City in South Holland, Netherlands
Rotterdam
Dutch port city of bold architecture, food halls and street art, cheaper and less crowded than Amsterdam. Flat, bikeable and international; the center is modern rather than pretty.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$3,150–4,390Comfortable, one person · €2,800–3,900Details
- Value for money11/100Better value than 10% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–SepWarmest: Aug, 21°CDetails
- Air quality15 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2013) · ModerateDetails
- Internet226 MbpsFixed broadband, Netherlands medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableExcellent tap water; free refill points at many stations and squares.Details
- LGBTQ+5/5Very welcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$56–113Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardPractically cashlessCards and contactless are accepted almost everywhere; some places and ticket machines refuse cash.Details
Where to stay in Rotterdam
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Witte de With / Cool | Bars, galleries and central nightlife |
| Kop van Zuid | Skyline views, Erasmus Bridge, quieter apartments |
| Delfshaven | Old harbour, cafés and calm streets |
| Kralingen | Students, park, lake and cheaper rooms |
| Katendrecht | Hip food scene, Fenix Food Factory |
Apps that work in Rotterdam
Ride-hailing
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Thuisbezorgd.nl | Widest restaurant choice; works in English |
| Uber Eats | Good coverage in the larger cities |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- NS: Train times, tickets and disruptions
- 9292: Door-to-door public transport planner
- Taxis: Taxis are metered and expensive; Uber is usually cheaper. Trams and metro cover most trips until late.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Netherlands.
- Practically cashless Cards and contactless are accepted almost everywhere; some places and ticket machines refuse cash. A debit card is enough, but credit cards are not always taken.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Geldmaat machines are the standard bank ATMs; avoid Euronet's fees and always decline currency conversion.
- Tipping: Service is included; rounding up or 5–10% for good service is appreciated, not expected.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work almost everywhere; Tikkie and iDEAL need a Dutch bank account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen rules: 90 days in any 180 across the whole area; days spent in other Schengen countries count.
- The EU Entry/Exit System is live: non-EU visitors register fingerprints and a face photo at first entry, so expect longer queues.
- ETIAS (a €20 online pre-travel authorisation) is not required yet; its start has been delayed, so check before travel.
Emergency numbers
Police 112 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid SIMs from carrier shops, supermarkets and kiosks, including Lebara and Lycamobile. EU SIMs roam at home rates. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Netherlands
Going to Rotterdam solo?
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Sources
- RET Rotterdam public transport
- Rotterdam The Hague Airport
- Rotterdam Tourist Information
- NS Dutch Railways
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.