A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Auckland vs. Rotterdam for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Auckland or Rotterdam?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Auckland and Rotterdam can help you decide which place is right for you.

Auckland

Auckland is a cosmopolitan , adventurous, and adrenaline-filled city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Auckland travel costs.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a trendy, high energy, and modern port city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Rotterdam travel costs.

Auckland and Rotterdam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Auckland or Rotterdam?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Auckland than Rotterdam. While Rotterdam is larger than Auckland, Auckland has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Auckland is more touristy than Rotterdam and is known for its waterfront setting, diverse beaches, and active and adrenaline-filled environment. It is also home to the Sky Tower. Rotterdam is popular for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall.

How is Auckland different from Rotterdam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Rotterdam and Auckland. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Auckland or Rotterdam?

Auckland is great for its historical sights. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Auckland. The waterfront is filled with sights for tourists, and many of the city's attractions are geared towards thrill seekers. The Sky Tower is a popular landmark with its Sky Walk and Sky Jump. There are also many thrilling experiences that you can have along the Harbour Bridge. For museums, head to the New Zealand Maritime Museum, the Auckland Art Gallery, or the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Rotterdam is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Although many of the historic buildings around town were destroyed during World War II, there are still a number of sights worth checking out. Head to the Old Harbor and Marine Museums, the Museum Boijmans-van Beuningen, or the Wereldmuseum to see some interesting places.

Is the Food Better in Auckland or Rotterdam? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Auckland and Rotterdam offer a number of high quality restaurants to choose from.

Auckland has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city has a diverse selection of restaurants, but you'll also find many places that highlight local ingredients such as seafood and lamb. You'll often find the standard dishes such as fish and chips, oysters, and green-lipped mussels on the menus.

Dining out in Rotterdam is an experience not to be missed. The city's restaurant scene is diverse. There are ethnic restaurants, vegan restaurants, local restaurants, and some popular chains. The city is also known for its food halls, which provide a variety of gourmet flavors from around the globe.

Is Auckland or Rotterdam Better for Nightlife?

Both Auckland and Rotterdam have high quality vibes after the sun sets.

Auckland has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city has a cosmopolitan atmosphere and there are many bars and clubs that you can explore in the evening. Some of the best nightlife options are found in the vibrant Britomart precinct and around the trendy Ponsonby Road. Other popular areas include Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter.

The people in Rotterdam know how to have a good time. It is a trendy city with an active nightlife. You can relax with a beer or hit up one of the clubs around town. Popular options are Club Vibes, Toffler, and Club Vie.

Is Auckland or Rotterdam Better for Beaches?

Auckland is great for the beach. However, Rotterdam is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Auckland for it's beautiful beaches. You don't have to head too far from the city to find some impressive beaches that are diverse and beautiful. There are beaches that are secluded and private as well as more lively beaches with all of the amenities and activities that you might want.

Rotterdam is not a beach destination.

Is Auckland or Rotterdam Better for Hiking?

Auckland is a good destination for hiking. However, Rotterdam is not a hiking destination.

Auckland offers some nice hiking trails. Locals love to get outdoors, and you'll find many local hikes in the area. There are easy paths that are family-friendly and perfect for a stroll, as well as longer stretches that present more of a challenge.

Rotterdam is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Auckland or Rotterdam?

Shoppers can find a variety of high quality stores in both Auckland and Rotterdam.

Auckland is well-known for its shopping. The city centre is cosmopolitan and full of diverse shopping venues that sell international brands as well as local designers. Some of the most popular shopping areas are Britomart, High Street, and Queen Street.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Rotterdam. You'll find fashion and clothing shops in the area around Lijnbaan and Beurstraverse. This is also where you'll find the shopping mall of Bijenkorf.

Is Auckland or Rotterdam Better for Families?

You'll find high quality kid-friendly activities in either Auckland or Rotterdam.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Auckland is very family-friendly. There's a big focus on getting kids outside in the city, so you'll find many outdoor parks and play spaces. Popular activities for families include visiting the Huia Lodge Discovery Centre, going to the Museum of Transport and Technology, and wandering through the botanical garden.

Rotterdam is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Fun activities for kids include Miniworld Rotterdam, the Kids Marina, and Fun Forest, which has ziplines and a ropes course.

Is Auckland or Rotterdam Better for Couples?

Auckland is great for couples. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for romance.

Auckland is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There are many romantic restaurants in the city, as well as spas, cocktail bars, and evening venues. Couples will also enjoy one of the many thrill-seeking activities that New Zealand is famous for.

