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Rotterdam is a city in the province of South Holland in the west of the Netherlands. The city is the second largest in the country with a population of approximately 650,000 inhabitants in the municipality (2020) and about 2.2 million inhabitants in the shared metropolitan area of The Hague and Rotterdam MRDH. Rotterdam is a vibrant, multicultural city; it is known for its university (Erasmus), cutting-edge architecture, lively cultural life, industrial riverside setting, its maritime heritage and colourful summer events. The municipality stretches all the way to the North Sea with gigantic areas like Europoort and Maasvlakte 1&2. All belong to the Port of Rotterdam.

Starting as a dam constructed in 1270 on the Rotte River, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre. The port of Rotterdam is Europe's busiest port by cargo tonnage, and was the world's busiest from 1962 until it was surpassed by Shanghai in 2004. Rotterdam's commercial and strategic importance is based on its location near the mouth of the Nieuwe Maas (New Meuse), a channel in the delta formed by the Rhine and Meuse on the North Sea. These rivers lead directly into the centre of Europe, including the industrial Ruhr region, which is why Rotterdam is often called the "Gateway to Europe".

The bombing of Rotterdam on May 14, 1940 by Nazi Germany forced the Dutch army to capitulate. The centre of Rotterdam was almost completely destroyed by the Luftwaffe, with 900 civilians killed and 80,000 homeless. Rotterdam was gradually rebuilt from the 1950s through the 1990s. Since then many relatively high buildings (for Dutch standards) have been emerging throughout and around the city centre. Daring and new styles of apartments, office buildings and recreation facilities resulted in Rotterdam becoming a city of modern architecture and the only city in the Netherlands with a modern skyline. Due to this, the city is especially interesting for Dutch people to visit.

Districts

Stadsdriehoek (Rotterdam Centrum) Filled with highrise and out-of-the-box architecture, this district forms the heart of Rotterdam and gives the city its characteristic.

Delfshaven (Delfshaven) Originally a part of Delft, this town over time grew closer to Rotterdam, leading up to its incorporation in 1886. The former town still has a fair bit of its historic identity.

Kralingen-Crooswijk (Kralingen-Crooswijk, Noord) Famous for the Kralingse Plas, a large artificial lake and the surrounding park, as well as Blijdorp, the second-oldest still active zoo in the Netherlands.

Feijenoord (Feijenoord) Namegiver to the Dutch football club of the same name, Feijenoord is the heart of the south banks of the Meuse.

Northern Rotterdam (Overschie, Hillegersberg-Schiebroek) Home to Rotterdam's airport as well as Hilligersberg and the surrounding lakes and forests.

Capelle en Noordoost (Prins Alexander, Capelle aan den IJssel) Largely home to Rotterdam's urban sprawl.

Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel (Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel) Though not incorporated into Rotterdam, Nieuwerkerk is largely an extension of the city. It is home to the lowest point of the famously low-lying Netherlands, at 6.76 metres (7.39 yd) below sea level.

Zuid (Charlois, IJsselmonde) The southernmost districts of Rotterdam.

Port of Rotterdam (Pernis, Rozenburg, Botlek, Europoort, Eerste- en Tweede Maasvlakte) Best known as the largest seaport of Europe, the Port of Rotterdam has been built within a river delta as well as the sea.

Understand

History

Settlement at the lower end of the fen stream Rotte dates from at least 900. Around 1150, large floods in the area ended development, leading to the construction of protective dikes and dams. A dam on the Rotte or 'Rotterdam' was built in the 1260s and was at the present-day Hoogstraat ('High Street').

Although Rotterdam did well after the Middle Ages and in the 'Golden Century' - roughly between 1650 and 1750) it was not before the second part of the nineteenth century that the city started to develop itself rapidly. Helped by the digging of a new seaway (the Nieuwe Waterweg) Rotterdam was rid of access problems caused by the silting of the river and started receiving ever bigger ships with cargo for/from the booming Ruhrgebiet in Germany. Port related trade and industry skyrocketed, and the city started to draw lots of migrants from the then poor Brabant province, for whom the southern part of the city was constructed. At the turn of the twentieth century Rotterdam was well under way to become the largest economic centre in The Netherlands. It was between then and the second world war that large prestigious construction works were undertaken, in part to show off the new found economic pride.

