Rotterdam City Card

The Rotterdam Card is a convenient and affordable city pass tailored for visitors exploring Rotterdam. It offers 1, 2, or 3-day validity and includes unlimited travel on RET public transport (trams, buses, metro) along with 25% to 50% discounts at top attractions and museums such as Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, Kunsthal, the Maritime Museum, and Spido harbor tours. Perfect for short-term visitors, the pass combines cultural access with seamless travel, helping you experience the best of Rotterdam with ease and savings.

Get your Card here >

🎫 Rotterdam Card – Your Key to Explore the City 

The Rotterdam Card offers unlimited travel on RET trams, buses, and metro lines, plus up to 50% discounts on over 30 top attractions like the Euromast, museums, harbor cruises, and more. It includes a free Waterbus ride and comes in 1, 2, or 3-day options, with or without transport. Easy to buy and activate, it’s perfect for visitors who want to explore Rotterdam affordably and effortlessly.

✅ What Is the Rotterdam Card?

The Rotterdam Card is a digital city pass designed to help visitors explore Rotterdam easily, economically, and sustainably. Tailored for short-term travelers, it offers bundled access to public transit and discounts on top attractions.

🖼️ Museums & Attractions Included

The Rotterdam Card gives you up to 50% discount on a wide range of cultural, historical, and family-friendly attractions. It’s a great way to explore the city’s highlights while saving money on admission fees.

🖼️ Top Museums

  • Kunsthal Rotterdam – Cutting-edge contemporary art and design exhibitions
  • Maritime Museum – Explore Rotterdam’s seafaring legacy and historic ships
  • Wereldmuseum – Fascinating global cultures and artifacts
  • Chabot Museum – Expressionist art in a stunning modernist villa
  • Natural History Museum – Nature, evolution, and local wildlife exhibits
  • Museum Rotterdam ’40–’45 NU – Personal stories from WWII in Rotterdam
  • Kunstinstituut Melly – Thought-provoking modern art and social commentary

🏰 Historic & Cultural Sites

  • Euromast Tower – Iconic observation tower with panoramic city views
  • SS Rotterdam – Step aboard this former cruise ship and explore its history
  • Windmill De Ster – A classic Dutch windmill located in Kralingen

🛳️ Tours & Experiences

  • Spido Harbor Tour – Discover the port of Rotterdam by boat
  • Rotterdam Zoo (Diergaarde Blijdorp) – One of Europe’s top zoos
  • Miniworld Rotterdam – A magical miniature version of the Netherlands

🍽️ Dining & Shopping Perks

  • Enjoy discounts at select restaurants, cafés, and shops across the city — ideal for lunch breaks between museums or a relaxed evening meal.

💡 Note: Most discounts range from 25% to 50%, and the card includes a free Waterbus ride on Line 18. 

🖼️ Hidden Gems & Specialties with the Rotterdam Card

Beyond the major attractions, the Rotterdam Card also opens the door to unique and lesser-known spots — ideal for travelers seeking a deeper, more authentic Rotterdam experience.

🧱 Chabot Museum

Nestled beside Museumpark, this serene museum showcases the bold expressionist works of Hendrik Chabot inside a beautifully preserved modernist villa. A peaceful cultural escape amid the city buzz.

Chabot Museum Rotterdam - Holland Heritage

Kunstinstituut Melly

A cutting-edge space for experimental contemporary art, Melly focuses on social themes and emerging international voices. It’s perfect for art lovers who want to explore what’s next.

Natural History Museum Rotterdam

A quiet treasure in the Museumpark, featuring quirky exhibits like the "domino sparrow" and displays on urban wildlife. A fun, educational stop for curious minds of all ages.

SS Rotterdam (Steamship Hotel & Tour)

Not just a hotel — this retired ocean liner invites you to explore the decks, engine rooms, and captain’s quarters with discounted entry. A maritime adventure that feels like stepping into a floating museum.

Botanical Garden Arboretum Trompenburg (seasonal)

An oasis of calm just outside the city center, featuring exotic trees, rare plants, and greenhouses — a relaxing hidden gem often overlooked by tourists.

LantarenVenster

Enjoy indie films, jazz concerts, and performances in a cozy venue along the Nieuwe Maas waterfront. The card often includes special cultural event discounts here too.

These lesser-known highlights offer memorable, off-the-beaten-path experiences — and with your Rotterdam Card, you enjoy them all at a reduced rate.

🚆 Transport Included with the Rotterdam Card

One of the biggest perks of the Rotterdam Card is unlimited access to public transport, making it incredibly easy and affordable to get around the city.

✅ What’s Included:

  • Unlimited travel on all RET trams, buses, and metro lines
  • Valid for 1, 2, or 3 consecutive days (depending on the card you choose)
  • Covers the entire RET network within Rotterdam, including metro lines to popular areas like Blaak, Delfshaven, Kralingen, and Hoek van Holland
  • Also includes one free Waterbus ride on Line 18 (Rotterdam–Heijplaat)

🕒 How It Works:

  • The card becomes active when you first check in on a tram, bus, or metro
  • It’s valid until 4:00 AM after your last valid day

  • Simply tap the card or QR code when entering and exiting RET vehicles

🚫 Not Included:

  • Travel on NS trains, Arriva, or Connexxion buses
  • Travel outside the RET network or regional routes beyond Rotterdam

🧭 Why It’s Useful:

Whether you're heading to museums in Museumpark, shopping along Lijnbaan, enjoying the Euromast views, or catching a harbor tour, this card keeps your journey smooth and budget-friendly.

🕒 How Long Is It Valid?

The Rotterdam Card is available in 1-day, 2-day, or 3-day versions, giving you flexibility based on the length of your stay. Each version is designed to be simple and traveler-friendly:

📆 Validity Options:

  • 1 Day Card – Valid on the day of activation until 4:00 AM the next morning
  • 2 Day Card – Valid for 2 consecutive days from first activation
  • 3 Day Card – Valid for 3 consecutive days from first activation

Example: If you activate a 2-day card on Monday at 10:00 AM, it remains valid until Wednesday at 4:00 AM.

🔄 When Does It Start?

The card becomes active the moment you first use it — either by:

  • Checking in on a RET tram, metro, or bus
  • Redeeming a discount at a participating attraction or venue

🔁 Consecutive Days Only

The validity runs on calendar days, not 24-hour periods — so plan to activate it early in the day to get the most value from it.

💡 Tip: Try to group your most expensive attractions and longest trips into your first two days if you're using a shorter pass — that way you maximize your savings and mobility!

💸 How Much Does It Cost?

Here’s the cost breakdown for 2025:

🎟️ With Unlimited RET Public Transport

  • 1‑Day Card: €15
  • 2‑Day Card: €22.50
  • 3‑Day Card: €27.50

🎟️ Without Transport

  • 3‑Day Card: €10

📲 How to Buy the Rotterdam Card

Getting your Rotterdam Welcome Card is simple and flexible, designed to fit your travel style:

🛍️ 1. Purchase Options

  • Buy online here > 
  • Buy in-person at tourist info locations (Rotterdam Central Station or Coolsingel), with the option to pay in cash

📧 2. Receive a Digital Code

  • After purchase, you’ll receive a voucher code via email.
  • Download the Rotterdam City Card app from App Store or Google Play
  • Use the code to add your card to the app.

🔓 3. Activate Your Card

  • Activate the card within the app using your name and email.
  • Activation happens when you tap for transport or use a discount at an attraction.
  • Cards can be purchased up to six months ahead, giving you flexibility

🚆 4. Start Exploring

  • For transport-inclusive cards: Tap in/out on RET trams, buses, and metro.
  • For attractions: Show your QR code in-app at the entrance to access discounts.
  • You can also book discounted tickets via the app, or tap at partner ticket counters

🔁 Can I Use It Outside Amsterdam?

The Rotterdam Card is designed specifically for use within the city of Rotterdam, so its coverage and benefits are limited to local transport and attractions.

🚫 Not Valid Outside Rotterdam

The public transport pass included only works on RET-operated services, which run within the Rotterdam city area.

It does not include travel on:

  • NS trains
  • Intercity buses
  • Regional transport networks like Connexxion or Arriva
  • Public transport in other cities like The Hague, Delft, or Amsterdam

🧠 Who Is the Rotterdam Card Best For?

The Rotterdam Card is perfect for travelers who want to explore the city efficiently, affordably, and with maximum flexibility. It’s designed to bundle public transport and top attraction discounts into one easy-to-use pass.

  • 👣 City Explorers & First-Time Visitors
  • 👨👩👧👦 Families & Small Groups
  • 💸 Budget-Conscious Travelers
  • 🧭 Solo Travelers & DIY Itinerary Makers
  • ⏳ Short-Stay Tourists

💡 Not ideal for travelers who plan to stay outside Rotterdam or only visit one or two attractions — in that case, buying individual tickets might be cheaper.

📝 Things to Know Before You Buy

The Rotterdam Card is a smart, flexible pass offering transport and attraction discounts, but it’s important to understand how it works before buying. It’s valid for 1, 2, or 3 consecutive days and comes in two versions: with or without unlimited RET public transport. The card is digital-only, activated through the Rotterdam City Card app using a voucher code you receive by email.

Once activated, the pass counts calendar days, not 24-hour periods, so it’s best to start using it early in the day. Instead of free entry, the card offers 25–50% discounts at museums, tours, and attractions across Rotterdam. It’s valid only within the RET network—not for regional trains or nearby cities.

This card is best for visitors who plan to explore several attractions and rely on public transport during their stay.

🚀 Final Tip

To get the most value from your Rotterdam Card, plan your days in advance and activate the card early in the morning. Focus on visiting high-discount attractions and group nearby locations together to save time and transit costs. Use the City Card app to track your pass, check discounts, and reserve entry where needed. Don’t overlook hidden gems like Chabot Museum or Miniworld — they’re often less crowded and full of local charm. With smart planning, this card can turn a short trip into a rich and seamless Rotterdam experience.