The most reliable way to reach Van Gogh Museum is train from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) to Amsterdam Zuid, then Metro 52 to Vijzelgracht, then a short walk. It suits first-timers because it’s fast, frequent, and keeps the trip to two simple moves. Best backup: if you’d rather stay above ground, go to Amsterdam Centraal Station and take Tram 2, 5, or 12 to Van Baerlestraat, then walk a few minutes.
Ash the Owl: If your plan includes more than one transfer, simplify it even if it adds 5 minutes.
Nearest metro station to Van Gogh Museum
The nearest metro station to Van Gogh Museum is Vijzelgracht (Metro 52), followed by a straightforward walk.
- Why this is the easiest “anchor” for first-timers:
- Metro 52 has clear station screens and consistent stop announcements.
- From Vijzelgracht, you can walk with a simple rule: stay calm, avoid shortcuts, and keep turns to a minimum.
- Good alternative if Vijzelgracht feels crowded:
- De Pijp (Metro 52) can also work, but usually adds a little more walking.
Closest train station to Van Gogh Museum
The closest train station to Van Gogh Museum is Amsterdam Zuid Station, with a quick Metro 52 connection for the final stretch.
- Practical note for first-timers:
- Amsterdam Centraal Station is often easier to recognize and navigate, even if it’s not the closest by distance.
- If you’re unsure which is better for you: choose the route with fewer decisions, not the route that looks shortest.
How to get to Van Gogh Museum by metro
To get to Van Gogh Museum by metro, take Metro 52 to Vijzelgracht, then walk in a “few turns, steady pace” route to the museum area.
- The simplest metro approach:
- Start from Amsterdam Centraal Station or Amsterdam Zuid Station
- Follow signs for Metro 52
- Ride to Vijzelgracht
- Exit, pause to orient yourself, then walk without chasing tiny shortcuts
| Route | Time | Cost level | Transfers | Walking difficulty | Navigation ease | Rainy-day friendly | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMS (Schiphol) → train → Amsterdam Zuid → Metro 52 (Vijzelgracht) → walk | 25–40 min | Low–Medium | 1 | Medium | High | High | First-timers who want the cleanest plan |
| AMS (Schiphol) → train → Amsterdam Centraal → Tram 2/5/12 (Van Baerlestraat) → walk | 30–50 min | Low–Medium | 1 | Low | High | Medium–High | Easy above-ground navigation |
| AMS (Schiphol) → Airport Express bus 397 → short walk | 35–60+ min | Medium | 0 | Medium | Medium | Medium | If you prefer one ride |
| Amsterdam Centraal → Metro 52 (Vijzelgracht) → walk | 20–30 min | Low | 0 | Medium | High | High | Quick city start with simple steps |
| Taxi/ride-hailing → Van Gogh Museum | 20–60+ min | High | 0 | Low | High | Medium | Luggage, late arrival, low effort |
| Walk/bike from Amsterdam Centraal → Van Gogh Museum | 30–50 min | Low | 0 | Medium–High | Medium | Low | Good weather, confident navigators |
From the airport
From Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), the easiest first-timer route is train to Amsterdam Zuid, then Metro 52 to Vijzelgracht, then walk.
- Step-by-step
- Follow airport signs for Trains (the station is integrated with the terminal area).
- Take a train to Amsterdam Zuid Station.
- Transfer to Metro 52 and ride to Vijzelgracht.
- Walk the last stretch at a steady pace (avoid “clever” shortcuts).
You’re on the right track when… you can say your whole plan in one sentence: “Train to Amsterdam Zuid, Metro 52 to Vijzelgracht, then walk.”
- Common mistakes + fixes
- Mistake: Boarding the first train without checking the destination screens.
Fix: On the platform, confirm your train stops at Amsterdam Zuid before you board. - Mistake: Losing time at ticket gates because you mix payment methods.
Fix: Pick one method and stick to it for the whole trip (contactless bank card or a transit ticket), and use the same method to exit. - Mistake: Walking immediately after leaving Vijzelgracht while your map arrow spins.
Fix: Stop for 10 seconds, then start walking only when your direction arrow stabilizes and your distance begins decreasing.
