Amsterdam Centraal
Stationsplein, 1012 AB Amsterdam
All you need to know about Amsterdam Centraal station
Amsterdam's stunning Centraal station makes for a memorable arrival in the city and it's perfectly placed to walk to the canal belt, Jordaan and the historic centre.
There are different departure processes at Amsterdam Centraal depending on whether you’re travelling to and from London, or on any of our other trains. You'll find everything you need to know below.
Accessible travel
If you’re travelling with a disability or reduced mobility, we can offer free assistance to help you get to and from the train.
You must book assistance at least 48 hours before you’re due to travel for guaranteed help.
If you're travelling to and from London, please use the accessible travel button on this contact form to get in touch at least 48 hours before departure.
If you're travelling on any of our other trains, please complete this form or call the booking assistance number on +31 20 124 78 22 at least 48 hours before the time of departure. Lines are open 24 hours a day.
You’ll find everything you need to know about accessible travel, including how to book, help with your luggage, parking and station facilities and much more on our accessible travel page.
Ticket gates at Paris Gare Du Nord
Using the escalator opposite platform 17, head to the Eurostar ticket gates on the first-floor balcony overlooking the main concourse. You'll see Eurostar departures straight ahead.
At the ticket gates, scan the barcode on your paper ticket or on your mobile.
Make sure everyone travelling with you scans their ticket individually. If you don’t scan your ticket, there’s a chance your seat will be given to someone else.
If you scan your ticket and a new one is issued, it means that your seat has changed. Hold on to it. You’ll need it to find your new seat when you board.
Tickets issued by other carriers may not have a barcode, so you’ll need to speak to a member of our team.
Using the ticket gates to access or leave Amsterdam Centraal
Please have your ticket ready when you arrive, as you'll need to scan the barcode to get on or off the platform in Amsterdam.
Using a mobile ticket?
If you have bank cards stored on your phone, avoid scanning a PDF or screenshot of your ticket.
Instead, please save your Eurostar ticket in your Apple Wallet or Google Pay Wallet to avoid an accidental charge on your card.
The station’s ticket gates are set up to read both ticket barcodes and digital bank cards, enabling commuters to tap in and out.
Occasionally, these gates may read a bank card stored on a phone rather than an on-screen image of your ticket’s barcode. This will result in an incorrect payment of up to €20.
Saving your ticket to your Apple Wallet or Google Pay Wallet or printing it out will help ensure that your ticket is scanned correctly.
If you're charged in error, please go to the OVpay website to find out how to get a refund.
Tickets issued by other carriers may not have a barcode, so you'll need to speak to a member of staff or press the (i) button next to the ticket gates for assistance.
Departure guide for travel between Belgium, France, Netherlands or Germany
When to arrive at the the Eurostar Departures Building
When leaving for London, your luggage and passport will be checked before you board.
For a smooth departure, please arrive at Eurostar departuresat the time recommended on your ticket.
Each of our trains can carry nearly 900 passengers, so there are sometimes queues at busy times.
Don't worry though, our station team will be on hand to guide you through the departures process and off on your cross-Channel trip.
With border and luggage checks all done before you leave Amsterdam, you can step straight off the train and on your way when you arrive.
| Standard & Standard Premier | Business Premier | Special Assist | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How long before departure should I arrive? (mins) | 60-90 | 30-45 | 60 |
| How long before departure does the gate close? (mins) | 30 | 20 | 30 |
Finding Eurostar departures
You’ll find the Eurostar departures building at the far end of platform 15b. Follow signs to platform 15, then look for signs to London.
The Eurostar departures building isn’t under the station's main roof, so you'll need to continue all the way along the platform.
When you arrive, you’ll be welcomed by our station team, so have your ticket ready to be checked.
Entering (or leaving) the station
To access or leave the platforms at Amsterdam Centraal station, you’ll need to scan the barcode on your ticket at the station's ticket gates.
Smartphone users: if you store bank cards in your phone wallet, please save your Eurostar ticket to your Google/Apple Wallet or print it out before setting off.
