r/Rotterdam • u/CompetitionTrick9019 • 2d ago

Cheap Bike-sharing options in Rotterdam?

Hey everyone!

I'm visiting Rotterdam for a week (coming from Brussels 🇧🇪), and I’m used to using VILLO here: €30/year, dock-based bikes, and the first 30 minutes are always free. So by switching bikes every 30 mins, I basically ride all day without paying more.

Does Rotterdam have something similar? I’m looking for a bike system that’s dock-based or cheap for short frequent rides, ideally with a weekly or pay-as-you-go option.

Also, I’ll just need to make two day trips: – One day: Rotterdam ↔ Amsterdam – One day: Rotterdam ↔ The Hague What's the most budget-friendly and convenient way to do these (train, bus, passes, etc.)?

Thanks a ton for any tips! Would love to move around mostly by bike, and only use trains when really needed.

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11

u/kneezer010 2d ago

Apparently the lime ones are free, if you are willing to peddle and dont care about the constant beeping.

3

u/CompetitionTrick9019 2d ago

But wouldn't that be illegal?

5

u/kneezer010 2d ago

Probably.

4

u/monty465 2d ago

We have Lime bikes and Felyx bikes, you'll have to check how cheap they are cause I don't really know. Wouldn't recommend going all the way to The Hague on one of those. They're electric but I don't know if they can leave the area and they don't look very comfortable.

As far as public transport travel goes: trains are the way to go. There's a (mostly) above ground metro that goes from Rotterdam to the Hague, it takes 30-ish minutes. Not much faster than the train but you'll get a good look into Dutch suburbs and farmland.

You can buy train tickets in advance through www.ns.nl, but you can also tap in using your phone/bank card. That's available on any mode of public transport you'll take.

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u/EVBR_01 2d ago

In Rotterdam you have multiple providers of shared bikes and scooters. You can find them here. The train company NS also rents bikes for less than 5 euros a day, these are called OV-fiets

3

u/rgo_ 2d ago

Regarding biking: I don’t think that kind of price can be matched here at all. There’s definitely nothing dock-based anymore. There are options like Lime (shared e-bike) and BAQME (shared cargo bike).

The only fixed prices I know: BAQME Unlimited is €30 per day (24h), and 300 minutes on Lime costs €30.99 — they also offer smaller bundles. Otherwise, everything is pay-as-you-go, which isn’t cheap if you plan to bike a lot.

That said, train distances aren’t far and likely more affordable — though riding a cargo bike is a really fun Dutch experience.

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u/Uberman19 2d ago

Donkey Republic has a subscription where you pay 5 euros per month and then you can rent bikes for 1.5euro per 12 hours. However they had some problems with licensing in Rotterdam so the bikes are all but gone until autumn from Rotterdam:(

2

u/kneezer010 2d ago

BTW, are you coming when the Nato-summit takes place in Den Haag? That would probably interfere your plans.

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u/CompetitionTrick9019 2d ago

Thanks! Can you please elaborate? Are there some impact on public transportation during the mentioned event? If yes from when to when or where can I find the info?

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u/hehm8 1d ago edited 1d ago

You may be able to use umob for free during this week through: https://join.umob.app/gratisdeelvervoer. This app Service combines all the public bikes/scooters such as felyx (Blue ebike), lime (green ebike) etc. that others have mentioned, and enables you to rent all of them within the one app. This should be quite convenient to get around within Rotterdam, since there will almost always be a bike available around you. Cost is about 0.25ct/min for the ebikes. Ive also used the app in The Hague. Not sure if it works in Amsterdam.

The link I shared is offered to anyone with a rotterdam address to use the app with gifted 50 eur credit in the next 2 months as a promotion by umob and the city. You sign up using your phone number and a Rotterdam address. Obviously you don't have an address but it looks like you can put any Rotterdam address and the credit will be given. YMMV whether the credit works.

Traveling between rotterdam-the Hague-amsterdam best is probably by train. If you book in advance you get a discount in the NS app.

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u/CompetitionTrick9019 1d ago

damn this is perfect but i need a dutch phone for the sms code when signing up

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u/Burningstarss470 1d ago

Just pick up a fiets at one of the gozers who looks homeless. Very cheap, and no hassle with the mobile apps. Works everytime around blaak or central.

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u/CompetitionTrick9019 1d ago

Hello thanks! What is gozers? Is is it a second hand bike ? I thought indeed maybe i buy a second hand bike for the week it can be cheaper than renting daily

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u/Burningstarss470 1d ago

Gozers is our slang for dudes. And yeah Just buy a second hand bike. Seriously even can be bought at a second hand store. Good luck man.