How Much Does Rotterdam Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Rotterdam is a moderately priced European city that offers a more affordable alternative to the high costs of Amsterdam. Visitors can expect a daily solo budget to range from $97 / €82 for those staying in hostels to $565 / €480 for a luxury experience. The city's pricing is unique due to its experimental architecture; while some landmarks are free to view from the street, unique interiors often require specific entry fees. Dining and nightlife are generally well-priced for a major port city, though waterfront locations naturally command a premium. Travelers will find that strategic use of public transit passes and local food halls can significantly stretch a budget.
Is Rotterdam expensive to visit?
Rotterdam is moderately expensive, with typical daily costs ranging from $97 / €82 to $565 / €480 depending on whether you choose a dorm bed or a luxury riverside suite.
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Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Rotterdam
$97
per person /day
$253
per person /day
$565
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $290 | $759 | $1,695 |
| 5-Day Trip | $483 | $1,265 | $2,825 |
| 7-Day Trip | $676 | $1,771 | $3,955 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
A buffer of 15% is recommended to cover the 6.5% city tourist tax often excluded from hotel quotes, as well as bag locker fees at Rotterdam Centraal which usually cost around $7.06–$12 / €6–€10 per day.
How Does It Compare?
See how Rotterdam stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Rotterdam
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Bazar Dagschotel (Daily Special) Verifiable budget meal option on the popular Witte de Withstraat. | $15 €13 |
| Mid-range 3-Course Dinner Price per person. Standard service is included, but ~5% tips are common for good service. | $53 €45 |
| Draft Beer (0.5L) in Café Craft beers or specialty Belgian ales typically range from ~$6.47 / €5.5 to ~$10 / €8.5. | $7.65 €6.5 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| RET 1-Day Public Transport Pass Valid for 24 hours on all RET buses, trams, and metros in Rotterdam. | $11 €9.5 |
| RET 2-Hour Ticket Unlimited transfers within a 120-minute window from first check-in. | $5.3 €4.5 |
| Water Taxi Center Zone Ride Minimum price per person for rides within the center zone. West/East zones cost ~$12 / €10. | $5.89 €5 |
| Taxi Centraal to Airport (RTM) Ride-hailing apps like Uber are often ~$5.89–$12 / €5–€10 cheaper than airport stand taxis. | $41 €35 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Stayokay Rotterdam Cube House (Dorm Bed) Price for a single bed in a shared dorm within the iconic Cube Houses. HI members get a ~$4.12 / €3.5 discount. | $41 €35 |
| The James Rotterdam (Mid-range Hotel) Centrally located design hotel. Rates exclude the 6.5% city tax. | $171 €145 |
| Mainport Design Hotel (Luxury Waterfront) Five-star hotel on the Maas river with private saunas in some rooms. | $335 €285 |
Activities (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen Entry World's first publicly accessible art storage facility. Advanced booking highly recommended. | $24 €20 |
| Kijk-Kubus (Cube House Museum) Entrance fee to see the interior of a fully furnished original Cube House. | $3.53 €3 |
| Spido 75-Minute Harbor Tour Standard harbor cruise. Night cruises and themed tours cost ~$12 / €10 more. | $21 €18 |
| Kunsthal Rotterdam Admission Features rotating contemporary art exhibitions. Under 18s enter for free. | $21 €18 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| KPN Prepaid 5GB Data Plan Standard tourist prepaid option. Can be purchased at Rotterdam Centraal or the airport. | $24 €20 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
The dining landscape is incredibly diverse, with budget options like the Bazar Dagschotel (daily special) costing just $15 / €13 in the popular Witte de Withstraat area. For a more formal evening, a mid-range 3-course dinner typically costs $53 / €45 per person, while a 0.5L draft beer in a local café averages $7.65 / €6.5.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Bazar
$15–$24 / €13–€20Witte de Withstraat · Local chain
The daily special ('Dagschotel') for ~$15 / €13 is the best value multi-cultural meal in the city.
Markthal Stalls
$7.06–$18 / €6–€15Laurenskwartier · Street market
Try a freshly made stroopwafel for ~$2.94 / €2.5 or a herring sandwich for ~$5.3 / €4.5.
Fenix Food Factory
$9.42–$21 / €8–€18Katendrecht · Food court
Grab a 'Borrelplank' (cheese/meat board) and a local beer to enjoy on the waterfront quay.
Scharrels en Schoffies
$12–$18 / €10–€15Kruiskade · Local chain
Excellent rotisserie chicken and affordable lunch sandwiches for ~$12 / €10.
Old Scuola
$14–$21 / €12–€18Industrial area / Center · Local chain
Authentic Neapolitan pizza starting at ~$14 / €12 in a cool industrial setting.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Navigating the city is efficient with an RET 1-Day Public Transport Pass for $11 / €9.5, which covers all metro, tram, and bus lines. For a unique experience, the Water Taxi offers rides in the center zone starting at $5.89 / €5, while a standard taxi from Rotterdam Centraal to the airport costs approximately $41 / €35.
