Amsterdam Centraal Station, 1880's Architecture in the Netherlands

As of early 2000, the train ride to Amsterdam Central Station costs 6 guilders for second class and 10 guilders for first class. You go through the Leylaan, De Vlugtlaan, and Sloterdijk stations before arriving at Amsterdam's Central Station. Get off quickly if the train will continue on -- the train workers have little patience, and if you don't get off you will be riding beyond your ticket.

Once you are in the station, look up. Most of Amsterdam Central Station was built in the 1880's, roughly. If you need to use the bathroom you should have done that one the train, because there it is free. Remember, Don't Shit in the Station.

If you are on track 1 or 2, then there are many choices available to you. If not, walk to the stairs, go down them, and walk towards the station. You can either continue into the main part or take the escalator up to track 2. If you are on the far end of the station there may not be an escalator.

For the more adventurous: at the back of the station is where the street hookers and bike thiefs hang out. Past them is the free ferry to Noord (North) Amsterdam. This is a rougher neighborhood, but still reasonably safe.

STATION SERVICE ON TRACK 1

Het Station Restaurant
The Station Bar
The Bathroom (read about bathrooms and carry change)
The Police Station
A Snack Bar
Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream
The Burger Thing overlooking the arrivals hall
A VVV - Tourist office which can make hotel reservations (if you go outside in front of the station, past the tramstops on your left, and across the bus lane, there is another VVV office in there. It is not always as busy as the one inside the station.)

STATION SERVICES DOWNSTAIRS UNDER THE TRACKS

There is another Pizza Hut down here if you like cheese. Also are some snack bars and across from that is a donut/coffee shop. Unless the special coffee cart is open this donut/coffee shop has the better coffee.

STATION SERVICES IN LOBBY

Internation train ticket office ( a zoo which deserves it's own page of explanation)
Binnenland train ticket windows ( for travel within Holland)
Automatic train ticket machines ( I never used these, opting instead for human help)
A bookstore
A change office for exchanging money.
A REALLY COOL typical European BIG signboard showing all trains leaving A'Dam CS. You will see many city names from various countries, and it's really neat to stand there and think of going all those places. Life is short, travel often.