Central Station Hostel

Central Station Hostel is a small budget hostel at Steenhouwerssteeg 5, 1012 HJ Amsterdam, down a gated side alley about 200 meters from Dam Square. Even with the name, it is not at the station: Amsterdam Centraal is roughly a 7–10 minute walk away.

The hostel is built for sleeping. It bans drugs and alcohol, turns away stag and hen groups, and has little shared space, so it fits travelers who want a cheap central bed and a quiet night more than a party hostel.

Central Station Hostel at a glance

Detail	What booking platforms and guests report
Address	Steenhouwerssteeg 5, 1012 HJ Amsterdam (Centrum)
Nearest landmark	Dam Square, about 200 meters away
Walk from Amsterdam Centraal	About 7–10 minutes
Check-in	Hostelworld lists 14:00–23:00; Booking.com lists 15:00–midnight
Check-out	By 10:00
Rooms	Dorms, including female-only dorms, some with a bathroom inside the room (guest reports)
Free extras listed	Wi-Fi, bed linen, city map, walking tour, tea and coffee, luggage storage after check-out
Not listed by the property	Bar, cooking kitchen, organized social events, elevator
Guest ratings	Booking.com 8.0/10 from 187 reviews (location 9.5); Tripadvisor 3.3/5 from 126 reviews, mostly written in 2015–2019

Location and what is nearby

The hostel sits in the old center between Amsterdam Centraal, Dam Square, and the Red Light District. Because the entrance is on a side alley rather than a main street, the property describes it as quieter than most hotels in the area, and several guests mention that the gated alley felt safe. The trade-off is that it can be hard to find on your first arrival, so save the address in your map app before you leave the station.

Almost everything in the Amsterdam Centrum area is walkable from the door. Approximate distances:

• Dam Square and the Royal Palace: about 200–300 meters
• De Wallen (Red Light District) and Our Lord in the Attic museum: about a 5–6 minute walk
• Rembrandt House: about 0.5 km
• Anne Frank House: about 0.8 km
• Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum: about 1.4–1.8 km, or a short tram ride

What staying here is like

Expect a basic place to sleep. Guest reviews describe large, clean dorms with big windows, lockers under the bunks, and staff who give useful local advice. There is no bar and, according to past guests, no real common room. One reviewer found only a small fridge and microwave, so plan to eat out or buy ready-made food nearby. Bring your own padlock, and a power bank helps too, because one guest found every outlet next to the door rather than by the beds.

The stairs get mentioned in nearly every review. They are very steep, one guest counted about 40 steps, and none of the listings mention an elevator. Staff will help carry bags if you ask. The hostel also keeps a cat, which matters if you have allergies. For more ways to cut costs during your stay, see our travel tips.

House rules to check before booking

The Hostelworld listing warns that guests who book against these rules can be refused check-in without a refund:

• No drugs or alcohol anywhere in the hostel
• No smoking and no pets
• No stag or hen parties, sports tours, or football fans traveling for matches
• Groups of no more than six people
• Guests aged 16–40 only on Hostelworld, while Booking.com lists no age requirement, so confirm with the property if you are outside that range
• No curfew

Who it suits and who should skip it

It works well for solo travelers and pairs on a budget, travelers who don’t drink, anyone arriving by train, and people who spend the whole day out and just need a clean bed near Dam Square. Skip it if you have limited mobility or heavy suitcases, are traveling in a group of seven or more, want a hostel bar or a kitchen for cooking, or are allergic to cats. If you want a more social hostel, our Amsterdam budget guide compares options such as ClinkNOORD, Generator, and Stayokay.

Getting there

From Schiphol Airport, take the direct NS train to Amsterdam Centraal. The ride takes about 14–17 minutes, trains run up to eight times an hour during the day with roughly hourly night trains, and a second-class single costs €5.50 with a contactless card or e-ticket. From Centraal, walk south toward Dam Square for about 7–10 minutes. Our airport train vs taxi guide explains when a taxi is worth it.

Inside the city, the closest metro stations are Rokin on line 52 and Nieuwmarkt on lines 51, 53, and 54, both a few minutes on foot. Several trams stop at Dam. Tram routes changed in March 2026, so check our Amsterdam public transport guide for current lines and fares.

When to book early

Cheap beds in the old center sell out first on big event dates, and prices rise sharply. One guest booked here for King’s Day because it was the last affordable bed left in the center. Book ahead for these dates:

• King’s Day on April 27, moved to April 26 when the 27th is a Sunday
• Pride Amsterdam and the Canal Parade in early August
• Amsterdam Dance Event, October 21–25, 2026
• Amsterdam Light Festival, November 26, 2026 to January 17, 2027, including New Year’s Eve

When you compare prices, check whether Amsterdam’s tourist tax is included. In 2026 it is 12.5% of the net room price. You can find more dates on our Amsterdam events calendar.

Frequently asked questions