Transport in Rotterdam
The public transport system in Rotterdam is very well organized.
There is a subway, busses and an extensive system of short distance
city trains: Trams. Some of these monsters look like
there from outer space, but don't be afraid, there from France.
Subway Metro’s (Dutch name for Subway) depart every
4 minutes at daytime. At night they depart every 15 or 30 minutes.
The Subway only has two lines but can take you far into the
suburbs of the city.
Busses
depart less often than trams or metro’s and bus-stops are
not to be found on every street corner. The good thing though:
they go a long distance, even into other surrounding cities
and towns. If you want to find your way within the city you
are best of traveling by Tram. There are plenty of lines and
stops all over the city. The Tram allows you to travel quick
and easy.
For using public transport you need to buy a 'strippenkaart'
(see image on the right). Every time you take the bus, tram
or subway you stamp 2 strips for one zone (The city is divided
into zones). If you want to be sure just ask the conductor or
the driver how much you have to stamp. You can buy your strippenkaart
at any news stand, tobacco store, Train or subway station. If
you don’t have a strippenkaart and you still want to travel
by tram or bus, you can always buy a one way ticket in any tram
or bus for €1,60. Just ask the driver or the conductor.
It is not recommended to travel by tram without a valid traveling
ticket. Almost every tram has a conductor and you will be asked
to show your ticket. If you're caught without a ticket you will
be fined with € 30,--.
Taxi
Off course, you can also travel by Taxi. But Rotterdam is not
very big for Taxies. Even if you don’t have a car it is
still very easy to get around by bike or public transport. But
if you do need a taxi you will have to find yourself a taxi
range or call one of the better taxi companies like: RTC (010-4626060)
and St. Job (010-4257000). The fastest way to get a taxi is
to call from a mobile or a street phone. The starting rate is
€2.50.
Watch out for crooked cabdrivers. You'll recognise there faces
and there cars if you're a bit streetwize...
Water Taxi
Rotterdam is build on a number of Islands and if you want to
travel from shore to shore, the nicest way to go is to take
the Water Taxi. This speedboat will escort you over the Maas
to the Northern Island and back to the Mainland.
They have over 250 landingstages from Dordrecht to Hoek van
Holland, the Rijnmond area and all Rotterdam harbours.
Call 010-4030303 or check the website.
