Want to travel from Rotterdam Cruise Port to Amsterdam on a day trip? Rotterdam has become increasingly popular as a cruise port, With Amsterdam’s introduction of a ā¬14 tourist tax per cruise passenger. But that doesn’t mean cruisers have lost their love for Amsterdam!Ā The good news is that even if your ship docks in Rotterdam,Ā a day trip to Amsterdam’s iconic canals,Ā world-class museums,Ā and charming streets is surprisingly simple.Ā So,Ā if you’re wondering how easy it is to swap Rotterdam’s port for Amsterdam’s allure,Ā read on ā I’ve got you covered.
This is Part 4 of my 4-Part Rotterdam Cruise Port Series. It guides you through the logistics of getting to Amsterdam. Once in Amsterdam, here’s ideas for Amsterdam in a Day for Cruisers: The Ultimate DIY Excursion Guide
If you’re looking for options on what to do for your port day(s) in Rotterdam, then check out these other parts before making a decision:
- Part 1: Rotterdam Cruise Port: Harbour Views, Bridges & Bold Designs
- Part 2: Rotterdam Cruise Port: Scenic Day Trip to Kinderdijk Windmills
- Part 3: Rotterdam Cruise Port to The Hague: Palaces, Museums & Beaches
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On This Page
- Rotterdam to Amsterdam: Is a DIY Excursion Easy? 😎😎😎😎 Smooth Sailing
- Rotterdam Cruise Port Essentials: All You Need To Know
- Rotterdam Cruise Port Map
- Rotterdam to Amsterdam by Train: All You Need to Know (Schedule, Tickets, Tips)
- Amsterdam DIY Shore Excursion Map
- Things to Do in Amsterdam on a Day Trip from Rotterdam
Rotterdam to Amsterdam: Is a DIY Excursion Easy? šššš Smooth Sailing
Provided your ship is docked at Rotterdam for a full day, doing a DIY day trip from Rotterdam Cruise Port to Amsterdam is šššš straightforward! Here’s why:
- Short Walk to Metro Station from Rotterdam Cruise Terminal: It’s a 3-minute walk away, making the journey to Rotterdam Centraal Station very simple and straightforward
- Frequent Train Services from Rotterdam to Amsterdam: With trains running usually every 15 minutes, there’s no stress if you miss your train. Plus you can just tap your contactless card to pay for your ticket. Simple!
- Excellent Tram Network in Amsterdam: Trams stop right outside Amsterdam Station and will take you to most attractions in the city centre. Or you can walk to Dam Square in under 15 minutes. Plus you can pay your fare with a contactless card.
Rotterdam Cruise Port Essentials: All You Need To Know
- Rotterdam Cruise Port Address: Wilhelminakade 699, 3072 AP Rotterdam, Netherlands – I’ve marked this on my Rotterdam cruise port map below š
- Currency: Euros
- Language: Dutch
- Official Websites: Rotterdam.info is the official tourism website, official Rotterdam cruise port schedule on Cruise Port Rotterdam, NS.nl for official train timetables
- Recommended Transport App: I prefer Citymapper to navigate public transit in Rotterdam but Google Maps will work too!
- eSim for roaming in Netherlands: For a great data connection without the huge roaming fees, use an eSim data pack from Airalo. I always recommend having a smartphone with a valid plan when youāre at port touring independently. Get US$3 off your first eSIM data pack from Airalo when you use ROXANN1666 when you sign up or apply it at checkout
Rotterdam Cruise Port Map
- On Desktop | Laptop? Use buttons on bottom left to zoom in/out. Click on the upper right hand corner to see a bigger version.
- On Tablet | Mobile? Pinch your screen to zoom in/out and use two fingers to move map around. If you have Google Maps installed on your tablet/mobile, my map will open in your Google Maps app if you click on the upper right hand corner.
- If map is not loading correctly, click here to see it directly on Google Maps
Rotterdam to Amsterdam by Train: All You Need to Know (Schedule, Tickets, Tips)
Distance from Rotterdam and Amsterdam: It’s roughly 50 miles (80 km) between Rotterdam and Amsterdam. The fastest non-stop train will get you from Rotterdam to Amsterdam in under 45 minutes and the slower stopping train in about 75 minutes.
The train is the fastest and easiest option to get from Rotterdam to Amsterdam. The Dutch railway network is highly efficient and every train I’ve been on has been clean and well maintained. On intercity services, there will be toilets onboard as well. Almost all trains have free WiFi onboard.
