--- title: "Train stations in Amsterdam: which one to use and what to know" date: 2026-06-20 author: "Johan E. Johansson" featured_image: "https://everyrail.com/wp-content/uploads/amsterdam-centraal-train-station-1.jpg" categories: - name: "Destinations" url: "/destinations.md" --- # Train stations in Amsterdam: which one to use and what to know Amsterdam has more than one train station, and the difference matters when you are booking an international train or trying to reach the right part of the city. Most visitors will use Amsterdam Centraal for almost everything. But the airport station at Schiphol is a proper intercity hub in its own right, and Sloterdijk is a domestic transfer point that handles no international services at all. Check which Amsterdam station is on your booking before you travel. Most booking pages show only the city name. Open the journey detail and confirm the station code or full station name before you leave for the platform. It is a small step that can save a missed train. ## Which station should you use? For most journeys, Amsterdam Centraal is the answer. It handles all Eurostar, ICE, Nightjet, and IC Brussels international services, as well as the full range of NS domestic Intercity and Sprinter trains. If you are arriving by train from abroad or leaving Amsterdam by Eurostar or ICE, start with Centraal. The exceptions are worth knowing. StationUse it forTrains calling hereAmsterdam CentraalAll international trains; all domestic IC and SprinterEurostar, ICE, Nightjet, IC Brussels, NS IC, NS SprinterAmsterdam ZuidDomestic IC; south Amsterdam stays; Eurocity DirectNS IC, Intercity Direct/Eurocity Direct (domestic)Amsterdam Schiphol AirportConnecting from a flight; travelling south without going into the cityNS IC, Intercity Direct to Rotterdam/Breda; some internationalAmsterdam SloterdijkDomestic transfers in west Amsterdam onlyNS IC, NS Sprinter (domestic only)If you are travelling south from Amsterdam to Rotterdam, Den Haag, or Eindhoven, check whether departing from Schiphol saves you a leg. Metro line 52 runs between Amsterdam Zuid and Schiphol in around 7 minutes. Schiphol is often more convenient than routing through Centraal and then back south. ## Amsterdam Centraal Amsterdam Centraal is the city’s main railway station. It sits on the IJ waterfront at the northern edge of the historic centre. Walk south through the main entrance and you are 10 to 12 minutes from Dam Square on foot. Trams, metro lines, buses, and the free IJ ferry all depart from the square in front. Every NS Intercity and Sprinter service calls here. For domestic travel, no reservation is needed. A standard OV-chipkaart or NS ticket covers both Intercity and Sprinter trains. The difference is journey time and stopping pattern, not a separate ticket type. ### Eurostar from Amsterdam Centraal Eurostar’s dedicated terminal at Amsterdam Centraal opened in February 2025. It is in a separate section of the station with its own entrance, distinct from the NS platforms. Eurostar connects Amsterdam to London St Pancras, Brussels-Midi, Paris-Nord, and Lille from here. Arrive early. Eurostar operates airport-style security with X-ray machines and bag checks, followed by UK passport pre-clearance before boarding. Eurostar recommends arriving at the terminal at least 30 minutes before departure; in practice, 45 to 60 minutes is safer, especially during busy periods. The boarding gate closes before the train departs. Late arrivals are refused. Eurostar reservations are mandatory. An Interrail or Eurail Pass alone does not give you a seat. You need a separate Eurostar reservation on top. Fees vary by route and class; check eurostar.com for the current structure before you book your pass. ### ICE trains to Germany ICE trains from Amsterdam Centraal run to Cologne, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, and Munich. Check the timetable for your specific departure; some services stop at Amsterdam Zuid on their route. Reservation is not mandatory on every ICE service, but it is strongly recommended for longer journeys and peak-hour travel. With an Interrail or Eurail Pass, a separate reservation is required on most ICE services; check bahn.de for the current fee. ### Nightjet overnight trains Nightjet operates overnight services from Amsterdam Centraal to Vienna and Innsbruck, and to Zurich and Basel. These are the trains to use if you want to cover a long distance while you sleep. As of June 2026, check nightjet.com for the current Amsterdam timetable, as routes are updated seasonally. Do not board a Nightjet with only a rail pass. A separate reservation is compulsory for every accommodation type: seat, couchette, and sleeper. Book through OBB or NS International. Couchettes and sleeper compartments sell out before seats do on busy routes, so book early if you want a proper bed. ### IC Brussels Direct IC Brussels services