Is Rotterdam Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Rotterdam is generally a safe city to visit for solo female travelers. Dutch people are very friendly and harmonious. Local women are often seen walking or biking alone even at night. However, like anywhere, there are some parts of the city where it's better to be a little more cautious especially at night and while using public transportation. Always keep your personal belongings close and avoid deserted places after dark.

Safety rating

4.5 /5

Based on 5 experiences

4.5 /5

Based on research and crime data

Safety overview

Safety at night:Safe

Rotterdam is generally considered relatively safe at night. Public spaces are well lit and well populated even in later hours, but as in any city, it's always best to stick to main streets and avoid quieter, less lit areas. There's a strong police presence throughout the city, which also significantly contributes to its safety. Likewise, public transport is reliable and safe. However, it is always recommended to remain alert, aware of your surroundings and to take the standard precautions to ensure your personal safety while walking alone at night.

Public transportation: Safe

Rotterdam in the Netherlands has a highly efficient and expansive public transport system that can be considered generally safe. It includes trams, buses, a metro system, and even water taxis. The operators place a high priority on passenger safety. There's also a good presence of security personnel who often patrol. However, like any public transportation system globally, one must always be cautious, especially during late night hours or in less crowded areas.

Street harassment: Low

Rotterdam is generally a safe city for solo female travelers. Street harassment is not a pervasive issue, although, like in all cities, occasional instances may occur. The local residents are courteous and respectful for the most part, and law enforcement is reliable. The city highly values safety and respect for all its residents and visitors.

Petty crimes:Low

Rotterdam, as a part of Netherlands, has low petty crime rates. However, like any city, it is always smart to remain vigilant. It is generally safe even at night, but be aware of pickpocketing in crowded areas and keep your belongings secure. Regardless of the low risk, precaution should always be the priority.

Tap water:Very safe

In the Netherlands, including Rotterdam, tap water is of high quality and is closely monitored by Dutch water companies. It is not only drinkable but is often considered to be even purer than bottled water. Therefore, it's perfectly safe to drink from the tap directly.

Get the Travel Ladies app

Meet new people, find travel buddies, share experiences, discuss travel plans and stay with local women through couch surfing
Download from App StoreDownload from Google Play
Get the Travel Ladies App

Travel experiences

Overall rating

4.2 /5

based on 5 experiences

Rating summary

Things to do

3.9/5

Safety

4.5/5

Food

4.5/5

Budget-friendly

3/5
Eva

Eva

Germany

Family travel experience

Rotterdam is a wonderful city to visit. Due to the fact the city was almost flattened during the WW2, the city is modern and well laid out with many attractions within walking distance. The Museums are beautiful, well worth spending the time to visit, the shopping in the city is AMAZING, the harbours are lovely and there are many fantastic restaurants as well. Tip, go to the tourist info centre and grab a walking tour map, but also buy a proper map of Rotterdam so you can get your bearings. Do a bit of research so you can use the Metro transport system, it is easy once you get your head around it, and the trams in the city are a great way to get around all of the sights if you don't want to walk. Make sure you go to the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, it is in my opinion superior to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and a whole lot less crowded, they have a brilliant and eclectic collection. If you want to duck into Amsterdam, go by the fast FYRA train, it will get you there in around 45 minutes and leaves every 30 minutes.

Posted: August 21, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 5/5
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0

Solo travel experience

I went to Rotterdam for a day trip and loved it. However, one day is definitely enough to see everything. They have cool bridges to see along with their observation tower (Euromast) and the cubic houses were interesting. Great food and great people.

Posted: May 4, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0

Solo travel experience

I went to Rotterdam for 4 nights last summer and had a lot of fun. There wasn’t that much in terms of attractions per se but I met so lovely people in my hostel. I really enjoyed myself. I also took a day trip to see the big windmills in Kinderdijk which I highly recommend.

Posted: April 30, 2023
Things to do: 3/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 5/5
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0

Solo travel experience

Things to do: - Cubic Houses - Market Hall - Central Station - Willems Bridge - Erasmus Bridge - Euromast - Markthal Safety: No safety issue at all. Accommodation: I have stayed at the King Kong hostel. Great place with very nice people. Also very clean and great location. Recommendations: Water taxi rides are great fun and can give you a fantastic view of the city from the water.

