The Spido Rotterdam Harbour Tour is a 75-minute guided boat cruise operated by Royal Spido, departing from Willemsplein 85 in central Rotterdam and travelling through Europe’s largest port. This 2026 tour guide covers departure times, ticket prices, how to get there, parking, accessibility, and practical tips to help you plan your trip.
To skip the explanation and book your tickets, head this way.
Updated February 2026: The Willemsplein tram stop no longer exists — it was permanently removed on 6 January 2025 as part of Rotterdam’s tram network restructuring. Many third-party guides and booking platforms still direct visitors to this stop. The correct stop is now Leuvehaven, served by trams 3 and 5 and metro lines D and E, from which Spido is a 5-minute walk.
Quick facts: Spido Rotterdam Harbour Tour
| Duration | 75 minutes |
|---|---|
| Adult ticket | €18.75 |
| Child ticket | €10.55 |
| Departure point | Willemsplein 85, 3016 DR Rotterdam (Spido jetty) |
| Nearest public transport | Tram 3 or 5, or Metro D or E — alight at Leuvehaven, 5 min walk · Waterbus stop adjacent to jetty |
| Parking | Erasmus multi-storey car park, adjacent to jetty (paid) · APCOA Scheepvaartkwartier, nearby |
| Wheelchair accessible | Yes |
| Audio guide languages | Dutch, English, German, French (spoken) · Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, Italian (paper) |
| Dogs permitted | Yes, on a lead |
Spido Rotterdam Harbour Tour departure times
The Rotterdam Harbour Tour runs daily throughout the year, with the number of daily departures varying by season. The full 2026 timetable is as follows:
| 2 Jan – 22 Mar 2026 | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 14:00 only · Thursday to Sunday: 11:00, 12:30, 14:00, 15:30 |
|---|---|
| 23 Mar – 31 May 2026 | Daily: 09:30, 10:15, 11:00, 11:45, 12:30, 13:15, 14:00, 14:45, 15:30, 16:15, 17:00 |
| Jun, Jul, Aug 2026 | Daily: 10:15, 11:00, 11:45, 12:30, 13:15, 14:00, 14:45, 15:30, 16:15, 17:00 |
| Sep and Oct 2026 | Daily: 10:15, 11:00, 11:45, 12:30, 13:15, 14:00, 14:45, 15:30, 17:00 |
| Nov and Dec 2026 | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 14:00 only · Thursday to Sunday: 11:00, 12:30, 14:00, 15:30 |
In winter (January to late March, and November to December), the cruise runs only once daily on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, departing at 14:00. Visitors planning a weekday winter visit should be aware that if they miss the 14:00 departure, there is no alternative sailing that day on those days of the week. Arriving at the jetty at least 15 minutes before departure is recommended to collect or validate tickets at the desk.
Departure times were checked on the official Spido website and last updated February 2026.
Spido Rotterdam Harbour Tour ticket prices
The standard adult fare is €18.75. Children’s tickets are €10.55. All tickets include the on-board audio commentary system.
| Adults | €18.75 |
|---|---|
| Children | €10.55 |
| Family ticket (2 adults + 2 children aged 4–11) | See spido.nl — includes children’s activity book |
| Rotterdam Pass holders | Free — but advance online reservation is required; Rotterdam Pass cannot be used to board directly. Pass must be chipped at the cash desk before boarding. |
City and discount pass schemes: The Rotterdam Harbour Tour is included in the Rotterdam Pass. Reservations for Rotterdam Pass holders are required in advance and can only be made online — not by phone or email. After reserving, Rotterdam Pass holders must go to the Spido cash desk to have their pass chipped before they can board; they cannot board directly from the jetty. The tour is not included in the I Amsterdam City Card, Go City Amsterdam Pass, or any Amsterdam-based city pass scheme.
Tickets can be purchased online or in person at the Spido office. Both on board and at the ticket desk, payment is by debit or credit card only — cash is not accepted anywhere on site.
Ticket prices were checked on the official Spido website and last updated February 2026.
