What is the best way to travel from IJmuiden cruise port to Amsterdam? The fastest way to get to Amsterdam center from Felison Cruise Terminal in IJmuiden is by taking a taxi or private transfer. Public transport is also an option, which includes a short walk, the bus 382 ride to Amsterdam Sloterdijk, and taking a train to the center.

Last updated: 4 September 2026 by Anastasia Dudina

If you are arriving to the Netherlands by cruise ship line, most likely you’ll be docking at the Felison Cruise Terminal in IJmuiden.

Please note: there are two different Felison Terminals in IJmuiden:

• Felison Cruise Terminal. Address: Cruiseboulevard 10, 1976 EB IJmuiden, Netherlands, used for large ocean cruise ships (Princess, Norwegian, Celebrity).
• Felison Terminal (Ferry Terminal). Address: Sluisplein 55, 1975 AG IJmuiden, Netherlands, used for DFDS Seaways ferries to/from Newcastle (UK).

DFDS Seaways has its own bus connection between Amsterdam and the port of IJmuiden. The DFDS buses leave shortly after arrival and stop in Amsterdam near Central Station directly in front of Hotel Victoria in Amsterdam. The bus tickets can be reserved in advance for €10 per person for a single journey.

If you decide to spend some time in the area, we recommend to visit fish restaurant Kop van de Haven near DFDS ferry terminal for lunch or dinner.

And this is how you can travel from Felison Cruise Terminal to Amsterdam:

IJmuiden cruise port to Amsterdam by public transport (schedule & tips)

Public transport is the cheapest way to get from IJmuiden cruise port to Amsterdam. The bus 382 runs about every 15 minutes, so you don’t need to wait long.

1. From the cruise terminal in IJmuiden, walk to the nearest bus stop, IJmuiden Badweg. Note that bus 382 doesn’t come at the terminal itself, it stops on the road outside. Follow Google Maps and take into account that you might need to walk up and down a dike.
2. Take bus line 382 towards Amsterdam Sloterdijk. It runs roughly every 15 minutes.
3. At Amsterdam Sloterdijk, change onto a train (or tram) into the city centre.

Plan around 45 minutes for the bus ride to Sloterdijk, and roughly 1 hour from the port IJmuiden to the centre of Amsterdam.

Practical tips:

• Check 9292.nl for the live bus and train schedule (I’ve added an example on the screenshot above). It’s the most reliable way to plan your exact departure time on the day.
• In the Netherlands you can pay for the bus and train ride with your bank pass, using OV-pay.

Docked at the canal side instead? Some ships (usually smaller ones, so unlikely for large lines like NCL, Princess, or Celebrity) dock at the canal side of the Felison Ferry Terminal on Sluisplein rather than at Cruiseboulevard. If that’s the case for you, it’s about a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) walk along the canal to the nearest bus 382 stop at the Velsen cross-canal ferry terminal. If you’re unsure which side you’re docked at, ask your ship’s crew or the port staff on arrival, or consider a private transfer to skip the walk entirely.

Taxi & Uber from IJmuiden cruise port to Amsterdam center

A taxi ride from IJmuiden to Amsterdam city centre takes around 30 minutes and might cost around €80 – €125. Taxis are usually available at the terminal.

In the Netherlands you can also use Uber or Bolt. An Uber from IJmuiden to Amsterdam typically costs a similar €80-€125. For a fixed price and guaranteed pickup instead, see the private transfer option below.

Tip: many cruise lines run their own shuttle bus from the terminal into central Amsterdam. If your ship offers one, it’s normally the easiest and best-value option. Check your daily programme or ask at guest services.

Private transfer from IJmuiden cruise port to Amsterdam center

You can also pre-book a private transfer from cruise port IJmuiden to Amsterdam. Typically this option is more expensive per person, but it gives you more flexibility and less stress.

Advantages of private transfer:

• Pick up directly from IJmuiden Cruise Port. The driver will be waiting for you in front of Felison Cruise Terminal. He or she will arrive 10 minutes before your transfer and will be holding a board with your name on it.
• Luggage assistance. The driver will help you with your suitcases and bags.
• Drop off at any location in Amsterdam.
• You will travel in a comfortable Mercedes E-Class, S-Class, or V-Class car.

You can book your private transfer here.

What to do in Amsterdam

Depending on the length of your stay in Amsterdam, we suggest the following plan:

Which canal cruise to choose: the classic 1-hour Lovers cruise from Central Station is a good fit for a short stay. It’s affordable, departs frequently (every 15-30 minutes), so you don’t need to plan around a fixed time slot. It brings you right back to the same spot near the Amsterdam Central station.

Check it out: best things to do in Amsterdam

This is the DFDS Amsterdam Mini Cruise schedule. The DFDS bus arrives at Hotel Victoria in Amsterdam (Damrak 1-5, 1012 LG Amsterdam), a 2-minute walk from the Lovers canal cruise departure point, a 9-minute walk from the Madame Tussauds museum, and a 20-minute tram ride from the Van Gogh Museum.

Book your museum tickets before you sail, not after

You already know your port date. Use that. Anne Frank House releases tickets every Tuesday at 10:00 (Amsterdam time) for the week six weeks later, and sells out in hours. Van Gogh Museum needs 3-6 weeks.

