Day trip from Amsterdam to Rotterdam
Rotterdam is a popular and easy day trip from Amsterdam
Rotterdam is quite close to Amsterdam as the crow flies at 57km. By road it is 75km, making it around a 90 minute journey by coach or car. By train the journey only takes 41 minutes. All this makes it very easy to visit Rotterdam as part of your Amsterdam break.
You can visit independently by taking the train and discovering the city for yourself or take one of the many day tours which will include attractions along the way and give you access to your own guide as well as no worries about working out how to get from A to B.
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What is Rotterdam famous for
After the war Rotterdam was almost completely rebuilt, with striking, modern architecture being the prevalent style.
Cube Houses
One of its most interesting landmarks are the cube houses that also now feature elsewhere in the world. The idea being to change the standard house design to optimise internal space. Each house represents a tree, with the houses all together then representing a forest. A very interesting photography opportunity and glimpse of a different housing project for the future.
The Euromast
The Euromast is a listed monument built in 1960. It is an observation tower with views across Rotterdam and a restaurant. A ‘space tower’ was added to the original tower in 1970 making its overall height 186m.
Rotterdam Zoo
A very popular trip for families and nature lovers in Rotterdam
Erasmusbrug
There is an iconic bridge called Erasmusbrug which crosses the Nieuwe Mass in Rotterdam. It is an important symbol of Rotterdam and features on the city logo.
Museums
Rotterdam has more than its fair share of museums with attractions such as Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen that focuses on European art, Maritime Museum, Photo Museum, Natural History Museum, Museum Rotterdam, Museumpark, Chabot Museum and many many more. It also has a zoo and aquarium.
Rotterdam is a very famous sea port. One of the busiest and biggest in Europe. It also has a beach, Strand Nesselande that is popular with families and a great place to spend some time away from the city hussle and bustle. The Delfshaven neighbourhood is home to canal side shopping and the Pilgrims Father Church.
Windmills at Kinderdijk
If you are interested in windmills then Kinderdijk is one of the most beautiful places you’ll find to see windmills. The windmills at Kinderdijk are a World Hertitage Site and one of the Netherland’s major tourist destinations. There are 19 windmills in the Alblasserwaard polder designed to keep water out of the polder. You will not find a larger concentration of windmills in Holland. This is a place to walk, cycle, relax and enjoy beautiful scenery and is just outside Rotterdam.
From the short overview above you will realise that Rotterdam is more than just a sea port. It is a fascinating city with a unique history and full of attractions and things to see and do. The fact it is so easy to get to Rottenham from Amsterdam, makes visiting during your trip an additional highlight.
You can reach Rotterdam by train in 41 minutes from Amsterdam. A modern busy city with attractions for everyone.
How to get to Rotterdam from Amsterdam
There are quite a few ways to get to Rotterdam from Amsterdam. In our opinion though there are three main options when your looking for a day out from Amsterdam.
NS Direct Intercity train
This train takes just 41 minutes and goes from city centre to city centre. It is fast, reliable and runs regularly (every 15-mins). For its speed there is a small price bump of around €2.60 over the Intercity train. The Intercity train has a lot more stops and takes an additional 34 minutes to make the journey. If your on a budget this time addition might be a good compromise.
For sheer speed and making the most of the time you have available, the Intercity Direct at circa €17 is our favourite option.
You can use the Rail Europe link to check and buy tickets.
Day trip by coach
Rotterdam has plenty of attractions of its own and the route to Rotterdam from Amsterdam has additional major attractions. It can therefore be a good option to consider an organised day trip that includes Rotterdam in its itiniary.
On a day trip from Amsterdam to Rotterdam you could visit the Keukenhof gardens and castle on the way (best in spring), visit Utreich, stop at the Windmills at Kinderdijk, combine a trip with a visit to The Hague and more. Click here for details of a private day trip from Amsterdam to Rotterdam and The Hague.
On an organised day trip you’ll get the benefit of a knowledgeable guide, entry tickets to attractions included and no worries about planning how to get from each attraction to the next.
Day trips from Amsterdam are incredibly popular and varied, so you’ll have no problem finding the right trip that includes Rotterdam.
Consider:
Private day trip from Amsterdam to Rotterdam and The Hague
Small group tour to Rotterdam, Delft and The Hague
Guided tour to Rotterdam, Delft and The Hague
Amsterdam to Rotterdam by coach
If you are visiting independently then Flixbus operate across Europe and throughout the Netherlands. Taking a coach to Rotterdam from Amsterdam will be the cheapest option and takes between 1hr 15min and 1hr 50min. You can leave from Sloterdijk or Schiphol Airport and prices start at just €5.
Rotterdam Harbour Tours
Once there, if you would like to see Rotterdam from the sea then these harbour tours are the perfect way to enjoy this beautiful city.
The best day trips from Amsterdam to Rotterdam
Booking an organised day trip from Amsterdam to Rotterdam is a great option to make the most of your time. There are a wide variety of trips running all year round featuring Rotterdam in their itiniary.
Below are some of the most popular day trips from Amsterdam to Rotterdam:
