Amsterdam Centraal Station Map & Guide

Amsterdam Central Station Map & Guide

Amsterdam Centraal Station is the place most tourists find themselves when they arrive in the city of Amsterdam. With access to international trains, regional trains, trams, buses, and ferries, knowing where to go to catch the type of transportation you need is half the battle. Here is a simple guide to Amsterdam Station that will help you get to the right place for the transport option you need.

There are several entrances and exits to Amsterdam Centraal Station, so it is easy to get lost. Most people will arrive and come down a set of steps into a long main corridor. There are several of these long corridors that run parallel to each other in the station to allow access to the different ends of the long train loading platforms. Once you walk down the steps and into the main corridor you need to orient yourself using the signs.

The train tracks run sequentially from the front of the station, so that means walking toward lower numbers means you are walking towards the front, and walking and seeing track numbers get higher means you are walking towards the back. So if you come in on track 7, and start walking in the main corridor and the next track you see is track #5 or Track #6, you are walking towards the front of Amsterdam Centraal. If the next track you see walking along is Track #8 or Track #9, you are walking towards the back of the station.

Now that you know which way you are going, here is a simple guide to Amsterdam Centraal:
Front of Station: TRAMS, METRO, Bus Platform F
Back of Station: Bus Platform G, FERRIES, TAXIS

Now Take a look at this map of Amsterdam Centraal Station:

Amsterdam Centraal Station Map
Amsterdam Centraal Station Map

As you can see, it shows where each tram and bus platform is located in relation to the station. Once you get to a station platform you will see monitors that list the arrival times and track for each tram or bus. Here is an example of the one at TRAM STATION A.

Amsterdam Tram Monitor
Amsterdam Tram Monitor

To find your track simply look for the Tram Track signs like the one below:

Amsterdam Tram Track Sign
Amsterdam Tram Track Sign

So now all you need to know is where you want to go and which tram, bus or ferry to take to get there. To make it simple for you, below you will find a list of all the major museums, attractions, theaters, and parks in Amsterdam. The table will tell you what platform to go to and what tram, bus or ferry to take to the destination. Many destination have more than one option, so you can choose the next available tram or bus.

MUSEUMS

Location Station Alternative & Comments
Amsterdam Museum TRAM STATION B 1, 2, 5  
Anne Frank Huis TRAM STATION A 13, 17 Avoid Bus Option
Eye Institute FERRY Buiksloterweg Access Ferries from the back of Amsterdam Centraal. Follow the Ferry signs(Picture of a boat)
Foam Photography Institue TRAM STATION A 24  
Hermitage TRAM STATION A 9 METRO 51, 53, 54
Jewish History Museum TRAM STATION A 9 METRO 51, 53, 54
Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder WALK 500 meter – No Trams Walk to the red light district area from Centraal. It’s on the way
Rembrandthuis TRAM STATION A 9 METRO 51, 53, 54
Rijksmuseum TRAM STATION B 2, 5 BUS F 347, 357
Scheepvaartmuseum BUS F 22 BUS G 48
Stedelijk TRAM STATION B 2, 5 BUS F 347, 357
Tropenmuseum TRAM A 9
Van Gogh Museum TRAM STATION B 2, 5 BUS F 347, 357

ATTRACTIONS

Location Station Alternative & Comments
Albert Cuyp TRAM STATION A 24  
Artis Zoo TRAM STATION A 9
Hortis Botanicus TRAM STATION A 9
Madame Tussauds TRAM STATION A 4, 9, 24  
NDSM – IJ-Hallen BUS G 391, 394 FERRY NDSM
NEMO BUS F 22 BUS G 48
Nieuwe Kerk TRAM B 1, 2, 5, 13, 17 Avoid Bus Options
Openbare Bibliotheek – Library WALK – 500 meters Walk to the left toward Double Tree Hilton. It is just past it.
Passenger Terminal – Cruises TRAM STATION A 26
RAI Convention Center METRO 51 Avoid Tram, Metro is much faster
Stadsarchief TRAM STATION A 24
Westergasfabriek BUS F 21
Zaansse Schaans SPRINTER TRAIN to UITGEEST BUS G 391, 891
Ziggo Dome Metro 51

THEATERS

Location Station Alternative & Comments
Bimhuis TRAM STATION A 26  
De Kleine Komadie TRAM STATION A 4, 9, 24
DeLeMar Thearter TRAM STATION B 1, 2, 5 BUS F 347, 357
Het Concertgebouw TRAM STATION B 5 BUS F 347, 357
National Opera & Ballet TRAM STATION B 5 BUS F 347, 357
Koninklijk Theater Carre’ METRO 51, 53, 54
Melkweg TRAM STATION B 1, 2, 5 Avoid Bus Options
Muziekgebouw TRAM STATION A 26
Paradiso TRAM STATION B 1, 2, 5 Avoid Bus Options
Stadsschouwburg TRAM STATION B 1, 2, 5 Avoid Bus Options

Parks & Squares

Location Station Alternative & Comments
DAM TRAM STATION A 4, 9, 24 TRAM STATION B 1, 2, 5, 13, 17
Leidseplein TRAM STATION B 1, 2, 5
Museumplein TRAM STATION B 5
Nieuwmarket METRO 51, 53, 54
Rembradntplein TRAM STATION A 4, 9
Vondelpark TRAM STATION B 1, 2, 5
Waterlooplein TRAM STATION A 9 METRO 51, 53, 54

Hopefully this Amsterdam Centraal Map & Guide makes life a little easier when you arrive at Centraal for the first time. Now that you are familiar with the layout and what to look for, just follow the signs and you will be off to your Amsterdam attraction within a matter of minutes. Enjoy your time in Amsterdam!