How to Get to the Rijksmuseum (2026): Tram, Metro, Bus, Walking & From Schiphol

The Rijksmuseum sits on Museumplein in Amsterdam’s museum quarter, with the Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk, and Concertgebouw. Because it’s on a major tram axis and next to a metro line, every transport option works — what changes is whether you want speed (metro), simplicity (direct tram), a scenic walk, or bike. This guide covers all of it.

Rijksmuseum Address & Location

The museum is directly south of the city centre, about 2.5 kilometres from Amsterdam Centraal Station. It shares Museumplein with three other major cultural institutions: the Van Gogh Museum (a 5-minute walk across the square), the Stedelijk Museum (for modern and contemporary art), and the Concertgebouw concert hall. The neighbourhood is central enough to walk to from most tourist hotels, but served well enough by transit that you don’t have to.

The building entrance isn’t on a normal street frontage — it’s inside The Passage, a covered arcade running underneath the museum. From the Museumplein side, walk into the passage and the ticket-holder doors are on your left.

Getting to the Rijksmuseum from Amsterdam Centraal Station

This is the route most visitors take — Amsterdam Centraal is the main rail hub and the arrival point for most international trains. There are three sensible options:

Option 1: Metro line 52 (fastest, 8–12 minutes total)

Take Metro line 52 (the Noord-Zuid line, the newest and fastest metro line in Amsterdam) from Amsterdam Centraal to Vijzelgracht. The metro ride is about 4 minutes. From Vijzelgracht, exit following signs for “Uitgang Vijzelgracht / Museumplein,” then walk roughly 7–10 minutes south along the canal to the Rijksmuseum.

• Total time: 8–12 minutes
• Frequency: every 5–7 minutes
• First/last service: 5:35 AM to 12:45 AM (from 7:35 AM on Sundays)

This is the fastest public transport option from Centraal.

Option 2: Tram 2 or Tram 12 (most direct, 10–12 minutes)

The easiest route if you don’t want to transfer at all. Board tram 2 (towards Nieuw Sloten) or tram 12 (towards Amstelveenseweg) at Amsterdam Centraal and ride directly to the stop called “Rijksmuseum.” The stop is right next to the museum — you’ll see the building immediately.

• Total time: 10–12 minutes
• Frequency: every 5–10 minutes during the day
• Cost: about €3.40 for a single ticket, or use an OV-chipkaart

This is the best option for first-time visitors — no transfer, and the tram stop is named after the museum so you can’t miss it.

Option 3: Walking (25–30 minutes, scenic)

If the weather is good and you enjoy walking, the route from Centraal to the Rijksmuseum passes through some of Amsterdam’s prettiest neighbourhoods — down Damrak, across Dam Square, along the Singel and Herengracht canals, and south to Museumplein. It’s about 2.5 kilometres. You won’t save time versus the tram, but you’ll see far more of the city.

Option 4: Taxi or rideshare (6–10 minutes, €15–25)

Direct but usually not worth the money for a 3-kilometre trip when public transport is this good. Useful if you’re travelling with heavy luggage or in a large group. Uber and Bolt both operate in Amsterdam.

Getting to the Rijksmuseum from Schiphol Airport

Bus 397 (Amsterdam Airport Express) runs between Schiphol Airport and central Amsterdam, stopping directly outside the Rijksmuseum.

• Departs from bus stops B15–B19 at Schiphol, every 7–8 minutes
• Arrives at the Rijksmuseum bus and tram stop, a 3-minute walk from the museum entrance
• Journey time: about 30 minutes depending on traffic
• Cost: around €7 one-way, cheaper with a return or multi-day ticket

Train + Metro alternative: Take an NS train from Schiphol (platforms directly beneath the airport) to Amsterdam Zuid (about 7 minutes), then transfer to Metro line 52 to Vijzelgracht (another 5 minutes), then walk 7 minutes. Similar total time but more moving around. Worth it only if you already have an OV-chipkaart or Dutch rail ticket.

