Is Rotterdam or Stockholm cheaper?

Rotterdam is cheaper on average. A mid-range day in Rotterdam costs about $140 vs $170 in Stockholm, so Rotterdam saves you roughly $30 per day compared to Stockholm.

Is Rotterdam or Stockholm safer?

Stockholm scores higher on our safety index (90/100 vs 88/100). Stockholm is a safe city with low rates of violent crime against tourists.

How do daily costs in Rotterdam and Stockholm compare?

In Rotterdam: budget ~$65–100/day, mid-range ~$130–200/day, luxury ~$270+/day. In Stockholm: budget ~$70-110/day, mid-range ~$150-250/day, luxury ~$400+/day.

← Back to Compare

Rotterdam vs Stockholm

Q: Which has better weather, Rotterdam or Stockholm?

Rotterdam has the more temperate climate year-round. Temperate maritime climate — mild but grey. Notoriously windy (the port effect). Rain is possible any month. Summer is pleasant but brief; winter is cold and overcast.

Which destination is right for your next trip?

🤝 It's a tie — both rated 86 OVR

Rotterdam

Netherlands

86OVR

Stockholm

Sweden

86OVR

Safety

Affordability

Food

Culture

Nightlife

Walkability

Nature

Connectivity

Transit

Rotterdam Guide →Stockholm Guide →

Rotterdam

Netherlands

Stockholm

Sweden

Rotterdam

Safety: 80/100Pop: 650KEurope/Amsterdam

Stockholm

Safety: 82/100Pop: 1M (city), 2.4M (metro)Europe/Stockholm

💰 Budget

budget

Rotterdam: $65–100Stockholm: $70-110

mid-range

Rotterdam: $130–200Stockholm: $150-250

luxury

Rotterdam: $270+Stockholm: $400+

🛡️ Safety

Rotterdam80/100Safety Score✓82/100Stockholm

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a safe European city. Pickpocketing occurs in crowded markets and the Markthal. The city has some rough neighborhoods in the outer districts but the tourist areas are very safe.

Stockholm

Stockholm is a safe city with low rates of violent crime against tourists. Petty theft (pickpocketing) can occur in tourist areas and on public transit, but is less common than in many European capitals. The city feels safe to walk around at all hours in central areas.

⭐ Ratings

Rotterdam5/5English Friendly5/5Stockholm

Rotterdam5/5Walkability5/5Stockholm

Rotterdam5/5Public Transit5/5Stockholm

Rotterdam4/5Food Scene4/5Stockholm

Rotterdam4/5Nightlife4/5Stockholm

Rotterdam4/5Cultural Sites4/5Stockholm

Rotterdam3/5Nature Access✓4/5Stockholm

Rotterdam5/5WiFi Reliability5/5Stockholm

🌤️ Weather

Rotterdam

Temperate maritime climate — mild but grey. Notoriously windy (the port effect). Rain is possible any month. Summer is pleasant but brief; winter is cold and overcast.

Spring (Mar–May)8–17°C

Summer (Jun–Aug)18–24°C

Autumn (Sep–Nov)10–17°C

Winter (Dec–Feb)2–8°C

Stockholm

Stockholm has a humid continental climate with long, dark winters and bright, mild summers. Daylight varies dramatically — from nearly 24 hours of light in midsummer to just 6 hours in December. The city is less cold than its latitude suggests, thanks to the warming effect of the Gulf Stream.

Spring (April - May)3-16°C

Summer (June - August)12-25°C

Autumn (September - November)1-15°C

Winter (December - March)-5-3°C

🚇 Getting Around

Rotterdam

Rotterdam has an excellent RET transit network (metro, tram, bus). OV-chipkaart or contactless card for all transit. The city is also extremely cycle-friendly.

Walkability: Very walkable in the city center; Cube Houses, Markthal, and Erasmus Bridge all within easy walking distance of each other

RET Metro & Tram — €1.08+

OV-fiets / Rental Bike — €4.20/day

Waterbus — €4–8

Stockholm

Stockholm has excellent public transit run by SL (Storstockholms Lokaltrafik) including metro, buses, trams, commuter rail, and ferries. An SL Access card or the SL app is essential. The city is also very walkable, and ferries are a scenic way to reach Djurgarden and the archipelago.

Walkability: Central Stockholm is very walkable. Gamla Stan is compact and car-free in parts. The walk from Gamla Stan through Sodermalm or across to Djurgarden is scenic and manageable. The waterfront promenades on Strandvagen and around City Hall are highlights.

Tunnelbana (T-bana) — 39 SEK ($3.65) single ticket; 165 SEK ($15.45) for 24-hour pass; 440 SEK ($41) for 72-hour pass

SL Buses — 39 SEK ($3.65) single ticket (same as T-bana)

SL Ferries & Waxholmsbolaget — SL ferry included in SL pass; Waxholmsbolaget 100-200 SEK ($9-19) to archipelago islands

The Verdict

Choose Rotterdam if...

you want Europe's boldest modern architecture — Cube Houses, the food-hall Markthal, Depot Boijmans van Beuningen's mirrored dome, Kinderdijk's windmills, and Europe's largest port minus Amsterdam's tourist crowds

Choose Stockholm if...

you want a 14-island archipelago capital — Gamla Stan, Vasa ship museum, ABBA Museum, Djurgården walks, and Nordic design cafés

Rotterdam

View Full Guide Book Tours

Stockholm

View Full Guide Book Tours