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

Should you visit Rotterdam or Innsbruck?

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 Innsbruck. 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

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 nightlife, food, and shopping.

Innsbruck

Innsbruck is a youthful , adventurous, and high energy city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. It's also popular because of the hiking, skiing, and nightlife.

Rotterdam and Innsbruck: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Big city activities
Pros
  • Popular for skiing
  • Active nightlife
  • Scenic old town
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
  • Quaint atmosphere


Is there more to do in Rotterdam or Innsbruck?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Rotterdam than Innsbruck, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Rotterdam is more popular for its museums, shopping, and big city activities, while Innsbruck is known for its skiing, food, historical sights, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Innsbruck is more touristy than Rotterdam and is popular for its mountain hiking, skiing, and winter sports. Rotterdam is popular for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall. It is also home to The Cube Houses.

The Cube Houses
The Cube Houses

How is Rotterdam different from Innsbruck?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Rotterdam or Innsbruck Better for Skiing?

Rotterdam
Innsbruck

Innsbruck is great for skiing. However, Rotterdam is not a skiing destination.

Innsbruck draws a large crowd in the winter for its impressive snow skiing opportunities. This city offers easy access to excellent skiing without having to travel too far. There are 9 ski resorts around town that make up the Olympia SkiWorld Innsbruck. Each resort has its own personality and style. You can reach the Seegrube mountain in about 20 minutes using the funicular and cable car.

Rotterdam is not a skiing destination.


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

Rotterdam
Innsbruck

Rotterdam is a port city with good options for its sights and museums. However, Innsbruck does not have museums and landmarks.

Rotterdam offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

Innsbruck does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Rotterdam
Innsbruck

Innsbruck is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Innsbruck has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city is known for the hearty and filling food that is perfect for a cold winter day. There are cafes and restaurants around old town that offer traditional dishes including käsespätzle, wiener schnitzel, and apfelstrudel. If you're ready for something a little less heavy, there are a number of ethnic restaurants to choose from outside of the old town.

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 Rotterdam or Innsbruck Better for Nightlife?

Rotterdam
Innsbruck

The vibe at night is very good in both Rotterdam and Innsbruck.

Many people head to Rotterdam for the nightlife scene. 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.

Innsbruck has plenty to do after the sun goes down. With its large student population and wide range of young visitors who enjoy high energy activities, there's plenty to do here when the sunsets. There are bars and dance clubs that stay active late into the night.


Is Rotterdam or Innsbruck Better for its Old Town?

Rotterdam
Innsbruck

Innsbruck is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Innsbruck offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The old town is filled with charming restaurants and cafes as well as comfortable outdoor places to relax when the weather is nice. One of the most notable landmarks is the The Goldenes Dachl, or the "little golden roof", but the atmosphere around old town is what makes this place really special.

Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Is Rotterdam or Innsbruck Better for Hiking?

Rotterdam
Innsbruck

Innsbruck is great for hiking. However, Rotterdam is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Innsbruck for the hiking trails. The city is nestled in the Austrian mountains with many beautiful hikes just outside of town. There are hikes for all skill levels that offer spectacular views of some of the best scenery in Austria.

Rotterdam is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotterdam or Innsbruck?

Rotterdam
Innsbruck

Rotterdam is notable for its shopping opportunities. However, Innsbruck is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Rotterdam is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Innsbruck is not a noteworthy shopping destination.


Is Rotterdam or Innsbruck Better for Families?

Rotterdam
Innsbruck

Both Rotterdam and Innsbruck are very good family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Rotterdam. Fun activities for kids include Miniworld Rotterdam, the Kids Marina, and Fun Forest, which has ziplines and a ropes course.

Innsbruck is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a pleasant atmosphere with a charming old town and plenty of outdoor activities that the whole family can enjoy. There's also the popular Swarovski Crystal Worlds, which is fun for kids and adults alike. The Alpine Zoo and the city's many parks and playgrounds all make it a great stop if you're traveling with kids.

Is Rotterdam or Innsbruck Better for Couples?

Rotterdam
Innsbruck

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

Innsbruck is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The city's old town is filled with restaurants that make for great date nights. There are also many hikes, viewpoints, and activities that are perfect for a couple's getaway.

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

Is Rotterdam or Innsbruck Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rotterdam
Innsbruck

Innsbruck 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 Innsbruck. The city has a number of hostels and affordable restaurants that make it a reasonable option for backpackers and budget travelers. Outdoor activities like nearby hiking are affordable ways to spend the day as well.

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 Rotterdam or Innsbruck Better for Students?

Rotterdam
Innsbruck

For students, both Rotterdam and Innsbruck are very good places to visit.

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

Innsbruck is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. The city's laid back vibe and wide range of universities make it a great place for students. There are cafes, bars, and many outdoor activities that students enjoy while they're in the area.

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

Rotterdam
Innsbruck

Rotterdam and Innsbruck both offer very good public transit to get you around.

Rotterdam offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Innsbruck. The system includes trams and buses that will take you to outlying areas around town.

Is Rotterdam or Innsbruck a more walkable city?

Rotterdam
Innsbruck

Rotterdam and Innsbruck are very good when it comes to walkability.

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

Innsbruck is very walkable. The old town is particularly walkable, and if you stay anywhere nearby, it's easy to reach it on foot.


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

Should I spend more time in Innsbruck or Rotterdam?

How long in Rotterdam or Innsbruck?

It's fun to spend time in either Rotterdam or Innsbruck. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Innsbruck due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Rotterdam, and 2-4 days is enough time in Innsbruck.

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

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

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


  • How many days in Rotterdam or Innsbruck? Ideal Length of Stay
    Rotterdam 1-3 
    Innsbruck 2-4

One day in Rotterdam or Innsbruck?

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 nightlife and food around the quaint city of Innsbruck. 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.

A weekend in Rotterdam or Innsbruck?

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 food and skiing around the youthful destination of Innsbruck. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

Five days in Rotterdam or Innsbruck?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the modern 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.

Travelers enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the adventurous city of Innsbruck. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.


A week in Rotterdam or Innsbruck?

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.

Innsbruck is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best River Cruises from Amsterdam, The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vienna, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Salzburg.


Which place is cheaper, Innsbruck or Rotterdam?

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 Innsbruck is €129. 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 Innsbruck in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Rotterdam 77
    Innsbruck 76
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Rotterdam 154
    Innsbruck 152
Compare Hotels in Rotterdam and Innsbruck

Looking for a hotel in Rotterdam or Innsbruck? 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.

Hotels in Rotterdam


Hotels in Innsbruck


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 Innsbruck Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Rotterdam 26
    Innsbruck 15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rotterdam

Also for Rotterdam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Rotterdam to Rotterdam Airport (RTM) - Departure Private Transfer: $38
  • 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
  • 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) to Rotterdam - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $76
  • Rotterdam Airport RTM Private Transfer to Rotterdam in Sedan Car: $77
  • Rotterdam Private Transfer to Rotterdam Airport RTM in Sedan Car: $81

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Innsbruck

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Innsbruck:

  • Private Transfer From Innsbruck To Salzburg: $256
  • Private Transfer From Innsbruck To Munich, English Speaking Driver: $197
  • Private transfer from Innsbruck airport: $196
  • Innsbruck Airport (INN) to Silvretta Arena - Round-Trip Transfer: $131
  • St Anton am Arlberg to Zurich Airport (ZRH) - Departure Transfer: $104
  • Innsbruck Airport(INN)to Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Round-Trip Transfer: $98
  • Innsbruck Airport INN to Alpbach - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $87
  • Innsbruck Airport to Garmisch-Partenkirchen - Round-Trip Transfer: $76
  • Innsbruck Airport (INN) to Silvretta Arena Arrival Transfer: $66
  • Innsbruck Airport (INN) to Soelden - Arrival Private Transfer: $65
  • Innsbruck Airport (INN) to Kitzbühel/SkiWelt - Arrival Transfer: $65
  • Innsbruck Kranebitten Airport to Längenfeld - Round-Trip Transfer: $63

Is it cheaper to fly into Rotterdam or Innsbruck?

Prices for flights to both Innsbruck 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Rotterdam 54
    Innsbruck 40

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

Typical Food Prices in Innsbruck

Some typical examples of dining costs in Innsbruck are as follows:


  • Soup for Lunch
    3.75
  • Pasta Lunch
    8.20

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Innsbruck

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Innsbruck.

  • Half-Day Food Tour of Tyrolean Cuisine: $148
  • Innsbruck Food Tour: $150

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Rotterdam 32
    Innsbruck 19

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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Innsbruck

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Innsbruck are as follows:


  • Schloss Ambras Entrance
    8.00
  • Botanical Garden Entrance Fee
    2.00

Tours and Activities in Innsbruck

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Innsbruck are as follows:

  • 2 Hours Private Walking Tour in Innsbruck: $155
  • AREA 47 Water AREA Entrance Ticket: $35
  • Alpine Zoo Innsbruck and Hungerburg Funicular Combo Ticket: $21
  • Austrian Hidden Gem Tour: The Most Beautiful Villages: $191
  • Bergisel Ski Jump Arena Entrance Ticket in Innsbruck: $11
  • Bergisel SkiJump Area guided Tour incl Tickets: $85
  • Combi Entrance Ticket to Alpine Zoo and Hungerburg: $20
  • Cultural and culinary pleasure tour through Innsbruck's old town: $180
  • Full day small group Tour in Neuschwanstein from Innsbruck: $213
  • Full-Day small group tour of Dolomites, Alpine Lakes, Braies : $217
  • Gin experience Tyrol: $120
  • Hungerburg: Roundtrip Funicular Tickets from Innsbruck: $13

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Rotterdam 19
    Innsbruck 19

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


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

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


Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Innsbruck?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Innsbruck. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam and Innsbruck, 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.