- Mistake: Boarding the first train without checking the destination screens.
Ash the Owl: After a flight, the best route is the one you can repeat from memory without checking your phone.
By metro
Metro is great once you’re in the city because it reduces “street confusion” and drops you near Van Gogh Museum with a predictable walk.
- Step-by-step (from Amsterdam Centraal Station)
- Enter the metro area and follow signs for Metro 52.
- Ride to Vijzelgracht.
- Exit and walk toward Van Gogh Museum using a low-turn route.
You’re on the right track when… station screens consistently show “52,” and you see “Vijzelgracht” in the stop list in your direction.
- Common mistakes + fixes
- Mistake: Choosing a platform by following crowds instead of checking the line number.
Fix: Confirm 52 on signage before going down to the platform. - Mistake: Getting off one stop too early because names sound similar.
Fix: Watch the in-train display and only stand up when “Vijzelgracht” is next. - Mistake: Letting your route become a zigzag of tiny streets.
Fix: Choose “few turns” over “shortest path” for the final walk.
- Mistake: Choosing a platform by following crowds instead of checking the line number.
Ash the Owl: If you feel rushed, slow down at the station exit—most wrong turns happen in the first 60 seconds outside.
By train
“By train” usually means arriving at Amsterdam Centraal Station or Amsterdam Zuid Station. Both work well; choose based on simplicity.
- Easy plan from Amsterdam Zuid Station
- Transfer to Metro 52.
- Get off at Vijzelgracht.
- Walk to Van Gogh Museum.
- Easy plan from Amsterdam Centraal Station
- Take Tram 2, 5, or 12 to Van Baerlestraat.
- Walk a few minutes to Van Gogh Museum.
You’re on the right track when… you’ve committed to either “Metro 52 to Vijzelgracht” or “Tram to Van Baerlestraat,” not a mix of half-plans.
- Common mistakes + fixes
- Mistake: Picking a route with multiple changes because it looks faster.
Fix: Prefer one transfer max. Fewer steps beats a fragile “perfect connection.” - Mistake: Exiting a station without deciding your next move.
Fix: Decide inside: metro route or tram route, then follow signs calmly. - Mistake: Walking too far before realizing you should have taken one short ride.
Fix: If you’ve walked 10 minutes and still feel uncertain, reset to a station and switch to Metro 52 or a direct tram.
- Mistake: Picking a route with multiple changes because it looks faster.
Ash the Owl: A small paid ride is often cheaper than the time and stress of a long, uncertain walk.
By bus
Bus can be a good option if you want one ride from the airport, or if metro feels too underground and “closed in.”
- From Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
- Take Airport Express bus 397 toward the city.
- Get off at the stop closest to Van Gogh Museum and finish on foot.
- From central rail areas (if you’re already in town)
- City buses can bring you close, but stops vary; if you want the most foolproof “nearby stop,” switch to Tram 2/5/12 to Van Baerlestraat instead.
You’re on the right track when… your final walk is short and simple, and you’re not crossing multiple large roads looking for a hidden stop.
- Common mistakes + fixes
- Mistake: Taking the right bus number in the wrong direction.
Fix: Check the front display for the direction before boarding, not after the doors close. - Mistake: Missing your stop because you assumed it would be announced loudly.
Fix: Watch the onboard stop screen and press the stop button early when your stop is next. - Mistake: Treating bus as “always faster” during peak traffic.
Fix: If roads are slow, train + Metro 52 is usually more predictable.
- Mistake: Taking the right bus number in the wrong direction.
Ash the Owl: Bus is best when it’s one ride plus a short walk—if it turns into two buses, switch to train or metro.
By taxi/ride-hailing
Taxi or ride-hailing is the lowest-effort way to reach Van Gogh Museum, especially with luggage or late arrivals. Time varies a lot with traffic.
- How to make it smoother
- Set your destination as Van Gogh Museum (not a nearby street), and confirm the pin is correct before you start.
- Expect a short final walk if the driver stops on a main road—this is normal.
- Keep your phone away until you’re safely stopped; busy streets + distracted walking cause mistakes.
You’re on the right track when… your drop-off leaves you with a calm, direct walk rather than a confusing loop around busy roads.
