A Travel Price Comparison for Netherlands Utrecht vs. Rotterdam for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Utrecht or Rotterdam?

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

Should I visit Utrecht 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.

Utrecht

Utrecht is a province in the Netherlands, and its capital city happens to be called Utrecht as well. Utrecht is a unique university city (sorry for the tongue twister). Imagine Amsterdam but smaller, and with fewer tourists. Utrecht has the same underlying historical/magical feel as Amsterdam does, but is full of locals rather than crowds of tourists. It has a population of about 300,000 making it the fourth largest city in the Netherlands.

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.

Which city is cheaper, Rotterdam or Utrecht?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Utrecht is €151, while the average daily cost in Rotterdam is €121. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Utrecht and Rotterdam in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Utrecht €85
    Rotterdam €62
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Utrecht €170
    Rotterdam €124

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Utrecht €18
    Rotterdam €21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Utrecht

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Utrecht:

  • Private transfer: Utrecht Airport (UTC) to Utrecht: $622
  • Private transfer: Utrecht to Utrecht Airport (UTC): $622
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Rotterdam Airport to Utrecht City - One Way: $108
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to Utrecht City - One Way: $100
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Lelystad Airport to Utrecht City - One Way: $92

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rotterdam

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

  • Private car transfer from Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM) to the Cruise Port: $9.41
  • Ultra - Rotterdam Private Airport transfer city centre to Rotterdam Airport RTM: $9.41
  • Private car transfer from Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM) to the city centre: $9.41
  • Private Airport Transfer: from Rotterdam to Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM): $26
  • Private Airport Transfer: Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM) to Rotterdam: $31
  • Private Airport Transfer: Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM) to The Hague: $32
  • Transfer in Private Car from Rotterdam city to Rotterdam La Haya Airport (RTM): $34
  • Transfer in Private Car from Rotterdam La Haya Airport (RTM) to Rotterdam city: $34
  • Transfer in private minivan from La Haya Airport (RTM) to Rotterdam city: $43
  • Transfer in private minivan from Rotterdam city to La Haya Airport (RTM): $43
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Rotterdam Airport to Rotterdam Hotel With Meet And Greet Service: $62
  • Round trip transfer in Private Car from-to La Haya Airport-RTM to Rotterdam city: $67

Is it cheaper to fly into Utrecht or Rotterdam?

Prices for flights to both Rotterdam and Utrecht 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
    Utrecht €46
    Rotterdam €43

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rotterdam

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

  • Guided Walking Food Tour: $78
  • Food Tour by Bike: $78
  • Biking Rotterdam Food Tour with Local Guide: $86
  • Walking Rotterdam Food Tour: $86
  • Private Walking Food Tour of Rotterdam: $87
  • Rotterdam Walking Dutch Food Tour: $100
  • Private Multicultural Bike Food Tour: $166
  • Rotterdam Private 2-Hour Food Tour with Tastings: $170

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Utrecht €35
    Rotterdam €25

Tours and Activities in Utrecht

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

  • Castles, Canals and Good Folk: Explore the old city on an audio walking tour: $5.20
  • Orchid Farm & Giethoorn | Private Tour from Utrecht: $310
  • Private Experience in Amsterdam Castle and Keukenhof Flower Park: $310
  • Private Tour in Rotterdam and Keukenhof Tulip Gardens: $310
  • Private Tour to Giethoorn 'Venice of the North': $235
  • Private Tour to Kinderdijk Windmills and Keukenhof Flower Park: $310
  • Private Undercover Experience in Utrecht: $37
  • Private Walking Tour in Rotterdam and Harbor Cruise: $272
  • Private Walking Tour in Utrecht: $123
  • Private tour in Utrecht (half a day) by a local!: $243
  • Romantic tour in Utrecht: $496
  • Self-Guided Sightseeing Tour of Utrecht: $36

Tours and Activities in Rotterdam

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

  • Rotterdam Private Tour: Old Town & Harbor Exploration Game With Puzzles: $4.96
  • Old Town and Harbor Exploration Game & Tour: $7.93
  • 1-Day RET Public Transport Ticket: $12
  • 1-Hour River Cruise: $15
  • River Cruise Rotterdam 60 minutes: $16
  • Skip the Line: SS Rotterdam Steam Ship Entrance Ticket: $16
  • Skip the Line: SS Rotterdam Exploration Guided Tour: $16
  • Wereldmuseum Entry Ticket: $17
  • Walking tour Rotterdam: $18
  • South Holland: Unlimited 1-Day Public Transport Ticket: $20
  • Markthal Tour, Meet & Taste and Rooftop Oldest Skyscraper: $20
  • Markthal Tour, Meet & Taste, and Het Witte Huis: $20

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Utrecht €19
    Rotterdam €15

Sample the Local Flavors in Utrecht

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Utrecht:

  • Culinary lunch in Utrecht - SELF GUIDED FOOD & WINE TOUR: $102
  • Discover 3 restaurants in Utrecht - SELF GUIDED FOOD & WINE TOUR: $128
  • Experience 4 gastronomic restaurants in Utrecht - SELF GUIDED FOOD & WINE TOUR: $152

Sample the Local Flavors in Rotterdam

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rotterdam:

  • Stadshaven Brewery Tour with Beer Tastings: $11
  • Discover 3 Culinary Restaurants in Rotterdam - Self Guided Food & Wine Tour: $128
  • Experience 4 restaurants in Rotterdam - Self Guided Food & Wine Tour: $152

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Utrecht and Rotterdam, we can see that Utrecht is more expensive. And not only is Rotterdam much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Rotterdam would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rotterdam 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 Utrecht would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Utrecht than you might in Rotterdam.

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Utrecht vs. Rotterdam Travel Comparison

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