run from Amsterdam Centraal to Brussels-Midi. Typical journey times range from around 1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes, depending on the service. Standard ticket holders do not need a reservation. If you hold a rail pass, check NS International for current reservation requirements. ### NS domestic trains No reservation is needed on any NS domestic service. Intercity trains stop only at the main stations; Sprinters call at every stop, including smaller ones. Both are covered by the same standard ticket or OV-chipkaart. ## Amsterdam Zuid Amsterdam Zuid is the business district station in the south of the city, in the Zuidas financial area. It is well-connected but not the city centre. Metro line 52 runs to Schiphol Airport in approximately 7 minutes. The NS Intercity Direct and Eurocity Direct services serve Amsterdam Zuid. These trains run via Schiphol Airport and Rotterdam Centraal to Breda. If you are travelling from Amsterdam Zuid to Rotterdam Centraal on an international Eurocity Direct ticket, no Intercity Direct supplement is required on that leg. For other journeys on the Schiphol-Rotterdam Centraal route, a supplement applies. Some ICE trains to Germany also call at Amsterdam Zuid. Check the timetable for your specific departure. ## Amsterdam Schiphol Airport The train station at Schiphol Airport is below the main terminal, connected directly without any separate check-in or exit process. It is one of the busiest train stations in the Netherlands, not because of the airport, but because it is a full intercity hub in its own right. NS Intercity Direct and Intercity trains from Schiphol run directly to Amsterdam Centraal (approximately 15 to 18 minutes), Rotterdam Centraal, Den Haag Centraal, Eindhoven, and Utrecht. If you are landing at Schiphol and heading to Rotterdam or Den Haag, you often do not need to go into Amsterdam at all. A direct NS train from Schiphol can save 30 to 45 minutes compared to travelling into Amsterdam first and then back south. The Intercity Direct supplement applies specifically on the Schiphol Airport-Rotterdam Centraal route. If you are taking an Intercity Direct train between Schiphol and Rotterdam Centraal, you need a standard NS ticket plus a separate Intercity Direct supplement. No supplement is needed on the Amsterdam Centraal-Schiphol section. Check ns.nl for the current supplement price and rules. Eurostar and Nightjet do not call at Schiphol. For those services, travel to Amsterdam Centraal. Do not assume that a fast journey from Schiphol to Centraal leaves enough time for a Eurostar boarding process. The security and passport checks take considerably longer than a standard NS connection. ## Amsterdam Sloterdijk Sloterdijk is a domestic NS transfer station in the west of Amsterdam. NS Intercity and Sprinter services call here, making it a useful connection point for Haarlem and west Amsterdam. No international trains stop at Sloterdijk. No Eurostar, no ICE, no Nightjet. If you see Sloterdijk listed as a calling point on an international timetable, it means the train passes through for domestic passengers only. Your international departure will be from Amsterdam Centraal. ## Other Amsterdam stations Amsterdam has several smaller stations useful for specific parts of the city: StationAreaWhen to useAmsterdam AmstelSouth-eastNS IC services; metro lines 51 and 54Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenASouth-eastNear Johan Cruyff Arena; NS IC to south and east NetherlandsAmsterdam LelylaanWestNS IC and Sprinter; western neighbourhoodsAmsterdam MuiderpoortEastSprinter; local east Amsterdam travelAmsterdam Science ParkEastSprinter; university and science park areaThese stations carry domestic NS services only. For most visitors, they matter only if your hotel or destination is close to one of them. ## International trains from Amsterdam: reservations and passes If you hold an Interrail or Eurail Pass and plan to take an international train from Amsterdam, sort your reservation before you travel. Not on the platform. Not on the day. - **Eurostar:** reservation mandatory; fee applies. Check eurostar.com. - **ICE:** reservation required or strongly recommended depending on the service. Check bahn.de. - **Nightjet:** reservation compulsory for every accommodation type. Check nightjet.com or NS International. - **IC Brussels:** check NS International for pass-holder reservation requirements. - **NS domestic trains:** no reservation required. Fees vary by train, accommodation type, and booking channel. Nightjet sleepers and couchettes can sell out well before the departure date on popular routes. Book as soon as your plans are confirmed. Timetables, station stops, and reservation rules change by season and by operator. Before you travel, check ns.nl for domestic journeys, eurostar.com for London and Brussels services, and bahn.de for ICE trains to Germany.