Rotterdam was almost completely razed by Nazi bombings during World War II

The German army invaded the Netherlands on 10 May 1940. Germany had planned to conquer the country in one day, but after meeting unexpectedly fierce resistance, it finally forced the Dutch army to capitulate on 14 May 1940 by bombing Rotterdam and threatening to bomb other cities. The heart of the city was almost completely destroyed by the German Luftwaffe, and 800 people were killed, while about 80,000 others were made homeless. During the war, Rotterdam was bombed several times during allied raids that were aimed at the harbour area but sometimes also hit the city. The City Hall survived the bombing. Unlike most other European cities however, the City Council did not aim at rebuilding what was lost, but on taking the opportunity to create a 'new' and better city. Damaged but not destroyed old buildings were torn down in the process.

From the 1950s through the 1970s, the city was rebuilt. It remained quite windy and open until the city councils from the 1980s on began developing an active architectural policy. Daring and new styles of apartments, office buildings and recreation facilities resulted in a more 'livable' city center with a new skyline. In the 1990s, the Kop van Zuid was built on the south bank of the river as a new business center.

Demographics

In the Netherlands, Rotterdam has the highest percentage of foreigners from non-industrialised nations. Nearly 50% of the population are not native to the Netherlands or have at least one parent born outside the country. Muslims comprise close to 25% of the city's population. The city is also home to one of the largest Cape Verdean communities in the world, as well as the largest Dutch Antillean community.

Atmosphere

Rotterdam's culture is distinct from other cities in the Netherlands. The mentality of the people is described as 'can do'. From the waiters you meet to the businessmen and recent immigrants, everybody breathes a dream of getting forward with life. The modern design of the city, the bustle and the spree of buildings all add to this impression. That said, you might also find that people are sometimes too straight with you. And yes, the city is not the cosiest, or the most picturesque of towns, especially on drab winter days. But get acquainted with this small metropolis, easiest done on one of the festival days with nice weather. You will come to love it.

Winters in Rotterdam are moist and can be freezingly cold, but just as well uniquely beautiful

Climate

Rotterdam gains a lot of charm when the sun is shining. Visiting in spring or summer may be more enjoyable than in the rainy winter.

Tourist information

• 1 Rotterdam Tourist Information Coolsingel (VVV), Coolsingel 114, 3011 AG Rotterdam (Beurs  A  B  C  D  E , at the garden of the Schielandshuis), ☏ +31 10 790 01 85, info@rotterdam.info. 09:30-18:00. This well equipped and modern tourist office can provide loads of information like city maps, small guide books, souvenirs and the like, and offers tips and information on what to see and do in Rotterdam. Rotterdam.info also sells Rotterdam Welcome Cards, concert tickets, gift certificate, souvenirs, public transport tickets and parking vouchers. Check the website for upcoming events. (updated Oct 2021)
• 2 Rotterdam Tourist Information Central Station (VVV), Stationsplein 21, 3013 AJ Rotterdam (main entrance, in the central hall of the central station), ☏ +31107900185. 09:30-18:00. With help from the service desk, a wide range of tourist information folders and the employees, you can find out what part of the city you would like to visit. (updated Jul 2019)

At Rotterdam Info (VVV) points and other locations across the city:

• Rotterdam Welcome Card (http://www.rotterdamwelcomecard.com/en). The card allows for unlimited use of all public transport by RET in the city and region, and offers at least 25% discounts on more than 50 attractions, museums, and restaurants. 1 day (€12), 2 days (€18), or 3 days (€23). (updated Jul 2019)

Get in

By plane

Rotterdam The Hague Airport is relatively small, but close to the city

• 1 Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM ^IATA). It is the 3rd largest airport in the country. It is 6 km north of the city centre. There are direct flights from cities in Germany, Italy, France, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Commercial airlines that operate to the airport include Transavia, Lufthansa, British Airways, and Turkish Airlines. (updated Jun 2016)

Services

• VVV Rotterdam-The Hague Airport information point, Rotterdam Airportplein 60 (at the arrivals hall). 07:30-23:45. Come here if you have questions about Rotterdam. The place to hear history. The gift shop is open 09:30-18:00. (updated Oct 2021)

How to reach

To plan an trip (for all public transport in the Netherlands) see 9292.nl

Depending on the amount of travel with public transit in The Netherlands it can be advisible to buy an so called OV-Chipkaart, see for more information under Get Around.

