Hello,
We are booked on a Holland America cruise leaving out of Rotterdam. We will have 2 full days in The Netherlands before boarding the ship. Should we stay in AMS and then go to Rotterdam the day of the cruise or should be stay in Rotterdam and take transportation into AMS for 1 or 2 days. What would be the preferred transporation from AMS to Rotterdam? We are flying into Schiphol Airport. Thanks so much.
--bev
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Although I had a great time in Rotterdam, it probably isn't the average tourist's cup of tea. You can easily go between the two cities via rail, although they are just far enough away from each other that I wouldn't use either as a base for day trips to the other.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Amsterdam would be a more interesting place to poke around, and of course Schipol is right there.
Otherwise it would be A to R to A to R ......
Assuming cruise leaves in second half of the day, you could scoot over to Rotterdam in the morning. There has to be a train, but I'm not the one to help with that.
Posted by
winston salem, nc, usa
1078 posts
I frequently go to Rotterdam on business and stay in AMS.Very easy train service, usually hourly, and taxis available at the Rotterdam station. If I am just there for a day and night, I stay at the Hilton Schiphol and can take the train from AMS and arrive in about an hour, plus zip into Amsterdam for dinner.
Be aware that the Rotterdam station is pretty small and a lot of messy construction going on, so you have to walk a bit to the taxi stand.
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
Another vote for Amsterdam. I would stay right in Amsterdam, as it's such an interesting and vibrant city. Cafe de Reiger in the Jordaan is a great place for dinner. Trains from Amsterdam to Rotterdam take about an hour and run frequently. Trains from Schiphol into Amsterdam only take about 20 minutes.
Posted by
Puyallup, WA, USA
881 posts
I'd vote for most time in Amsterdam - but, I think Rotterdam is really interesting. I'd spend 1/2 a day there. Some great new architecture, and the cathedral is worth a visit. Fantastic public markets if you're in on the right day too.
Jerry - Rotterdam station is STILL doing construction? lol I remember construction there back in 99'! lol
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23310 posts
Of the two, as everyone else has stated, Amsterdam would be preferred over Rotterdam. Another suggestion would be to overnight in Delft. We caught a Holland Am ship out of Rotterdam in early September. We went to Delft the day before, spent some time in The Hague. Did a walking/canal tour the next morning, caught the train to Rotterdam around 1 PM. From the station caught the tram to HA's dock and by 3 PM was settled in our cabin. Delft is only 15 minutes from Rotterdam so it very convenient. Has great restaurants, beer, and is about as Dutch as anything.