Rotterdam is a beautiful city that is filled with fantastic architecture, a refreshing port area, a lot of art, and a modern city center.
There are a lot of things to do in the city and places to see, from the museums, churches, harbor, and many more. Before you dive deep into these beautiful attractions, here’s an informative Rotterdam travel guide you can use to make your stay convenient and comfortable.
When is the Best Time to Go in Rotterdam?
Take in the beautiful views of the city during the summer months, which are from late June to early September. The city is a year-round destination, which means whether you’re going here in the summer or winter, you can make the most out of it.
How Much Will You Typically Spend in Rotterdam?
If you’re staying in the city, there are a lot of accommodations you can choose from—from hotels, hostels, bed, and breakfasts, holiday homes, etc. The price of your accommodation will mainly depend on the number of nights you will stay in the city and the type of accommodation. For an average hotel room in the city, expect to pay from €110.
There are budget hotel prices as well that you can get like at a two-star hotel where prices start at €55 per night. If you will be backpacking around the city and you’re okay with staying at a hostel, expect to pay between €20 and €40 per night.
For Airbnb, such as holiday homes, you can get an entire apartment at around €40 to €70 per night. For the food, meal prices in the city vary but the average cost of food here per day is at €33, in which dining out at an average meal should cost around €13 per person.
Breakfast prices are often cheaper than lunch or dinner here. As for local transportation, expect to spend around €17 per day on average. As for the tours, they greatly vary depending on the areas you will go to. Fortunately, there are a lot of ways you can save money in Rotterdam:
- Hop on a bike: Get around the city by renting a bike. You can get one at around €10 per day.
- Go on a free walking tour: If you want to see the city, you can go on a free walking tour where you will be able to learn about the city without the need to spend money.
- Cook food: If your accommodation has a fully equipped kitchen, it’s cheaper to cook your own food than to eat out. Head to the grocery and get some ingredients to cook.
- Use Uber pool: If you need to take an Uber, opt for rideshare. This is an effective way to save more money to get around Rotterdam.
- Get the welcome card: Get the tourist card that contains a lot of discounts, especially if you will stay in the city for a while.
How to Get Around Rotterdam
You can take public transportation to get around the city. The RET has buses, trams, water buses, and trains. It’s best to have an OV-chipkaart, which costs around €7. You can replenish your funds on the card as needed. Taxi is another mode of transportation in the city with a meter drop of around €2.50 and around €3 per mile. That said, only take a taxi when necessary because this isn’t cheap!
If you want to have more convenience and freedom to get around the city, you can always rent a car. The average rate per day is around €15, which is cheaper than a taxi fare. You can rent a bike as well, which is around €6 per day. However, this will depend on the size and type of bike you rent. Another great way to get around the city is to ride water-based transportation, such as water taxis and water buses.
The water taxi shuttles between Hotel New York and the Leuvenhaven subway station, and the Veerhaven. The cost per ride is around €2. You can also ride the Aqualiner or the Waterbus ferry. The ferry lets passengers bring their bikes with them, which is free of charge. The time and price vary based on several factors, therefore, check with the line before you board.
How to Stay Safe in the City
Generally, Rotterdam is a safe city. However, a big concern here is pick-pocketing. Therefore, be mindful of your belongings when you’re out in public. You also need to be cautious of some scams here, such as people selling public transit tickets that have already been used.
Make sure you only buy from official ticket places in the city. Additionally, don’t purchase a really cheap bike from someone from the street because it’s likely it’s a stolen one.
What Should I Pack for Rotterdam?
Packing for Rotterdam depends on what type of traveler you are and how long you will be staying in the city. Of course, the weather is also a factor. A good rule of thumb is to pack comfortable clothes, such as:
- A pair of jeans
- T-shirts
- Long-sleeved shirts
- A pair of sneakers
- Pairs of socks
- Several jackets and heavy jackets if you’re going in winter
- Bathing suits
If it’s your first time in the city, or even if it’s your second or third, it’s important to be in comfortable clothes, especially if you plan to do a lot of tours, walking, and whatnot. Hopefully, our Rotterdam travel guide will help you enjoy the city even more!
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