By bus/metro

• Bus 33. This service runs directly to the Rotterdam Centraal station; the journey takes 25 minutes. Also it connects the airport with the Meijersplein metro station, from where you can take the metro line  E  into direction of Slinge (via Rotterdam Centraal and Rotterdam city center, see for more information the By Metro section under Get Around). (updated Oct 2021)

By taxi

• Rotterdam Airport Taxi, ☏ +31 10 262 04 06. Recommended by the airport web site. (updated Jun 2016)

Other close airports

• Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS ^IATA) is 58 km north of Rotterdam and has much more flights than the Rotterdam airport. NS (Dutch Railways) operates Intercity Direct high-speed rail service, every 30 minutes to Rotterdam. The journey takes 27 minutes. You have to pay an addition for the journey from Schiphol to Rotterdam, so regular intercities in direction Rotterdam Centraal and Rotterdam Blaak are cheaper (but slower) (these intercities also call at Schiphol).
• Eindhoven Airport (EIN ^IATA) is 106 km southeast of Rotterdam. Ryanair and Wizzair operate flights to this airport. Take a bus to Eindhoven Centraal (approximately 20 minutes, the intercity train to Rotterdam Centraal takes about 63 minutes.
• Brussels Airport (BRU ^IATA) is 140 km south of Rotterdam. Many international carriers operate flights to this airport. The train from Brussels takes about 120 minutes and costs €35. Buses are also available, although less frequent.

Rotterdam Centraal has been completely reconstructed and now features a striking roof over the main concourse

By train

See also: Rail travel in the Netherlands

International connections

• 2 Rotterdam Centraal. The station is served by high-speed trains from Belgium, France and the United Kingdom. (updated Apr 2018)
  • Thalys operates high-speed trains from Antwerp (Antwerpen-Centraal, 35 min), Brussels (Brussel-Zuid/Midi, 1 hr 12 min), Paris (Gare du Nord, 2 hr 37 min) and Lille (Lille-Europe, 1 hr 55 min). Book well in advance to secure the best ticket deals. A cheaper but slower alternative to Thalys is the Intercity Brussels service between Amsterdam and Brussels.
  • Coming from Germany, Rotterdam Centraal can only be reached by changing trains in the Netherlands. When travelling on the German high-speed train ICE from Cologne, Düsseldorf and Oberhausen, the exchange will be in Utrecht Centraal station, and coming from Berlin, Hanover, Osnabrück (with the DB-intercity) it is advisable to change at Amersfoort. Intercity-trains to Rotterdam depart from both Utrecht and Amersfoort.
  • Eurostar runs a daily high speed service from London St Pancras International to Rotterdam Centraal. Prices start at £35 one way. The journey time is about 3 hr 30 min, but you must arrive at the station at least 90 minutes before departure in order to clear the extra border controls caused by COVID restrictions and Brexit.

National connections

The Dutch railway company NS runs high-speed Intercity Direct trains between Amsterdam, Schiphol, Rotterdam and Breda. The train stops only at those four stations and shaves 25-30 minutes in journey time between Amsterdam and Schiphol and Rotterdam versus the regular Intercity and Sprinter trains that stop in between.

Beware that you have to pay a supplement (€2.60 during peak hours, €1.56 outside peak hours) to use the Intercity direct line to travel to Rotterdam if your journey involves Schiphol, (i.e. Amsterdam-Rotterdam journeys are subject to this supplement). You can purchase this supplement by tapping an anonymous or personal OV-chipkaart on a designated red pole found on the platform. Those without an anonymous or personal OV-chipkaart can use the ticketing machines or the NS website to purchase the supplement, however the discount may not be applicable to supplements purchased this way. Most unlimited day tickets including the Holland Travel Ticket can be used to travel on the Intercity Direct but a supplement purchase is still required.

Thalys also offers seats for passengers travelling from Amsterdam to Rotterdam. The journey is less than 40 minutes, slightly faster than the Intercity Direct. However, reservations/advance bookings are required and most unlimited day tickets recognised by NS cannot be used on Thalys.

Rotterdam is also well served by NS from other parts of the Netherlands, with direct connections to Delft,Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Gouda, Leiden, The Hague, Utrecht and Vlissingen. Some intercities and sprinters also stop at Rotterdam Blaak station which is in the middle of the city center. This station is also frequented by trams and metro. See also the Netherlands#Get in Netherlands page for further information on national rail.

Alternatively, Rotterdam's Metro line  E  provides a connection for passengers coming from The Hague at Den Haag Centraal. The journey from Den Haag Centraal to Rotterdam Centraal costs €4.43 with an anonymous or personalised OV-chipkaart, which is marginally cheaper than an NS journey (€4.90) between the same points but takes about five minutes longer to complete the journey.

By bus

• 3 Eurolines. Operates bus service to Rotterdam from many cities across Europe. Buses arrive and depart at the office at Conradstraat 16, next to Rotterdam Central Station. Tickets can be purchased online or from the office. Buses are available from Berlin (€53, 12 hours), Brussels (2-3 hours, €15), Frankfurt (€31, 8 hours), Paris (€32, 7 hours), and many other cities. (updated Jun 2016)

• Flixbus. Serving both domestic and international routes (updated Jul 2017)

By boat

Ferries from England (UK)

You can also get to Rotterdam by ferry from the United Kingdom.All ferries do not arrive in the center.

• P&O Ferries has a daily overnight sailing from Kingston Upon Hull to Rotterdam Europoort. From Rotterdam Europoort P&O Ferries operates a shuttle bus service that takes you to the city center of Rotterdam. Please book this shuttle service while you book your sailing.
• StenaLine has a daily day and a daily overnight sailing from Harwich to Hook of Holland. Next to the port is Hoek van Holland Haven metro station. Line B brings you to the city centre in approximately 30 minutes.
• DFDS Seaways has a daily overnight ferry crossing from Newcastle to Amsterdam. You can drive to Rotterdam in approx. 50 minutes.

Waterbus

A WaterBus near Oude Haven (Old Harbour)

The WaterBus services provide connections between Rotterdam and the Drechtsteden (Dordrecht and surrounding cities, including UNESCO-site - the world-famous windmills - Kinderdijk).

By metro

The Rotterdam Metro is connected to The Hague via Berkel en Rodenrijs. Though this connecting line ( E ) does exist, it is quicker to take an Intercity train instead. Prices and times to Rotterdam Centraal as of 2022 are as follows:

• Metro ( E ) from Den Haag Centraal (CS): €4.94, 32 minutes.
• Train (Intercity) from Den Haag Centraal (CS): €5.40, 26 minutes.
• Metro ( E ) from Den Haag Laan van NOI: €4.65, 30 minutes.
• Train (Intercity) from Den Haag Laan van NOI: €5.60, 22 minutes.
• Train (Intercity) from Den Haag Hollandsch Spoor (HS): €5.20, 19 minutes.

If you're travelling on an extreme budget where every cent matters a lot, the metro is your better option. In that case though, also be sure to have an OV-Chipkaart, as having a printed ticket charges you €1 extra. The added comfort gained by going for an intercity train, plus the five to fifteen minute time gain is almost completely worth the few cents extra though.

By car

Finding a good spot to park can be a problem in central Rotterdam

Rotterdam is easily reached by car. From Amsterdam take the A4 south to Rotterdam Haven. From Utrecht take the A12 and change to the A20 just after Gouda on knooppunt Gouwe. Traffic congestion on highways is common during peak hours (morning and evening commutes), so you might want to adjust your travelling times in order to arrive in the middle of the day or after 19:00.

On-street parking

You can pay for on-street parking with debit and credit card. Remember your license plate number. Parking regulations are enforced regularly.

Parking garage

Parking garages can be easily found by following the sign-marked P-route. The easiest way to pay is by credit card, just insert your card on the way in, and insert it again on the way out, and the total time is automatically deducted. You can also pay with cash or debit card.

Park & Ride

Park & Ride (P&R) facilities outside the centre of Rotterdam offer free or cheap parking with public transport connections into the city centre. For some locations (Slinge A15, Kralingse Zoom A16/E19 and Alexander A20/E25), you can park for free if you have a valid check-out on your public transport card (OV-chipkaart).

By bike

As a Dutch city, Rotterdam is well connected to extensive (inter)national bicycle networks which use all kinds of infrastructural facilities.

Most attractive for tourist to cycle over longer distances are the so called LF-routes. So the city centre is crossed by LF2 Stedenroute (City Route) from Amsterdam to Brussels and LF12 Maas- en Vestingroute follows the flow of river Maas all the way from The East. See for more information Bicycle Route Planner: select more options and LF-Routes.

Get around

A RET tram leaves the Stationsplein

RET operates the buses, trams, and metro within the city. You could find a journey planner and some network maps there. Alternatively you'd use the pan-Netherlands journey planner – 9292.nl. Transport generally arrives every 10 minutes during the day.

Free Wi-Fi is available in some trams, buses and metro lines, and on the busier metro stations, you just need to accept the terms of use.

Tickets

As anywhere else in the country OV-chipkaart is to be used to pay all kinds of public transport. Traveling with this card will be cheapest and fastest, but bear in mind that the card itself costs €7.50 and you'd need to keep a positive balance there for at least €4.

Please notice that for using buses and trams checking in and out has to be done in the vehicle, while for train and metro travellers in Rotterdam use the gates at the entrance of the stations.

Alternatively one of the city's transport travel cards could be used:

• RET travel cards. To travel by bus, tram and metro with RET. 2-hour cards are available on buses and trams, the other types of cards can be purchased at ticket machines in metro stations and RET Sales and Information points. For children under 12 and age 65 and up there is a reduced price. 2 hours - €4; 1 (calendar) day - €8. (updated Jul 2019)
• Tourist Day Ticket: Rotterdam & The Hague region. Unlimited travel on local transport (bus, tram, metro and waterbus. Note: trains excluded) in the Rotterdam and the Hague region. Available from ticket machines and service counters of RET and at tourist information. Ticket is valid for travel with RET, HTM, HTMbuzz, Arriva, Connexxion, EBS, QBuzz and Waterbus in South Holland. €14.50 for one day. (updated Jul 2019)
• [[#Rotterdam Welcome Card|]] also allows for unlimited use of all public transport in the city.

By metro

Rotterdam Metro reaches as far as the Hague.
Note: Hoek van Holland Haven is the last stop of line B

There are 5 metro lines in the city.

Lines  A ,  B  and  C , share tracks between Schiedam Centrum and Capelsebrug and offer an east-west connection.

Lines  D  and  E  share tracks between Rotterdam Centraal and Slinge and offer a north-south connection. Interchange between all lines is possible on Beurs station in the city center.

Lines  A ,  B  and  C  operate every 10 minutes on working days and Saturday, which allows 3-4 minute intervals on the main section between Schiedam Centrum and Capelsebrug. Lines  D  and  E  operate every 10 minutes on working days and Saturday, which give shorter intervals between Rotterdam Centraal and Slinge. In the evening, on Saturday morning and Sunday the service is reduced to a 15-minute interval.

The Rotterdam Metro operates from 05:30 until midnight. In 2019, there is a pilot on Friday and Saturday nights with the service extended for one hour.

For tourists the most important metro stations are:

Line A, B and C (East-West branch)

• Blaak: train station, interchange with trams and busses, cube houses, Markthal, ports
• Beurs: city center, shops, interchange with metro  D  and  E 
• Eendrachtsplein: museumpark
• Coolhaven: Euromast
• Delfshaven: historic port

Line D and E (North-South branch)

• Meijerplein: bus service to Rotterdam The Hague Airport (only line  E )
• Blijdorp: Rotterdam Zoo (only line  E )
• Rotterdam Centraal: northern edge of the city centre, interchange with trams and buses, train station
• Beurs: city centre, shops, interchange with metro  A ,  B  and  C 
• Leuvehaven: ports, museums, Erasmus Bridge, Waterbus
• Wilhelminaplein: Erasmus Bridge, Cruise Terminal Rotterdam, hotel New York
• Rijnhaven: Katendrecht, bus service to SS Rotterdam

By tram

There are 9 tram lines in the city. Each tram has a conductor. Tram stops provide a detailed map of the public transport system. Most lines operate every 10 minutes on workdays with more frequent service during rush hours on some lines.

All trams except  2  will stop at the Rotterdam Centraal.

• line  2  is the only one that stays entirely on the south bank of the river, running through the districts farther away from it - it is thus of little use to tourists
• lines  20 ,  23  and  25  go over the Erasmus bridge to Kop van Zuid and then further down the south side
• lines  21  and  24  go to Schiedam
• line  4  goes from the suburbs in the northeast through Station Noord and Rotterdam Centraal to Marconiplein
• line  7  has a picturesque terminal at the foot of Erasmus Bridge, then follows Werstersingel to Rotterdam Centraal, and then further east to Kralingen, where you can alight for Kralingse Plas (the lake with leisure activities) and Excelsior Stadium
• line  8  is perhaps the most useful for the tourists, as it goes from Rotterdam Centraal south through Westersingel, Coolsingel, Schiedamsedijk and then west, stopping by the Euromast and in Delftshaven, terminating by the Sparta Stadium
• line  12  is a special line running between Rotteraam Centraal and the Feijenoord Stadion when there is a match there

By bus

RET operates bus services across the city.

It also provides a few night bus services:

• BOB-bus. F Sa nights. €4.50 with OV-Chipkaart, or €5 if purchased from a driver. (updated Jun 2016)

Buses operated by Arriva and Connexxion connect the city with suburbs.

Use the front door when boarding a bus.

By water taxi

Rotterdam was built on a number of islands and if you want to travel from shore to shore, the nicest way to go is to take a Water Taxi. This speedboat will carry you more than 250 landing stages on the Maas.

• Watertaxi Rotterdam, ☏ +31 10 403 03 03. Fixed fares for rides between 50 docks, with 3 fares zones, starting at €4.50 per person in the central zone. Rides should be booked 4 hours in advance. €. (updated Oct 2021)

By taxi

If you do need a taxi you will have to find yourself a taxi rank or call a taxi company. There is a minimum taxi fare of €2.30 (first it was €7,50 which included the first two kilometers). Additionally, each subsequent kilometre is charged €2.20.

• Rotterdamse Taxi Centrale RTC N.V., ☏ +31 10 462 60 60. 
• Coöperatieve Taxi Onderneming St. Job u.a., ☏ +31 10 425 70 00. 
• Citytaxi Rotterdam +31103145788
• Stadstaxi Rotterdam, ☏ +31 10 818 28 23. 
• Botlektaxi Rotterdam, ☏ +31 10 666 66 06. (updated Jan 2022)

By tuk-tuk

• Tuk Tuk Company, ☏ +31 9009933399. A Thai-influenced transportation service using three-wheeled, open-air (but covered) motorized vehicles called Tuk Tuk offers a more economical and fast way to get around the city centre when compared to taxis. Tuk-tuk pricing is based on a zone system. Within a zone, a ride is €3.50 per person, €5 for 2 persons and €6.50 for 3. If you go to another zone, €3.50 is added (irrespective of number of persons). This service is handy if it is past the regular tram/bus/metro service hours (approximately half past midnight). (updated May 2019)

By bicycle

In Rotterdam, everybody bikes

Like any city in The Netherlands, Rotterdam is very, very bicycle-friendly. Getting around by bike is probably the fastest way of travel within the city. There are separate bike lanes on most major streets and there are separate traffic lights for bicyclists. Avoid getting your tire in the tram rails: always cross tram rails at an angle. Of course it is also strongly advisable to watch out for other traffic at all time. On the other hand bicyclists can rely on the fact that motorists and pedestrians are aware of bikes.

Always lock your bike securely when leaving it (preferably chained to a fixed object) or go to a guarded bicycle parking station.

Rent a bike

At Rotterdam Centraal, you can rent bicycles at the shop in the underground bicycle parking, below the Station square. Leave the station at the front, exit 'Stationsplein'. The entrance of the bicycle parking ('fietsenstalling', with the glass roof) is at your right, in front of grand cafe Engels. Use-it, rents out nice Kronan bikes (Schaatsbaan 41-45, leave Central Station towards the center. Turn right at restaurant Engels and take the 2nd right).

Bikes can be rented by several other private companies. Holland-Cycling.com provides a list of addresses. Another list you will find at Rotterdam.nl.

If you have a personal (rather than an anonymous) OV-chipkaart, bicycles can be rented at many train and metro stations and other central locations by the OV-fiets system.

Guarded bicycle parking stations

• Many intercity train stations have their own bicycle parking station. Many time the service is not free.
• Rotterdam municipality has also some locations.

Connect

The telephone country code for the Netherlands is 31, and Rotterdam's city code is 010. In case of an Emergency, dial 1-1-2 (free of charge). When staying for a longer time, buy a prepaid sim card for your mobile phone.

