PR Amsterdam

Park + Ride Amsterdam

PR Amsterdam or Park & Ride offers a convenient and cost-effective solution for visitors looking to explore the city without the hassle of parking in the busy city center. You’ll find we always say Amsterdam is a city for walkers and cyclists and although cars do roam the cobbled streets, driving here is not the easiest and parking can be even harder.

If you are visiting Amsterdam by car, then by utilising Amsterdam Park and Ride facilities and then public transport, you can enjoy seamless access to the city’s attractions. This will help reduce traffic congestion, make your walking and cycling more enjoyable and safer, all while doing your bit for the environment too. Once you have spent a few hours in Amsterdam, you’ll understand why nearly everyone, especially visitors, leaves the car behind.

Amsterdam P R presents an ideal option for navigating Amsterdam’s bustling streets and iconic landmarks. Strategically locating facilities across the capital helps you ditch the car along whichever route you come to Amsterdam on.

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How does Amsterdam PR work?

Understanding Park and Ride

Park and Ride (P+R Amsterdam) is a transportation strategy aimed at reducing congestion in urban areas. The city encourages commuters and visitors to park their vehicles in designated parking facilities located on the outskirts of the city and utilise public transportation for their onward journey.

This approach not only alleviates traffic congestion, but also promotes sustainable modes of transportation, such as buses, trams and metro lines. There are also reduced fees available for public transport to help sell the benefit even more.

Locations of PR Amsterdam Facilities

There are several Park and Ride Amsterdam facilities strategically situated on the periphery of the city, providing easy access to public transportation networks.

Some of the prominent Park and Ride locations in Amsterdam include:

p r Sloterdijk Amsterdam

P R Zeeburg Amsterdam (1,2&3)

P R Amsterdam Arena (Johan Cruijff)

pr Amsterdam Rai

p r Olympisch Stadion

PR VUmc Amsterdam

Parkeren Amsterdam Noord

PR Boven

pr Bos en Lommer

You can use the P R Amsterdam Maps and details of the sites listed above.

These Park and Ride facilities are equipped with ample parking spaces and are well-connected to the city centre.

Operation of the Amsterdam Park and Ride System

P+R Amsterdam system is designed to be user-friendly and efficient. Visitors opting for Park and Ride can follow the below steps.

It is worth noting that there are always specific rules to qualify for the parking discounts so do read carefully.

Parking

Upon arrival at one of the designated Park and Ride facilities, visitors can park their vehicles in the designated parking areas. It’s important to note that parking at P+R facilities is for limited periods with a maximum stay of 4-days in most places. PR RAI only allows 24-hrs maximum stay.

From parking you must then travel into the city centre. If you do not travel into the city centre and stay on the outskirts and use the parking for that purpose, then a different set of charges apply, typically €2-€5 per hour.

Public Transportation

After parking your vehicle, you can proceed to the nearby public transportation stops or stations, which are located within walking distance from the Park and Ride facilities. Amsterdam’s extensive public transportation network includes buses, trams, and metro lines, providing easy access to the city center and various attractions.

At this point you can use either your OV-Chipkaart , paper public transport ticket or purchase a special P+R GVB card. This card can be purchased at the ticket machine located at each site (bus/tram drivers no longer sell these). You will need one card per traveller and it covers your transport to and from the city centre from your parking location. In essence, it allows one-hour of travel into the city centre and one hour of travel back to the parking.

Price of the P+R GVB Cards

The more people you have in your car, the better value the parking and this ticket becomes. 

1 person €6

2 people €6

3 people €7

4 people €8.50

5 people €9.50

Rules and Exceptions

You will not receive a discount on parking if you pay for public transport using contactless debit/credit cards, mobile phone, smartwatch or an e-ticket purchased via the GVB app. To qualify you must use your OV-Chipkaart, a paper public transport ticket or the P+R GVB card.

You will need to purchase a GVB Ticket for other use of public transport or use your OV-Chipkaart while in the city outside this one hour.

Your journey from the parking needs to take you to the city centre zones.

After your trip into the city, you need to return directly to the Park and Ride facility. This accesses the discounted parking rates.

The PR payment machine at the parking facility checks your last use of OV Chipkaart, paper public transport ticket or P+R GVB card to see that you left from the city centre to return to your car. If you did, then the reduced rates will apply.

It is important not to stop off on the way back to your parking and by doing so check your card in outside the city centre zones, as then you will be charged the regular rate for parking.

Time Limit

To qualify for the discounted parking rate, you must use public transportation to travel into the city center within one hour of parking your vehicle at the Park and Ride facility. Additionally, there is a maximum parking duration of 96 hours at most Park and Ride locations. You must also pay your parking fee within one hour of leaving the city centre.

Amsterdam PR Prices

The cost of using the Park and Ride system in Amsterdam varies depending on several factors, including the duration of parking and peak and off-peak times.

Here’s a breakdown of the costs involved:

Parking Fees

The parking fees at Park and Ride facilities in Amsterdam are very good value, typically ranging from €6 to €13 for 24 hours depending on the location and whether off-peak or peak times. However, visitors must use public transportation to qualify for the discounted parking rate. If public transportation is not utilised, the parking fee can be significantly higher.

Off-peak €6 per day (Mon-Fri after 10am and all day weekend).

Peak €13 per day (Mon-Fri before 10am) (€6 thereafter per additional 24-hrs).

Additional Charges

Visitors should be aware of any additional charges or fees associated with the Park and Ride system, such as overnight parking fees or penalties for exceeding the maximum parking duration. So, it is always worth checking the location you park at for its regulations.