A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Rotterdam vs. Saint John for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Rotterdam or Saint John?

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 Saint John. 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 Saint John?

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.

Saint John

With the popularity of the Caribbean rising, many islands have become touristy and expensive – but not St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

At only nine miles long and five miles wide, St. John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands, and, many argue, the prettiest. It's the kind of place that has maintained it's cultural identity, but still welcomes visitors from all over the world. With a population of just 5,000, the residents of St. John know everyone and everything happening on the island.

This island is perfect for people who want an undisturbed island getaway at any price. Between resorts and campgrounds there is a spot for everyone on St. John.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best River Cruises from Amsterdam, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands.


Which place is cheaper, Saint John or Rotterdam?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Rotterdam is $224, while the average daily cost in Saint John is $233. 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 Saint John in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Rotterdam $90
    Saint John $106
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Rotterdam $180
    Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Rotterdam and Saint John

Looking for a hotel in Rotterdam or Saint John? 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 Saint John


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Rotterdam $31
    Saint John $49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rotterdam

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

  • Amsterdam: Private Transfer from Or To Schiphol Airport: $63
  • Private Direct Transfer From Rotterdam to Vlissingen cruise port: $230
  • Private Minivan Transfer from Rotterdam : $286
  • Private Rotterdam Cruise Port Departure Transfer to AMS Schiphol Airport : $188
  • Private Rotterdam Cruise Port Departure Transfer to Amsterdam: $188
  • Private Transfer From Cruise Port Rotterdam to Schiphol Airport: $170
  • Private Transfer From Rotterdam to Amsterdam (Schiphol Airport): $296
  • Private Transfer from Cruise Port Rotterdam to Amsterdam: $171
  • Private Transfer from Rotterdam Airport (RTM) to Rotterdam Port: $92
  • Private Transfer from Rotterdam City to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport: $226
  • Private Transfer from Rotterdam Cruise Port to Amsterdam hotels: $183
  • Private Transfer from Rotterdam Port to Amsterdam Airport (AMS): $183

Is it cheaper to fly into Rotterdam or Saint John?

Prices for flights to both Saint John 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 $109
    Saint John $97

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rotterdam

For Rotterdam, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Rotterdam Food Tour: Taste The Alternative Side Of The City: $79
  • Guided Food Tour: $81
  • Historic Delfshaven: Lunch or Dinner with a Private Chef: $88
  • Rotterdam City Center Food Tour: $89
  • Food Tour by Bike: $105
  • Guided Walking Food Tour: $105
  • Biking Rotterdam Food Tour with Local Guide: $106
  • Walking Rotterdam Food Tour: $106
  • Private Walking Food Tour of Rotterdam: $131
  • Rotterdam Private 2-Hour Food Tour with Tastings: $176
  • Private Food Tour in Rotterdam Taste the Future: $286

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Rotterdam $37
    Saint John $23

Tours and Activities in Rotterdam

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rotterdam.

  • Rotterdam 2-Hour Walking Tour | Discover The City With A Local: $3.56
  • Rotterdam Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $5.86
  • Breda Fun Puzzle Quest: True Lord Self-Guided Tour: $5.94
  • Explore Gouda with Self-Guided GPS and Audio Tour: $8.29
  • Rotterdam Spy Mission: Save the City Exploration Game and Tour: $8.68
  • Delfshaven Self-Guided Tour: A Guide to Rotterdam’s Old Town: $9.99
  • Self-Guided Walking Tour of Gouda: Canals, Colonies, and Cheese: $9.99
  • Art, History and Architecture Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
  • Rotterdam's Highlights and History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
  • Pub Trail Dordrecht: an adventure full of surprises: $13
  • 1-day RET Public Transport Ticket: $14
  • Trompenburg Botanical Gardens Entry Ticket: $15

Tours and Activities in Saint John

Here are a few actual costs in Saint John for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • St. John: A Private Island Adventure Tour & Trunk Bay Beach: $627

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Rotterdam $22
    Saint John $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' Beer Tasting: $9.40
  • Stadshaven Brewery Tour with Beer Tastings: $15
  • Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $20
  • Brewery Noordt Tour Including Two Beers: $20
  • The Ultimate Rotterdam Bar Crawl Experience: $41
  • Ludwig's Original Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $53
  • Ludwig's Private Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $582


When comparing the travel costs between Rotterdam and Saint John, we can see that Saint John 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. Even though Rotterdam is in Europe and Saint John is in Caribbean Islands, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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



When is the best time to visit Rotterdam or Saint John?

Rotterdam has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Saint John in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Saint John. The summer months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.

In the summer, Rotterdam is much colder than Saint John. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rotterdam in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Saint John averages at about 29°C (83°F).

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in July than Saint John. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Rotterdam 17°C (62°F) 
    Saint John 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Rotterdam or Saint John in the Autumn?

Both Saint John and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In October, Rotterdam is generally much colder than Saint John. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 11°C (51°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John. In October, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Saint John. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Rotterdam 11°C (51°F) 
    Saint John 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Rotterdam or Saint John in the Winter?

Both Saint John and Rotterdam during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Rotterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Rotterdam. Rotterdam is much colder than Saint John in the winter. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in January than Saint John. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Rotterdam 2°C (36°F) 
    Saint John 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Rotterdam or Saint John in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Saint John. Many visitors come to Rotterdam in the spring for the activities around the city. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the spring, Rotterdam is much colder than Saint John. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rotterdam in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Saint John averages at about 27°C (80°F).

In April, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Saint John. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Rotterdam 8°C (46°F) 
    Saint John 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Saint John and Rotterdam

Rotterdam Saint John
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 2°C (36°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 3°C (37°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 8°C (46°F) 52 mm (2 in) 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
May 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in) 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Oct 11°C (51°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Nov 6°C (43°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 3°C (38°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)


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