Why this advice?
The station’s ticket gates are set up to read both ticket barcodes and digital bank cards, enabling commuters to tap in and out. Occasionally, these gates may read a bank card stored on a phone rather than an on-screen image of your ticket’s barcode. This will result in an incorrect payment of up to €20.
Saving your ticket to your Google/Apple Wallet or printing it out will help ensure that your ticket is scanned correctly and prevent undue charges.
What if I am charged in error?
Payments taken at Dutch stations’ ticket gates are managed by OVpay. Please visit the OVpay website to find out how to get a refund.
Tickets issued by other carriers may not have a barcode, so you'll need to speak to a member of staff or press the (i) button next to the ticket gates for assistance.
Finding Eurostar departures
You’ll find the Eurostar departures building at the far end of platform 15b. Follow signs to platform 15, then look for signs to London.
The Eurostar departures building isn’t under the station's main roof, so you'll need to continue all the way along the platform.
When you arrive, you’ll be welcomed by our station team, so have your ticket ready to be checked.
Amsterdam Centraal Station map
Finding our direct Eurostar trains
The Eurostar departures building is at the end of platform 15b. Follow signs for platform 15, then for London. It's not under the main roof, so keep going along the platform. Keep your ticket handy: our station team will greet you when you arrive.
You'll need to scan your ticket at the NS gates to get to the platform. To prevent accidental charges when using bank cards stored on your phone, store your Eurostar ticket in your mobile wallet or the Eurostar app.
Passport/border control
Your passport will be checked twice – first by the Dutch authorities and then by the UK Border Force.
Eurostar departure lounge
In the Eurostar departure lounge you'll find:
- Coffee and tea facilities
- Vending machines with snacks and cold beverages
- Toilets
- Workspaces
- Priority seating
- Le chocolat Alain Ducasse (chocolate shop)
- Paul (food outlet)
- L’Occitane en Provence
- Toilets with baby-changing facilities
NS International Lounge
Before heading to platform 15b for departure, Business Premier travellers and Carte Blanche holders can relax in the Regus NS International Lounge on platform 2a.
There, you'll find:
- Comfortable workplaces
- Free wi-fi
- Meeting rooms
- Free soft drinks
If you're visiting the NS International Lounge, please make sure you head over to the Eurostar departures building in time for ticket, security and border checks.
Station details and facilities
· Cafés, shops and supermarkets
· Cash machines
· The NS International ticket office, open daily, 05:45-21:00
· The NS International Lounge, open 07:00–19:00 Monday to Friday and 10:00–18:00 at the weekend
· Luggage storage
· Self-service ticket machines
· Toilets with baby-changing facilities
· Bike rental and storage
If you lose (or find) something on board or at the station, speak to a member of staff at the lost and found located in the east tunnel, or follow signs to the lost and found office.
You can find out more about lost property on the NS website (Dutch Railways).
The station is easily accessed on foot, by bike or by public transport. Car parking is discouraged as most of the city centre is closed to car traffic.
If you're continuing your journey within the Netherlands, you'll find trains to every corner of the country departing from Amsterdam Centraal.
To get to or from the platforms at Amsterdam Centraal, you’ll need to scan the barcode on your ticket.
You can board your train up until to two minutes before departure, so there’s no need to turn up too early.
To find your platform, check the departure screens, then head up and hop on.
Once at Brussels-Zuid/Midi, you’ll go through the Eurostar departure process for your onward journey to London.
Practical info
Address: Stationsplein, 15 1012 AB, Amsterdam
Phone number: +31 (0)30 751 51 55
Facilities: Car park, bike park, luggage lockers, shops and restaurants
Public transport: On Eurostar trains to Belgium and France, you can buy your ticket for public transport at the Eurostar Café, at the same price as buying a single ticket at the ticket desk.
Search for journey details using public transport in the Netherlands
Car rental: You can take advantage of the Eurostar partnership with Hertz to rent a car.
Airport connections: Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport.
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