8x How to get from Cruise Terminal to Rotterdam Center

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There’s nothing quite as exciting as arriving in a new city, especially when you dock beneath the majestic Erasmus Bridge, one of the most iconic landmarks in our city, Rotterdam. This impressive bridge, often affectionately called 'The Swan' due to its elegant shape, serves as the gateway to the vibrant heart of Rotterdam. When you disembark at the Cruise Terminal Rotterdam, strategically located next to the architectural masterpiece De Rotterdam, you find yourself right in the heart of our modern metropolis.

For tourists looking to explore our city, there are numerous ways to travel from the terminal to the center of Rotterdam. Whether you choose to walk and take in the breathtaking cityscape, opt for the convenience of our public transportation, or perhaps discover our city from a unique perspective on the water, Rotterdam offers something for everyone. In this article, we’ll discuss the various transportation options that can take you from the Cruise Terminal Rotterdam to the city center, ensuring you make the most of your visit to our dynamic city.

Walking

One of the best ways to explore Rotterdam is on foot. From the Cruise Terminal, it’s about a 20-minute walk to the Coolsingel, the city’s most famous shopping street. When you leave the terminal, turn left and first walk past De Rotterdam, the most impressive building adorning our city's skyline.

Next, you cross the Erasmus Bridge, where you’ll enjoy a stunning view of the Maas River and the city. On the other side, continue towards the vibrant Witte de Withstraat, a popular nightlife spot filled with cozy cafes and restaurants. From the Witte de Withstraat, you’ll continue to the Coolsingel, where you’ll find yourself right in the center of Rotterdam, ready to explore further.

Bycicle

Do you want to explore Rotterdam flexibly and affordably? Rent a Donkey Republic shared bike! Just 200 meters (a three-minute walk) from the Cruise Terminal, you’ll find the bike station. Through the Donkey Republic app, you can easily reserve and unlock a bike, ready to explore the city.

Renting a bike is quick and easy through the Donkey Republic app. With just a few clicks, you reserve a bike, unlock it with the app, and you’re ready to go.

Download the App

Scooter

As soon as you leave the Cruise Terminal, you’ll be right on the Wilhelminakade. Here you’ll find shared scooters on both sides from various providers like Felyx, Check, and Go. These scooters are ideal for quickly and flexibly exploring the city.

To use a shared scooter, simply download the app of one of these providers. This allows you to find, unlock, and start a scooter nearby. Perfect if you want to get to the city center quickly or explore other parts of Rotterdam.

Car

Do you want to explore Rotterdam and its surroundings flexibly and at your own pace? Renting a (shared) car is an excellent option. Just like the shared scooters, there are also shared cars available within walking distance of the Cruise Terminal. Platforms like MyWheels make it easy to rent a shared car.

In just three steps, you’ll be on your way. First, download the MyWheels app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and sign up. Next, choose your location and determine how long you want to rent the car. You can also select additional preferences to find the perfect car for your trip. Once everything is set, you can unlock the car with the app and start your journey. All the information you need during your trip is available in the app. After your trip, park the car in the designated parking spot or in the zone where you picked it up.

With a shared car near the Cruise Terminal, you have the freedom to go wherever you want, without relying on other transport options.

Download the App

Metro

If you want to travel quickly and easily to the center of Rotterdam, the metro is an excellent choice. As soon as you leave the terminal, turn left and walk about 250 meters (3 minutes) until you see the Wilhelminaplein metro station on your right.

At this station, you no longer need to buy a ticket. Simply tap your contactless debit card or credit card at the gate to check in and out. On platform 1, you can take any metro, either line D or line E. Both lines will take you directly to Beurs metro station, right in the bustling center of Rotterdam.

Wilhelminaplein metro station is also highly accessible for the disabled, making it a comfortable option for all travelers.