- Common mistakes + fixes
- Mistake: Choosing a pickup/drop-off point that’s hard for cars to reach.
Fix: Let the driver stop at the closest safe curb, then walk the final minutes. - Mistake: Assuming taxi is always the fastest from the airport.
Fix: If you want predictable timing, use train + Metro 52 instead. - Mistake: Starting to walk immediately while your map is recalculating.
Fix: Pause for 10 seconds, then walk only when your direction arrow stabilizes.
- Mistake: Choosing a pickup/drop-off point that’s hard for cars to reach.
Ash the Owl: Pay for calm, not speed—taxi is the “easy arrival” option, not the “always fastest” option.
Walk/bike
Walking is enjoyable in good weather, and biking can be fast if you’re comfortable riding in city traffic.
- Walking (from Amsterdam Centraal Station)
- Plan a route with few turns and wide streets.
- Use a two-checkpoint rule: confirm direction at the start, then again after 5 minutes.
- If your distance starts increasing, stop and backtrack to the last corner you recognize.
- Biking (only if confident)
- Ride defensively, keep right, and slow down early at crossings.
- If it feels stressful, park and finish on foot; the final approach is often easier walking.
You’re on the right track when… you can walk for several minutes without constant rerouting or stopping at every corner.
- Common mistakes + fixes
- Mistake: Following the “shortest route” that forces multiple tiny turns.
Fix: Choose a slightly longer route with fewer turns and clearer streets. - Mistake: Walking while staring at your phone and missing a key turn.
Fix: Stop to check, then walk confidently for one block at a time. - Mistake: Biking when you’re jet-lagged and slow to react.
Fix: Walk instead—your arrival will be safer and less stressful.
- Mistake: Following the “shortest route” that forces multiple tiny turns.
Ash the Owl: If you’re tired, walk slower and make fewer decisions; speed comes from simplicity.
If you get lost on the way to Van Gogh Museum
- Stop walking and set Amsterdam Centraal (Metro/Train) as your reset point. Don’t keep “trying your luck” through random turns. Step to the side, breathe, and pick one clear route back to Amsterdam Centraal (Metro/Train) using a straightforward street or the nearest transit option.
- From Amsterdam Centraal (Metro/Train), restart with the simplest public transport plan: either Metro 52 to Vijzelgracht or a direct tram to Van Baerlestraat. The goal is to remove decisions, not to “repair” your original route.
- After you exit at Vijzelgracht or Van Baerlestraat, pause for 10 seconds so your map direction stabilizes. Then walk using a “few turns” rule: commit to one street for several minutes before checking again, and only change direction at clear intersections.
FAQ: Getting to Van Gogh Museum
What’s the easiest route from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)?
Train to Amsterdam Zuid, then Metro 52 to Vijzelgracht, then walk.
Is Amsterdam Centraal Station a good starting point?
Yes—take Metro 52 to Vijzelgracht, or Tram 2/5/12 to Van Baerlestraat and walk a few minutes.
Which stop is simplest for first-timers: Vijzelgracht or Van Baerlestraat?
Vijzelgracht is the easiest metro stop; Van Baerlestraat is the easiest tram stop.
Can I take one direct bus from the airport?
Often yes with Airport Express bus 397, then a short walk, but it can be slower in traffic than train + metro.
Is it walkable from Amsterdam Centraal Station?
It’s walkable, but first-timers usually find it easier to use Metro 52 or a direct tram and save energy for the visit.
Quick checklist
- From AMS, default to train → Amsterdam Zuid
- Use Metro 52 → Vijzelgracht for the cleanest finish
- Prefer Tram 2/5/12 → Van Baerlestraat if you want above-ground travel
- For the final walk, choose few turns over shortest distance
- If confused, reset at Amsterdam Centraal (Metro/Train) and restart
Sources checked
Van Gogh Museum — https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/
Schiphol (official) — https://www.schiphol.nl/
NS (Dutch Railways) — https://www.ns.nl/
GVB (official) — https://gvb.nl/
Connexxion (Bus 397) — https://www.connexxion.nl/
9292 Journey Planner — https://9292.nl/
Last updated: February 2026
