Car Rental in Rotterdam

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Rotterdam, Netherlands
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Driver's country of residence is United States of America (USA) and age is 30-65
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500+ Trusted Suppliers:

Cheapest Car Rental Rates

Downtown
Mini
Toyota Aygo or similar
Toyota Aygo
  • 4
  • 2
  • 3
  • A/C
  • Man.
Thrifty
$32.00 / per day
Rotterdam East
Economy
Ford Fiesta or similar
Ford Fiesta
  • 5
  • 1
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Man.
GreenMotion
$42.58 / per day
Rotterdam Airport
Compact
Hyundai Bayon or similar
Hyundai Bayon
  • 5
  • 1
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Man.
Hertz
$50.71 / per day
Rotterdam Airport
Standard SUV
Peugeot 3008 or similar
Peugeot 3008
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Man.
SIXT
$71.24 / per day

Most Popular Car Rental Deals

Rotterdam Airport
Intermediate
Nissan Qashqai or similar
Nissan Qashqai
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Man.
Thrifty
$65.77 / per day
Rotterdam Airport
Full-size
BMW 3 series or similar
BMW 3 series
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
SIXT
$86.40 / per day
Rotterdam Airport
Premium SUV
BMW X3 or similar
BMW X3
  • 5
  • 3
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
SIXT
$113.69 / per day
Rotterdam East
Mini
Peugeot 108 or similar
Peugeot 108
  • 4
  • 2
  • 3
  • A/C
  • Man.
GreenMotion
$34.28 / per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 20:47 on 2024-03-27. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.

Travel Information

Languages
Dutch
Currency
EUR
Drive on
Right-hand side
Country code
+31
Average car rental price
$62 per day
Average car rental length
7 days
Speed limit within town
50 km/h or 31 mph
Speed limit out of town
80 - 130 km/h or 50 - 81 mph
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.05%
Rating
10.0 / 10
Average gasoline price
$2.05 per liter or $7.76 / 1 gallon
Lowest gasoline price
$1.94 per liter or $7.35 / 1 gallon
Highest gasoline price
$2.23 per liter or $8.45 / 1 gallon

Why rent a car in Rotterdam?

The second city of the Netherlands, Rotterdam is a unique place. A large industrial hotspot, it has fewer historic attractions than other cities in the region - it was also heavily bombed during the second world war - but, thanks to a mix of daring contemporary architecture and some older surviving landmarks, the city is a unique breed of its own. The city is right next door to The Hague, a more traditionally scenic destination, and impressive traditional Dutch windmills are also just a stone’s throw away. 

Rotterdam

One-Way Car Rentals in Rotterdam

The most popular one-way rental options for pick up in Rotterdam and drop off in another city include:

  • From Rotterdam to Dusseldorf - 28 offers from $94.37 per day
  • From Rotterdam to Paris - 36 offers from $98.45 per day
  • From Rotterdam to Amsterdam - 44 offers from $43.94 per day

Top ways to enter Rotterdam

  • Rotterdam Airport: Also known as Rotterdam The Hague Airport, it handled 1.9 million travelers in 2018. The airport is a large hub for Transavia and also has flights by nine other airlines. The airport is especially active during the summer months when it hosts many flights to and from destinations in Southern Europe, Turkey, and Morocco. Located just 7km (4 miles) from Rotterdam city center, the airport can be reached in 15 minutes or less.
  • Amsterdam Airport: Amsterdam Schiphol is not only the largest in the Netherlands but also the third-busiest airport in Europe (behind only Heathrow in London and Charles de Gaulle in Paris). A hub for KLM, Delta Air Lines, and other carriers, the airport handled 71 million travelers in 2018. Amsterdam Airport is also one of the few international airports that are located below sea level. Located just 57km (35 miles) north of Rotterdam, the airport can be reached in about 40 minutes.
  • Eindhoven Airport: Located in the south of the country, Eindhoven Airport handled 6.2 million travelers in 2018. Favored by low-cost companies like Ryanair and Wizz Air, the airport is often seen as the cheapest to fly to (and from) in the Netherlands. Located 106km (66 miles) southeast of Rotterdam, the airport can be reached in about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
  • Maastricht Airport: Located even farther south than Eindhoven, Maastricht Airport is served by six different airlines, although some only have flights during the summer months. The airport is sometimes also called Aachen Airport after the German city that is right on the other side of the border. Located 190km (118 miles) from Rotterdam, Maastricht Airport can be reached in two hours.
  • Brussels Airport: The busiest in Belgium, Brussels Zaventem Airport handled more than 25 million travelers in 2018. The main hub of Brussels Airlines, it hosts flights to and from most European countries as well as destinations in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Located 140km (87 miles) south of Rotterdam, Brussels Airport takes just 90 minutes to reach. You’ll have to cross the border between the Netherlands and Belgium, so ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit it.