Learn More About the Metro in Rotterdam

Taxi

Do you want to travel to the center of Rotterdam comfortably and quickly? With a taxi, you can reach the heart of the city in just five minutes. Directly to the left of the Cruise Terminal, in front of the nhow hotel in De Rotterdam, you’ll find a taxi stand where you can easily take a taxi. Additionally, taxis can also stop directly in front of the Cruise Terminal, allowing you to hop in without any hassle. Order a taxi via this link or an Uber via this link and enjoy a worry-free ride straight to your destination in the bustling center of Rotterdam.

Learn More About the Metro in Rotterdam

Water Taxi

A unique and quick way to travel to the center of Rotterdam is by water taxi. You can board at two locations near the Cruise Terminal. To the right of the terminal, a five-minute walk will take you to the pier at Hotel New York (pier 44). To the left of the terminal, also a five-minute walk away, is the Holland Amerikakade (pier 42).

A ride with the water taxi to the center, to stop 47 at Leuvehaven, costs just 5 euros per person. This is not only a convenient but also a spectacular way to experience Rotterdam from the water.

Book a Ride with the Water Taxi

Transfer Bus

Many cruise lines, including MSC Cruises, offer transfers to the center of Rotterdam. These transfers are a convenient option and can be booked in advance or sometimes even arranged on board. They take you comfortably and directly from the Cruise Terminal to the heart of the city, perfect if you prefer not to walk or use public transportation. Check with your cruise line for availability and costs of this service before you arrive.

Bus

If you’re planning to take the bus to the center of Rotterdam, it’s important to know that there are no bus stops on the Wilhelminakade, directly at the Cruise Terminal. For bus transportation, you’ll need to walk a bit to a nearby stop outside the Wilhelminakade. Fortunately, there are other transportation options, such as the metro, water taxi, or taxi, which are directly available and can quickly and comfortably take you to the city center.

Train

If you’re planning to travel by train, the nearest stations are Blaak Station and Zuid Station, both about 2 kilometers from the Cruise Terminal, which is about a 30-minute walk. For a larger hub, you can go to Rotterdam Central Station, which is about a 40-minute walk from the terminal. Although these stations are not directly near the terminal, they offer good connections to other parts of the Netherlands and beyond.

What to Do on the Wilhelminakade?

For those who prefer not to venture into the busy city center of Rotterdam but still want to step off the ship, the Wilhelminakade offers a wealth of opportunities to enjoy your time. The Wilhelminapier, located at the foot of the Erasmus Bridge, is quintessentially Rotterdam. This most dynamic part of the city center, filled with architecture, culture, restaurants, hotels, and places to live and work, is always buzzing with activity.

The Wilhelminapier is the architectural showcase of the Netherlands, where you'll find a mix of monumental warehouses and spectacular new developments. Iconic buildings like the Erasmus Bridge, De Rotterdam, the New Orleans, the Luxor Theater, the Cruise Terminal, and Montevideo define the city's skyline here. With hotspots like the Fotomuseum, the terrace of Hotel New York, the Evy rooftop bar in the nhow hotel, and restaurants such as the formerly famous Las Palmas (by Herman den Blijker), there’s no chance of getting bored.

This area is often referred to as "Manhattan on the Maas" due to its cosmopolitan character and impressive high-rise buildings. At the same time, Rotterdam shows its most welcoming side here. Enjoy the high-rise architecture on the Wilhelminapier and the stunning panorama over the Maas. For further exploration, you can cross the Rijnhaven Bridge to Katendrecht, where you’ll find the Fenix Food Factory and many cozy eateries on the Deliplein.

The Wilhelminakade is a narrow but spectacular strip of high-rise buildings between the Maas and the Rijnhaven. It is a paradise for photographers, architecture enthusiasts, and food lovers. Restaurants like Las Palmas, Hotel New York, Japanese restaurant Ono, Aqua Asia, and Café Rotterdam attract visitors from all over the world. The terraces offer beautiful views over the Maas, and at Hotel New York, you can even relax in deck chairs right by the Maas.

Whether you want to spend a relaxing afternoon or enjoy a night out, the Wilhelminakade and the surrounding areas offer plenty of entertainment for anyone looking to skip the city center and still experience everything Rotterdam has to offer.