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

Should you visit Brisbane 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 Brisbane and Rotterdam can help you decide which place is right for you.

Brisbane

Brisbane is a diverse, cultural, and active coastal city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a high energy, modern, and trendy port 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.

Brisbane and Rotterdam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Brisbane or Rotterdam?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Brisbane than Rotterdam. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Brisbane is very popular for its museums, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Rotterdam attracts visitors for its big city activities. Brisbane is more touristy than Rotterdam and is known for its sports culture, beautiful weather, and outdoor areas. It is also well known for the Cultural Centre. Rotterdam is famous for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall.

How is Brisbane different from Rotterdam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Brisbane 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 Brisbane. The Cultural Centre is where you'll find many of the city's museums. It sits on the banks of the Brisbane River and is home to the State Library of Queensland, the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, and Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art. This is also where you'll find the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Also popular is the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and the Wheel of Brisbane.

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 Brisbane or Rotterdam? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Brisbane and Rotterdam can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

Brisbane is becoming an appealing option for foodies. You'll find all of the standard eateries around town, with casual cafes, family-friendly restaurants, and some fine dining experiences to choose from.

Rotterdam offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city's restaurant scene is diverse. There are ethnic restaurants, vegan restaurants, local restaurants, and some popular chains.

Is Brisbane or Rotterdam Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is high quality in both Brisbane and Rotterdam.

Many people head to Brisbane for the nightlife scene. Fortitude Valley is the entertainment district in the city, and it really comes to life at night. There are also many venues that take advantage of the beautiful weather with outdoor and rooftop bars.

Rotterdam has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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 Brisbane or Rotterdam Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Brisbane is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Rotterdam is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Brisbane. There are some good snorkeling and diving spots near the city. One of the best is the Tangalooma Wrecks off Moreton Island.

Rotterdam is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Brisbane or Rotterdam Better for Beaches?

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

Many people visit Brisbane for it's beautiful beaches. For the best beaches, you'll want to take a day trip out of town, but there are also some nice beaches right by the city. About 30 minutes from town is family-friend Suttons Beach, or you can stay in the city center and check out the man-made Streets Beach. Shorncliffe Beach is another option that's less than a half hour from town.

Rotterdam is not a beach destination.

Is Brisbane or Rotterdam Better for Hiking?

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

Brisbane offers some nice hiking trails. There are a number of hikes outside of town that you can enjoy as a day trip. Check out the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, Keperra Bushland Reserve, or D'Aguilar National Park to the north of town. To the south is Toohey Forest Park, Springwood Conservation Park , and Venmans Bushland National Park.

Rotterdam is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Brisbane or Rotterdam?

If you're looking to go shopping, Brisbane and Rotterdam both offer plenty of high quality spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Brisbane. It's one of the most popular cities for retail therapy in Queensland. Queen Street Mall is an open air shopping mall and James Street is a favorite shopping street in town.

Rotterdam is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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 Brisbane or Rotterdam Better for Families?

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

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Brisbane. Kids will love a visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary or White Ridge Farm. And, of course, you should take a ride on the iconic Wheel of Brisbane. If you're willing to head out of town you can visit the fun Tangalooma Island Resort. Streets Beach is also fun to visit.

Rotterdam is 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 Brisbane or Rotterdam Better for Couples?

Both Brisbane and Rotterdam are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Brisbane is a good coastal city for couples to visit. The waterfront setting and romantic restaurants offer a nice getaway for couples. There are many outdoor spaces that are fun to explore as well.

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

Is Brisbane or Rotterdam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Brisbane 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 Brisbane. Many backpackers breeze through Brisbane in favor of other nearby destinations, but there are actually a number of hostels in town and some interesting things to do.

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 Brisbane or Rotterdam Better for Students?

For students, both Brisbane and Rotterdam are high quality places to visit.

Brisbane is very popular with students. Many students appreciate the local vibe, warm weather, and excellent education opportunities that the city offers.

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

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

Rotterdam is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its public transit.

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

Brisbane has a few public transit options. There are buses, trains, and ferries around town, but many people prefer to have their own vehicle. Ferries are the most fun and scenic way to get around.

Is Brisbane or Rotterdam a more walkable city?

Brisbane and Rotterdam are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Brisbane is a very walkable destination. There's a good network of paths that make parts of the city walkable.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Rotterdam or Brisbane?

How long in Brisbane or Rotterdam?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Brisbane 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 Brisbane.

One day in Brisbane or Rotterdam?

You'll find nightlife and food around the coastal city of Brisbane. 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.

Rotterdam is a big city with plenty to do. 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 Brisbane or Rotterdam?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the diverse destination of Brisbane. 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 coastal city has to offer. This coastal 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 Brisbane or Rotterdam?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the diverse coastal city of Brisbane. 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 Brisbane or Rotterdam?

Brisbane 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 Luxury Tours to Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, The Best River Cruises from Amsterdam, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Brisbane or Rotterdam?

Brisbane has a larger population, and is about 60% larger than the population of Rotterdam. When comparing the sizes of Brisbane 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 Brisbane or Rotterdam?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Brisbane 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 Brisbane or Rotterdam in the Summer?

Both Rotterdam and Brisbane are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Brisbane in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Rotterdam for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Brisbane is much warmer than Rotterdam in the summer. The daily temperature in Brisbane averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Rotterdam fluctuates around 17°C (62°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Rotterdam. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. Brisbane usually receives more sunshine than Rotterdam during summer. Brisbane gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Rotterdam receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Brisbane. In January, Brisbane usually receives more rain than Rotterdamin July. Brisbane gets 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Brisbane or Rotterdam in the Autumn?

Both Rotterdam and Brisbane during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Brisbane for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Brisbane is much warmer than Rotterdam. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Brisbane in April average around 22°C (71°F), and Rotterdam averages at about 11°C (51°F)in October.

It's quite sunny in Brisbane. In the autumn, Brisbane often gets more sunshine than Rotterdamin October. Brisbane gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rotterdam receives 105 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. Brisbane usually gets more rain in April than Rotterdamin October. Brisbane gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brisbane or Rotterdam in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Brisbane and Rotterdam. The winter months attract visitors to Brisbane 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. In July, Brisbane is generally much warmer than Rotterdamin January. Daily temperatures in Brisbane average around 15°C (59°F), and Rotterdam fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In Brisbane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Brisbane usually receives more sunshine than Rotterdam during winter. Brisbane gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Rotterdam receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Brisbane usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rotterdamin January. Brisbane gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Brisbane or Rotterdam in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Brisbane as well as Rotterdam. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Brisbane this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rotterdam for the activities around the city.

Brisbane is much warmer than Rotterdam in the spring. The daily temperature in Brisbane averages around 21°C (69°F) in October, and Rotterdam fluctuates around 8°C (46°F)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Brisbane this time of the year. In the spring, Brisbane often gets more sunshine than Rotterdamin April. Brisbane gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rotterdam receives 158 hours of full sun.

Brisbane usually gets more rain in October than Rotterdamin April. Brisbane gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rotterdam and Brisbane