Rotterdam pass - how to have fun and save money in Rotterdam

If there is one thing that is an evergreen in the top three of favourite things for every Dutch person, it’s a bargain. If you are staying in Rotterdam for a weekend or a fortnight, go right ahead and skip this article. If you are here for a couple of weeks, months or years and are averagely active, do consider getting a Rotterdam pass, especially, if you have children!

I have been here for a while and I hadn’t got one until recently, the main reasons being:

 

1. Thinking it was a touristy thing to do,
2. Having to fill out a form online which includes uploading a photo,
3. It does cost €65* per person (kids pay €20)*.

*Note that there are various tariffs depending on whether you live in Rotterdam, have a low monthly income or are a student. The list of exceptions is quite long, so do check the rotterdampas.nl website (Dutch) for the latest up-to-date information.   

However, you really get your money out of it. If you, let’s say, go to a few museums, a couple of movies, for a swim and a few ice creams. There are more things like discounts on eating out, special movies, beauty and relaxing therapies, indoor children’s playgrounds, sports clubs and tours. And there are lots of seasonal discounts as well.

Capri Ijssalon 📷 Anna Soetens

For parents with children, there are more discounts in there, like good savings on a yearly zoo card or playgrounds aka theme parks like Plaswijk Park. But already the seasonal discounts, free nature playground, free ice creams, as well as the fact that all museums are free with the Rotterdam pass will provide a lot of entertainment.  

Rotterdam Zoo 📷 Anna Soetens
Natuurspeeltuin de Speeldernis 📷 Anna Soetens

Before you sign up, check the date, though. It's valid from March to March. And consider if you will make use of it. Are there really a couple of deals you are sure to use? If some options are going to float your boat, you really can save some bucks.

Is this really a winner for me? Ask me next a year in March! For more information on the Rotterdam pas, check out the official Rotterdampas website. 

P.S. If you do not want to get a Rotterdam pas, but still want a bargain on long or short holidays, funfairs, eating out and theme parks, you can decide to haggle. Just go on the auction site (it's more like eBay than Sotheby’s obviously) Vakantieveilingen, see what you like and place your offer. You might get a fantastic discount for a couple of people. It's all mostly on short notice, but it’s a bit more straightforward than Marktplaats (the Dutch eBay).