Parking in Amsterdam

Parking in Amsterdam is quite expensive. Besides that, it’s not a pleasure to drive through the often narrow streets of Amsterdam city centre.

P+R – Parking just outside the city centre

That’s why we recommend you use the parking garages and park & ride (P+R) facilities just outside the central area. It is the cheapest way to park your car. You can park your car here for up to 96 hours. The park & ride parking areas offer excellent public transport to and from the city centre of Amsterdam at a reduced rate. You do need to purchase an OV-chip card for this (see the information on Travel in Amsterdam). Visit iamsterdam.com for more information on the P+R parking sites in Amsterdam.

Parking in Amsterdam city centre

If for some reason, you do decide to park in the city centre, make sure to always park your car at official parking spots with a parking meter. When parking on the street, look for the blue and white light box with the letter P. This is the parking meter.

Amsterdam uses ‘digital parking’. This means that you register your number plate at the parking machines. You don’t receive a parking ticket. So make sure you know your number plate when purchasing the parking ticket. All machines are suitable for payment with credit card or debit card (with Maestro logo). You can’t pay with cash!
Parking in Amsterdam city centre is until 02.00am!

Parking garages & parking information signs

There are several parking garages in the city centre. They fill up pretty quickly on busy days. Pay attention to the parking information signs along various roads in Amsterdam. These signs are part of a dynamic parking information system designed to help you find a parking place. The parking signs show real-time information of about ten parking garages. When you enter the city, you will receive the latest information on the availability of parking places and the nearest parking garage.

Fines for incorrect parking

If you fail to pay the parking fee or if you are parked in the wrong place, you run a high risk of being fined. In case you obstruct important roads or exits, you might even get towed away – like in any other city.

However, you will not find a paper ticket behind your windscreen wipers. So you may only find out that you got a fine when it arrives in the mail at home. Not a nice souvenir to get delivered at home; so pay attention and pay! If you live abroad, you can pay your parking fine online.