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Rotterdam is easy to navigate, safe and almost entirely cashless, but a few details save you money and time: which airport to fly into, how the metro and OVpay work, and what to tip. These Rotterdam travel tips answer the practical questions first-time visitors actually ask, from transfers to tap water.
Rotterdam Travel Tips: Getting to the City
Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM) is 7 kilometres north of the centre but has no metro stop at the terminal. Take RET bus 33 to Meijersplein, then metro line E to Rotterdam Centraal; the whole journey takes about 20 minutes and a RET 2-hour ticket (€5.50) covers both legs. A taxi from RTM costs roughly €30 to €40. Many international travellers instead fly into Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), which is 25 minutes from Rotterdam Centraal on the Intercity Direct train (about €17 one-way, with a supplement). For timetables and fares use ns.nl or 9292.nl.
Rotterdam Travel Tips: Getting Around
Rotterdam’s RET network runs five metro lines (A, B, C, D and E), trams and buses, with Beurs as the central interchange. You can tap in and out with any contactless bank card or phone via OVpay, buy a RET 2-hour ticket for €5.50, or get a RET 1-day ticket for €12 (€6 for children). A Tourist Day Ticket covering the whole of South Holland including the Waterbus costs €17.50. The Watertaxi across the Maas costs about €4.50 per person, and renting a bike costs €10 to €15 a day. Trams 7 and 8 are the most useful for crossing the centre.
Rotterdam Travel Tips: Money, Tipping and Safety
Rotterdam uses the euro, and card payments are the default: many museums, market stalls and even some shops are card-only, though cash is still accepted in most bars and restaurants. Tipping is not expected, but rounding up the bill or leaving 5 to 10 percent for good table service is normal. The city is safe by European standards, with the usual caution in crowds around the Markthal and during big events; watch for cyclists in the red bike lanes and never walk in them. For the safest areas to base yourself, see the best neighborhoods in Rotterdam guide.
Rotterdam Travel Tips: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drink the tap water? Yes, Rotterdam tap water is safe and excellent; carry a refillable bottle. Do I need a visa? The Netherlands is in the Schengen area, so EU citizens need no visa, while many others including US, UK, Canadian and Australian passport holders can stay visa-free for up to 90 days. Do people speak English? Almost everyone under 50 speaks fluent English, and all signs and announcements are bilingual. Is Rotterdam safe at night? The centre and Kop van Zuid are well lit and busy into the evening; use normal precautions and avoid empty underpasses late at night. Which month is warmest? July and August, averaging 22.6°C to 22.7°C, as detailed in the Rotterdam weather by month guide.
Suggested Hotels in Rotterdam
Mainport Hotel Rotterdam
A five-star Hilton-affiliated hotel on the Maas at Leuvehaven 77, with a riverside spa, indoor pool and water-facing rooms near the Erasmus Bridge. Best for couples and luxury travellers who want a waterfront base in the heart of the city. Check rates and availability
nhow Rotterdam
A design hotel inside the De Rotterdam tower at Wilhelminakade 137, with a fitness centre and the Elvy gastrobar, on the Kop van Zuid riverfront. Best for mid-range travellers and architecture fans who want skyline views across the bridge. Check rates and availability
citizenM Rotterdam
A budget design hotel at Gelderse plein 50 in the Oude Haven, with compact iPad-controlled rooms and a 24-hour canteen, directly opposite Blaak station. Best for solo travellers and short stays who want a central location without paying city-centre rates. Check rates and availability
