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

Should you visit Southampton or Rotterdam?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Southampton or Rotterdam? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Southampton

Southampton is a dynamic, up-and-coming, and waterfront port city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

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. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Southampton and Rotterdam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Southampton or Rotterdam?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Rotterdam than Southampton, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Rotterdam is more popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Southampton is known for its impressive beauty. Southampton is popular for its popularity as a cruise ship port as well as its focus watersports. 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

How is Southampton different from Rotterdam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Southampton and Rotterdam.

Southampton offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Museums are a favorite activity in town. There are a surprising number of options including SeaCity Museum, the Tudor House and Garden, and Southampton City Art Gallery.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Rotterdam. 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 Southampton or Rotterdam? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Southampton has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. While most people used to pass through Southampton on their way somewhere else, the city now offers a dynamic food scene with local restaurants mixed with international options and even fine dining.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Rotterdam area. The city's restaurant scene is diverse. There are ethnic restaurants, vegan restaurants, local restaurants, and some popular chains.

Is Southampton or Rotterdam Better for Nightlife?

Rotterdam is a great port city for nightlife and partying. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Rotterdam has something for everybody. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Southampton. The nightlife scene is filled with restaurants, pubs, and bars as well as a few nightclubs mixed in.

Is the Shopping Better in Southampton or Rotterdam?

Rotterdam is a great port city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its shopping areas.

Rotterdam is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Many visitors go to Southampton to go shopping. The city has two indoor shopping centers, as well as a range of markets and several independent vendors.

Is Southampton or Rotterdam Better for Families?

Rotterdam is a great port city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Rotterdam is very family-friendly. Fun activities for kids include Miniworld Rotterdam, the Kids Marina, and Fun Forest, which has ziplines and a ropes course.

Southampton is a family-friendly place to visit. This cruise port city offers a handful of fascinating activities for kids including learning about the Mayflower and the Titanic. There are also many parks and gardens as well as the Mayflower Theater, which regularly has kid-family productions.

Is Southampton or Rotterdam Better for Couples?

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

Southampton is a great port city if you're traveling as a couple. Museums, parks, gardens, and chartered boats all offer a romantic experience for couples visiting the area.

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

Is Southampton or Rotterdam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rotterdam is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Southampton is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Rotterdam. There are a number of hostels around town as well as a good nightlife that appeals to backpackers.

Southampton is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Southampton or Rotterdam Better for Students?

Rotterdam is a great port city for its student-friendly activities. However, Southampton is not popular with students.

Rotterdam is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. The city has a great job market and a lot of activities that appeal to international students.

Southampton is not popular with students.

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

Rotterdam is a great port city for times when you don't have a car. However, Southampton is not known for its public transit.

The public transit in Rotterdam can get you around easily. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

Public transit is generally limited in Southampton. There are buses around town that make some areas accessible even without a car.

Is Southampton or Rotterdam a more walkable city?

Rotterdam is a great port city for its high level of walkability. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its ease of walking around.

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

Southampton is a somewhat walkable port city. It's possible to walk in parts of Southampton but in general it's easier to take a taxi.

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

Should I spend more time in Rotterdam or Southampton?

How long in Southampton or Rotterdam?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Southampton and Rotterdam. In our opinion, Rotterdam has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Rotterdam than Southampton. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Rotterdam than Southampton. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rotterdam than Southampton 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 Rotterdam.

One day in Southampton or Rotterdam?

You'll find shopping and museums around the port city of Southampton. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Southampton has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Rotterdam is a high energy port city where you can fill many days. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this port city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Southampton or Rotterdam?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the waterfront destination of Southampton. 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.

Rotterdam is a modern big city where you can fill many days. This port city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Southampton or Rotterdam?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the dynamic port city of Southampton. 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.

The trendy port city of Rotterdam offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Southampton or Rotterdam?

Southampton 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Rotterdam. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best River Cruises from Amsterdam, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands.

When comparing the travel costs between Southampton and Rotterdam, we can see that Southampton 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 Southampton Expensive? and Is Rotterdam Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Southampton or Rotterdam?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Southampton. When comparing the sizes of Southampton and Rotterdam, 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 Southampton or Rotterdam?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Southampton or Rotterdam in the Summer?

Both Rotterdam and Southampton are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Southampton for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Southampton is around the same temperature as Rotterdam. Typically, the summer temperatures in Southampton in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Rotterdam averages at about 17°C (62°F).

It's quite sunny in Rotterdam. Southampton usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rotterdam during summer. Southampton gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Rotterdam receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

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

Should I visit Southampton or Rotterdam in the Autumn?

Both Rotterdam and Southampton during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Southampton because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year.

In October, Southampton is generally a little warmer than Rotterdam. Daily temperatures in Southampton average around 12°C (53°F), and Rotterdam fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Southampton often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Rotterdam. Southampton gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rotterdam receives 105 hours of full sun.

Southampton usually gets less rain in October than Rotterdam. Southampton gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Southampton or Rotterdam in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Southampton and Rotterdam. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Southampton this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rotterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Rotterdam. It's quite cold in Southampton in the winter. Southampton is much warmer than Rotterdam in the winter. The daily temperature in Southampton averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Rotterdam fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

Southampton usually receives more sunshine than Rotterdam during winter. Southampton gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Rotterdam receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Southampton usually receives less rain than Rotterdam. Southampton gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Southampton or Rotterdam in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Southampton as well as Rotterdam. Many travelers come to Southampton for the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Rotterdam in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Southampton is a little warmer than Rotterdam. Typically, the spring temperatures in Southampton in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Rotterdam averages at about 8°C (46°F).

In the spring, Southampton often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Rotterdam. Southampton gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rotterdam receives 158 hours of full sun.

Southampton usually gets less rain in April than Rotterdam. Southampton gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rotterdam and Southampton