Amsterdam Parking
Just as in most larger cities around the world, going by car into Amsterdam city center is not easy. Especially if you are not familiar with its streets and customs.
Also be aware that car break-ins do happen. If you have a foreign car plate, thiefs assume that you have some of your vacation things stored in the car.
Amsterdam street parking
Free street parking spots
Free parking in Amsterdam does not exist, so don't look for it. Not even hotels in city center provide parking permits for their guests. It is all payed garage or payed street parking. And finding a parking spot in city center is challenging. That is why most locals use bicycles or public transport.
Street parking prices
The city is divided into zones with different prices for parking. Amsterdam city center parking price is €7,50 per hour. Which is the most expensive. And the price goes lower as you go farther trom the city center. The lowest price is €1,40 per hour in the suburbs of Amsterdam.
How to pay for street parking
You can use a blue ticket machine. They are close to car parking spots. But they only accept debit or credit card payment.
You need to enter your cars registration plate number and the machine will give you a receipt for you. But you do not need to display this in your car. It is only for you.
Parking penalty
Scan cars patrol the city and scan licence plates. The penalty for unpayed or expired parking in Amsterdam is €65.
If you are ticketed or clamped you have 24 hours to pay the fine or you will be towed. Call parking control (Parkeerbeheer) at 020 251 3322 for any queries or if towed.
Amsterdam Park+Ride
As a good alternative to parking in Amsterdam city centre is to park your car on one of the parking lots on the outskirts of the city. Then use the excelent Amsterdam public transport to continue your visit.
These Park+Ride lots are located near the A10 highway ring around the city and are relatively cheap. There are seven of them and we list them on our dedicated Park+Ride page which you can access by clicking on the paragraph title link.
However they are not watched and most of them don't even have a fence. They are just simple parking lots and leaving your car there for longer time might be dangerous.
Amsterdam parking garages
Still, if you decide to take your car to the centre of Amsterdam here we list some garages. You pay there on exiting, so you don't have to worry about time.
The prices are usually similar to prices for street parking
Even if you have parked in a closed car park, it is better to not leave anyting of value in your car. You may also consider to put this "no valuables inside" warning behind the car window.
P1 Parking Amsterdam Centre
Prins Hendrikkade 20A
capacity: 475
open: 24 hours, 7 days a week
P1 Parking Waterlooplein
Valkenburgerstraat 238
capacity: 220
open: Monday- Wednesday 7.00 a.m.-1.30 a.m., Thursday-Saturday – 24 hours; Sunday closed at 1.30 a.m.
Q Park - Parking Byzantium
Tesselschadestraat 1G (just at the gate of Vondelpark near the Leidseplein);
capacity: 456;
open: 24 hours, 7 days a week
Q Park - Parking Museumplein
Van Baerlestraat 33B, under the Museumplein - the best if you visit one of the three Amsterdam big museums;
capacity: 600;
open: Monday - Thursday, Sunday 7.00 a.m. - 1.00 a.m. Friday – Saturday 7.00 a.m. - 2.30 a.m.
Q-Park Europa Parking
Marnixstraat 250;
capacity: 800;
open: Monday – Wednesday, 6.30 a.m. - 01.00 a.m. Thursday - Saturday 24 hours; Sunday 7.00 a.m. - 01.00 a.m.
Q-Park Nieuwendijk
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal at the Nieuwezijds Kolk (behind the Dam direction Central Station);
capacity: 400
open: 24 hours, 7 days a week
De Bijenkorf Car Park
on the Beursplein, entry from Damrak street;
capacity: 487;
open: 24 hours; 7 days a week
Heinekenplein Parking
Eerste van der Helststraat 6, close to the Heineken Experience and the Albert Cuyp market;
capacity: 256
open: 7.00 a.m. – midnight, 7 days a week
Markenhoven
Anne Frankstraat 220;
capacity: 375
open: 24 hours, 7 days a week
Het Muziektheater/Stadhuis
Waterlooplein 28, located under Stopera - the Town Hall and Music Theatre complex;
capacity: 385
open: 24 hours, 7 days a week