Which place is cheaper, Rotterdam or Karachi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Karachi or Rotterdam?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Karachi or Rotterdam? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Karachi or Rotterdam?
Karachi
Karachi is the capital of the Pakistani province of Sindh. It is the most populous city in Pakistan, and sixth most populous city proper in the world. Karachi, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, is the financial and commercial center of the nation, as well as its largest port. The pace of life here is more hurried, and social attitudes are far more liberal than elsewhere in Pakistan. Locals call it the City of Lights, the City of The Quaid, and the City that Never Sleeps. The city credits its growth to the mixed populations of economic and political migrants along with refugees from different national, provincial, linguistic and religious origins, who generally come to the city to settle permanently.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Pakistan, The Best Historical Tours in Pakistan, The Best River Cruises from Amsterdam, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKarachi $26Rotterdam $162
The average daily cost (per person) in Karachi is $26, while the average daily cost in Rotterdam is $162. 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 Karachi and Rotterdam in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKarachi $11Rotterdam $82
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKarachi $22Rotterdam $164
Compare Hotels in Karachi and Rotterdam
Looking for a hotel in Karachi 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.
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: Karachi Hotel Prices and Rotterdam Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Karachi $4.58Rotterdam $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rotterdam
Also for Rotterdam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Rotterdam Airport (RTM) to Rotterdam - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam hotels to Rotterdam Cruise Port : $38
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Cruise Port to Rotterdam hotels: $38
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Port to Rotterdam Airport (RTM): $38
- Rotterdam to Rotterdam Airport (RTM) - Departure Private Transfer: $38
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Cruise Port to Rotterdam hotels: $60
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Airport (RTM) to IJmuiden Port: $61
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam hotels to Rotterdam Cruise Port: $61
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Port to Amsterdam Airport (AMS): $66
- Rotterdam Airport RTM Private Transfer to Rotterdam in Sedan Car: $77
- Rotterdam Private Transfer to Rotterdam Airport RTM in Sedan Car: $81
- Rotterdam Airport RTM Private Transfer to Rotterdam by Luxury Van: $83
Is it cheaper to fly into Karachi or Rotterdam?
Prices for flights to both Rotterdam and Karachi 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
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Food Meals for one dayKarachi $11Rotterdam $58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Karachi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Karachi.
- Private Karachi Street Food Tour: $94
- Half-Day Karachi Burns Road Private Victoria Ride with Dinner: $100
- Street Food Tour of Karachi: $199
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rotterdam
For Rotterdam, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Self-Guided Rotterdam BiteMe Food Tour: $43
- 4-Hour Food Tour - Self-guided: $48
- Guided Food Tour: $80
- Guided Walking Food Tour: $85
- Biking Rotterdam Food Tour with Local Guide: $86
- Walking Rotterdam Food Tour: $86
- WALKING DINNER ROTTERDAM | 3 courses + 3 drinks and a lot of fun: $87
- Food Tour by Bike: $91
- Private Walking Food Tour of Rotterdam: $120
- Rotterdam Walking Dutch Food Tour: $153
- Rotterdam Private 2-Hour Food Tour with Tastings: $161
- Private Multicultural Bike Food Tour: $274
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Karachi $5.07Rotterdam $34
Tours and Activities in Karachi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Karachi are as follows:
- Experience local village life in Sindh: $200
- Full Day Private Tour in Karachi City: $162
- Full Day Private Tour to Mohatta Palace Zainab and Burns road: $196
- Karachi City Tour : $129
- Karachi Sightseeing Private tour: $159
- UNESCO World Heritage Tour Near Karachi : $150
Tours and Activities in Rotterdam
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rotterdam.
- Hightlights City Centre Walking Tour: $1.08
- 2 hour Guided Walking Tour Rotterdam: $3.23
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Rotterdam Spanish Tour 2 Hours: $3.27
- Rotterdam Walking Tour in 2 Hours : $3.27
- Escape Game and Tour: $4.31
- Rotterdam Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.56
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $7.00
- Breda: Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $7.29
- Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $7.29
- Dordrecht: Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $7.31
- Rotterdam Walking Audio Tour on Your Phone (ENG): $7.65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKarachi $3.35Rotterdam $20
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 Tastings with Optional Tour: $8.07
- Heineken Building former brewery | Guided Tour: $8.07
- Stadshaven Brewery Tour with Beer Tastings: $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Karachi and Rotterdam, we can see that Rotterdam is more expensive. And not only is Karachi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Karachi is in Asia 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 Karachi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Karachi 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 Karachi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Karachi Expensive? and Is Rotterdam Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Karachi or Rotterdam?
Karachi has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Rotterdam. When comparing the sizes of Karachi 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 Karachi or Rotterdam?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Karachi or Rotterdam in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Karachi as well as Rotterdam. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Karachi is generally much warmer than Rotterdam. Daily temperatures in Karachi average around 30°C (86°F), and Rotterdam fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rotterdam. In the summer, Karachi often gets less sunshine than Rotterdam. Karachi gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rotterdam receives 202 hours of full sun.
Karachi usually gets less rain in July than Rotterdam. Karachi gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKarachi 30°C (86°F)Rotterdam 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Rotterdam in the Autumn?
Both Rotterdam and Karachi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year.
Karachi is much warmer than Rotterdam in the autumn. The daily temperature in Karachi averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Rotterdam fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Karachi. Karachi usually receives more sunshine than Rotterdam during autumn. Karachi gets 284 hours of sunny skies, while Rotterdam receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Karachi usually receives less rain than Rotterdam. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKarachi 29°C (84°F)Rotterdam 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Rotterdam in the Winter?
Both Rotterdam and Karachi during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rotterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Rotterdam. In the winter, Karachi is much warmer than Rotterdam. Typically, the winter temperatures in Karachi in January average around 19°C (66°F), and Rotterdam averages at about 2°C (36°F).
It's quite sunny in Karachi. In the winter, Karachi often gets more sunshine than Rotterdam. Karachi gets 271 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rotterdam receives 47 hours of full sun.
Karachi usually gets less rain in January than Rotterdam. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKarachi 19°C (66°F)Rotterdam 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Rotterdam in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Karachi and Rotterdam. Furthermore, many visitors come to Rotterdam in the spring for the activities around the city.
In April, Karachi is generally much warmer than Rotterdam. Daily temperatures in Karachi average around 29°C (84°F), and Rotterdam fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
In Karachi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Karachi usually receives more sunshine than Rotterdam during spring. Karachi gets 277 hours of sunny skies, while Rotterdam receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Karachi usually receives less rain than Rotterdam. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKarachi 29°C (84°F)Rotterdam 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Rotterdam and Karachi
| Karachi | Rotterdam | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.