Rotterdam City Guide for Students

You already have your set place at your university or you are still not sure whether Rotterdam is the right destination for your studies? Then you have come to the right place. Convince yourself of the qualities of the port city in the Netherlands and the many opportunities to really enjoy your time at university.

If you are thinking about studying in Rotterdam, you will of course have to think about some organizational issues. At the top of the list is usually the question of how best to get to Rotterdam and what travel options are available. You can find the most important travel options here:

• By train to Rotterdam Centraal: Thanks to the good network of routes, a train ride in the Netherlands is always a pleasant option for travel. It may even make sense for you to use the rail company Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) directly instead of flying if you are traveling from neighboring countries like Germany. Trains are usually on time and run at short intervals, making rail an attractive mode of transportation. There is a reason why rail is the mode of choice for trips within the country. It takes less than an hour to get to Amsterdam or Utrecht by train.
• About Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM): Rotterdam is known as a commercial center and economic hub. Of course, an airport is a must. Rotterdam shares this with the nearby neighboring city of The Hague. The airport is located quite centrally on the outskirts of Rotterdam, which makes the onward journey towards the city center quite comfortable. It takes just 15 minutes by cab and only 10 minutes longer by public bus. Alternatively, you can land at Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) or Utrecht (UTC) and take the train to Rotterdam.
• By long-distance bus to Rotterdam CS bus station: Traveling by long-distance bus can be a good and cost-effective alternative to conventional means of transport, especially for international connections. Moreover, you will usually arrive directly in the city center – namely at Rotterdam train station. From there, any onward journey is a breeze.

Of course, student life cannot consist only of studying. It is a good thing that there is a lot to experience and discover in Rotterdam. Like any major city, Rotterdam has a cinema, its own zoo and theater performances. For more things to do and places to see in the city, click here:

• Euromast: The listed observation tower offers you a phenomenal view over the city – a great experience by day and night.
• Wilhelminapier and Erasmus Bridge: The more than 800-meter-long Erasmus Bridge is considered the city’s landmark and ends at another must-see spot: the Wilhelminapier. From there you have an excellent view of the impressive skyline of the city – the modern part of Rotterdam. You cannot miss the three 150-meter-high towers called De Rotterdam from here, and the Hotel New York on the peninsula is an eye-catcher.
• Port of Rotterdam: Nothing characterizes the cityscape more than the port of Rotterdam, which is one of the largest in the world. A harbor tour through the area is a must when you study in Rotterdam.
• SS Rotterdam: In a port city there are of course countless ships, but this one is a very special specimen. The largest former passenger ship in the Netherlands serves as a tourist attraction in its retirement. You can take part in guided tours and get to know the ship’s interior or enjoy culinary delights on deck.
• Museums in Rotterdam: Numerous museums with different exhitibions provide enough variety in your free time. For art lovers there is a lot to discover: The famous Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, the Kunsthal, the Witte de With center or the Fotomuseum await them. But also, the Maritiem Museum, the Museum Rotterdam or the Natural History Museum are worth mentioning. A special highlight is the event Museum Night 010, where the cultural centers and museums are open until late at night. If you are not yet tired, you can enjoy the exuberant atmosphere at one of the many after-parties.
• Other events: If you move to Rotterdam, make a note of the following annual events:
  • International Film Festival Rotterdam in January or February.
  • NH Marathon in April
  • Zomercarnival in July
  • World of Port Days in September

There is a lot going on in Rotterdam. Saving tips for students will come in handy. Use your student card to get the so-called Rotterdampas. This gives you free or reduced admission to many sights, and you can look forward to a lot of savings in your free time. This makes exploring a lot of fun.

In Rotterdam, stores are open 7 days a week. Whether you want to shop specifically or go on a long shopping spree, there are plenty of opportunities to do so in this international port city.

• Shopping streets: There are several shopping streets in Rotterdam that invite you to take a leisurely stroll, stroll, and store. These include, for example, the famous shopping street Lijnbaan, the Hoogstraat, known as the oldest pedestrian zone, or the Meent promenade. The KoopGoot, which is laid out like a tube, is worth seeing even without shopping plans because of its location.
• Shopping malls: Although they are located somewhat outside the city, they are still good addresses if you want to go shopping on rainy days. The Rotterdam Alexandrium Mall and the Zuidplein Mall leave nothing to be desired. Both shopping centers are easily accessible by public transport.

Now you know what you can do in Rotterdam and what highlights you can look forward to. But it is not only the leisure program in the friendly port city that speaks for a stay in the Netherlands. The study conditions are also impressive – click here for the article 10 reasons to study in Rotterdam.