Rotterdam travel guide

Rotterdam Tourism | Rotterdam Guide

You're Going to Love Rotterdam

With a population of 598.199, Rotterdam is the largest city in Zuid-Holland, Netherlands by the number of inhabitants. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country. We recommend you stay at least 3 days in order to fully appreciate everything Rotterdam has to offer.

Where to Eat in Rotterdam

If you’re looking for affordable options, What's Up India (Eendrachtsweg 27 B-BE) and Tulip Indian Restaurant (Jonker Fransstraat 237) are great picks.

When to visit Rotterdam

Rotterdam in January
Estimated hotel price
$117
1 night at 3-star hotel
Rotterdam in January
Estimated hotel price
$117
1 night at 3-star hotel

Looking for warm weather? Then head to Rotterdam in July, when the average temperature is 62.6 °F, and the highest can go up to 68 °F. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 33.8 °F, with an average temperature of 37.4 °F. You’re likely to see more rain in October, when precipitation is around 3.3″. In contrast, April is usually the driest month of the year in Rotterdam, with an average rainfall of 1.7″.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

How to Get to Rotterdam

Plane

When flying to Rotterdam, you’ll arrive at Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM), which is located 3 miles from the city center. The shortest flight to Rotterdam from the United States departs from Boston and takes around 16h.

Train

Eurostar is the most popular train carrier serving Rotterdam, followed by SNCF. The train journey from Rotterdam to Paris takes 2h 34m and costs around $121 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from London, expect to pay about $151 for a 3h 16m trip. Located 0.5 miles from the city center, Rotterdam Centraal is the busiest station in Rotterdam. Another popular train station is Rotterdam Zuidplein, located 3 miles from the center.

Car

Another option to get to Rotterdam is to pick up a car rental from Amsterdam, which is about 36 miles from Rotterdam. You’ll find branches of Alamo and Sixt, among others, in Amsterdam.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Rotterdam, including FlixBus, BlaBlaBus and Regiojet. From Amsterdam, the bus ride to Rotterdam takes 55 miles and will cost you around $9. From Brussels, the ticket costs about $8 for a journey of 105 miles. The most popular bus station is Rotterdam Zalmstraat, located 0.8 miles from downtown Rotterdam. Rotterdam Capelsebrug Metrostation is also a commonly used station, and is 3 miles from the city center.

Plane

When flying to Rotterdam, you’ll arrive at Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM), which is located 3 miles from the city center. The shortest flight to Rotterdam from the United States departs from Boston and takes around 16h.

Train

Eurostar is the most popular train carrier serving Rotterdam, followed by SNCF. The train journey from Rotterdam to Paris takes 2h 34m and costs around $121 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from London, expect to pay about $151 for a 3h 16m trip. Located 0.5 miles from the city center, Rotterdam Centraal is the busiest station in Rotterdam. Another popular train station is Rotterdam Zuidplein, located 3 miles from the center.

Car

Another option to get to Rotterdam is to pick up a car rental from Amsterdam, which is about 36 miles from Rotterdam. You’ll find branches of Alamo and Sixt, among others, in Amsterdam.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Rotterdam, including FlixBus, BlaBlaBus and Regiojet. From Amsterdam, the bus ride to Rotterdam takes 55 miles and will cost you around $9. From Brussels, the ticket costs about $8 for a journey of 105 miles. The most popular bus station is Rotterdam Zalmstraat, located 0.8 miles from downtown Rotterdam. Rotterdam Capelsebrug Metrostation is also a commonly used station, and is 3 miles from the city center.

Airports near Rotterdam

Airlines serving Rotterdam

Lufthansa
Good (4,680 reviews)
KLM
Good (846 reviews)
SWISS
Good (950 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,611 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (2,255 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,584 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (488 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,602 reviews)
Air France
Good (978 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,111 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,436 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,975 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,983 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (227 reviews)
Finnair
Good (856 reviews)
LOT
Good (677 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (811 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (930 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,167 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (837 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Rotterdam

Average rates range from around $126 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $161 and up for a 5-star experience. There are also lots of vacation rental options in Rotterdam, with prices from $9 to $537 per night. Feijenoord is the neighborhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, vacation rentals in Rotterdam are about 83% more expensive than a hotel room in the city.

Delfshaven - Hotel Baan, Hotel Milano and Le Petit Marin Boutique Hotel have some of the best reviews among hotels in this area. A 3-star room in Delfshaven will cost you about $84 per night.

Delfshaven - Hotel Baan, Hotel Milano and Le Petit Marin Boutique Hotel have some of the best reviews among hotels in this area. A 3-star room in Delfshaven will cost you about $84 per night.
Most popular hotel in Rotterdam by neighborhood

Where to stay in popular areas of Rotterdam

Most booked hotels in Rotterdam

The James Hotel Rotterdam
3 stars
Excellent (8.7, 8743 reviews)
$86+
Cityhub Rotterdam
2 stars
Excellent (8.7, 5362 reviews)
$56+
Art Hotel Rotterdam
4 stars
Excellent (8.7, 4604 reviews)
$91+
Westcord Hotel Delft
4 stars
Excellent (8.5, 1109 reviews)
$106+
nhow Rotterdam
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, 5801 reviews)
$117+
Hotel Royal Bridges
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, 2189 reviews)
$132+

Renting a car in Rotterdam

Renting a car in Rotterdam costs $54 per day, on average, or $161 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 1% cheaper than airport locations in Rotterdam.

Expect to pay $8.29 per gallon in Rotterdam (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $99.48 and $132.64. Economy (Hyundai i20 or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Rotterdam, while also 68% cheaper than other types, on average.

Renting a car in Rotterdam costs $54 per day, on average, or $161 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 1% cheaper than airport locations in Rotterdam.

Expect to pay $8.29 per gallon in Rotterdam (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $99.48 and $132.64. Economy (Hyundai i20 or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Rotterdam, while also 68% cheaper than other types, on average.