Rotterdam is a nice destination for couples. It is a modern city with good restaurants and some fun activities.

Is Auckland or Rotterdam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Auckland is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Auckland. Auckland is high on many backpackers' wish list, and usually they pass through the city at some point during their trip. You'll find a number of hostels in the city that are perfect for socializing and saving money.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Rotterdam. There are a number of hostels around town as well as a good nightlife that appeals to backpackers.

Is Auckland or Rotterdam Better for Students?

Both Auckland and Rotterdam are high quality destinations for students.

Auckland is very popular with students. Some of the country's best universities are found in the city, many of which are popular with international students.

Rotterdam is a great city to visit as a student. The city has a great job market and a lot of activities that appeal to international students.

Is Auckland or Rotterdam Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Rotterdam is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Auckland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Rotterdam can get you around easily. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

You'll find some public transit in Auckland, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a mishmash of different public transit options, and trips often include a variety of modes of transport. In the city you'll find ferries, trains, and buses to help you get around.

Is Auckland or Rotterdam a more walkable city?

Rotterdam is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Auckland is lacking in options for its ease of walking around.

Rotterdam is a very walkable port city. There are broad streets with wide sidewalks that are pedestrian friendly.

Auckland is generally not very walkable. It is a very car-centric city and it can be challenging to explore on foot alone.

For even more information, also check out Is Auckland Worth Visiting? and Is Rotterdam Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rotterdam or Auckland?

How long in Auckland or Rotterdam?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Auckland and Rotterdam. In our opinion, Auckland has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Auckland than Rotterdam. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Auckland, and 1-3 days is enough time in Rotterdam.

Families should spend more time in Auckland than Rotterdam. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Auckland, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Auckland than Rotterdam. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Auckland that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Auckland than Rotterdam if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Auckland.

One day in Auckland or Rotterdam?

People visit Auckland because there is so much to do. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The port city of Rotterdam offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Auckland or Rotterdam?

People visit Auckland because there is so much to do. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Rotterdam is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this port city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Rotterdam, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Auckland or Rotterdam?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cosmopolitan city of Auckland. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Rotterdam is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Auckland or Rotterdam?

Auckland is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Rotterdam is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This port city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand, The Best River Cruises from Amsterdam, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Auckland and Rotterdam, we can see that Rotterdam is more expensive. And not only is Auckland much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Auckland is in Pacific 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 Auckland would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Auckland 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 Auckland.

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

Which is Bigger, Auckland or Rotterdam?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 43% larger than the population of Auckland. When comparing the sizes of Auckland 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.

When is the best time to visit Auckland or Rotterdam?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Auckland is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Rotterdam has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Auckland or Rotterdam in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Auckland and Rotterdam. Many visitors come to Auckland in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Rotterdam for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Auckland is a little warmer than Rotterdam. Typically, the summer temperatures in Auckland in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Rotterdam averages at about 17°C (62°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rotterdam this time of the year. In Auckland, it's very sunny this time of the year. Auckland usually receives more sunshine than Rotterdam during summer. Auckland gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Rotterdam receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Auckland usually receives less rain than Rotterdamin July. Auckland gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Auckland or Rotterdam in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Auckland as well as Rotterdam. Most visitors come to Auckland for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In April, Auckland is generally much warmer than Rotterdamin October. Daily temperatures in Auckland average around 16°C (61°F), and Rotterdam fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Auckland often gets more sunshine than Rotterdamin October. Auckland gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rotterdam receives 105 hours of full sun.

Auckland usually gets more rain in April than Rotterdamin October. Auckland gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Auckland or Rotterdam in the Winter?

Both Rotterdam and Auckland are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Auckland because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year.

It's quite cold in Rotterdam in the winter. Auckland is much warmer than Rotterdam in the winter. The daily temperature in Auckland averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Rotterdam fluctuates around 2°C (36°F)in January.

Auckland usually receives more sunshine than Rotterdam during winter. Auckland gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Rotterdam receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Auckland. In July, Auckland usually receives more rain than Rotterdamin January. Auckland gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Auckland or Rotterdam in the Spring?

Both Rotterdam and Auckland during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Auckland this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rotterdam for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Auckland is much warmer than Rotterdam. Typically, the spring temperatures in Auckland in October average around 14°C (58°F), and Rotterdam averages at about 8°C (46°F)in April.

In the spring, Auckland often gets more sunshine than Rotterdamin April. Auckland gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rotterdam receives 158 hours of full sun.

Auckland usually gets more rain in October than Rotterdamin April. Auckland gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rotterdam and Auckland