Ticket calculator: when Anne Frank House tickets go on sale · all Amsterdam museum tickets

About IJmuiden cruise port

IJmuiden cruise port is roughly 30-35 km from Amsterdam city center. More and more cruise lines dock here instead of Amsterdam’s central passenger terminal, partly because Amsterdam has been actively restricting large cruise ships from docking in the city itself. IJmuiden’s Felison Cruise Terminal is a deepwater port able to handle large ocean ships, used by lines including Princess, Norwegian, and Celebrity.

If you’d rather not make the trip into Amsterdam at all, IJmuiden itself has a few things to do: a long stretch of beach, a working harbour with ferries and fishing boats to watch, and the fish restaurant Kop van de Haven near the DFDS ferry terminal for a relaxed lunch or dinner.

But for sightseeing and cultural trip we still recommend Amsterdam or Haarlem.

FAQ: IJmuiden cruise port to Amsterdam

Is Amsterdam worth it on your port day?

It depends on how much time you actually have. Take your total time in port, deduct 2 – 2,5 hours for the IJmuiden round trip, and that’s what you actually get in the city. If you have less than 6 hours in port, it’s too tight to enjoy Amsterdam properly, consider visiting Haarlem instead, or booking a private transfer to make the most of the hours you do have. If you have at least 7-8 hours, you’re fine, follow our Amsterdam in one day itinerary.

Are there two different Felison Terminals in IJmuiden?

Yes. Felison Cruise Terminal (Cruiseboulevard 10) handles large ocean cruise ships like Princess, Norwegian, and Celebrity. Felison Terminal, the separate Ferry Terminal (Sluisplein 55), is used by DFDS Seaways ferries to and from Newcastle, UK. Check your booking carefully, they’re not the same location.

What is the best way to get from IJmuiden port to Amsterdam?

For speed and comfort, a taxi, Uber, or pre-booked private transfer (about 30 minutes) is the best way to get from IJmuiden cruise port to Amsterdam. For the cheapest option, take bus 382 to Amsterdam Sloterdijk and change onto a train or tram into the centre, around an hour in total.

Where can I check the IJmuiden port to Amsterdam bus and train schedule?

9292.nl shows the live, up-to-date schedule for bus 382 and the connecting trains between IJmuiden and Amsterdam. Bus 382 runs about every 15 minutes to Amsterdam Sloterdijk, where you connect to a train or tram into the city centre, build in extra time on the day in case of delays. Full step-by-step directions are in our public transport section above.

Is there a direct boat from IJmuiden port to Amsterdam?

No. There’s no passenger boat or ferry running from the IJmuiden cruise terminal into central Amsterdam. The DFDS ferry at IJmuiden only connects to Newcastle in the UK, and docks at the separate Felison Ferry Terminal on Sluisplein. To reach Amsterdam from the cruise terminal, use the bus and train, a taxi or Uber, a private transfer, or your ship’s shuttle bus.

How much does a taxi or Uber cost from IJmuiden to Amsterdam?

A taxi ride takes around 30 minutes and costs roughly €80-€125. Uber and Bolt also operate in the Netherlands and charge a similar €80-€125 from IJmuiden to Amsterdam, depending on demand and time of day. Taxis are usually available at the terminal on arrival day; for a fixed price and guaranteed pickup, a pre-booked private transfer is worth comparing too, see our private transfer section.

Is there a bus between the DFDS ferry terminal and Amsterdam?

Yes. DFDS Seaways runs its own bus connection between the port of IJmuiden and Amsterdam, stopping near Central Station in front of Hotel Victoria. Tickets can be reserved in advance for €10 per person for a single journey.

When should I book Anne Frank House and Van Gogh Museum tickets before my cruise?

Anne Frank House releases tickets every Tuesday at 10:00 Amsterdam time, for the week six weeks later, and sells out within hours. Van Gogh Museum needs 3-6 weeks of lead time. Since you already know your port date, set a reminder for six weeks in advance, or check all Amsterdam museum tickets for current availability.

How far is IJmuiden from Amsterdam?

IJmuiden cruise port is roughly 30-35 km from Amsterdam city center. By car, taxi, or Uber that’s about 30 minutes; by public transport (bus + train), plan for around 1 hour.

Is there a direct bus from IJmuiden to Amsterdam?

Yes. Bus line 382 runs directly from IJmuiden to Amsterdam Sloterdijk, roughly every 15 minutes, where you transfer to a train or tram for central Amsterdam. There is no direct bus all the way into the city centre, and it does not stop at the cruise terminal itself, only on the road outside. Check 9292.nl for exact times.

Is there a direct train from IJmuiden to Amsterdam?

Not from the cruise terminal itself. You’ll need to take bus line 382 to Amsterdam Sloterdijk station first, then continue by train or tram to Amsterdam Centraal, see our full public transport steps above.

What is there to do at IJmuiden port itself?

If you’d rather not travel into Amsterdam, IJmuiden has a working harbour, a long beach, and the fish restaurant Kop van de Haven near the DFDS ferry terminal, a good spot for a relaxed lunch or dinner without the trip into the city. For a bigger day out nearby, consider Haarlem instead.

Have a nice time in the Netherlands!

Related articles:

• Amsterdam in one day: things to do
• How to get from Amsterdam cruise port to the city center?
• Best things to do in Haarlem
• I amsterdam City Card: prices, discounts and tips
• Amsterdam museums tickets and prices 2026
• Canal cruises in Amsterdam: tickets and options
• Giethoorn from Amsterdam: train, car or join a tour
• The Netherlands with kids: fun things to do