Which place is cheaper, Gdansk or Rotterdam?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Rotterdam or Gdansk?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Rotterdam and Gdansk. 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.
Where Should I go: Rotterdam or Gdansk?
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.
Gdansk
Gdansk is the capital and largest city of the Pomeranian Voivodeship in northern Poland. The port dates back a thousand years and was an influential city in the Hanseatic League during the Middle Ages. The city was essentially destroyed during World War II but has rebuilt into one of Europe's most beautiful port cities. The city now has a population of around 460,000 and is a popular tourist destination for visitors from around the globe. It is known for its impressive city center, its great museums, and its beaches that line the coast of the Gulf of Gdansk. In particular, it is a popular summer destination.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best River Cruises from Amsterdam, The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands, The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRotterdam €152Gdansk €51
The average daily cost (per person) in Rotterdam is €152, while the average daily cost in Gdansk is €51. 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 Gdansk in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRotterdam €77Gdansk €25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRotterdam €154Gdansk €50
Compare Hotels in Rotterdam and Gdansk
Looking for a hotel in Rotterdam or Gdansk? 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: Rotterdam Hotel Prices and Gdansk Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rotterdam €26Gdansk €7.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rotterdam
Also for Rotterdam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Amsterdam Schiphol Airport(AMS) to Rotterdam- Round-Trip Transfer: $131
- Private Direct Transfer from Rotterdam to Amsterdam: $169
- Private Minivan Transfer from Rotterdam: $295
- Private Minivan Transfer from Rotterdam : $273
- Private Rotterdam Cruise Port Departure Transfer to AMS Schiphol Airport : $164
- Private Rotterdam Cruise Port Departure Transfer to Amsterdam: $169
- Private Transfer From Rotterdam to Amsterdam, With a 2 Hour Stop: $240
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Airport (RTM) to IJmuiden Port: $61
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam City to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport: $208
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Cruise Port to Amsterdam hotels: $98
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Cruise Port to Rotterdam hotels: $38
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Cruise Port to Rotterdam hotels: $60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gdansk
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Gdansk:
- Transfer from Gdansk, Airport Gdansk to Torun: $291
- Taxi Transfer from Gdańsk airport to Toruń: $268
- Private Gdansk Transfer from Sopot: $267
- Warsaw/Deluxe Private Transfer Service: $248
- Taxi Transfer from Gdańsk airport to Bydgoszcz: $240
- Transfer from Gdańsk airport to Toruń: $219
- Private Transfer to/from Poznan: $211
- Private Transfer from Gdansk (GDN) Airport to Grudziadz city: $210
- From Stutthof Concentration Camp Tour with Transfer: $192
- Transfer from Gdansk or Airport Gdansk to Slupsk: $189
- Private Transfer from Gdansk (GDN) Airport to Łeba city: $188
- Private Transfer from Gdansk or Airport Gdansk GDN to Kwidzyn: $182
Is it cheaper to fly into Rotterdam or Gdansk?
Prices for flights to both Gdansk 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayRotterdam €54Gdansk €19
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: $79
- Guided Walking Food Tour: $84
- 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: $160
- Private Multicultural Bike Food Tour: $273
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Gdansk
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Gdansk.
- Delicious Gdańsk Food Tour in Poland: $94
- 4-hour Polish Food Tour: $109
- Private Food-Pairing Dinner Experience: $121
- Gdansk foodpairing dinner: $124
- Gdansk Traditional Food Tour with Old Town Sightseeing: $156
- Gdansk Food Tour Experience: $168
- Gdańsk: World-Class Fine Dining Dinner on the Top Floor: $208
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rotterdam €32Gdansk €7.62
Tours and Activities in Rotterdam
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rotterdam.
