If you’re planning a late night out in Amsterdam this weekend, here’s some bad news: evening and night trains won’t be running to or from Amsterdam Centraal from today through to Sunday.
ProRail’s ongoing renovation work means you’ll need to plan alternative routes home.
The disruption starts this evening at 9:45 PM and will continue through to Sunday, February 8.
According to AT5, it’s all part of ProRail’s massive overhaul of Amsterdam Centraal, which began in 2022 and won’t wrap up until 2030.
What’s actually happening at the station?
ProRail is working on cables and track infrastructure, which means some platforms and stairways are temporarily closed.
In 2026, several work weekends are scheduled to minimise disruption whilst keeping the station operational.
During the day, trains will run with reduced frequency to destinations including Alkmaar, Breukelen, Haarlem, Schiphol, Hoofddorp, Uitgeest, and Weesp.
And during the night? While the works will start at 9:45 PM today, from Friday to Sunday, there will be zero night trains running to, from, and via Amsterdam Centraal from 12:00 AM.
According to NH Nieuws, many trains that would normally terminate at Centraal will instead turn around at Amsterdam Muiderpoort or Amsterdam Sloterdijk.
What are my alternative options?
The NS recommends that travellers instead make use of Amsterdam’s metro network.
And if you’re brave enough to face them, the NS will also run replacement buses.
For example, the night trains between Amsterdam Centraal and Schiphol, and Amsterdam Centraal and Utrecht Centraal will be replaced by buses throughout the weekend.
The NS is urging passengers to check the travel planner before heading out, though honestly, if you can avoid travelling through Centraal this weekend altogether, that’s probably your best bet.
More disruption ahead
Unfortunately, this isn’t a one-off inconvenience.
ProRail has scheduled similar work for two more weekends: once in week 8 and again in week 10 of this year. Each time, expect the same pattern of reduced services and replacement buses.
Why all the chaos? Amsterdam Centraal is being transformed to handle a massive increase in passenger numbers.
That means wider platforms, more tracks, and completely new infrastructure, including a massive underground bike garage to replace the infamous bike tower.
Planning to travel through Amsterdam this weekend? Share your alternative route strategies in the comments below.
