The main train station in Amsterdam is called Centraal Station. One of the largest European rail terminals, it has been serving the city since 1889. An impressive, handsome neoclassical building, as of 2010 it has been undergoing major renovation to facilitate a large increase in passenger numbers and to accommodate the new six-mile long Noord-Zuidlijn metro line that will link the north and south of the city.
Approximately 250,000 people pass through Centraal Station every day. Many of them are city commuters but the short train ride from Schiphol Airport to Centraal Station swells the numbers further. There are direct train links from Paris; Brussels; Berlin, Frankfurt and Cologne; Vienna; and Basel, Bern and Zurich. A connection with the Eurostar at Brussels Midi/Zuid has reduced travel time from London to Amsterdam to a minimum of 4 hours and 16 minutes.
Buying tickets for train travel to Amsterdam depends upon your point of departure. Travel from London on Eurostar with a regional Thalys connection to Amsterdam can be booked direct through Eurostar. Travel from other destinations in Europe on either ICE International or TGV train operators can be booked on the nshispeed.nl website. For travel from other towns within The Netherlands, tickets can be purchased from Dutch rail operator NS. Buying from each individual train operator will provide you with the best fares but for peace of mind and to avoid inadvertently breaking the rules, you can buy most of your tickets from raileurope.com.
Facilities at Centraal Station are subject to alteration during reconstruction, which may last until 2015. As of 2010, there are restaurants, shops, luggage storage and a tourist office located within or just outside the station. The station, as befits its name, is very central and once you've negotiated the construction work, you'll find cafes and restaurants along Amsterdam's main artery, the Damrak, and many more on any of its pleasant side streets.
Facilities on the train will depend on the operator but are generally good. Eurostar, for example, has three classes with meals served to Business and Standard Premier customers. ICE International trains include headset outlets in each seat irrespective of class. Some newer trains have a panoramic lounge and there are video screens on the back of First Class seats.