- Hightlights City Centre Walking Tour: $1.07
- Rotterdam Spanish Tour 2 Hours: $2.61
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Rotterdam Walking Tour in 2 Hours : $3.27
- Escape Game and Tour: $4.28
- Rotterdam Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.56
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.95
- Rotterdam Walking Audio Tour on Your Phone (ENG): $7.65
- Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $8.02
- Waterbus Ticket to Dordrecht and/or Kinderdijk: $10
- Private Smartphone Walking Tour on WhatsApp: $10
- Dordrecht: Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $11
Tours and Activities in Gdansk
Here are a few actual costs in Gdansk for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- #1 Polish Vodka Tasting Experience: $64
- 6 Hours Guided Tour through Gdansk Highlights: $240
- A cultural Private Tour of Gdansk Old Town: $165
- Amber Museum and Gdansk Old Town Private Tour with Tickets: $125
- Amber Museum and Gdansk Old Town Private Tour with Tickets : $128
- Artus Court and Gdansk Old Town Private Tour with Tickets: $119
- Best of Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot in 1-Day Private Car Tour: $225
- Bike Tour Gdańsk - Premium - Fun Guide - no Boredom. New offer : $43
- City Tour Gdańsk Hop on Hop off plus walking tour: $40
- Copernicus Trail in Frombork Private Tour from Gdansk by Car: $323
- Delicious Gdansk Craft Beer Tour: $76
- Deluxe Polish Vodka Tour Experience in Gdansk: $114
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRotterdam €19Gdansk €4.44
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: $8.02
- Heineken Building former brewery | Guided Tour: $8.02
- Stadshaven Brewery Tour with Beer Tastings: $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Gdansk
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gdansk:
- Gdansk Pub Crawl with Free Drinks: $22
- Pub Crawl with Free Drinks: $25
- Pub Crawl with Complimentary Drinks: $30
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rotterdam and Gdansk, we can see that Rotterdam is more expensive. And not only is Gdansk much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Gdansk would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Gdansk 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 Gdansk.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rotterdam Expensive? and Is Gdansk Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Gdansk?
Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of Gdansk. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam and Gdansk, 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 Rotterdam or Gdansk?
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 Rotterdam or Gdansk in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Gdansk. Many visitors come to Rotterdam in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Rotterdam is around the same temperature as Gdansk in the summer. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Gdansk fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gdansk. 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 Gdansk. Rotterdam gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gdansk receives 204 hours of full sun.
Rotterdam usually gets more rain in July than Gdansk. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Gdansk receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRotterdam 17°C (62°F)Gdansk 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Rotterdam or Gdansk in the Autumn?
Both Gdansk 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.
In the autumn, Rotterdam is a little warmer than Gdansk. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rotterdam in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Gdansk averages at about 8°C (46°F).
Rotterdam usually receives more sunshine than Gdansk during autumn. Rotterdam gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Gdansk receives 97 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Rotterdam usually receives more rain than Gdansk. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Gdansk receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRotterdam 11°C (51°F)Gdansk 8°C (46°F)
Should I visit Rotterdam or Gdansk in the Winter?
Both Gdansk 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.
It's quite cold in Gdansk in the winter. The weather in Rotterdam can be very cold. In January, Rotterdam is generally much warmer than Gdansk. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 2°C (36°F), and Gdansk fluctuates around -2°C (28°F).
In the winter, Rotterdam often gets more sunshine than Gdansk. Rotterdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gdansk receives 33 hours of full sun.
Rotterdam usually gets more rain in January than Gdansk. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Gdansk receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRotterdam 2°C (36°F)Gdansk -2°C (28°F)
Should I visit Rotterdam or Gdansk in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Gdansk. The activities around the city are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year.
Rotterdam is a little warmer than Gdansk in the spring. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Gdansk fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
Rotterdam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Gdansk during spring. Rotterdam gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Gdansk receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Rotterdam usually receives more rain than Gdansk. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Gdansk receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRotterdam 8°C (46°F)Gdansk 6°C (43°F)
Typical Weather for Gdansk and Rotterdam
| Rotterdam | Gdansk | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (36°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (43°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (38°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 39 mm (1.5 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.