Accommodation Overview
Lodging ranges from the iconic Stayokay Rotterdam Cube House at $41 / €35 for a dorm bed to centrally located design hotels like The James Rotterdam at $171 / €145. For those seeking luxury, the waterfront Mainport Design Hotel averages $335 / €285 per night, offering premium views of the Maas river.
Accommodation Budget in Rotterdam
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Purchase the Rotterdam Welcome Card for discounts of 25% or more at major attractions like Kunsthal Rotterdam and the Spido harbor tours.
- 2 Stay at the Stayokay Rotterdam Cube House and use a Hostelling International membership to save approximately $4.12 / €3.5 per night.
- 3 Avoid the 'Intercity Direct' supplement when traveling from Schiphol Airport by taking the standard Intercity train, which takes slightly longer but saves several euros.
- 4 Visit the Markthal in the late afternoon when some fresh food stalls offer discounts on unsold items or 'too good to go' style bags.
- 5 Fill a reusable water bottle with tap water, which is high-quality and free, instead of paying $2.94–$3.53 / €2.5–€3 for bottled water in shops.
- 6 Opt for the $15 / €13 daily special at Bazar on Witte de Withstraat for one of the best value-for-money meals in the city center.
- 7 Use the RET 2-Hour Ticket for $5.3 / €4.5 if you only need to make a quick round trip, as it allows unlimited transfers within 120 minutes.
- 8 Check out Fenix Food Factory in Katendrecht for artisanal food samples and local craft beers which can be cheaper than a full restaurant sit-down meal.
- 9 If you are under 18, take advantage of the free admission offered at Kunsthal Rotterdam to see contemporary art exhibitions.
- 10 Explore the city's famous architecture by foot or bike; the exterior of the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen and the Cube Houses are free to photograph.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug
+25-35%
Nov, Jan, Feb
-20-30%
Sep, Oct
Late April to early May is prime for the nearby tulip fields, driving prices up. Visit in September for mild weather (15–20°C (59–68°F)) and fewer crowds.
Events to Watch
- ● King's Day (April 27): +100% hotel rates
- ● International Film Festival Rotterdam (Late Jan): Hotels booked months out
- ● World Port Days (Early Sep): Major crowds and activity premiums
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Walk across the Erasmusbrug (Erasmus Bridge) for the best panoramic views of the city's 'Manhattan on the Maas' skyline.
- 2 Explore the interior of Rotterdam Centraal station, an architectural marvel with its enormous stainless steel canopy.
- 3 Admire the 'Horn of Plenty' ceiling mural inside the Markthal, which is the largest artwork in the Netherlands.
- 4 Stroll through Historisch Delfshaven, a picturesque neighborhood that escaped the WWII bombings and retains its 17th-century charm.
- 5 Walk the 390-meter Luchtsingel, a bright yellow pedestrian bridge that connects the North and Center districts.
- 6 Visit the Dakpark Rotterdam, a massive rooftop park built 9 meters above street level on top of a shopping center.
- 7 Follow the Westersingel Sculpture Route to see major works by artists like Rodin, Picasso, and Carel Visser for free.
- 8 Relax in Het Park, the historic green space near the base of the Euromast, perfect for a picnic with a view.
- 9 View the mirrored exterior of the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, which reflects the surrounding Museumpark and skyline.
- 10 Visit the Centrale Bibliotheek (Central Library) to see its industrial design and 'yellow pipes' that mimic the Centre Pompidou.
- 11 Walk through the Oude Haven (Old Harbor) to see historic houseboats and the Witte Huis, once Europe's tallest building.
- 12 Enter the Rotterdam Discovery at the Tourist Information Center on Coolsingel for free interactive exhibits on city history.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
FG Food Labs Tasting Menu
A Michelin-starred experience by François Geurds that is more accessible and experimental than traditional fine dining.
Private Water Taxi Tour (1 hour)
While a single hop is ~$5.89 / €5, a private high-speed tour under the bridges at night is an unforgettable architectural experience.
Hotel New York Suite
Stay in the former headquarters of the Holland-America Line; the historical significance and harbor views are peerless.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Rotterdam
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Rotterdam and what they cost
Kinderdijk Windmills
$13 / €11 by boat
$23 / €20
$53 / €45
Delft
$9.42 / €8 by train
$19 / €16
$59 / €50
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Euro (EUR)
1 € ≈ 1.18 $
No
Universally accepted including street stalls. Many shops and cafes are 'Pin Only' and will refuse cash entirely.
Service charge is legally included in the bill. For good service, rounding up to the nearest ~$5.89 / €5 or adding ~5-10% is polite but not required.
Avoid 'Euronet' ATMs found in tourist shops as they charge high fees. Use bank-owned ATMs like ABN AMRO or Rabobank for the best rates. Most travelers never need cash.
Connectivity
eSIM: $18–$24 for 10GB (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $18 / €15 at Schiphol or Centraal for 5GB
WiFi: Excellent in almost all cafes, trains, and public buildings.
Airalo or local KPN eSIMs are the best value; Netherlands has some of the fastest mobile data in Europe.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Rotterdam.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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