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

Should you visit Odense 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 Odense 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.

Odense

Odense is a progressive, beautiful, and historic city. It's also popular because of the nightlife and food. See Odense 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.

Odense and Rotterdam: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good public transit
  • Very walkable
  • Big city activities


Is there more to do in Odense or Rotterdam?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Rotterdam than Odense. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Rotterdam is more touristy than Odense and is popular for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall. It is also well known for The Cube Houses. Odense is famous for

The Cube Houses
The Cube Houses

How is Odense different from Rotterdam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Odense
Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a good destination for its sights and museums. However, Odense 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.

Odense does not have museums and landmarks.


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

Odense
Rotterdam

Rotterdam is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Odense 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 Odense. You'll find local restaurants serving local favorites such as smoked salmon. You'll also find burger joints and international options such as sushi.

Is Odense or Rotterdam Better for Nightlife?

Odense
Rotterdam

Evening events are excellent in both Odense and Rotterdam.

Odense has plenty to do after the sun goes down. You'll find a number of bars and clubs around town. Many are conveniently close together so you can hit up several places in one night. Start your night at a pub before heading out dancing in the club a few hours later.

Rotterdam has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Odense or Rotterdam?

Odense
Rotterdam

Rotterdam is notable for its shopping areas. However, Odense is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Odense is not a noteworthy shopping destination.


Is Odense or Rotterdam Better for Families?

Odense
Rotterdam

Both Odense and Rotterdam are excellent family-friendly destinations.

Odense is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. As the home of Hans Christian Andersen, this town is a child's playhouse. You can visit the H.C. Andersen House, which will bring his fairytale mind to life. The city also has more than 200 playgrounds, an amazing zoo, and the Funen Village, which is an open air museum. There's also a castle to explore and paddle boating on the water.

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

Is Odense or Rotterdam Better for Couples?

Odense
Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a good destination for couples. However, Odense 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.

Odense is not the best destination for a couple to visit. It's a charming city with a lot of green space and paddle boating on the water, but it lacks some of the romance that you find in many European cities.

Is Odense or Rotterdam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Odense
Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a good destination for backpackers. However, Odense is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Odense is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's a hostel or two in town, but most backpackers don't make the time to visit this off-the-beaten-path destination.


Is Odense or Rotterdam Better for Students?

Odense
Rotterdam

Rotterdam is notable for students. Also, Odense 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 Odense. It's a charming and friendly city that makes a fun place to learn and live. There's a fascinating culture and a number of things to do.

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

Odense
Rotterdam

Rotterdam is notable for its public transit. However, Odense does not have public transit.

The public transit in Rotterdam can get you to most places easily. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

Odense does not have public transit.

Is Odense or Rotterdam a more walkable city?

Odense
Rotterdam

Rotterdam is notable for its ease of walking around. However, Odense is not a walkable destination.

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

Odense is not a walkable destination.


Should I spend more time in Rotterdam or Odense?

How long in Odense or Rotterdam?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Odense and Rotterdam. In our opinion, Rotterdam has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Rotterdam than Odense. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Odense, and 1-3 days is enough time in Rotterdam.

Families should spend more time in Rotterdam than Odense. 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 Odense. 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 Odense 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.


  • How many days in Odense or Rotterdam? Ideal Length of Stay
    Odense 2-3 
    Rotterdam 1-3

One day in Odense or Rotterdam?

You'll find nightlife and food around the city of Odense. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. 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 Odense or Rotterdam?

You'll find food and nightlife around the beautiful destination of Odense. 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 Odense or Rotterdam?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of Odense. 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 Odense or Rotterdam?

Odense 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 trendy 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 2-Week Tours from Copenhagen, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Denmark, The Best River Cruises from Amsterdam, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands.


