Which place is cheaper, Amsterdam or Rotterdam?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Rotterdam and Amsterdam. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
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. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.
Amsterdam is a laid-back, scenic, and historic city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Amsterdam than Rotterdam, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Amsterdam is more popular for its museums, nightlife, music, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Rotterdam is known for its food. Amsterdam is more touristy than Rotterdam and is popular for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. It is also home to The Rijksmuseum. Rotterdam is popular for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam. The city has a number of sights and museums including the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Royal Palace. The world renowned Rijksmuseum is a must see for any art enthusiast. There are also many smaller, lesser known museums that are well worth a visit.
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.
Rotterdam is a nice place to visit for its restaurant scene. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.
Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Rotterdam. The city's restaurant scene is diverse. There are ethnic restaurants, vegan restaurants, local restaurants, and some popular chains.
Amsterdam may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Food is expensive in this city, particularly in the touristy areas. There are some markets that sell great local items and the dessert cafes are awesome!
Amsterdam is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for nightlife.
Amsterdam has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The city has some of the best nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of bars, dance clubs, and other activities that you can enjoy throughout the night.
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.
Amsterdam is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. However, Rotterdam is not a live music destination.
Amsterdam has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.
Rotterdam is not a live music destination.
Amsterdam is great for its historic old town charm. However, Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.
There are many historical things to see in the old town of Amsterdam. The old city center is one of the best preserved in Europe. It's enclosed by canals and has many historic churches, plazas, and buildings.
Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.
If you're looking to go shopping, Rotterdam and Amsterdam both offer plenty of great spots.
Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.
Amsterdam is an extremely popular place for shoppers. For the best shopping in town, head to the Nine Streets area in the historic district and the two main shopping streets of The Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat.
Rotterdam is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.
Rotterdam is a very kid-friendly port city. Fun activities for kids include Miniworld Rotterdam, the Kids Marina, and Fun Forest, which has ziplines and a ropes course.
For families, Amsterdam is not always the best place to visit. The city does it's share of partying, and there are some areas, like the red light district, that aren't exactly kid-friendly, but there are some nice parks, playgrounds, and the impressive NEMO Science Museum that you can explore.
Amsterdam is great for couples. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for romance.
Amsterdam is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. For many, a visit to this city is all about the party, but for couples who enjoy history, architecture, or boat rides along the scenic canals, the city also makes a great getaway. It's also fun to stay in a houseboat and have a unique experience.
Rotterdam is a nice destination for couples. It is a modern city with good restaurants and some fun activities.
Amsterdam is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for backpackers.
A large number of backpackers visit Amsterdam, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. With it's party-hard personality and countless low price hostels, this city attracts its share of backpackers. Do note that many of the hostels aren't focused on quality, so make sure you understand what you're paying for. It may be worth booking a slightly more expensive room in a hotel.
Plenty of budget travelers visit Rotterdam. There are a number of hostels around town as well as a good nightlife that appeals to backpackers.
Rotterdam is well known for students. However, Amsterdam is not popular with students.
Rotterdam is a great port city to visit as a student. The city has a great job market and a lot of activities that appeal to international students.
Amsterdam is not popular with students.
Amsterdam is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its public transit.
Public transit in Amsterdam is top-notch. The city has metros, trams, buses, and ferries that help you get around. Since this is the Netherlands, getting around by bike is very popular.
Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Rotterdam. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.
Amsterdam is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its walkability.
Amsterdam is a very easy city to get around on foot. The historic parts of the city are very walkable and much of the city is best explored on foot.
Rotterdam is very walkable. There are broad streets with wide sidewalks that are pedestrian friendly.
For even more information, also check out Is Rotterdam Worth Visiting? and Is Amsterdam Worth Visiting?.
Both Rotterdam and Amsterdam have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Amsterdam than in Rotterdam. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Rotterdam, and 2-7 days is enough time in Amsterdam.
Families should spend more time in Rotterdam than Amsterdam. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Rotterdam, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Amsterdam than Rotterdam. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Amsterdam that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam.
People visit Rotterdam because there is so much to do. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Rotterdam has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Amsterdam. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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.
People visit Rotterdam because there is so much to do. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this port city has to offer. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
You'll find museums and nightlife around the canal-lined big city of Amsterdam. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.
Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the high energy port city of Rotterdam. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
You'll find nightlife and live music around the canal-lined city of Amsterdam. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.
Rotterdam is a popular choice for travelers. 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.
Amsterdam is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Amsterdam, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best River Cruises from Amsterdam, The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands, The Best Luxury Tours to Netherlands, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Netherlands.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Rotterdam is €152, while the average daily cost in Amsterdam is €175. 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 Rotterdam and Amsterdam in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Rotterdam or Amsterdam? 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.
Also for Rotterdam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amsterdam:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Amsterdam:
Prices for flights to both Amsterdam and Rotterdam 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.
For Rotterdam, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Amsterdam:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Amsterdam.
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rotterdam.
Here are a few typical costs in Amsterdam for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Amsterdam for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rotterdam:
Also in Amsterdam, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When comparing the travel costs between Rotterdam and Amsterdam, we can see that Amsterdam is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rotterdam Expensive? and Is Amsterdam Expensive?.
Amsterdam has a larger population, and is about 24% larger than the population of Rotterdam. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam and Amsterdam, 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.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Amsterdam. Many visitors come to Rotterdam in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Amsterdam for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Rotterdam is generally around the same temperature as Amsterdam. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 17°C (62°F), and Amsterdam fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Amsterdam. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rotterdam this time of the year. In the summer, Rotterdam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Amsterdam. Rotterdam gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amsterdam receives 204 hours of full sun.
Rotterdam usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Amsterdam. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Amsterdam and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Rotterdam for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Rotterdam is around the same temperature as Amsterdam in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Amsterdam fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Rotterdam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Amsterdam during autumn. Rotterdam gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Amsterdam receives 99 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Rotterdam usually receives around the same amount of rain as Amsterdam. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Amsterdam and Rotterdam during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year.
It's quite cold in Amsterdam in the winter. The weather in Rotterdam can be very cold. In the winter, Rotterdam is around the same temperature as Amsterdam. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rotterdam in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Amsterdam averages at about 2°C (36°F).
In the winter, Rotterdam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Amsterdam. Rotterdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amsterdam receives 46 hours of full sun.
Rotterdam usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Amsterdam. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Amsterdam. The activities around the city are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Amsterdam for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Rotterdam is generally around the same temperature as Amsterdam. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 8°C (46°F), and Amsterdam fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
Rotterdam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Amsterdam during spring. Rotterdam gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Amsterdam receives 166 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Rotterdam usually receives around the same amount of rain as Amsterdam. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Rotterdam | Amsterdam | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 2°C (36°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
May | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
Nov | 6°C (43°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
Dec | 3°C (38°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |