Rotterdam

Public transport

Metro, trams, buses, trains and water transport

Time zone

CET (UTC+1/+2)

Getting around Rotterdam

Binnenrotte Market | Rotterdam Centrum

A large city market beside the Markthal, offering fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, cheese, flowers, clothing, fabrics and household products

Open: Tuesday and Saturday

Afrikaanderplein Market | Rotterdam South

A large multicultural neighbourhood market with fresh produce, fish, herbs, spices, clothing, household products and food from different cultures

Open: Wednesday and Saturday

Visserijplein Market | Rotterdam West

A lively neighbourhood market where you can find fresh food, fish, vegetables, clothing and everyday household products.

Open: Thursday and Saturday

Rotterdamse Oogstmarkt | Noordplein

A weekly farmers’ market featuring fresh regional food sold directly by farmers, bakers, food makers and other local producers.

Open: Saturday, normally 10:00–17:00

Kapsalon

A Rotterdam-born fast-food dish fries, döner or shawarma meat.

De Rotterdamsche Oude

A strongly flavoured aged cheese with dark appearance and long maturation

Bram Ladage fries

Freshly cut fries from a family business that began at Rotterdam’s Binnenrotte in 1967

Rotterdam craft beer

Rotterdam has several local breweries, including Kaapse Brouwers

Rotterdam has an extensive network of metros, trams and buses operated by RET. NS operates national train services, while Waterbus and other water-transport services connect locations along the river and the wider Rotterdam region. Plan your route before travelling and always check in and out correctly.

Plan your journey

Use the RET app to see routes, departures in real time.

Pay as you travel

Check in and out with your contactless using OVpay.

Travelling by train

Use NS for journeys to other Dutch cities and to and from Schiphol Airport.

Which type of transport should you use?

  • Metro: usually the fastest option for longer journeys across Rotterdam and to places such as Schiedam, Capelle aan den IJssel and Hoek van Holland.
  • Tram: convenient for travelling between the city centre and surrounding neighbourhoods.
  • Bus: useful for areas not directly served by a metro or tram.
  • Train: suitable for Schiphol Airport and journeys to other Dutch cities.
  • Water transport: Waterbus and other river services connect Rotterdam with destinations along the Maas and beyond

RET operates Rotterdam’s metro, tram and bus network. Official tourism information also lists water transport as part of the city’s wider travel network.

Parking in Rotterdam
In many parts of Rotterdam, on-street parking is paid. Parking times and prices vary by location, so always check the street signs, parking meter or official municipal parking information before leaving your car.

Use official parking machines, municipal garages or recognised parking-payment services.

Consider P+R (Park and Ride)

Park outside the centre and continue by public transport at a reduced rate.

Read the P+R instructions before travelling.

The discount has specific conditions. Your journey must begin and end in the correct area, and regular contactless OVpay cannot currently be scanned as proof of the public-transport journey when paying the reduced P+R rate.

  • When changing between different operators, follow the check-out and check-in signs.
  • A physical bank card and the same card stored in a phone are treated as different payment methods. Always use the same card or device when you check in and out.
  • Forgot to check out?
    You can usually correct the journey through the relevant transport operator or OVpay service.
    Read more on NS

Good to know

Let passengers exit before boarding | Avoid rush hours when possible | Official taxis have a blue number plate, roof light, taximeter and driver permit