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

Should you visit Rotterdam or Rotorua?

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 Rotorua. 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 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 food, shopping, and museums. See Rotterdam travel costs.

Rotorua

Rotorua is a world-renowned, diverse, and cultural town. With stunning beauty, Rotorua attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and shopping. See Rotorua travel costs.

Rotterdam and Rotorua: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rotterdam or Rotorua?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Rotterdam than Rotorua. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Rotterdam is very popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Rotorua attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, hiking, and impressive beauty. Rotorua is more touristy than Rotterdam and is known for its geothermal activity, Maori cultural influence, and its role in the famous Lord of the Rings movies. Rotterdam is famous for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall. It is also well known for The Cube Houses.

The Cube Houses

How is Rotterdam different from Rotorua?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Rotorua 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 Rotorua. The area is filled with opportunities to learn about the Maori culture. The Maori village of Whakarewarewa is a highlight and you should also visit Te Wairoa. Fans of Lord of the Rings won't want to miss Hobbiton either. Finally, Rotorua Museum 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.

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

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

Rotterdam has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city's restaurant scene is diverse. There are ethnic restaurants, vegan restaurants, local restaurants, and some popular chains. The city is also known for its food halls, which provide a variety of gourmet flavors from around the globe.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Rotorua makes for a great culinary experience. There's a wide selection of culinary options in the area that include steambox (food prepared with the geothermal heat), and hāngī, which is a traditional Maori cooking technique. Many restaurants also make use of the local fruit, vegetables, and meats.

Is Rotterdam or Rotorua Better for Nightlife?

Rotterdam is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Rotterdam has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Rotorua has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find the best concentration of bars and restaurants around Tutankei Street, which is often referred to as "Eat Street".

Is Rotterdam or Rotorua Better for Hiking?

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

Many visitors go to Rotorua for the hiking trails. The area is filled with beautiful walking trails that take you by lakes, volcanoes, and geothermal hot springs. A favorite route in the area is Tarawera Trail, which is 15 kilometers long and ends at a natural hot water beach.

Rotterdam is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotterdam or Rotorua?

Rotterdam is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

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.

Rotorua is a great destination for shopping. You'll find stores and galleries selling art and crafts around the main town center.

Is Rotterdam or Rotorua More Beautiful?

Rotorua is great for its scenery and beauty. However, Rotterdam is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Rotorua attracts visitors from all around. It's surrounded by striking volcanoes, beautiful lakes, and surreal geothermal springs, giving it an exotic and beautiful atmosphere.

Rotterdam is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Rotterdam or Rotorua Better for Families?

Rotorua is an amazing town to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Rotorua is very family-friendly. The geothermal activity is fascinating for kids and adults alike. There are also many activities that will teach kids about the Maori culture and for animal lovers, there are farms and wildlife tours. Lord of the Rings fans won't want to miss Hobbiton, and there are many thrilling activities in the area such as white water rafting.

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 Rotterdam or Rotorua Better for Couples?

Rotorua is an amazing town to visit for couples. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for romance.

Rotorua is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The unique environment and beautiful natural setting make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. Couples will appreciate the geothermal activity, beautiful walking trails, and diverse outdoor activities. There's also horseback riding, hot springs, and helicopter rides.

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

Is Rotterdam or Rotorua Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rotorua is an amazing town 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 Rotorua, as it is a very popular town for budget travelers. Well established on the backpacker trail, there are plenty of hostels in the area and tons of activities that backpackers will enjoy.

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 Rotorua Better for Students?

Rotterdam is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Rotorua is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Rotterdam. The city has a great job market and a lot of activities that appeal to international students.

Rotorua is not popular with students.

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

Rotterdam is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Rotterdam. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

You'll find some public transit in Rotorua, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses and shuttles that travel around town and through the area.

Is Rotterdam or Rotorua a more walkable city?

Rotterdam is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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

Rotorua is somewhat walkable. The town itself is fairly walkable but if you want to get into the surrounding areas, having a vehicle provides the most flexibility.

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

Should I spend more time in Rotorua or Rotterdam?

How long in Rotterdam or Rotorua?

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

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

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

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

One day in Rotterdam or Rotorua?

Because Rotterdam is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This port city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Rotorua. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Rotorua?

Because Rotterdam is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Rotterdam has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the world-renowned destination of Rotorua. 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 town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Rotterdam or Rotorua?

Rotterdam is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the diverse town of Rotorua. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Rotterdam or Rotorua?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rotterdam. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Rotterdam. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Rotorua is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Rotorua?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Rotorua. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam and Rotorua, 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 Rotorua?

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Rotorua. Most visitors come to Rotterdam for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Rotterdam is a little warmer than Rotorua in the summer. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Rotorua fluctuates around 12°C (54°F)in January.

In July, Rotterdam usually receives more rain than Rotoruain January. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Rotorua in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Rotorua. The autumn months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Rotorua this time of year.

In the autumn, Rotterdam is much colder than Rotorua. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rotterdam in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Rotorua averages at about 16°C (61°F)in April.

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in October than Rotoruain April. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Rotorua in the Winter?

Both Rotorua and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rotorua for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Rotterdam in the winter. In January, Rotterdam is generally much colder than Rotoruain July. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 2°C (36°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In January, Rotterdam usually receives more rain than Rotoruain July. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Rotorua in the Spring?

Both Rotorua and Rotterdam during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Rotterdam for the activities around the city. Furthermore, many visitors come to Rotorua in the spring for the natural beauty.

Rotterdam is much colder than Rotorua in the spring. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Rotorua fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in October.

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in April than Rotoruain October. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rotorua and Rotterdam