1. How to Get from Rotterdam Cruise Port to Rotterdam Centraal Station
- 3-Minute Walk to Metro: The Rotterdam Cruise Terminal is a 3-minute walk to the closest metro station. Just turn left on exiting the cruise terminal building and walk along Wilhelminakade street. You’ll see Wilhelminplein metro station on your right, with escalators leading underground.
- Direct Metro to Rotterdam Centraal Station: From Wilhelminplein station, take Lines D/E to Rotterdam Centraal. It’s a direct train and it’s 4 stops. Lines D/E is the only line running through Wilhelminplein but you need to be on the platform heading towards Rotterdam Centraal.
- Tickets: Pay via contactless card (easiest – new since June 2023) – Make sure you tap in and tap out, at your destination’s ticket gates to be charged the correct fare.
- Any Mastercard or Visa (including foreign credit & debit cards) with a contactless chip will work, as well as Apple/Google Pay on your phones or smartwatches. Note Amex cards don’t work.
- One-way fare is ā¬1.54.
- Frequency: Train leaves every few minutes. Journey time is about 10 minutes.
Why are fares such an odd amount? Public transit fares (metro, trams, trains) in the Netherlands charge fares based on a set “basic fare” plus a fare based on distance. In Rotterdam, the base fare is ā¬1.08 and the per km fare is ā¬0.166. That’s why the fares are such odd amounts.
Traveling with kids? I’m afraid that the discount for kids (at least for metro & tram fares) are hard to get as a tourist visiting the Netherlands. If you plan to travel a lot in Rotterdam, you can purchase an unlimited day ticket for Rotterdam only for ā¬5 for kids. With just 2 trips to/fro Rotterdam cruise port, it’s cheaper (and less hassle) just to give the kids their own card to tap in and tap out. (They can use a spare card, or they can use the physical card and you use the same card on your phone/smartwatch). You can get a substantial discount for the fare for kids between Rotterdam and Amsterdam which I’ll share below.
2. Rotterdam Centraal Station to Amsterdam Centraal Station
There’s over 100 trains running from Rotterdam to Amsterdam every day, so if you miss one, just catch the next one:
- Timetables: Use NS.nl’s English website
- Journey Time: Most services are direct and non-stop. Sprinter services take about 75 minutes. Intercity non-stop services (supplement) takes as little as 43 minutes, though not all intercity services run that fast!
- Tickets: Pay via contactless card (easiest – new since June 2023). Make sure you tap in and tap out, at your destination’s ticket gates to be charged the correct fare. Again, Amex doesn’t work.
- Adults: One way fares are ā¬17.90 plus a ā¬2.90 supplement if you’ve picked an intercity service – the supplement is well worth paying for if you’ve selected a non-stop service, as it cuts travel time by half. Services requiring the supplement will be marked on the timetables when you search.
- Kids: For kids aged 4-11, get them a Railrunner ticket for ā¬2.50 – valid for the entire day! (This is valid on the train network only, not on local buses, metro and trams in either Rotterdam or Amsterdam). You can buy online on NS.nl or download the NS app and purchase on your phone on the day.
- Intercity Trains vs Regional Sprinter: Regional sprinter services stop along the way, hence it’s slower. The intercity non-stop services are faster because it’s a point-to-point service. Not all intercity services are non-stop, so check on timetables. Nearly all trains have free WiFi onboard but only intercity trains have toilets. Regional Sprinters don’t have onboard toilets.
Top Tip: See Live Departures Boards at Rotterdam Centraal Station here – you’ll see all the trains leaving Rotterdam Centraal Station as if you’re looking at a departure board at the station! This is really helpful when you’re in transit and want to know whether your train is running on time!
What about services running to Amsterdam Zuid? If your first stop in Amsterdam is the Rijksmuseum, or somewhere in Museumplein (eg. Van Gogh Museum or Stedelijk Museum), then you have an even greater choice of train times, as you’ll find many trains running from Rotterdam Centraal to Amsterdam Zuid, without going through Amsterdam Centraal. Trams can take you from Amsterdam Zuid station to the Rijksmuseum or Museumplein in about 15 minutes and then you can walk for 5-10 minutes to get to your destination.
3. Best Way To Get Around Amsterdam On A Day Trip – Tram Network
Navigating Amsterdam using the tram network is incredibly easy, now that contactless cards are accepted onboard trams to pay for your fare – it works exactly like Rotterdam:
- Tickets: Pay via contactless card (easiest – new since June 2023). Make sure you tap in and tap out, onboard the tram’s card readers to be charged the correct fare. Mastercard and Visa cards only, Amex cards don’t work.
- Tram Stop: You’ll find the tram stop right outside Amsterdam Centraal Station. With your back facing the station, the tram stop is on your left. See it marked on my Amsterdam DIY Excursion Map below ššŗļøš
- Best Transport App for Navigation: Both Citymapper and Google Maps work well in Amsterdam. Aside from giving you the best point-to-point directions, including transit and walking directions. If you prefer an old-fashioned map on your phone, then use this official tourism map.
Amsterdam DIY Shore Excursion Map
Here’s my DIY Shore Excursion Map for Amsterdam, with key attractions and transport stops highlighted:
- On Desktop | Laptop? Use buttons on bottom left to zoom in/out. Click on the upper right hand corner to see a bigger version.
- On Tablet | Mobile? Pinch your screen to zoom in/out and use two fingers to move map around. If you have Google Maps installed on your tablet/mobile, my map will open in your Google Maps app if you click on the upper right hand corner.
- If map is not loading correctly, click here to see it directly on Google Maps
Things to Do in Amsterdam on a Day Trip from Rotterdam
First timer to Amsterdam? Below is a short preview – see my 3 itineraries in my Amsterdam In A Day for Cruisers:
- Canal Cruise or Walk: Start with a leisurely stroll or bike ride along the picturesque canals, admiring the beautiful architecture and charming bridges.
- Museums: Art enthusiasts will love the Van Gogh Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of Van Gogh’s paintings. History buffs should visit the Anne Frank House, where Anne Frank and her family hid during World War II. For a taste of Dutch art and history, head to the Rijksmuseum.
- Jordaan District: Explore this trendy neighborhood known for its art galleries, boutiques, and cozy cafes.
- Bloemenmarkt: Don’t miss the floating flower market, a vibrant display of colorful tulips and other blooms.
- Dam Square: Visit the heart of Amsterdam, where you’ll find the Royal Palace, National Monument, and the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church).
Featured Image by Laura Montagnani from Pixabay
I hope this guide makes planning your Amsterdam adventure from Rotterdam a breeze! Wishing you a fantastic port day filled with canals, clogs, and unforgettable memories. If you found this information helpful, please share it with fellow cruisers who might be looking to embark on their own Dutch day trip. Bon voyage! And please drop me a line below in the comments section if you have questions!
Hi, thank you for this wonderful website. Iām going on a cruise at the end of October and will be visiting Rotterdam for 2 days. We are a party of 5 which includes children and want to find a more economical way to navigate to Amsterdam as the cruise trips are so expensive for a group. Do you know if the trains and other transport is card only? Iām a little concerned about the card per person when children are in the party, can you pay with euros?; also are children over 11 years old classed as adults when purchasing tickets? I will update for others who feel out of their comfort zone after my holiday. š
Hi Maureen, thanks for your comment. These are great questions and I’ll update the blog post to cover these.
Since you’re a group of 5, look into an off-peak group ticket first for the train journey from Rotterdam to Amsterdam. It works from 9am to 4pm and after 6:30pm on weekdays and all day weekends. You can purchase a group ticket on the NS App online that covers the entire group. https://www.ns.nl/en/tickets/off-peak-group-ticket
To answer your questions: The Dutch trains & Rotterdam & Amsterdam trams are NOT card only but it’s the easiest way to pay. If you don’t have a card per person to tap in and tap out, a child can use the physical card and the adult can use the digital version of the SAME card on a smartphone or smartwatch.
You CAN buy a physical train ticket for both adults & kids but every physical ticket has a ā¬1 surcharge, so the best alternative to paying by contactless is to download the NS app and purchase tickets on the app. If the group ticket doesn’t work, for kids over 11, the trip between Rotterdam and Amsterdam is covered by an off-peak young person’s day ticket for ā¬7.95 – purchase on the app – https://www.ns.nl/en/featured/jongeren-dagkaart.html.
On both Rotterdam and Amsterdam trams within the cities, I’m afraid that kids over 11 are counted as adults. The local kids have special kids OV-chipkaart which gives them a cheaper fare but tourist kids over 11 can’t get those. There’s a group ticket for Amsterdam trams but at ā¬25 – https://www.gvb.nl/en/travel-products/hour-and-day-tickets/gvb-group-day-ticket – you really need a LOT of tram rides to break even! So it’s easiest just to pay by contactless on trams.
Hope this helps! I hope your group will have a great time in Rotterdam!
I am also concerned if I have to use multiple bank cards how much my bank will charge me for using my cards abroad.
Yes, I understand your concern. As I said, you CAN buy physical tickets, just a bit more expensive and take a bit more effort if you prefer to pay with cash.
Brilliant. So helpful. Thank you.
Thanks very much Phil! I appreciate you dropping me a line š. Hope you’ll have a most wonderful cruise!