Departure points for canal cruises in Amsterdam
Where the boats leave from, how to get there — and which jetty suits which part of your day.
© Mathilda Khoo / Unsplash
Amsterdam has no central passenger terminal. The boats leave from just under a dozen spots in the centre, and on many tours you choose the jetty yourself when booking. Because the routes are so similar, picking the departure point is usually the more practical decision than picking the operator: take the boat that leaves from where you already are.
Centraal Station: Prins Hendrikkade and Damrak
The most important starting point. Right in front of Centraal Station, on Prins Hendrikkade and at Damrak, the jetties of Lovers, Stromma and several smaller providers sit close together — this is where most boats leave from, and most often. If you are arriving or leaving by train, it is the obvious spot.
The downside: it is also the busiest. In high season there are queues at the ticket desks, and a spur-of-the-moment ticket can mean half an hour of waiting. Booking a time slot in advance avoids that.
Anne Frank House, Westermarkt and Prinsengracht
Several providers depart right by the Anne Frank House. That makes it the obvious follow-on after visiting the museum — and the Prinsengracht is one of the loveliest canals to start a cruise on. The boats here are often smaller than at Centraal Station.
Rijksmuseum, Stadhouderskade and Heineken Experience
The second big cluster of jetties is in the museum quarter: Blue Boat leaves from Stadhouderskade opposite the Hard Rock Café, other boats from the Heineken Experience. If you are spending the day at the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum, this is the jetty with the shortest walk.
Leidseplein
A smaller jetty on the western edge of the canal ring, easy to reach on several tram lines. Fewer boats than at the station, but far less of a crush.
Oosterdokskade and Sea Palace
East of Centraal Station, a few minutes' walk away, are the jetties for most private cruises and for the tours with BBQ, beer or unlimited drinks. The landmark to look for is the floating restaurant Sea Palace.
A'DAM Tower and NDSM in Amsterdam North
Two jetties north of the IJ. You reach both from Centraal Station on the free ferries — the A'DAM Tower is a few minutes away on the F3, the NDSM wharf takes a little longer. The crossing itself is already a small outing, and it costs nothing. The pancake boat leaves from NDSM.
How to choose the right jetty
Three rules of thumb. First, book the jetty that fits your plans for the day — not the one that is best known. Second, allow 15 minutes' buffer; the boats do not wait, and some jetties are poorly signposted. Third, for evening cruises and in the off season, check the address once more in your booking confirmation — a few providers move the departure point seasonally.
Questions and answers
Where do the canal cruises in Amsterdam start?
Most boats leave from Centraal Station, on Prins Hendrikkade and at Damrak. Other important jetties are at the Anne Frank House, the Rijksmuseum, Leidseplein, the Heineken Experience and the A DAM Tower in Amsterdam North. On many tours you can choose the departure point when booking. Take the one closest to where you are — the routes are similar anyway. We describe all the jetties in detail on a page of their own.
How often do the boats run?
The large operators run roughly every 15 to 20 minutes in high season, every 30 minutes in the off season. The Hop-on-Hop-off boats run every 20 to 45 minutes, less often in winter. Small boats with a live guide, by contrast, have fixed departure times, often only three to five a day — here you should reserve the slot you want.
Do you need to book a canal cruise in advance?
For the classic cruise in the off season, not necessarily — you can walk to the jetty and buy a ticket for the next departure. In high season, at weekends and on public holidays you should reserve: the popular cruises regularly sell out then, and queues form at the ticket desks by Centraal Station. For all the smaller boats, for cruises with a live guide and for anything with food or drinks, one rule applies: book ahead without fail. These boats have twelve to thirty seats and are often full days in advance.
Still undecided?
Most visitors are well served by the classic one-hour cruise — it is the cheapest and runs most often. If you want a bit more, take a small open boat with a live guide.
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