Photo by Martijn Stoof from Pexels
You can easily commute between the Dutch cities of Amsterdam and Leiden by train, taxi, rideshare, bus, or your own car.
However, in my humble opinion, the most straightforward way to get from Amsterdam to Leiden is by train.
I like taking the direct Intercity train from Amsterdam Centraal station to Leiden Centraal, as it takes under 40 minutes and I needn’t switch platforms. (A huge plus for me, as I hate needing to scramble from one end of a station to the other.)
But if you want to avoid the crowds or you’d prefer more accessible transport options, the Netherlands offers those, too. Let’s break down the options:
Taking an NS train from Amsterdam to Leiden
As an international, I’ve always found the Dutch train provider (NS) quite reliable, even if their ticket prices are a bit on the steep side for Europe.
Two types of trains run the Amsterdam-Leiden route: Intercity and Sprinter trains. Intercity trains are usually the faster, more straightforward option, as you needn’t switch platforms as often or deal with potential delays from connecting trains.
Where can I catch a train to Leiden from Amsterdam?
Depending on where you’re staying in Amsterdam, you can board a train to Leiden from:
- Amsterdam Centraal: Best if you’re staying in the centre of Amsterdam. Intercity trains typically depart from platform 2a (spoor 2a), while Sprinters depart from either platform 8a or 10a.
- Schiphol Airport: Look for the train icon and take the stairs/lift downstairs. Trains depart from both platforms 5 and 6.
- Amsterdam Zuid: Best if you’re coming from the financial district or the southern neighbourhood. Sprinters depart from platform 4, while Intercities depart from platform 3.
How much is a train ticket from Amsterdam to Leiden?
The price of a train ticket will generally depend on how long your journey is.
For example, the Amsterdam Centraal to Leiden Centraal route is roughly 40 minutes, and the ticket breakdown is:
- €12 for a one-day second-class ticket,
- and €16.80 for a one-day first-class ticket.
Meanwhile, the route from Schiphol Airport to Leiden Centraal is roughly 16 minutes, and costs:
- €7.80 for a one-day second-class ticket,
- and €10.92 for a one-day first-class ticket.
In general, it’s best to run your journey through the NS reisplanner (journey planner) or download the NS app. In addition to ticket prices, they’ll give you a solid overview of departure times and possible delays.
Where can I buy train tickets?
You can buy train tickets online and at ticket kiosks at Amsterdam Centraal.
If you have a debit or credit card with contactless payment activated, you can also use it instead. Due to the OV-pay system, you can check in and out of most Dutch stations with your bank card.
Here’s how the system works:
While this is great for sheer convenience, I avoid using my debit card on public transport because I can’t access any travel discounts or subscriptions. I bought my first public transport pass (OV chipkaart) for this very reason way back in 2018, and the newest pass (the OV-pas) is rolling out this feature at the end of 2026.
Driving from Amsterdam to Leiden by car
If you prefer the flexibility of driving or just want to avoid any potential train chaos, then driving yourself is also an option.
The route takes you along several major Dutch highways, so do factor in a longer travel time if you’re commuting during rush hour. Depending on traffic, the journey can take anywhere from 45 minutes to well over an hour.
It’s also worth noting that certain areas of Leiden’s historic centre are car-free (and some are restricted to residents). I’ve seen more than a few confused tourists drive through pedestrian zones by accident, so parking at the outskirts of the city and walking into the centre is a wise choice.
💡 Lia’s tip: If you don’t have your own car, you can always opt to rent a car from a car hire service. Budget, Hertz, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and Alamo operate out of the Amsterdam Schiphol area and offer a wide range of models.
What route should I take?
The most direct route is southbound, via the A4 highway. You can navigate via Google Maps, Waze, or Apple Maps — and I’ve also heard very good things about the ANWB route planner.
(If you don’t read any Dutch, you may want to give ANWB a miss!)
Are there parking areas in Leiden?
Yes, there are parking areas in Leiden, but costs and availability vary by location.
According to the municipality, the city highlights several different street parking zones:
- Zone A is restricted to “permit-holder parking”, unless you’re parking there for a short time (under two hours). You’ll pay an hourly rate of €4 for these spots.
- Zones B1 and B2 cost €0.20 per hour for short-term parking (under two hours), and €3.10 per hour from the 3rd hour onwards.
- Like B, Zone C costs €0.20 per hour for short-term parking (under two hours), and €3.10 per hour from the 3rd hour onwards.
In most cases, street parking is open on weekdays from:
- 9 am to 9 pm (Zones A and B1),
- and 9 am to 7:30 pm (Zones B2 and C).
Not keen to park on the street? You can also check out some municipal parking garages. Those close to Leiden’s city centre include:
- Parkeergarage Garenmarkt (cross the Morssingel canal to get into the heart of Leiden),
- Parkeergarage Morspoort (look for a Hoogvliet supermarket),
- and Parkeergarage Lammermarkt (near Museum De Lakenhal).
Taking a taxi from Amsterdam to Leiden
This is the MOST expensive option on the list… which is why I’ve ranked it dead last.
However, when you’re unfamiliar with a city (or severely jet-lagged), it’s nice to just sink into a cab and not have to worry about changing platforms. My first-ever journey from Amsterdam to Leiden was by cab, back when I was a fresh-faced international student.
How much is a taxi from Amsterdam to Leiden?
According to travel platform Rome2Rio, you’ll generally need to budget around €130–170 for a cab ride. (Should you opt for a rideshare instead, that’ll drop to around €3.)
In my opinion, it’s best to arrange your airport transfer in advance. Unregulated taxi services outside terminal buildings and train stations tend to jack up prices when they see tourists, and you could easily end up paying €100 more than your journey is worth. (Trust me, I’ve been there!)
How can you tell if your taxi is legit? Official Dutch taxis feature distinctive blue license plates, visible official driver ID badges on the dashboard, and fixed maximum tariff cards inside the vehicle.
Well, there you have it! I hope I’ve helped make your journey smoother. If you’ve got any questions, do drop them in the comments and I’ll do my best to answer.
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