City facts

  • Located practically on the coast of the North Sea, Rotterdam has a temperate oceanic climate with mild summers and cool winters. The average high temperature is 22°C  (72°F) in July and August, the warmest months, and 4°C  (39°F) in January and February. Precipitation is fairly high throughout the year with a small decrease in April. Rotterdam experiences snow only very rarely. 
  • Rotterdam is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in Europe. About 50% of the city’s inhabitants have at least one parent born outside the country. Many residents of Rotterdam have their roots in former Dutch colonies like Suriname, the Dutch Caribbean Islands, and Indonesia; others come from countries like Turkey, Morocco, and Cape Verde. The city’s eclectic demographic makeup is represented in its diverse cultural institutions, restaurants, and languages spoken. Knowledge of English, like elsewhere in the Netherlands, is very high.

Top destinations and activities

  • Van Nelle Factory. One of the very few factories in the world to have the status of being a UNESCO World Heritage site, Van Nellefabriek is the symbol of Rotterdam. A prime example of constructivist architecture, it will celebrate its 100th birthday in 2025. If you want to see the factory from inside, you can only visit as a part of a pre-booked tour and the effort is worth it.  
  • Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk. The Great or St. Lawrence Church is one of the most famous churches in the Netherlands. Built in the 15th and 16th centuries, the church is one of the very few buildings that survived the bombing of Rotterdam during the Second World War. The church is faced by the statue of Erasmus, another great landmark of the city.
  • Delfshaven. Another survivor of the war, the neighborhood of Delfshaven is an interesting place to visit. Travelers love walking along the two canals that bisect the area, checking out the old docks, hangars, warehouses, and quirky local museums along the way.
  • Maritime Museum. Home to one of the busiest ports in Europe, Rotterdam has long taken advantage of its location on the North Sea coast. The naval connections have not only brought the city wealth, but also an exchange of knowledge and culture, and there’s no better place to learn about it than in this museum. Known for its interactive exhibitions, it is right next to the Maritime Museum Harbour, an open-air museum that has a number of historical ships on display. Visit the museum’s official website to learn more.
  • Cube Houses. These famous cube-shaped houses, completed in 1984, were meant to be a model for creating housing on a human scale. You can judge for yourself by touring the inside one of them at the Kijk-kubus Museum.
  • The Markthal. A more recent and well-loved addition to the modern architecture collection in Rotterdam is this arched apartment house that shelters a market hall within its arch. It’s a great place to stop for lunch.
  • The Erasmus Bridge. This bridge has become a symbol of Rotterdam, with its asymmetrical sweep of cables. 
  • De Rotterdam. The large irregular blockish building on one side of the bridge is De Rotterdam. Designed by Rem Koolhaas and completed in 2013, it is meant to be a vertical city, housing a range of different functions like housing, hotels, shops, offices, and so on.

Traffic and parking

  • Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the speed limits are 100km/h (61 mph) between 6:00 and 19:00 on motorways or autosnelwegen, and sometimes higher at night, though the signs will indicate how much higher. On smaller highways (marked as N-routes), the speed limit is usually 100km/h (61 mph), though sometimes it’s marked differently. On smaller, non-highway routes outside built-up areas, the speed limit is 80km/h (50 mph). Inside built-up areas it’s 50km/h (31 mph) or 30km/h (19mph) in residential areas - usually indicated by a raised sidewalk serving as a speed bump on entering the area.
  • Parking in central Rotterdam can be very pricey and the number of available spaces is limited. A good idea is to park either at one of the large car-parking centers or at the Park and Ride (P+R) outside the city center where the parking is much cheaper, usually costing less than €10 for a full day. There are also many free parking spaces in the Amsterdam-Noord area. 
  • While it is certainly possible, and sometimes quite enjoyable, to drive around Amsterdam by car, do keep in mind that local etiquette demands that the drivers fully respect cyclists, even if they are not using hand signals for the turns they are about to make.
  • The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.02% for novice drivers and drivers under the age of 24. Exceeding the limit can lead to large fines, an EU-wide license ban, or imprisonment.
  • A better choice is to park and walk - it’s a very walkable city - and take public transportation for larger distances. Alternatively, rent a bike and use the excellent system of bike paths. Just keep in mind that locals bike fast and expect to be able to pass you on the left.
  • Proof of insurance and the car’s registration needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
  • When driving, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
  • The emergency number, like elsewhere in the EU, is 112.

