Public Transport
Using public transport in Rotterdam (bus, metro, tram, or ferry) is the best way to travel long distances within the city.
In Rotterdam, you can use the tram, bus, metro, and ferry. Payments are made with a card, although trams and buses still accept coins.
The transportation company RET operates public transport in Rotterdam.
Rotterdam’s transport system is divided into zones, with the city center considered one zone. When you purchase the Rotterdam Welcome Card, you get an OV card for unlimited travel on public transport for 1, 2, or 3 days, and you can also get discounts for visiting landmarks, museums, theaters, restaurants, and clubs in the city.
The OV card (OV-chipkaart)
The ticket system has changed from paper tickets to an electronic card called the OV-chipkaart.
Rotterdam was the first city in the Netherlands to introduce the OV card. With this card, you can pay for all public transport in the city. The card works with a balance. When you enter the metro or tram, you need to hold the card in front of an electronic reader that checks your card and deducts the fare automatically from your balance. You need to use the card when getting on and off the transport. The reader shows your current card balance.
There are two types of OV cards: anonymous and personal.
Anonymous card
Anonymous cards don’t show personal details and can be used by multiple people, but not at the same time. They’re ideal for visitors staying a few days in the city.
These cards are blue and can be bought and topped up at vending machines in stations, some supermarkets, and RET shops.
Discounts can’t be applied to anonymous cards, and if you lose it, you’ll also lose the money on it.
Personal card
The personal card has your name and photo, so theoretically, only you can use it.
These cards are yellow, and with them, you can get monthly and weekend discounts, have automatic top-ups, and block them if lost to protect your credit. To get this card, you need to request it through the RET website.
You can top up the personal card automatically or at vending machines in stations, some supermarkets, and RET shops.
There are different OV card options: RET 1-day pass for 24 hours of travel, RET 2-hour pass for trips up to two hours, RET bus & tram pass for a maximum one-hour trip on the metro and tram, and monthly/annual passes for traveling between specific zones for a month or a year.
Rotterdam metro
There are five metro lines in Rotterdam, covering 78 km with 66 stations. All lines meet at Beurs station.
The Rotterdam metro operates from 05:30 until 00:30-01:00 hours. On weekends and holidays, the metro has different schedules.
You can take your bicycle on the metro, except during peak hours (weekdays from 07:00 to 09:00 and from 16:00 to 18:30).
These are the five metro lines in Rotterdam:
A – From Binnenhof to Schiedam Centrum
B – From Nesselande to Schiedam Centrum
C – From De Terp to De Akkers
D – From Rotterdam Centraal to De Akkers
E – From Den Haag Central to Slinge
You can find various public transport maps of Rotterdam at this link.
Rotterdam tram
In the city, there are nine tram lines with 332 stations. The tram schedules are displayed at the stops. Since March 2024 you can no longer purchase tickets on the trams. You can pay with your OV-card, with a contactless debit or credit card, with your mobile phone that is linked to your debit or credit card or with a ticket that you get at a sales and charging machine or RET Service Point.
Rotterdam busses
There are a total of 55 bus lines in the city, covering 430 kilometers to different parts of Rotterdam. The bus schedules are posted at the stops. Since March 2024 you can no longer purchase tickets on the buses. You can pay with your OV-card, with a contactless debit or credit card, with your mobile phone that is linked to your debit or credit card or with a ticket that you get at a sales and charging machine or RET Service Point.
Buses usually run in the city center and outskirts, as well as on roads leading to smaller towns and villages, especially those not accessible by train, metro, or tram. On weekends, there is a special night bus service called the nocturnal line. The fare for a ticket on the nocturnal line is about 5 euros, and you can buy tickets on the bus. The tickets are valid for 90 minutes. You can check the nocturnal line schedules at this link.
If you use the OV card, remember to scan it when you leave the bus.
Other Ways to Get Around Rotterdam
Boat: There is a company called Fast Ferry (Waterbus) that offers trips around the Rotterdam region from Dordrecht, Ridderkerk, and Alblasserdam to Rotterdam, with a stop at Willemskade near the Erasmus Bridge. The price for these trips varies depending on the destination. You can buy the ticket on the boat or use the OV card. A round trip can cost around six euros, and you can bring your bicycle on the ferry.
Waterbus is a private company, so its schedules are not part of the 9292 system.
Watertaxi: Using small and fast boats, water taxis transport you to one of the fifty stops along the river in Rotterdam and Schiedam. Prices for the rides start at 4.50 euros per person.
Tuk Tuk: Another unique way to travel in the city is by Tuk Tuk. These vehicles, like those used in Thailand, maneuver easily in Rotterdam’s traffic. The driver can also act as your guide. Visit this link for more information.
Bicycle: The best way to see the city is by bicycle. The Netherlands is known for bicycles, and there are bike lanes throughout the city.
Something that has increased lately in the Netherlands and I imagine all over Europe is the traffic of electric bikes. On Amazon you have a long list of options if you want to buy one, here is a cheap one. A tip: whenever you park your electric bike, take the battery with you. If you are unlucky enough to lose it or have it stolen, here you can buy one at a good price.
If you have a personal OV card, you can also rent an OV bicycle, which is part of a shared bicycle system. You can pick up the bicycles at most major train stations and specific OV bicycle points. One advantage of these OV bicycles is that the rental price is only 4.15 euros for 24 hours.
When you’re finished, just return them at the train station. You can even rent up to two bicycles at the same time with a personal OV card.