Taxi or rideshare: About 20–25 minutes and €40–60. Useful if you have lots of luggage or arrive very late at night.

Getting to the Rijksmuseum from Other Parts of Amsterdam

From Leidseplein

A 5-minute walk south along Leidsestraat and around the corner. Or tram 2 or 12 one stop to Rijksmuseum.

From Dam Square / Royal Palace

Tram 2 or 12 direct from Dam Square to Rijksmuseum (about 8 minutes). Or walk — 20 minutes via the canal ring.

From Vondelpark

Walk east out of the park to Museumplein — about 10 minutes from the park’s east entrance to the Rijksmuseum.

From Amsterdam Zuid Station

Metro line 52 one stop to Vijzelgracht, then walk. Or tram 5 direct to the Rijksmuseum stop.

From De Pijp / Albert Cuyp Market

A 10–15 minute walk north. Or tram 24 from Albert Cuypstraat to Museumplein.

From Jordaan

A 20–25 minute walk south through the canal ring, or tram 13 or 17 to Elandsgracht, then switch to tram 2 or 12.

Public Transport Tickets & Passes

Amsterdam’s trams, metro, and buses all run on the same integrated system (GVB) and accept the same tickets.

• Single ticket: €3.40, valid for 1 hour including transfers. Buy on board (tram/bus) or at metro station machines.
• 24-hour / 48-hour / 72-hour GVB pass: unlimited travel across the network. €9 / €15 / €21 respectively.
• OV-chipkaart: Dutch national transit card. Worth getting if you’re staying a week or more.
• Contactless bank card: You can now tap-on and tap-off with a contactless Visa/Mastercard directly — probably the easiest option for short visits.
• I Amsterdam City Card: includes unlimited public transport and free Rijksmuseum entry among many other attractions. Worth considering if you’re visiting multiple museums. See our review of the I Amsterdam City Card.

Cycling to the Rijksmuseum

Biking is the quintessential Amsterdam way to arrive. The city has extensive dedicated bike lanes, including routes that run past the Rijksmuseum on both sides. From Centraal Station the ride is about 10–15 minutes. Bike rental shops are everywhere in the centre (€10–20 per day).

There are bike racks on the west side of Museumplein (closer to the Stedelijk) and along Stadhouderskade. Lock your bike with a proper chain — Amsterdam has one of the highest bike theft rates in Europe.

Driving & Parking at the Rijksmuseum

If you must drive:

• Q-Park Museumplein: underground, directly beneath Museumplein. Easiest option but expensive (€60/day max).
• APCOA Heinekenplein: 10-minute walk from the museum, similar prices.
• P+R park-and-ride locations: multiple sites on the city’s outskirts (P+R Zeeburg, P+R Sloterdijk, P+R Noord) offer cheap day parking plus a public transport ticket into the centre. This is what most locals would advise.

Amsterdam’s city centre is largely restricted to permit-holders during most hours. Driving into the Museumplein area is possible but stressful, especially during tourist season.

Accessibility Info for the Journey

The metro (including line 52) and most trams are fully wheelchair-accessible with level boarding. Amsterdam Centraal Station has lifts to all platforms. The walk from Vijzelgracht metro station to the Rijksmuseum is on flat, paved pedestrian streets. The Rijksmuseum’s main entrance in the Passage is step-free. For more detail on getting around inside, see Rijksmuseum Accessibility.

Finding the Entrance Once You Arrive

The Rijksmuseum doesn’t have a traditional street-facing front door. Instead, there’s a passageway — The Passage — running under the building. Both entrances are inside this arcade:

• Coming from Museumplein (south side): enter the Passage and the ticket-holder doors are on your left
• Coming from the city centre (north side): enter the Passage and the doors are on your right

Arrive 10 minutes before your booked slot — there’s a brief bag check at the entrance, and security can be slow at peak times.

Before You Visit

Whichever route you take, remember that the Rijksmuseum operates on strict timed entry. Your ticket is valid only within a 15-minute window, so build in extra time for unexpected delays — especially if you’re arriving from Schiphol with luggage.