Toll roads

The only roads in the Netherlands that require paying a fee are two toll tunnels, the Kiltunnel at Dordrecht (about a 30-minute drive south of Rotterdam) and the Westerschelde Tunnel near Terneuzen (about a 1 hour and 20-minute drive south of Amsterdam).

For using the Kiltunnel, you can only pay by cash. The price is €2. For using the Westerschelde, the price is €5. Electronic payment tags are also available, but most rental cars are not equipped with them and they are mainly used by locals who use either of the tunnels frequently.

 

Ideas for day trips

  • Kinderdijk. The small village of Kinderdijk is best-known for its 19 windmills which can be seen on the covers of many tourist booklets and in documentaries about the Netherlands. The windmills are not only picturesque but also help to keep the water from flooding the area. Located just 24km (15 miles) southeast of Rotterdam, Kinderdijk can be reached in about 30-40 minutes.
  • Schiedam. Even though the town is famous for more windmills, when it comes to the Rotterdam area, it’s simply impossible to ignore Schiedam. The six windmills in this town have the honor of being the tallest in the world. As if that wasn’t enough of a reason to visit, Schiedam is also home to the Stedelijk Art Museum and a picturesque city hall. Just 7km (4.3 miles) west of Rotterdam center, Schiedam can be reached in about 15 minutes.
  • The Hague. Better known as the seat of government of the Netherlands and the home of the International Court of Justice, the Hague is also a lovely travel destination. The city’s attractions include beautiful buildings like the Mauritshuis and Binnenhof, high-quality museums that host works of world-famous Dutch artists, and large parks and gardens. Located just 27km (16.7 miles) northwest of Rotterdam, the Hague takes 40 minutes to reach.
  • Biesbosch National Park. A tidal wetland, Biesbosch is one of the most popular natural attractions in the Rotterdam-Hague area. The area can be explored on foot or by bike as there are numerous trails, although some visitors will say the right way to travel along the countless waterways of Biesbosch is via a boat tour, something that is also available for visitors. The drive from the center of Rotterdam to the national park takes only about 30 minutes.
  • Leiden. Fitting the classic Dutch bill of being a historical city with a large and youthful student population, Leiden is one of the most popular day trips in the area. Its university is the oldest in the country, and it also boasts such architectural gems as the Gothic Church of St. Peter and Bibliotheca Thysiana, a 17th-century library. Leiden is north of Rotterdam, and it takes only about 40 minutes to drive to it.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Rotterdam is the Ford Focus STW, closely followed by the Toyota Yaris and the Citroen C1. The most popular rental car types are the compact, economy, and mini classes.

Further destinations

  • Keukenhof. If there is a symbol of the Netherlands that’s just as famous as windmills, then its tulips - and there’s no better place to see them than Keukenhof. Sometimes called the Garden of Europe, this large flower plantation is open only for eight weeks every year from mid-March to mid-May, but if you can time your trip to make a visit, it’s definitely worth it. In addition to tulips and other flowers, Keukenhof also has a very pretty castle. The garden is in the town of Lisse which is 57km (35 miles) north of Rotterdam and can be reached in one hour.
  • Amsterdam. One of the great cities of Europe, Amsterdam is one of the main reasons why visitors come to the Netherlands. Go see the medieval wooden architecture, take a long walk along the city’s canals, visit the Rijksmuseum, or simply relax in Vondelpark - there are many ways to have a great day in Amsterdam. Located 87km (54 miles) northeast of Rotterdam, Amsterdam can be reached in 1 hour and 15 minutes.
  • Antwerp. Located in the Dutch-speaking part of neighboring Belgium, Antwerp is a unique city. The city’s port is the second-busiest in Europe (after only the port in Rotterdam), but the real pleasures of Antwerp can be found in its unique Diamond District, old Jewish Quarter, and old market square, all of which have many landmarks and are home to a special atmosphere. Antwerp is just 102km (63 miles) south of Rotterdam and can be reached in 1 hour and 40 minutes. To go there from Rotterdam, you’ll have to cross an international border, so ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit it. 

