Amsterdam P+R Guide 2026

What is the Amsterdam P+R system?

P+R stands for Park and Ride (in Dutch: Parkeren en Reizen). Amsterdam operates 8 official P+R locations on the edges of the city. You park your car there, then continue into the centre by metro, tram, bus, or ferry.

The discounted rate of €1 per 24 hours applies when you use your OV-chipkaart both at the P+R barrier and for your onward public transport journey. Without this, normal garage rates apply — typically €3-5/hr. So the discount is large, but it requires the OV-chipkaart.

How to use P+R Amsterdam — step by step

Before you go: Get an OV-chipkaart. You can buy one at any NS ticket machine, service desk, or large Albert Heijn supermarket. Load at least €20 of credit. Keep the card in easy reach — you'll use it multiple times.

Arriving: Drive to your chosen P+R location (all are well-signposted on the A-roads around Amsterdam). At the entrance barrier, hold your OV-chipkaart to the reader. The barrier opens and your arrival is recorded.

Getting to centre: Walk to the nearby public transport stop (usually 1-5 minutes from the P+R car park). Check in with your OV-chipkaart at the yellow gate or reader on the bus/tram. Travel to your destination. Check out when you arrive.

Returning to your car: Check in again for your return journey, check out at the P+R station. Walk back to the car park. At the exit barrier, hold your OV-chipkaart to the reader. The system verifies you used public transport, applies the €1/24hr discount, and you pay (or it's taken from your card balance).

One thing people get wrong

The €1 rate only applies if you use your OV-chipkaart for public transport on the same day as your P+R arrival. If you park for 2 days but forget to check in on one of those days, you may be charged the full rate for that day. Use the OV-chipkaart every time you come and go.

Which P+R should I choose?

Coming from the west or going to Schiphol: P+R Sloterdijk. Direct train to Centraal Station, and the same train goes to Schiphol in 7 minutes. Perfect for airport trips too.

Coming from the south (A2, A10 south): P+R Arena or P+R Olympisch Stadion. Metro 54 from Arena to Centraal is fast and frequent. Olympisch Stadion is closer if you're visiting the museum quarter.

Coming from the east (A1, A10 east): P+R Zeeburg. Tram 26 runs through the eastern waterfront to the centre. A scenic ride that takes about 20 minutes.

Coming from the north (A8): P+R Noord or P+R Boven 't IJ. Both use the GVB free ferry to Centraal — the ferry journey is about 5-8 minutes and runs frequently.

Cost comparison: P+R vs driving in

For a family visiting Amsterdam for a day, parking in the centre at €8.05/hr for 8 hours costs €64.40. Using P+R Arena costs €1 for parking plus about €4 for metro tickets (return for one person, free for children under 4, discounted with an OV-chipkaart). For a family of 4 with children, the P+R might cost €1 + €8 in metro fares = €9 total. Still €55 cheaper than parking in the centre.