Parking in the centre of Amsterdam is not as problematic as the small and crowded streets might suggest. Within a few minutes you should find a parking place, quite possibly because it’s so expensive. Rates are rising annually and in 2010 parking in the centre of Amsterdam will set you back € 5,- per hour in the centre (canal belt) or € 4,- in the surrounding neighbourhoods. Payment of parking in the centre can be done solely by chip, pin or credit card, while out of the centre only cash and chip cards are accepted, making it wise to have all forms on you. There are also day cards (9.00- 19.00 hours) that give a 40% discount, or evening cards (19.00-24.00 hours) that give a 20% discount.
Parking Garages
A number of (equally expensive) parking garages litter the city which were at one stage meant to substitute all parking in the streets in the centre of Amsterdam. Here some addresses:
P1 Parking Amsterdam centre
Location: Prins Hendrikkade 20a, 1012 TL Amsterdam (close to central station)
Telephone: 020 6385330
P1 Parking Waterlooplein
Location:Valkenburgerstraat 238, 1011 ND Amsterdam
Telephone: 020 – 420 79 30
Q-Park Europarking
Location: Marnixstraat 250, 1016 TL Amsterdam (close to the Leidseplein and Jordaan)
Telephone: 020 6236694
Parking De Hoofdstad
Location: Prinsengracht 542, 1017 KK Amsterdam
Telephone: 020 4287522
Parking Heinekenplein
Location: Eerste van der Helststraat 6, 1072 NV Amsterdam
Telephone: 020 4700888
Alternatives:
P+ R Park for € 6 per day
Amsterdam offers four parking locations that charge € 6.00 per 24 hours. Once you have parked here, free public transport will take you into the heart of the city. Find here how it works and how to get to these locations.
Park for free in Amsterdam Noord:
Across the water, North of Central Station, parking is free. From here you can take the (free) ferry back to Central Station where you have access to all the forms of public transport. But bear in mind that car theft and break ins are not unusual here, so don’t park your car here if it’s too fancy and don’t leave anything in your car.
P.S. Parking Fine
The police in Amsterdam is quite active in giving parking fines (€ 53 each… and you can get several ones in a day or two.). If you’re really unlucky (or stubborn) your car may even be towed away by dienst Stadstoezicht (additional costs minimal € 150).
If you ignored our tips and get a fine, take a look here how to sort it.
Tags: free, parking in Amsterdam
[...] To keep the city livable a strict parking policy has been applied and the network of one-way streets in the centre form a maze for any unaccustomed driver. However, there are a number of (pricy) garages in the centre to accommodate for the drivers amoung us. For parking tips and info see: Parking in Amsterdam. [...]