How to get to Spido Rotterdam Harbour Tour
Spido is located at Willemsplein 85, on the south bank of the Maas in central Rotterdam. The nearest public transport stop is Leuvehaven, which is served by trams and metro. Note: the Willemsplein tram stop no longer exists — it was removed permanently on 6 January 2025. Any guide or map directing visitors to Willemsplein tram stop is out of date.
- Tram 3 (direction Beverwaard) — alight at Leuvehaven, approximately 5 minutes’ walk to the Spido jetty
- Tram 5 (direction Carnisselande) — alight at Leuvehaven, approximately 5 minutes’ walk
- Metro line D (direction De Akkers) — alight at Leuvehaven, approximately 5 minutes’ walk
- Metro line E (direction Slinge) — alight at Leuvehaven, approximately 5 minutes’ walk
- Waterbus — the Waterbus stop is located directly adjacent to the Spido jetty, making it possible to arrive by river from other locations along the Maas. See waterbus.nl for stops and timetables.
From Rotterdam Centraal station, trams 3 and 5 and metro lines D and E all stop at Rotterdam Centraal and connect to Leuvehaven in approximately 5–8 minutes. Journey planning is available via ret.nl or the 9292 public transport planner.
Parking at Spido Rotterdam Harbour Tour
Paid parking is available in the Erasmus multi-storey car park, which is directly adjacent to the Spido jetty at Willemsplein. A second option is the APCOA Scheepvaartkwartier car park, also nearby. Free parking for coaches is available close to the departure points. On-street parking elsewhere in the immediate area requires payment via vehicle registration number; there are no pay-and-display machines. Public transport is strongly recommended for visitors travelling from Rotterdam Centraal or within the city.
How long does the Spido Rotterdam Harbour Tour take?
The Rotterdam Harbour Tour has a fixed duration of 75 minutes. The cruise departs and returns to the same jetty at Willemsplein. There is no option to leave the cruise mid-route. Visitors should plan to arrive at the jetty at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time to allow time to collect or validate tickets at the cash desk. The Spido office is open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:00 and Saturday and Sunday from 09:30 to 17:00.
Accessibility at Spido Rotterdam Harbour Tour
The Spido Rotterdam Harbour Tour is wheelchair accessible. The boats in the Spido fleet are equipped to accommodate wheelchair users, and the jetty at Willemsplein has level or ramped access. Visitors with specific accessibility requirements are advised to contact Spido directly before booking to confirm arrangements for their particular needs: telephone +31 (0)10-275 9999 or email [email protected].
Dogs are permitted on the 75-minute harbour tour, provided they are kept on a lead throughout the cruise. Other pets are not mentioned in the official guidelines; visitors travelling with animals other than dogs should contact Spido in advance.
On board the Spido Rotterdam Harbour Tour: what to expect
The 75-minute tour departs from the Spido jetty at Willemsplein and travels through the working port of Rotterdam, covering a route that takes in the river Maas, the Erasmus Bridge, the historic and modern city skyline, and sections of the active container port and docklands. The cruise passes landmarks including the SS Rotterdam (a decommissioned ocean liner moored permanently as a hotel), the Wilhelminapier development, and views across to the Kop van Zuid district.
An audio commentary system is included in the ticket price and operates throughout the cruise. Commentary is available in Dutch, English, German, and French via the on-board speaker system. Written commentary in Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, and Italian is available on paper and can be collected at the start of the cruise.
Catering is available on board during the cruise. Hot and cold snacks and drinks can be purchased from the on-board service. Payment on board is by card only — cash is not accepted. Visitors may not bring their own food or drink on board; outside consumables are not permitted.
A family ticket option is available for two adults and two children aged 4 to 11, and includes a children’s activity book designed to keep younger visitors engaged during the cruise. Groups of 20 or more people must book in advance by email to [email protected] or by telephone, rather than through the online ticket system. Lunch bags can be ordered for groups of 20 or more.
