A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kaunas vs. Rotterdam for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Kaunas or Rotterdam?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kaunas and Rotterdam. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Kaunas

Kaunas is a active, young, and vibrant city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the nightlife and food. See Kaunas travel costs.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a high energy, modern, and trendy port city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Rotterdam travel costs.

Kaunas and Rotterdam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kaunas or Rotterdam?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Rotterdam than Kaunas. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Rotterdam is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Kaunas attracts visitors for its historical sights. Kaunas is famous for its traditional Lithuanian culture and authentic old town. Rotterdam is famous for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall. It is also well known for The Cube Houses.

The Cube Houses

How is Kaunas different from Rotterdam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Rotterdam and Kaunas. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kaunas or Rotterdam?

Rotterdam is a good destination for its sights and museums. However, Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Rotterdam. Although many of the historic buildings around town were destroyed during World War II, there are still a number of sights worth checking out. Head to the Old Harbor and Marine Museums, the Museum Boijmans-van Beuningen, or the Wereldmuseum to see some interesting places.

Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Kaunas or Rotterdam? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Rotterdam is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Rotterdam is an experience not to be missed. The city's restaurant scene is diverse. There are ethnic restaurants, vegan restaurants, local restaurants, and some popular chains. The city is also known for its food halls, which provide a variety of gourmet flavors from around the globe.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Kaunas. It is a great place to try traditional Lithuanian dishes as there are a number of good restaurants and an active restaurant scene. Popular local dishes include cepelinai potato dumplings and cold beetroot soup.

Is Kaunas or Rotterdam Better for Nightlife?

Rotterdam is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Rotterdam has plenty to do after the sun goes down. It is a trendy city with an active nightlife. You can relax with a beer or hit up one of the clubs around town. Popular options are Club Vibes, Toffler, and Club Vie.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Kaunas. The nightlife scene continues to improve with a growing number of bars and clubs. During the warmer months you'll find many places opening outdoor areas. The old town is one of the more lively areas in town where it's nice to enjoy a drink on a terrace.

Is Kaunas or Rotterdam Better for its Old Town?

Kaunas is a good destination for its historic old town charm. However, Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Kaunas has an old town worth visiting. The old town has tree-lined streets with charming cafes and a number of museums. It's also where you'll find the Kaunas Castle.

Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Kaunas or Rotterdam?

Rotterdam is notable for its shopping areas. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Rotterdam. You'll find fashion and clothing shops in the area around Lijnbaan and Beurstraverse. This is also where you'll find the shopping mall of Bijenkorf.

Kaunas is a good destination for shopping. The old town is the place to pick up souvenirs, but there are also shopping malls and outlets in the city.

Is Kaunas or Rotterdam Better for Families?

Rotterdam is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Rotterdam is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Fun activities for kids include Miniworld Rotterdam, the Kids Marina, and Fun Forest, which has ziplines and a ropes course.

Kaunas is a family-friendly city. The city has both outdoor and indoor areas that are fun for kids. Vienybės Square has fountains and splash areas that are fun for kids of all ages. Lampėdis Lake is a great place to swim or visit an adventure park. When the weather isn't great, you can head indoors to the the Kaunas Tadas Ivanauskas Zoological Museum or "CurioCity" in the Mega Mall.

Is Kaunas or Rotterdam Better for Couples?

Rotterdam is a good destination for couples. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for romance.

Rotterdam is a good port city for couples to visit. It is a modern city with good restaurants and some fun activities.

Kaunas is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The city has a number of historical sites as well as interesting restaurants that you can explore.

Is Kaunas or Rotterdam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Kaunas and Rotterdam are nice destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Kaunas. It's not a popular destination, but there are enough concerts and festivals throughout the year that it does see a few tourists.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Rotterdam. There are a number of hostels around town as well as a good nightlife that appeals to backpackers.

Is Kaunas or Rotterdam Better for Students?

Rotterdam is notable for students. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Many students visit Rotterdam. The city has a great job market and a lot of activities that appeal to international students.

Plenty of students visit Kaunas. The city has a vibrant and young student population. It also hosts festivals, concerts, and other events that make it a fun destination for international students.

Is Kaunas or Rotterdam Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Rotterdam is notable for its public transit. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Rotterdam. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

Kaunas has some public transit options. There are both buses and trolleybuses around town.

Is Kaunas or Rotterdam a more walkable city?

Rotterdam is notable for its ease of walking around. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

Rotterdam is a very walkable destination. There are broad streets with wide sidewalks that are pedestrian friendly.

Kaunas is somewhat walkable. When the weather is nice, the city is a nice place to take a walk.

For even more information, also check out Is Kaunas Worth Visiting? and Is Rotterdam Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rotterdam or Kaunas?

How long in Kaunas or Rotterdam?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Kaunas and Rotterdam. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Rotterdam than in Kaunas. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kaunas, and 1-3 days is enough time in Rotterdam.

Families should spend more time in Rotterdam than Kaunas. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Rotterdam, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Rotterdam than Kaunas. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Rotterdam that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rotterdam than Kaunas if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Rotterdam.

One day in Kaunas or Rotterdam?

You'll find nightlife and food around the city of Kaunas. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kaunas has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Rotterdam is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Kaunas or Rotterdam?

You'll find food and nightlife around the active destination of Kaunas. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Rotterdam is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Kaunas or Rotterdam?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the active city of Kaunas. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rotterdam. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Kaunas or Rotterdam?

Kaunas is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the high energy big city of Rotterdam. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Lithuania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilnius, The Best River Cruises from Amsterdam, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kaunas and Rotterdam, we can see that Rotterdam is more expensive. And not only is Kaunas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kaunas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kaunas and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Rotterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rotterdam than you might in Kaunas.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kaunas Expensive? and Is Rotterdam Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kaunas or Rotterdam?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 60% larger than the population of Kaunas. When comparing the sizes of Kaunas and Rotterdam, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Kaunas or Rotterdam?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Kaunas or Rotterdam in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kaunas as well as Rotterdam. The summer months attract visitors to Kaunas because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year.

Kaunas is around the same temperature as Rotterdam in the summer. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Rotterdam fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rotterdam. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kaunas this time of the year. In the summer, Kaunas often gets more sunshine than Rotterdam. Kaunas gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rotterdam receives 202 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Rotterdam. Kaunas gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or Rotterdam in the Autumn?

Both Rotterdam and Kaunas are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Kaunas this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rotterdam for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Kaunas is cooler than Rotterdam. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kaunas in October average around 8°C (46°F), and Rotterdam averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Kaunas usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rotterdam during autumn. Kaunas gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Rotterdam receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Rotterdam. Kaunas gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kaunas or Rotterdam in the Winter?

Both Rotterdam and Kaunas during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Kaunas for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Rotterdam in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Rotterdam can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Kaunas. In January, Kaunas is generally much colder than Rotterdam. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around -5°C (23°F), and Rotterdam fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Kaunas often gets less sunshine than Rotterdam. Kaunas gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rotterdam receives 47 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets less rain in January than Rotterdam. Kaunas gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or Rotterdam in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kaunas and Rotterdam. Many visitors come to Kaunas in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Rotterdam for the activities around the city during these months.

Kaunas is cooler than Rotterdam in the spring. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Rotterdam fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Kaunas usually receives more sunshine than Rotterdam during spring. Kaunas gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Rotterdam receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Rotterdam. Kaunas gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rotterdam and Kaunas