Public Transport System in Rotterdam – The Metro

The public transport system in Rotterdam is pretty reliable, efficient and comfortable. You can use any one or a combination of options like bus, tram, metro, ferry, and taxi to reach an address in or around Rotterdam. For Intercity transport, trains are the best option.

In this post, we will discuss one of the most popular  (and perhaps the fastest) way to get to any destination in Rotterdam – The Rotterdam Metro. Operated by the RET (Rotterdamse Electrische Tram), the metro runs on 5 lines in the city.

Line A (green) and Line B (yellow) start from Binnenhof and Nesselande respectively, terminating at Schiedam Centrum. Line C (red) runs between De Akkers and De Terp. All these three lines offer an east-west connection. Line D (light blue) operates from De Akkers right upto Rotterdam Centraal and Line E (blue) offers an intercity connection between Rotterdam Centraal and Den Haag Centraal.

Payment System :

The OV-Chipkaart (chip card) has replaced the Strippenkaart as the payment system on the Metro.  These smart cards are of two types :

• Personal OV-Chipkaart : Useful for people traveling everyday. This card has a photo of the user on it, and thus cannot be used by anyone else.
• Anonymous OV-Chipkaart : More suited to visitors, tourists or occasional metro users.

Both the cards cost € 7.50 each and can be purchased at any of the RET offices located near the metro stations.

Topping up the OV-Chipkaart :

• Go to any “verkoop and opladen” (buy and load) machine, located conveniently at all Metro stations.
• Select ‘English’ as the language option if you are not comfortable with Dutch.
• Insert your chip card in the slot provided.
• Select the amount you want to load on the chip card.
• Insert either cash or pay by debit card.
• Do not forget to take your chip card back.

Apart from these chip cards, RET offers 1/2/3 day cards. These are valid on all public transport in Rotterdam and can be used any number of times within the specified duration. Their cost is as below :

RET 1 day -  € 6.00
RET 2 days  – € 9.00
RET 3 days -  € 12.00

Discounts are available for children as well as for older people above 65 years of age.

Using the OV-Chipkaart :

• Make sure you have enough balance on the chip card.
• Using the metro map (on display at all metro stations), select your route (metro line) to the destination.
• Tap the chip card/day travel card on the turnstile to enter. You will notice that an amount of €4 gets deducted from the chip card.
• Tap the card again on the turnstile while exiting at your destination. At this point, the card calculates the exact fare and the remaining amount from the €4 deducted above will be restored on your chip card.

Things to keep in mind :

• The metro is your best bet if you are visiting some of the most popular tourist attractions in Rotterdam like the Cube Houses, Blaak Market, NAI etc
• The Rotterdam metro operates from 5:30 in the morning until midnight. The schedules and maps are available free of charge at all metro stations.
• Make sure to close each entry at the turnstile with an appropriate exit at the destination.

However,

• Do not board the metro once the whistle blows off. It can be very dangerous.
• Do keep in mind that the metro will be crowded during the rush hours. Keep your cool and take a seat where you can find one.
• Do grab a copy of the local newspaper “Metro”, available free of cost at the stations. Newspapers are one of the best ways to know more about a city and its culture.

Wish you a great time with the Rotterdam Metro!

[Photo Credits, in order : Bastiaan Steinmeier, Orangesplaash, Redvers and illustir]