Europe > Netherlands > Rotterdam (RTM)
The Car or no Car advice for Rotterdam can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Rotterdam ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Rotterdam ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Rotterdam?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.🚲 Cycling in Rotterdam — Good, but Weak by Dutch Standards
By international standards, Rotterdam is still a strong cycling city.
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Over 20% of trips are made by bike, which would be exceptional almost anywhere else
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The terrain is flat and distances are manageable
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The city has an extensive network of cycle lanes
However, cycling in Rotterdam faces challenges that are less pronounced elsewhere in the Netherlands. Wide rivers, canals, and port infrastructure create natural barriers that require bridges, tunnels, and longer detours. This tends to work slightly against cycling, while favouring metro lines, buses, and — unusually for the Netherlands — driving.
🏗️ A City Rebuilt with the Car in Mind
Rotterdam’s transport character is deeply shaped by history.
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The city centre was heavily bombed during World War II
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Post-war reconstruction followed modernist planning principles
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Wide roads, large junctions, and clear traffic hierarchies became normal
Unlike many older Dutch cities, Rotterdam was rebuilt at a scale that could comfortably accommodate cars alongside other modes.
🚗 Driving in Rotterdam: Easier Than You Might Expect
Rotterdam stands apart from most Dutch cities when it comes to driving.
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Roads are wide and well signposted
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Navigation is relatively straightforward
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Parking is structured and predictable
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Through routes are clearly defined
For visitors used to Dutch cities being a challenge to drive in for the first time, Rotterdam can feel like an unexpectedly easy experience.
🚇 Public Transport: Strong Corridors, Fewer Fine-Grain Options
Rotterdam’s public transport is effective but not all-encompassing.
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The metro system is modern and reliable
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Coverage is strong along major corridors
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Trams and buses fill important gaps
Compared with Amsterdam’s denser tram and metro coverage, Rotterdam’s system is more corridor-based, which again nudges some trips toward buses or cars.
🚶♂️ Walking Works — at a Larger Scale
The city centre is walkable, but the experience reflects Rotterdam’s scale.
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Blocks are larger
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Streets are wider
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Distances feel longer than in historic Dutch centres
This favours trams, metros, and direct routes over slow, meandering exploration.
🚗 So… Car or No Car?
Rotterdam is unusual in the Dutch context because both options genuinely work.
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Cycling and public transport are perfectly viable
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Driving is also straightforward and efficient
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The city manages traffic rather than simply excluding it
This contrasts with other Dutch cities, which tend to prioritise limiting through traffic, sometimes making them feel challenging to first-time drivers.
Conclusion: should you rent a car in Rotterdam?
You probably don’t need one — but Rotterdam won’t make you regret it if you do.
Cycling and public transport work well enough for most visits, even if cycling is weaker here by Dutch standards. At the same time, Rotterdam’s post-war layout, wide roads, and clear hierarchy make it one of the easiest Dutch cities to drive in.
💡 Rule of thumb:
Cycle where it’s direct, tram where it’s faster — and drive where Rotterdam quietly allows it. 🚲🚋🚗