Practical visitor tips for the Spido Rotterdam Harbour Tour
| Arrival time | Arrive at the jetty at least 15 minutes before your booked departure. Ticket collection and Rotterdam Pass chipping takes place at the cash desk, which can have a short queue before popular departures. If you arrive after the boat has left, you must rebook to a later time slot — late arrivals cannot board a departed cruise. |
|---|---|
| Winter visits | On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays between January and late March, and in November and December, there is only one daily departure, at 14:00. Missing this sailing means no alternative is available that day on those days of the week. Weekday winter visitors should plan around this. |
| Outdoor deck | The boats have both indoor and outdoor deck seating. In colder months, outdoor seating is exposed to wind from the river. Dressing in layers is advisable for winter and autumn sailings. On warmer days, outdoor deck positions are in direct sun and can fill quickly — boarding early allows more choice. |
| Payment | The entire Spido site — ticket desk, on-board catering, and the shop — is cashless. Only debit and credit cards are accepted. Own food and drink are not permitted on board. |
| Transport note | The Willemsplein tram stop no longer exists. Use Leuvehaven (trams 3, 5 or metro D, E) and walk 5 minutes to the jetty. Any navigation app or guide showing a Willemsplein tram stop is out of date. |
Frequently asked questions about the Spido Rotterdam Harbour Tour
| How long is the Spido Rotterdam Harbour Tour? | The tour is 75 minutes. It departs and returns to the same jetty at Willemsplein 85. There are no stops along the route. |
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| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Spido harbour tour? | Advance booking is recommended, particularly in spring and summer when multiple departures sell out. In winter, there are fewer departures and advance booking is still advisable to secure a place on the single weekday sailing. Tickets can also be purchased at the Spido office on the day, subject to availability. |
| Is the Spido harbour tour wheelchair accessible? | Yes. The boats and jetty are wheelchair accessible. Visitors with specific mobility requirements are advised to contact Spido in advance to confirm arrangements. |
| Are dogs allowed on the Spido harbour tour? | Yes. Dogs are permitted on the 75-minute Rotterdam Harbour Tour, provided they are kept on a lead throughout the cruise. |
| In which languages is the audio commentary available? | The spoken audio commentary is available in Dutch, English, German, and French. Written commentary on paper is also available in Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, and Italian. |
| Is food available on the Spido harbour tour? | Yes. Hot and cold snacks and drinks are available to purchase on board during the cruise. Card payment only. Visitors may not bring their own food or drink on board. |
| Is the Rotterdam Harbour Tour included in the I Amsterdam City Card? | No. The Spido Rotterdam Harbour Tour is located in Rotterdam, not Amsterdam, and is not included in the I Amsterdam City Card or any Amsterdam-based city pass. The relevant local pass is the Rotterdam Pass. |
| How does the Rotterdam Pass work for Spido? | Rotterdam Pass holders receive free entry but must make an advance reservation online. After reserving, pass holders must go to the Spido cash desk to have their pass chipped before they can board. Direct boarding is not possible with the Rotterdam Pass. |
Things to do near the Spido Rotterdam Harbour Tour departure point
The Spido jetty is located on the Maas waterfront in central Rotterdam, within easy walking distance of several major attractions.
- Erasmus Bridge (10 min walk) — Rotterdam’s most recognisable landmark, a cable-stayed bridge crossing the Maas connecting the city centre to the Kop van Zuid. Free to cross on foot or by bicycle. Directly visible from the cruise route.
- Maritiem Museum Rotterdam (8 min walk) — the Netherlands’ national maritime museum, covering the history of Dutch seafaring and the port of Rotterdam. Outdoor harbour section includes historic vessels and is particularly relevant as a complement to the Spido cruise.
- Euromast (15 min walk or 10 min by tram) — a 185-metre observation tower with a viewing platform and restaurant. Views extend across the port, the Maas, and the Rotterdam skyline.
- Markthal Rotterdam (15 min walk) — a large covered market hall with an arched residential building forming its roof, housing food stalls, restaurants, and market vendors. It’s one of Rotterdam’s most remarkable pieces of modern architecture.
- Cube Houses (Kubuswoningen) (15 min walk) — a cluster of residential houses designed by architect Piet Blom and built at a 45-degree angle. One unit is open to visitors as the Show Cube.
