Travel · By rail
Amsterdam by rail: the Eurostar, NS trains and day trips by train
Amsterdam Centraal is the hub of the Dutch railways and the start of the Eurostar. Here is how to use it, checked against the operators’ own websites on 27 October 2026.
Updated October 2026
Centraal and Zuid
Amsterdam Centraal stands on the IJ, with trams in front and ferries behind. Amsterdam Zuid, in the business district, is being rebuilt by the Zuidasdok project; from 1 November 2026 you enter it through the new Brittenpassage.
To Brussels, Paris and London
Eurostar runs from Amsterdam Centraal to Brussels, Paris and London. Book on eurostar.com.
The ULTIMATE London City Guide The ULTIMATE Paris City Guide
Across the Netherlands
NS trains run across the Netherlands from Amsterdam Centraal; journeys, tickets and check-in with a debit card are on ns.nl. International trains also run east towards Germany.
The ULTIMATE Berlin City Guide
Day trips by train
Haarlem, The Hague, Delft and Utrecht by NS train from Centraal; the Zaanse Schans by train to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans; Keukenhof (in spring) with the combined tickets on its website.
Haarlem Zaanse Schans Keukenhof The Hague & Delft Utrecht
The great train journeys
See ULTIMATE Rail Journeys for the great railway journeys of Europe and the world.
Questions and answers
Where does the Eurostar leave from in Amsterdam?
Amsterdam Centraal.
How do I get from Schiphol to the city?
By NS train to Amsterdam Centraal, in about 14–17 minutes.
Sources: eurostar.com, ns.nl, zuidas.nl and iamsterdam.com (checked 27 October 2026). Timetables change: always check before you travel.