Car Rental Prices in Rotterdam

  • Station wagons - from $50 per day
  • Large cars - from $66 per day
  • Medium cars - from $47 per day
  • Small cars - from $32 per day
  • SUVs - from $71 per day

Money-saving tips

There are a number of things you can do to get a good rental car deal in Rotterdam. Start with:

  • Compare the rates of different rental car providers
  • Book your rental car well in advance
  • Plan your route before you go
  • Know your fuel and mileage requirements
  • Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Rotterdam is the cheapest in November when renting a car is about 77% cheaper than the yearly average and a whole 90% cheaper than renting a vehicle in May.
This information was written, fact-checked, and/or translated by our content creators.

Learn more about our Editorial Policy.
Fact checked by
Rachel Heller
Article reviewed and updated by Rachel Heller, founder of World Heritage Sites Net, which will eventually include travel information for every UNESCO World Heritage site around the world. Her travel blog, Rachel’s Ruminations, focuses on independent travel to historical sites.

Top 12 Cities near Rotterdam

  1. 15.5 km / 9.6 miles away
  2. 21.8 km / 13.5 miles away
  3. 43.4 km / 27.0 miles away
  4. 45.3 km / 28.1 miles away
  5. 63.1 km / 39.2 miles away
  6. 85.8 km / 53.3 miles away
  7. 122.2 km / 75.9 miles away
  8. 136.7 km / 84.9 miles away
  9. 151.0 km / 93.8 miles away
  10. 166.1 km / 103.2 miles away
  11. 190.8 km / 118.6 miles away
  12. 201.7 km / 125.3 miles away

Top 6 Locations near Rotterdam

Map of Car Rental Locations

What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Rotterdam?

Car rental prices in Rotterdam vary by time of year. This graph shows the average prices per month to help you find the best time of year to rent.
Average rental costs per day in Rotterdam
$43.38
January
$47.14
February
$59.22
March
$51.48
April
$45.17
May
$52.93
June
$49.98
July
$56.85
August
$48.13
September
$46.81
October
$44.58
November
$59.10
December
The cheapest month to rent a car in Rotterdam is January (when prices average $43.38 per day). This is 14% cheaper than the yearly average and 27% cheaper than renting in March (when prices average $59.22).

This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.

What’s the usual rental length in Rotterdam?

How long travelers keep their rental cars for varies from month to month: in July, the average renter keeps their car for 20 days, and in March, they keep their car for 5 days.
Average number of rental days in Rotterdam
10
January
7
February
5
March
7
April
7
May
8
June
20
July
9
August
6
September
5
October
8
November
8
December

What's the most popular month to rent a car in Rotterdam?

Based on the number of searches by our customers, the most popular month for renting a car in Rotterdam is October, and the least popular is January.
Monthly searches in Rotterdam by pick-up date relative to the average
34%
January
46%
February
69%
March
189%
April
74%
May
126%
June
109%
July
109%
August
109%
September
194%
October
74%
November
69%
December

Car Rental Information

Car rental locations 5
Airport locations 1
Popular suppliers Hertz, Thrifty, SIXT, GreenMotion, Ace Rent a car
Popular car categories Medium cars, Small cars, Station wagons, Large cars
Lowest price $32 per day
Cheapest supplier Thrifty

Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers

Rental Supplier Model Doors Luggage Type
Hertz Hyundai Bayon 5 1 Medium cars
Hertz Opel Corsa 5 1 Small cars
Thrifty Volkswagen T-Cross 5 2 Medium cars
Hertz Hyundai i20 4 2 Small cars
Hertz Opel Crossland 5 2 Medium cars
Thrifty Ford Fiesta 4 1 Small cars
Ace Rent a car Peugeot 208 4 1 Small cars
GreenMotion Toyota Yaris 4 1 Small cars
Hertz Volvo XC40 4 2 SUVs
GreenMotion Ford Fiesta 4 1 Small cars

Car Rental Statistics

Highest rated company
Hertz
8.3 / 10
)
Lowest rated company
Dollar
7.7 / 10
)
Total number of reviews
2
Total rental companies
6
Average daily price
$62.09
Lowest daily price
$32.00
Total cars available
103

Top 6 Suppliers in Rotterdam in 2024

Hertz
Hertz
Very good 8.3 / 8 reviews
2 locations
$47 - $103
SIXT
SIXT
Very good 8 / 7 reviews
3 locations
$71 - $142
Avis
Avis
Very good 8 / 1 review
4 locations
$79 - $259
Thrifty
Thrifty
Good 7.8 / 4 reviews
3 locations
$32 - $217
Budget
Budget
Good 7.8
4 locations
Dollar
Dollar
Good 7.7
2 locations
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