Stay safe

With Rotterdam on the major high-speed line through the Benelux, there is a number of day trips and longer ones you can take out of the city by train

You should take normal precautions against pickpockets and baggage theft, especially in the main shopping streets, at markets, in trams and trains, at stations, and anywhere where tourists congregate. It is not wise to hang around Stadhuisplein when nightlife ends. Fights often occur in this area after midnight. Rotterdam also has a reputation of mass venues getting out of hand, though you shouldn't worry too much about it. If violence breaks out at football festivities (not so unlikely) or at the end of sun soaked festive days, like Kings Day (even less unlikely, especially at the Stadhuisplein), just get out of the way and you're unlikely to be affected. It's advisable not to wear a football jersey of Ajax Amsterdam or any other stuff promoting Ajax or Amsterdam. In terms of general safety, at daylight most areas in the city are safe. But at night, some areas such as Spangen, Charlois and Hillesluis are wise to avoid.

When you drive a car with a foreign numberplate (especially if it's a French or Belgian one) you might or will be approached by so-called drugsrunners. This can occur on the motorways surrounding the city and in the city proper. These guys try to lure people to places were drugs are dealt. Do not respond to their signals and do not follow them.

Go next

If you do not have a car, the hub for leaving the city will probably be Rotterdam Centraal, from where trains leave in all directions at short intervals (you can generally drop in and catch the next train to your destination). Most regional and longer distance buses leave here too, with the exception of most buses to southerly destinations and the province of Zeeland that leave from metro station Zuidplein. Contrary to trains, bus departure times should be checked in advance as they can be far and between.

For trains to the North and the South travellers can also choose to depart from Rotterdam Blaak.

The Hague can also be reached easy and rather fast by metro line E.

Nearby destinations like Schiedam or even Delft can also be reached by bike if you fancy a somewhat longer ride. Bike routes and directions are well marked and available in abundance. A good idea for a sunny day! Schiedam can be reached by train or by metro (in 15 minutes) too. MRDH is the area of the region Rotterdam-Schiedam-Delft-The Hague, see this page for more information on travel and cycling.

Nearby

• Kinderdijk — a UNESCO World Heritage site. 19 old windmills are still helping to control the water level there. Windmill #2 is open to the public (€3), allowing you to see the inner workings. In season there is a direct waterbus service from an embankment at the Erasmus bridge (travel time ~1/2 hour). Alternatively, Arriva bus 90 from bus and metro station Zuidplein will get you there in 50 minutes.
• Schiedam — visit the historic centre of this small town at the edge of Rotterdan, including the six world tallest windmills. Also you can find there the Stedelijk Museum, ant attractive museum with some nice modern art exhibitions. Easily reached by bicycle, a train (from Rotterdam Centraal to Schiedam Centrum), metro A, B or C line to Schiedam Centrum station, or tram lines 21 or 24 (Broersvest or Koemarkt stop).
• Hoek van Holland is a part of the Rotterdam municipality and it's 30 km from Rotterdam. On hot summer days it serves as Rotterdam's beach town, overlooking large ships leaving the port of Rotterdam, including the ferries to the United Kingdom.

Day trips

• Delft — this famous town is in a 15-min train ride from Rotterdam Centraal. Very historic and scenic, but also very touristy.
• Dordrecht — a magnificent historic town with little tourism and an excellent old art museum (Dordrechts Museum). It is a 15-min train ride, or even better, take a waterbus.
• Gouda — visit this small picturesque postcard-like town and see the magnificent stained glass windows in the Sint Janskerk. Also 20 min by train.
• Delta Works — a series of construction projects protecting the Southwest of the Netherlands from the sea. The Oosterschelde storm surge barrier is the most impressive, and next to it is Neeltje Jans, a water theme park dedicated to the Delta Works.
• Brielle — a mediaeval fortified town. The centre is a nice ensemble of old houses and churches, enclosed by the original earthen defensive walls. There are some museums and the Roman Catholic shrine of the Martyrs of Gorcum. Walking around town and fortifications is a treat. You can easily spend a full day in Brielle. Take bus 103 at the Spijkenisse Centrum metro station. A journey takes about 70 min.
• Schoonhoven — a nice small town with many well preserved medieval buildings on the Lek river in a halfway to Utrecht. From Station Capelsebrug, Rotterdam, take a bus 195 (direction Utrecht). A journey takes about 1 hour.
• Go to the other cities of the Randstad, e.g. The Hague is 1/2 hour by train or metro, Utrecht is around 45 min by train, Amsterdam about an hour.

Routes through Rotterdam

Brielle ← Spijkenisse ←	W  E	→ Dordrecht → Arnhem
Amsterdam ← Delft ←	N  S	→ Dordrecht → Antwerp