Rotterdam: Getting there & around

Rotterdam Airport is much smaller than the main airport in Amsterdam but it has handy links to the UK, Germany and Mediterranean destinations.

Bus 33 makes the 15-min run from the airport to Centraal Station every 12min throughout the day. A taxi takes 10min to get to the centre.

Buses are used for regional transport rather than for long distances, which are better travelled by train. The national strippenkaart is used on most regional buses. The fares are zone-based, but figure on roughly one strip for every 5min of riding. Rotterdam is also a hub for Eurolines bus services to the rest of Europe.

Rotterdam is well linked by motorways to the rest of the Netherlands and Belgium. Car rental firms at the airport are Avis (298 24 24), Budget (437 86 22), Europcar (437 18 26) & Hertz (415 82 39).

Rotterdam CS is on the main line from Amsterdam south, and Thalys services between Brussels and Paris stop here.

Rotterdam's trams, buses and metro are provided by RET. Most converge in front of Centraal Station, where there is an information office (Mon-Fri 06:00 - 23:00 , Sat-Sun 08:00 - 23:00 ) that sells tickets. There are also information booths in the other major metro stations.

Public transport in Rotterdam is easy. For destinations in the centre you won't need it, but for Delfshaven and even Oude Haven you might want a lift.

The metro operates two lines, one of which terminates at CS. Beurs/Churchillplein is the interchange station between the lines. Machines to validate tickets are at the station entrances.

Fast and frequent trams cover much of the city. Validate your strip ticket on board. On buses, have the driver validate your strips.

The bicycle shop at CS is underground, off the metro station.

Rotterdam has numerous places to park, including along the streets. Look for the blue P signs for large and enclosed garages.

For a taxi, call the Rotterdamse Taxi Centrale (462 60 60).