This is Central Station, where you can get the metro, a bus or tram around town or even a train to Paris or Berlin. The NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) counters sell tickets to anywhere in Holland (as do the machines in the lobby) and other International destinations in Europe. In addition you’ll find such convenient services as travel agencies, newstands, bicycle rental, cafes, an Etos (drug store), a Ben and Jerry’s, and many other shops right in the station. In fact Centraal Station is now a decent shopping mall, and worth checking out if you have time.

Centraal Station marks the east/west center of the city and it’s a short walking distance to the Red Light District, the Dam Square or the Jordaan. It’s also the place to catch night buses after 12:30am since most other forms of transport, except taxis, are done for the day.

The street leading from Central Station is the Damrak and this takes you past restaurants, money changers, travel agents, ATM machines, a huge internet cafe (easyEverything), tour boats, department stores, and ends right at the Dam Square, so if you have any business or shopping to do, it’s only minutes away from Central Station. In fact the street paralleling the Damrak towards the west, the Nieuwendyke, is a mile long shopping street! Note: Be careful when transiting through the station as there are many pickpockets here.

Centraal Station is currently undergoing a number of construction projects including a new bus station and a new metro line that will go right down the Damrak to the Museumplein, ending at the RAI convention center.