Amsterdam Centraal to Leidseplein: tram, metro, taxi
Centraal is on the north edge of the old centre, and the canal ring and museum quarter are 2 to 3 km south. Trams 2 and 12 run straight there from the front of the station, which makes them the obvious choice with luggage. The metro is quicker over the first few stops but leaves you a walk, and a taxi is cheap enough to be a fair choice for a group.
- Cheapest
- FreeWalk through the old centre · 35 min
- Fastest
- 20 minTaxi from the Stationsplein rank · €18–€28
- Taxi
- €18–€28Taxi from the Stationsplein rank · 20 min
Tram 2 or 12 to Leidseplein and Museumplein is the best value: €3.40 for the group, about 25 min.
Bus
Tram 2 or 12 to Leidseplein and Museumplein
25 min
For the group€3.40estimate
Tram 2 or 12 to Leidseplein and Museumplein
GVB · direct, about 15 min on the tram
- Per person
- €1.70
- Door to door
- 25 min
- Runs
- -
- Frequency
- several an hour on each line
- Board at
- Tram stops in front of the station on Stationsplein
- Suitcases
- Fine
Metro
Metro 52 to Vijzelgracht or De Pijp
25 min
For the group€3.20estimate
Metro 52 to Vijzelgracht or De Pijp
GVB · Noord/Zuidlijn, 4 min to Vijzelgracht
- Per person
- €1.60
- Door to door
- 25 min
- Runs
- -
- Frequency
- about every 6 min in the daytime
- Board at
- Metro station beneath Stationsplein, follow the M signs
- Suitcases
- Awkward
Taxi
Taxi from the Stationsplein rank
20 min
For the group€18–€28estimate
Taxi from the Stationsplein rank
Licensed taxis · metered, national maximum tariff
- Per person
- €18–€28 per vehicle
- Door to door
- 20 min
- Runs
- 24 hours
- Frequency
- Rank in front of the station
- Board at
- Taxi rank on Stationsplein
- Suitcases
- Carried for you
On foot
Walk through the old centre
35 min
For the groupFree
Walk through the old centre
Free · about 2.5 km, cobbles and bridges
- Per person
- Free
- Door to door
- 35 min
- Runs
- 24 hours
- Frequency
- Any time
- Board at
- Front exit onto Stationsplein, towards Damrak
- Suitcases
- Awkward
Every option in detail
BusTram 2 or 12 to Leidseplein and Museumplein
- €1.70 (estimate)
- 25 min
- → Leidseplein, then Museumplein
Tram 2 and tram 12 both run from Centraal via the Dam to Leidseplein and on to Museumplein. Tap a contactless card or phone on the reader when you board and again when you get off. GVB charges 1.16 euros plus 0.217 euros per kilometre in 2026, so expect about 1.70 euros, which is our calculation and not a published fare. A GVB 1 hour ticket is a fixed 3.40 euros if you want a set price. Trams run in the street and crowd at busy times, but they have low floors and space for a case. We could not confirm first and last tram times, so check the GVB planner for late returns.
MetroMetro 52 to Vijzelgracht or De Pijp
- €1.60 (estimate)
- 25 min
- → Rokin, Vijzelgracht or De Pijp, then walk or tram
Metro 52 runs from Centraal via Rokin to Vijzelgracht and De Pijp in four to six minutes. Pay the same way as on the tram, with a contactless card tapped in and out, and expect about 1.60 euros, our calculation from the 2026 per-kilometre rate. The deep platforms mean escalators and long walks inside the station, and Vijzelgracht is still about 10 minutes on foot from Leidseplein. It suits hotels near De Pijp, the Amstel or the south of the canal ring more than the museum quarter. We could not confirm first and last metro times.
On footWalk through the old centre
- €0
- 35 min
- 24 hours
- → Dam in 10 minutes, Leidseplein in about 35
The Dam is about 10 minutes on foot and the canal ring starts shortly after it. Leidseplein is around 2.5 km and takes about 35 minutes with a wheeled case. Cobbles, canal bridges and cyclists make a large suitcase hard work, so this is best with a backpack or if your hotel is near the Dam. Cyclists use the lanes at speed, so keep clear of the red tarmac.
TaxiTaxi from the Stationsplein rank
- €18–€28 per vehicle (estimate)
- 20 min
- 24 hours
- → Door to door anywhere in the canal ring or museum quarter
Taxis are metered. The national 2026 maximum for a taxi with up to four seats is 4.31 euros to start, 3.17 euros per kilometre and 0.52 euros per minute. For 3 km and about 12 minutes in town that comes to roughly 18 to 28 euros, which is our estimate and not a fixed fare. Use the official rank and look for a meter, a tariff card in the window and a TCA sign if you are unsure. Ask for the price range before you set off.
The same trip in a different situation
Arriving late at night
Tram and metro services thin out after midnight and we could not confirm last departures, so check the GVB planner if your train arrives late. The taxi rank on Stationsplein works around the clock, and a ride to Leidseplein or Museumplein costs about 18 to 28 euros. Check the fare on the meter and ask for a receipt. Walking through the old centre at night is usually fine, but a taxi is easier with luggage.
See the comparison →4 people, 4 suitcasesTravelling as a group of four
Four people on tram 2 or 12 pay about 6.80 euros in total and four on the metro about 6.40 euros, with cases to carry. A taxi at 18 to 28 euros comes to 4.50 to 7 euros each and drops you at the hotel door. For three or four people with large cases the taxi is worth the difference. A couple with one bag each should take the tram.
See the comparison →Practical tips
- Use the front exit onto Stationsplein, not the IJ side. The trams, metro, taxi rank and the walk into town all start from the front of the station.
- Tram 2 and tram 12 both go to Leidseplein and Museumplein. Take whichever comes first.
- Tap in and out with the same contactless card or phone. Forgetting to tap out charges a higher fare.
- Left-luggage lockers are available at the station according to NS, which helps if your room is not ready. Check the NS site for the location and price.
- The taxi rank is on Stationsplein. Avoid unmarked cars and anyone who offers a ride on the concourse.
- Metro 52 stops at Vijzelgracht and De Pijp, not at Leidseplein. For Leidseplein or Museumplein, the tram is simpler.
Questions travellers ask
How do I get from Amsterdam Centraal to Leidseplein?
Take tram 2 or 12 from the stops in front of the station. They run direct to Leidseplein for about 1.70 euros with a contactless card. A taxi is roughly 18 to 28 euros.
How much is the tram from Amsterdam Centraal to Museumplein?
About 1.70 euros with a contactless card, based on GVB's 2026 rate of 1.16 euros plus 0.217 euros per kilometre. A 1 hour ticket is 3.40 euros.
Can I walk from Amsterdam Centraal to the canal ring?
Yes. The Dam is about 10 minutes and Leidseplein about 35 minutes with a case. Cobbles and bridges make it slow, so it suits light bags.
Does metro 52 go to Leidseplein?
No. Metro 52 stops at Rokin, Vijzelgracht and De Pijp. Vijzelgracht is about a 10-minute walk from Leidseplein, so the tram is easier.
How much is a taxi from Amsterdam Centraal to Leidseplein?
Roughly 18 to 28 euros. Taxis are metered under a national maximum of 4.31 euros to start, 3.17 euros per kilometre and 0.52 euros per minute.
