Amsterdam parking

Amsterdam is a historic city with many small streets and a lot of traffic. In an effort to keep out cars, parking rates have gotten sky-high. You have to pay practically everywhere within the city borders for parking. You’ll pay a parking rate within the centre between €4,50 and  €7,50  per hour. Besides the high parking rates, finding a free parking spot can be challenging. This is why locals mainly rely on their bicycles and public transport in Amsterdam.

So if you plan on visiting Amsterdam by car, parking is really something to take into account. You might want to select a hotel with parking facilities, or park elsewhere during your stay. Apart from the parking difficulties in the capital, the Netherlands has one of the best road infrastructures in the world. So don’t be afraid to visit Amsterdam by car, but make sure to come prepared! As Amsterdam is a relatively small city compared to other European capitals, chances that you need your car are scarce.

On this page;

• Parking tips; some tips to prevent high costs and issues with parking
• Parking garages; park and charge your vehicle safely in a garage
• Rates for street parking; check out the rates that are charged for parking your vehicle on the streets
• P+R parking; park and ride options offer cheaper parking for your vehicle just outside of the centre, special conditions do apply

Parking options & tips

As stated before, parking in Amsterdam is practically never free. However, for the parking rates, it does matter a lot where exactly you park. So we’ve gathered the following tips, so you can keep your parking expenses as low as possible. When visiting Amsterdam by car, please note that;

• There are several P+R zones in Amsterdam. These parking lots are designated areas where visitors can park their car. Usage of these parking facilities isn’t free, but prices are just a fraction of what you’d pay for parking on the streets.
• Amsterdam is divided into different parking zones with their own rates. Naturally, the city centre is the most expensive parking zone. Depending on your destination, it might be worth walking a bit from one zone to another.
• Some companies, such as Mobypark parking or Mobian, specialise in renting out parking spots in the city centre for reasonable rates. By booking a parking spot online, you ensure yourself of a convenient parking spot near your destination in a safe environment for your car. Besides, it’s also cheaper than parking on the streets.
• If you need a car for transportation within the city, you can also use the shared Car2go’s. These electric cars can easily be picked up and dropped off anywhere in Amsterdam, without having to worry about parking costs. If you signup with car2go, you can leave your car elsewhere.
• Pick a hotel that suits your parking needs. If you need your car near your hotel, you might want to pick a hotel in the South Eastern or Northern part of Amsterdam or a hotel that has parking facilities.

Q-park garages

In Amsterdam, Q-Park is one of the biggest companies offering parking facilities in the city. Scattered around the city the company has 32 garages where you can safely park your vehicle. Their parking facilities are guarded 24/7 and many also offer charging points for electric vehicles. It is recommended to book a parking spot for your vehicle upfront, to ensure that the desired garage has availability. Bookings can be made easily online through their website. Click here for a complete overview of all the Q-Park facilities in Amsterdam.

Cheap parking near Amsterdam Central Station

Are you going to Amsterdam? Park your car at Parking Centrum Oosterdok. Our parking is in the heart of the capital close to Amsterdam Central Station. The cheapest option is to book a day ticket in advance, which can be purchased from € 5 per day up to a maximum of € 25 per day. Tickets are also available at the entrance of the parking, for a daily rate of € 37.50. Do you want to reserve a parking ticket? Visit parkingcentrumoosterdok.nl

Rates for street parking

You have to pay parking expenses practically everywhere within the A10 city ring. Naturally, the further away you get from the centre, the cheaper the rates. Outside of the city ring, parking rates are usually a lot cheaper but still apply. These area’s include; Slotervaart, Buitenveldert, Plein 40-45, IJburg, Osdoper-plein, Noord, Amsterdamse Poort and the area of the Arena station. The map below provides an overview of the parking prices. Please note: these are average prices to provide you with a quick overview. In the map below, you can find the current prices.

Source: parken-Amsterdam.com

Park plus ride (P+R) in Amsterdam

Making use of the Park + Ride (P+R) facilities is the best way to save money on your parking expenses. In our opinion, this is the best option when you plan to be for half a day or more in Amsterdam’s city centre by car. The Park plus Ride spots are located on the outskirts of Amsterdam, nearby motorways and have an outstanding public transport connection to the city centre. Do keep in mind that there are certain requirements for parking at discounted Park + Ride rates, which we’ll discuss later.

How much does P+R parking cost in Amsterdam?

Parking at a Park and Ride zone will only cost you either €1,– or €8,– per 24 hours of parking, depending on your time of arrival. A major saving compared to street parking, which costs up to €45,- per 24 hours. At the P+R zones, you are allowed to par up to 96 hours. The parking rates at the P+R work as follows;

• Arrival during weekdays before 10:00 a.m. will cost you €8,- the first 24 hours. The next 24 hours will cost you only €1,-
• Arrival during the weekend or on weekdays after 10:00 a.m. will cost you €1,- per 24 hours.

What are the requirements for the discounted P+R parking?

The parking rates mentioned above are discounted rates, regular price for parking in these areas is €1.40 or 3.50 per hour. In order to get the discounted rates, you have to travel into the city centre zone by public transport. Make sure to keep your public transport ticket, as it will be checked by the P+R vending machine. Please note that you have to purchase your public transport ticket within an hour after parking your car.

Summary of P+R conditions

1. Make sure you only travel in the city centre zones by public transport. Take a look at the P+R map above.
2. Don’t forget to check in and out with your public transport card.
3. Use public transport on your return to the P+R where you parked your car./li>
4. To pay the P+R is mandatory to get your P+R discount.

As we mentioned earlier, our mission is to help you get the best out of your stay in Amsterdam. If you doubt whether you will be able to meet the conditions above, then you should consider other options, such as Mobypark, Mobian or simply paying the regular parking rates.

thingstodoinamsterdam.com tip:: Take a screenshot of the infographic below to make sure you carry the right information with you: