Rotterdam was founded in the mid-13th century following the construction of a dam on the river Rotte, and received municipal rights in 1340. It is the second largest city in the Netherlands. In the years following World War II, Rotterdam emerged as the most modern, internationally oriented, high-rise city in the Netherlands. The city can justifiably call itself one of the most popular congress destinations in the Netherlands, mainly due to its event locations, its wide selection of four and five-star hotels, its superb restaurants, vibrant nightlife and good accessibility. With an imposing skyline and landmark bridges, Rotterdam is a city that you will never forget!

Click here for more information about the city and activities

Lonely Planet, Best in Travel, choose Rotterdam as number 5 charismatic city that deserves to be visited in 2016: “Rotterdam is the future… now. After being bombed to smithereens during WWII, the Netherlands’ second-biggest city became a canvas for visionary architects like Rem Koolhaas. The end result is a laboratory of experimental buildings fringed by this historic city’s surviving heritage. Read more

Rotterdam Tourist Information Coolsingel
Coolsingel 114 (in the garden of the Schielandshuis, entrance Coolsingel)
3011 AG Rotterdam
Opening hours: 09:30 – 18:00

Rotterdam Central Train Station

Public transportation to Congrescentrum De Doelen, Kruisplein 40, Rotterdam
Train: Rotterdam CS at 5 minutes walking distance
Metro: Centraal Station
Tram to Kruisplein: numbers 4, 7, 8, 20, 21, 23 and 25
Bus to Centraal Station: numbers 33, 38, 44, 48 and 49

Local public transportation
RET provides public transport by bus, tram, metro and ferry in the Rotterdam area. Use RET travel planner to plan your journey.

To travel by bus, tram or metro in the Rotterdam area you need a ticket. There are different kind of tickets (OV-chipcard) available.

OV-chipcard
You can pay for public transport in Rotterdam using the OV-chipcard. OV-chipcard page describes how to use the card.

Available at the City promotion center or VVV
With the Rotterdam Welcome Card you get an OV-chipcard for unlimited use of public transportation (for 1, 2 or 3 days) and save over € 250 on the best attractions, museums, restaurants theatres and clubs in Rotterdam!

Tourist Day Ticket
With a Tourist Day Ticket you enjoy unlimited travel by bus, tram, metro and waterbus throughout the South Holland Rotterdam & The Hague region for a fixed price for a whole day. The ticket is valid all day from the time you first check in until services stop running. Always check in when boarding and check out when exiting the bus, tram, metro or waterbus. Price: €13.50.

The Tourist Day Ticket is valid with the following carriers in the South Holland Rotterdam & The Hague region: Arriva, Connexxion, HTM, HTMbuzz, RET, Veolia and Waterbus. The Tourist Day Ticket is not valid on trains, Fast Ferry, Driehoeksveer Ferry, (small) neighborhood buses, night buses, public transport taxis, or on buses 195 and 295.

The Tourist Day Ticket is on sale at the service points of the transport operators, at a number of hotels and leisure facilities, and at the tourist offices in the larger centres in the region. You can find all points of sale at www.touristdayticket.nl.

Available on buses and trams from the bus driver or tram conductor:

• RET 1 uur reizen – travel 1 hour by bus, tram and metro € 3.00

Available at the ticket machines in metro stations and RET Sales and Information points:

• 1 Day travel card – travel by bus, tram and metro € 7.50
• 2 Day travel card – travel by bus, tram and metro € 12.50
• 3 Day travel card – travel by bus, tram and metro € 16.50
• RET 2 uur reizen – travel 2 hours by bus, tram and metro € 3.50
• RET 2x 1 uur reizen – you can make two one hour journeys buy bus, tram and metro € 6.00
• Anonymous e-purse OV-chipcard – travel by bus, tram and metro € 7.50 excluding e-purse credit