Posted: August 7, 2022
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 5/5
favorite_border 83
mode_comment 0

Solo travel experience

Things to do: - Visit the cube houses - See the Erasmusbrug - See the Remastered experience - Walk across the Erasmus Bridge - Admire the skyline at Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen Safety: I felt safe all the time. Budget: Stayed at the ROOM hostel. The hostel was clean, well decorated, and comfortable. I highly recommend it. Recommendations: Rotterdam is an easy day trip from Amsterdam (it’s like half an hour by train), so it’s certainly worth the visit.

Posted: July 31, 2022
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 5/5
favorite_border 58
mode_comment 0

Meet locals in Rotterdam

Kamile

Kamile

Speaking

About Me

My name is Kamile, I am Turkish and i live in Rotterdam. I am 26 years old. I am married and I studied International Relations.

Countries I’ve Visited

🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇨🇿 Czech Republic, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia

mode_comment 0
Gosia

Gosia

Speaking

About Me

Hi! My name is Gosia and I’m from Poland, currently studying in the Netherlands. I’ve also lived in Austria (my German is terrible though 🥲) and will be going to Tokyo, Japan on exchange soon! I love (solo) travel and all the new places and people I get to know through it ❤️ Outside of travel, I’m very much into cinema and art :) I’m also a big animal lover! 🐱

Countries I’ve Visited

🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇦🇹 Austria, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇨🇭 Switzerland, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇧🇪 Belgium

mode_comment 0
Mary

Mary

Speaking

About Me

Hey!, I'm Mary and I'm interested in backpacking, books, nightlife, sightseeing and history

Countries I’ve Visited

🇦🇹 Austria, 🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇵🇱 Poland

mode_comment 0

Stay with locals in Rotterdam

Erika

Erika

Speaking

You can stay for:

2 days

About me

I’m a Dutchie, originally from country side Drenthe (Province North of the Netherlands), but living in Rotterdam since 2016. In 2021 I was able to buy my own small apartment in a suburban area outside the center. 20 min by metro and you’re downtown. I’ve done two internships in the US, lived in Brussels, Belgium for almost 7 years and traveled alone in South America for 4 months. I’m currently single and no kids or pets (cat/dog on photo are from friends of mine) I work as a meeting organizer for mostly pharmaceutical business and get to travel to nice destinations at times. I would not mind staying longer sometimes to check out the destination, so hope to make some contacts to make it more fun and get the most out of a visit. I’m also open to host, although I have no experience yet, but I’m super social and always like to show around my friends. Ask me anything!

Countries I’ve Visited

🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇧🇲 Bermuda, 🇧🇴 Bolivia, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇨🇴 Colombia, 🇭🇷 Croatia, 🇨🇿 Czech Republic, 🇪🇨 Ecuador, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇲🇹 Malta, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇵🇪 Peru, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇷🇴 Romania, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇨🇭 Switzerland, 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia

mode_comment 0
Sunniva

Sunniva

Speaking

You can stay for:

1 day

About me

I’m Sunni, a Norwegian living in Rotterdam for the past 6 years. Love travelling, cooking, journalling, hanging out with friends and making art 🌸

Countries I’ve Visited

🇦🇺 Australia, 🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇨🇿 Czech Republic, 🇩🇰 Denmark, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇨🇭 Switzerland, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

mode_comment 0
Beatričė

Beatričė

Speaking

You can stay for:

1 day

About me

I am 20 years old photography student, I love climbing, hiking and discovering new places

Countries I’ve Visited

🇦🇹 Austria, 🇨🇳 China, 🇨🇿 Czech Republic, 🇩🇰 Denmark, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇱🇻 Latvia, 🇱🇹 Lithuania, 🇸🇰 Slovakia, 🇨🇭 Switzerland, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇪🇪 Estonia, 🇫🇮 Finland, 🇳🇱 Netherlands

mode_comment 0

Upcoming visitors to Rotterdam

Daura

Daura

Speaking

About Me

I’m an artist based in Brazil, I love visiting galleries, cafés, bookstores, finding the best vegetarian dishes, and taking photographs ✨

mode_comment 0

Safety in Netherlands