Which place is cheaper, Rotterdam or Odense?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Odense is $218, while the average daily cost in Rotterdam is $224. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Odense and Rotterdam in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Odense $88
    Rotterdam $90
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Odense $176
    Rotterdam $180
Compare Hotels in Odense and Rotterdam

Looking for a hotel in Odense or Rotterdam? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Odense


Hotels in Rotterdam


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Odense Hotel Prices and Rotterdam Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Odense $48
    Rotterdam $31

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rotterdam

Also for Rotterdam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Rotterdam Airport (RTM) Private Transfer to Rotterdam/Amsterdam: $35
  • Amsterdam: Private Transfer from Or To Schiphol Airport: $63
  • Rotterdam Airport(RTM) to Rotterdam - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $79
  • Rotterdam Private Transfer to Rotterdam Airport RTM in Sedan Car: $89
  • Rotterdam Airport RTM Private Transfer to Rotterdam in Sedan Car: $89
  • Private Transfer from Rotterdam hotels to Rotterdam Cruise Port : $92
  • Private Transfer from Rotterdam Airport (RTM) to Rotterdam Port: $92
  • Private Transfer from Rotterdam Port to Rotterdam Airport (RTM): $92
  • Rotterdam Airport RTM Private Transfer to Rotterdam by Luxury Van: $95
  • Rotterdam Private Transfer to Rotterdam Airport RTM by Luxury Van: $96
  • Private Transfer from Rotterdam hotels to IJmuiden Cruise Port: $133
  • Rotterdam Airport RTM Round-Trip Private Transfer: $167

Is it cheaper to fly into Odense or Rotterdam?

Prices for flights to both Rotterdam and Odense change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Odense $97
    Rotterdam $109

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rotterdam

For Rotterdam, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Rotterdam Food Tour: Taste The Alternative Side Of The City: $79
  • Guided Food Tour: $81
  • Historic Delfshaven: Lunch or Dinner with a Private Chef: $88
  • Rotterdam City Center Food Tour: $89
  • Food Tour by Bike: $105
  • Guided Walking Food Tour: $105
  • Biking Rotterdam Food Tour with Local Guide: $106
  • Walking Rotterdam Food Tour: $106
  • Private Walking Food Tour of Rotterdam: $131
  • Rotterdam Private 2-Hour Food Tour with Tastings: $176
  • Private Food Tour in Rotterdam Taste the Future: $286

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Odense $32
    Rotterdam $37

Tours and Activities in Odense

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Odense are as follows:

  • Odense Private Guided Walking Tour: $382
  • Craft Beer Walking Tour: $62

Tours and Activities in Rotterdam

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rotterdam.

  • Rotterdam 2-Hour Walking Tour | Discover The City With A Local: $3.56
  • Rotterdam Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $5.86
  • Breda Fun Puzzle Quest: True Lord Self-Guided Tour: $5.94
  • Explore Gouda with Self-Guided GPS and Audio Tour: $8.29
  • Rotterdam Spy Mission: Save the City Exploration Game and Tour: $8.68
  • Delfshaven Self-Guided Tour: A Guide to Rotterdam’s Old Town: $9.99
  • Self-Guided Walking Tour of Gouda: Canals, Colonies, and Cheese: $9.99
  • Art, History and Architecture Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
  • Rotterdam's Highlights and History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
  • Pub Trail Dordrecht: an adventure full of surprises: $13
  • 1-day RET Public Transport Ticket: $14
  • Trompenburg Botanical Gardens Entry Ticket: $15

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Odense $24
    Rotterdam $22

Sample the Local Flavors in Rotterdam

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rotterdam:

  • Beer Brewery 'Noordt' Beer Tasting: $9.40
  • Stadshaven Brewery Tour with Beer Tastings: $15
  • Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $20
  • Brewery Noordt Tour Including Two Beers: $20
  • The Ultimate Rotterdam Bar Crawl Experience: $41
  • Ludwig's Original Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $53
  • Ludwig's Private Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $582


When comparing the travel costs between Odense and Rotterdam, we can see that Rotterdam is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Odense or Rotterdam?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Odense. When comparing the sizes of Odense 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.