Rotterdam car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Rotterdam
The best car rental companies in Rotterdam are Sixt, Europcar, Avis. Prices start from €24/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 10%.
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Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Rotterdam
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€27/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€30/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#3
Avis
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€26/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#4
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€23/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#5
Europcar
Local pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€25/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#6
Enterprise
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€28/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€25/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€31/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Green Motion
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€21/day
base rate
View Green Motion deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-21 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Rotterdam
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €24 | Volkswagen Polo | 4 |
| Compact | €29 | Opel Astra | 5 |
| SUV | €43 | Volkswagen T-Roc | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €58 | Ford Galaxy | 7 |
| Luxury | €85 | BMW 3 Series | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Rotterdam
Airport — Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM)
Rotterdam The Hague Airport is a compact regional airport about 15 minutes from downtown; most desks operate from a shared rental center reached by a short shuttle from arrivals.
Downtown — Rotterdam city center
Downtown desks near Rotterdam Centraal serve visitors arriving by train who want a car to explore Zeeland, the Delta Works, or the wider Randstad without driving in the city itself.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~10% of base rate | RTM airport pickup |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €12–22/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €6–9/day | Per extra driver |
| Environmental zone compliance | included, verify Euro rating | Driving inside Rotterdam's low-emission zone (Milieuzone) |
| City-center parking | €3–5/hour | Metered street parking in the center and Kop van Zuid |
| Refundable deposit | €200–400 | Standard hold at pickup |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Rotterdam
- Rotterdam operates a strict low-emission zone (Milieuzone) covering most of the city center — older diesel and petrol vehicles may be barred, so check the rental car's Euro emissions class before entering.
- The city was almost entirely rebuilt after WWII bombing, so unlike most Dutch cities, Rotterdam has wide modern boulevards that are comparatively easy to drive, though cyclists still have strict right-of-way at every junction.
- A car is most useful in Rotterdam for day trips to the Delta Works storm barriers and the province of Zeeland, neither of which are well served by train.
- Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM) is a small regional airport; travelers on long-haul flights often land at Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) instead and drive about 1 hour south via the A4/A13.
- The historic Kinderdijk windmills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are about 20 minutes from Rotterdam by car and have on-site paid parking.
- Rotterdam's center has extensive paid and permit parking with few free spaces; park-and-ride facilities on the city's edge are a common alternative for day visitors.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Rotterdam
Do you need a car in Rotterdam?
Not for the city center, which has excellent trams, metro, and bike infrastructure. A car becomes useful for day trips to the Delta Works, Zeeland, and Kinderdijk.
Can I drive any rental car into Rotterdam's city center?
Check the vehicle's emissions class first — Rotterdam enforces a low-emission zone (Milieuzone) that restricts older diesel and petrol vehicles from parts of the center.
Should I fly into Rotterdam or Amsterdam?
Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM) is small with limited long-haul routes; many international visitors instead fly into Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) and drive about 1 hour south.
Where do you park in Rotterdam?
Street parking in the center is metered and expensive. Park-and-ride facilities on the outskirts, connected by tram or metro, are a popular cheaper alternative.
Is it easy to reach the Delta Works by car?
Yes, the Delta Works storm barriers in Zeeland are about 45–60 minutes from Rotterdam and are the main reason most visitors rent a car in this region.
Do I need to watch out for cyclists when driving in Rotterdam?
Yes — cyclists have strong right-of-way at nearly every intersection, and dedicated bike lanes run alongside most streets, even the wide postwar boulevards.
What is the cheapest car type in Rotterdam?
Economy cars like a Volkswagen Polo start around €24/day. For groups heading to Zeeland, a 7-seat minivan starts around €58/day.
Nearby trips
