles

The building is designed by architect Pierre Cuypers, who's also known for his design of the Rijksmuseum, Posthoornkerk and Vondelkerk.

The building

The railway station was built in the River IJ on 3 artificial islands. The facade was built of red brick with stone decorations. The style is inspired by the late Gothic and Dutch Renaissance, to emphasize national values. The decorations on the building show allegories of shipping, commerce and industry.

The façade is reminiscent of a gate with 2 towers, a deliberate reference by Cuypers to his idea of the station as a gateway through which the modern traveler enters the city.

Public transport connections

train Station Amsterdam Centraal
tram 2  4  12  13  14  17  24  26
directions_subway 51  52  53  54
directions_bus 18  21  22  43  48
directions_boat F1  F2  F3  F4  F5  F6  F7
local_parking Amsterdam Centraal

Major train hub

Central Station is the hub of the city's public transportation network.

In addition to local bus and tram services, the station offers train service to and from various cities in Europe, including high-speed service to and from Frankfurt, Paris, and other European cities.

Tourist information

Amsterdam's main tourist office  is located at Stationsplein 10, just opposite Central Station in Noord-Zuid Hollands Koffiehuis (the low white building). They also have touch screens where you can look up general information about visiting Amsterdam.

train Station Amsterdam Centraal
Stationsplein
Amsterdam (Centrum)

Breakfast

De Koffieschenkerij   €
Gebroeders Niemeijer   €
Omelegg    €€

Lunch

De Koffieschenkerij   €
Nam Kee   €€
Loetje Centraal    €€

Dinner

Bistro Berlage   €€
Mata Hari   €€
Choux   €€€