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

Should you visit Wellington or Rotterdam?

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

Should I visit Wellington 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.

Wellington

Wellington is a laid-back, funky, and compact city. 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 food, shopping, and museums.

Wellington and Rotterdam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wellington or Rotterdam?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Rotterdam than Wellington, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Rotterdam is more popular for its big city activities, while Wellington is known for its food, beaches, and hiking. Wellington is more touristy than Rotterdam and is known for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches. 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 Wellington different from Rotterdam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Wellington offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. As the capital city, you'll find a number of museums and sights around town. Check out the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the Beehive, the Wellington Museum, and the City 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 Wellington or Rotterdam? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Wellington 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.

Wellington has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are waterfront restaurants and a vibrant cafe scene around town. You'll also find local markets and many diverse eateries that you can explore.

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 Wellington or Rotterdam Better for Nightlife?

The superb nightlife scene is relatively similar in Wellington and Rotterdam.

Wellington has a large number of nightlife venues. The best nightlife scene is found along Courtenay Place. There you'll find nightclubs, pubs, and cocktail bars. Cuba Street is another fun area with a bit more of a local vibe, and the waterfront is another great nightlife district in the city.

Rotterdam is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

Is Wellington or Rotterdam Better for Beaches?

Wellington is great for the beach. However, Rotterdam is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Wellington for it's beautiful beaches. There are nice beaches within walking distance of the city center. There are also beaches that are well worth the drive if you're looking to get a bit out of town. In the summer months, there are swimming beaches, and year around they have nice views and a good atmosphere.

Rotterdam is not a beach destination.

Is Wellington or Rotterdam Better for Hiking?

Wellington is a good destination for hiking. However, Rotterdam is not a hiking destination.

Wellington offers some nice hiking trails. The area has rolling hills and beautiful coastlines that are filled with walking trails and scenic views. Some of the more popular trails in the area are the Red Rocks walk and the City-to-Sea walk.

Rotterdam is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Wellington or Rotterdam?

Shoppers can find a variety of superb stores in both Wellington and Rotterdam.

Wellington is well-known for its shopping. For the city's best shopping, head to the "Golden Mile". This is the area defined by Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners Street and Courtenay Place. There are boutique designers and high end fashion outlets throughout the area. The city also has many great markets and local shopping areas.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Is Wellington or Rotterdam Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Wellington or Rotterdam.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Wellington is very family-friendly. There's the Wellington Zoo as well as Island Bay Marine Education Centre, both of which are great for animal-lovers. Waitangi Park is a nice park where kids can run around and play, and if you're looking for something indoors, head to the Space Place at Carter Observatory. If everyone needs some down time, there's always the beach with is fun to hang out at.

Rotterdam is known to be 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 Wellington or Rotterdam Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Wellington and Rotterdam make for a good place to visit.

Wellington makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The botanical gardens are beautiful to explore, and there is also a bird sanctuary in the area as well. Couple's will also enjoy the many nice restaurants and beautiful outdoor space around town.

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

Is Wellington or Rotterdam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Wellington 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 Wellington. Located on the south side of the North Island, many backpackers use this city as a gateway to the South Island. There are many hostels around town and other fellow backpackers to hang out with.

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 Wellington or Rotterdam Better for Students?

Rotterdam is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for 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.

Wellington is popular with students. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

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

Visitors will find superb public transit in both Wellington and Rotterdam.

Wellington has some very good public transit options. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

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

Is Wellington or Rotterdam a more walkable city?

Wellington and Rotterdam are superb when it comes to walkability.

Wellington is a very walkable city. This is one of New Zealand's most walkable cities and it has a compact city center.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Rotterdam or Wellington?

How long in Wellington or Rotterdam?

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

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

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

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

One day in Wellington or Rotterdam?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Wellington. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

When visiting Rotterdam, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Rotterdam, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Wellington or Rotterdam?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the laid-back destination of Wellington. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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.

When visiting Rotterdam, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this port city.

Five days in Wellington or Rotterdam?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the funky city of Wellington. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Rotterdam, a popular port city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Wellington or Rotterdam?

Wellington is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

Rotterdam is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, The Best River Cruises from Amsterdam, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Wellington or Rotterdam?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 57% larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Wellington 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 Wellington or Rotterdam?

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Wellington and Rotterdam. Most visitors come to Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and 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, Wellington is around the same temperature as Rotterdam. Typically, the summer temperatures in Wellington in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Rotterdam averages at about 17°C (62°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rotterdam this time of the year. In Wellington, it's very sunny this time of the year. Wellington usually receives more sunshine than Rotterdam during summer. Wellington gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Rotterdam receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Wellington usually receives less rain than Rotterdamin July. Wellington gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Wellington or Rotterdam in the Autumn?

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

In April, Wellington is generally a little warmer than Rotterdamin October. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 15°C (58°F), and Rotterdam fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Wellington often gets more sunshine than Rotterdamin October. Wellington gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rotterdam receives 105 hours of full sun.

Wellington usually gets more rain in April than Rotterdamin October. Wellington gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wellington or Rotterdam in the Winter?

Both Rotterdam and Wellington 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 Wellington this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rotterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Rotterdam. Wellington is much warmer than Rotterdam in the winter. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 10°C (49°F) in July, and Rotterdam fluctuates around 2°C (36°F)in January.

Wellington usually receives more sunshine than Rotterdam during winter. Wellington gets 122 hours of sunny skies, while Rotterdam receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Wellington. In July, Wellington usually receives more rain than Rotterdamin January. Wellington gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Wellington or Rotterdam in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Wellington is much warmer than Rotterdam. Typically, the spring temperatures in Wellington in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Rotterdam averages at about 8°C (46°F)in April.

In the spring, Wellington often gets more sunshine than Rotterdamin April. Wellington gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rotterdam receives 158 hours of full sun.

Wellington usually gets more rain in October than Rotterdamin April. Wellington gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rotterdam and Wellington