A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Arusha vs. Rotterdam for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Arusha or Rotterdam?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Arusha and Rotterdam can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Arusha or Rotterdam?

Arusha

Arusha is a city in East Africa's Tanzania, located at the base of volcanic Mt. Meru. It’s a gateway to safari destinations and to Africa’s highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, lying some 100 kilometers northeast. To the west lies Serengeti National Park, home to wildlife including lions, rhinoceros, giraffes and leopards. Annual migrations feature huge herds of wildebeests crossing its plains. Arusha is Tanzania’s gateway to the northern circuit of stellar national parks and the starting point of many a memorable safari. It’s also a large, sprawling city which offers a nice break from the rigors of life on the African road – it has excellent places to stay and eat and, for the most part, it’s lush and green and enjoys a temperate climate throughout the year. Arusha is a great destination, and you're sure to enjoy your time here, no matter what your interests are.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is the second largest city in the Netherlands and has the largest port in Europe. It's famously known as a city of architecture. In a few square kilometers of the city center you can get a complete overview of twentieth century architecture within Rotterdam.

Rotterdam is a very diverse, international, and hard working city. Nearly half of the city's population is not native to the Netherlands or have at least one parent from outside the country. Muslim's make up a significant portion of the population. Other area's represented include Cape Verde and the Dutch Antilles.

There's an air of optimism that permeates the entire city. There are frequent events, festivals and performances, making Rotterdam an enjoyable place to spend some time. Water is also an integral part of the city design.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Tanzania, The Best River Cruises from Amsterdam, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands.


Which place is cheaper, Rotterdam or Arusha?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Arusha is $189, while the average daily cost in Rotterdam is $222. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Arusha and Rotterdam in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Arusha $126
    Rotterdam $95
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Arusha $252
    Rotterdam $190
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Rotterdam

Looking for a hotel in Arusha or Rotterdam? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Arusha


Hotels in Rotterdam


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Arusha Hotel Prices and Rotterdam Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Arusha $13
    Rotterdam $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha

Also for Arusha, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Moshi - Arusha Transfer: $130
  • Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha City Private Transfer: $120
  • Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha City Center Transfer: $60
  • Kilimanjaro/Arusha Airport Transfers with Private Day Tours: $60
  • Kilimanjaro Airport and Arusha Private Transfer: $59
  • Arusha Airport & Hotel Transfers: $40
  • Arusha Airport and Hotel Transfer: $35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rotterdam

Also for Rotterdam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Rotterdam to Rotterdam Airport (RTM) - Departure Private Transfer: $71
  • Rotterdam to Amsterdam Airport(AMS) - Departure Private Transfer: $200
  • Rotterdam Private Transfer to Rotterdam Airport RTM in Sedan Car: $83
  • Rotterdam Private Transfer to Rotterdam Airport RTM by Luxury Van: $90
  • Rotterdam Airport(RTM) to Rotterdam - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $142
  • Rotterdam Airport RTM Private Transfer to Rotterdam by Luxury Van: $90
  • Rotterdam Airport (RTM) to Rotterdam - Arrival Private Transfer: $71
  • Rotterdam Airport (RTM) Private Transfer to Rotterdam/Amsterdam: $35
  • Private transfer: Rotterdam>Amsterdam, 2h Stop in De Haar Castle: $274
  • Private transfer from Rotterdam to Amsterdam, 2h Stop in Haarlem: $283
  • Private transfer from Rotterdam to Amsterdam, 2h Stop in Gouda: $264
  • Private transfer from Rotterdam cruise port to Schiphol Airport: $186

Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Rotterdam?

Prices for flights to both Rotterdam and Arusha change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Arusha $40
    Rotterdam $103
Typical Food Prices in Arusha

For Arusha, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • A Quick Lunch (for 2)
    $2.09

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arusha

For Arusha, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • NGO Lifted Strong - Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class: $50
  • Local Tanzanian Food Cooking Class by Kingstone Asilia (Arusha): $55
  • Homestay + Cooking + Animal Care + Fruit Harvesting + Much More: $195

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rotterdam

For Rotterdam, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Pizza Cruise: $46
  • Rotterdam Food Tour: Taste The Alternative Side Of The City: $79
  • Guided Food Tour: $80
  • Iconic Rotterdam Food Tour: 7 Local Dishes with a Guide: $85
  • Historic Delfshaven: Lunch or Dinner with a Private Chef: $87
  • Food Tour by Bike: $104
  • Guided Walking Food Tour: $104
  • Rotterdam Walking Food Tour with 7 Delicious Tastings: $105
  • Biking Rotterdam Food Tour with Local Guide: $117
  • Private Walking Food Tour of Rotterdam: $130
  • Private Food Tour in Rotterdam Taste the Future: $147
  • Rotterdam Private 2-Hour Food Tour with Tastings: $175

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Arusha $44
    Rotterdam $37

Tours and Activities in Arusha

For Arusha, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 1 Day Tour Hot Spring (Majimoto): $80
  • 1 Day trip to Materuni Waterfalls & Coffee Tour: $127
  • 1-Day Trip Tarangire N.P Small group Tour Tanzania sharing Safari: $270
  • 4 Hours Cycling Tour in Shimo La Mungu Crater: $50
  • 8-Hour Lake Chala Guided Tour from Moshi or Arusha: $260
  • A Day at Materuni Waterfalls and Coffee Tour in Mt Kilimanjaro: $160
  • Amazing Lake Duluti Day Trip Experience: $70
  • Arusha African Shopping Tour: $100
  • Arusha Bike Town Tour Experience: $55
  • Arusha City Culture and Historical Walking Tour: $40
  • Arusha City Tour: Where Continents Collide & Cultures Dance: $30
  • Arusha City town tour: $101

Tours and Activities in Rotterdam

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rotterdam.

  • "Remastered" Audiovisual Experience in Rotterdam: $31
  • 2-Hour Walking Tour in Gouda All inclusive: $21
  • All Inclusive, Private Tour Rotterdam + Euromast 360º view: $195
  • All-Inclusive Private Windmill Tour to Kinderdijk from Rotterdam: $224
  • Art and Architecture Walking Tour in Rotterdam - guided by Architects: $71
  • Best Intro Tour of Rotterdam with a Local: $164
  • Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $48
  • Best of small-group walking tour: $23
  • Boat & Beer Walking Tour: $117
  • Bonton Male Dance Show Evening Ticket: $58
  • Breda Fun Puzzle Quest: True Lord Self-Guided Tour: $5.59
  • Cruise Terminal Private Tour by Luxury Van: $346

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Arusha $10
    Rotterdam $22

Sample the Local Flavors in Rotterdam

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rotterdam:

  • Beer Brewery 'Noordt' Beer Tasting: $9.31
  • Brewery Noordt Tour Including Two Beers: $20
  • Stadshaven Brewery Tour with Beer Tastings: $26
  • The Ultimate Rotterdam Bar Crawl Experience: $41
  • Ludwig's Original Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $52
  • Ludwig's Private Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $576


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arusha and Rotterdam, we can see that Rotterdam is more expensive. And not only is Arusha much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Arusha is in Africa and Rotterdam is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Arusha would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Arusha and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Rotterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rotterdam than you might in Arusha.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arusha Expensive? and Is Rotterdam Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Arusha or Rotterdam?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 75% larger than the population of Arusha. When comparing the sizes of Arusha and Rotterdam, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.