FAQ2023-04-06T07:27:59+00:00
  • Explore the city like a Rotterdammer!

  • Meeting point: Main entrance of the Markhal

  • Daily tours

  • Time: 10:30am & 13:30 (1:30pm)

  • Tip based

Can I do both a Classic Tour and a Southside Tour?2023-05-04T13:22:34+00:00

Yes, you can!

If you have the legs for it, you can even do the Southside Tour in the morning and follow up with the Classic Tour. Both tours follow an entirely different route and you’ll hear different stories along the way.

Book both tours and get the best experience of your stay in Rotterdam!

If I cancel my tour, is the booking fee refunded?2023-03-31T14:45:26+00:00

The booking fee is refundable until 24 hours before the start time of the cancelled tour. From the €1,89 that you pay per person, €1,50 per person will be refunded to your account. The transaction fee of €0,39 per person is non-refundable.

Please note that it may take up to 10 days before you see the refund in your account. For more information, visit our Cancel & Refund Policy page.

Didn’t receive a cancellation email? Send us an email, mentioning the 4-digit order number that you received (check your email for reference). We will make sure you receive the amount to your account.

Why do I pay a booking fee for a free tour?2023-04-05T13:58:01+00:00

When you join a tour, you are charged a €1,89 booking fee per attendee. These costs cover the following:

€1,50 booking fee:

  • A guarantee of your reservation, both for you and for us.
  • Our work on the backend, organizing & managing our tours and guides.
  • Marketing & website maintenance, so you can find us when looking for the best tour in Rotterdam.
  • Being there for you when you contact us!

€0,39 transaction fee for electronic payments

The booking fee can be paid when you make an online booking, or at the start of the tour with a credit/debit card. For more information about the fee and our cancellation policy, visit our Booking Fee & Cancellation Policy page.

The bookings fee is for the Free walking tour community 

For the tour guides the amount you tip is up to you, Free tours have no fixed cost, and the amount you pay is up to you!

Can I change or cancel the reservation?2022-04-11T11:09:32+00:00

No problem! You can cancel the tour at anytime in your confirmation email through this button:

You can make a new reservation on your preferred date & time. If you need further assistance, send us an email.

Can I reserve the tour for more than 4 people?2023-03-31T15:14:42+00:00

Our booking system allows reservations for a maximum of 4 people per booking. Our experience shows us that other attendees appreciate smaller groups within the tour. It keeps the tour up to speed and it’s easier to make new friends between smaller groups. We kindly ask you to respect this.

If you are visiting with a larger group, consider booking a Private Walking Tour of Rotterdam. You will have full attention of your own guide and it leaves more space for improvisation during the tour.

Do you still wish to join a Free Tour with a group larger than 4 people? If we have enough availability, you can make multiple reservations in our booking system under the same name and email address.

Why is a tour date/time not available in the booking calendar?2023-03-28T10:57:17+00:00

All tours for this date are fully booked. Please consider another date or time to come and see Rotterdam.

If you really want to come on this date and have a larger group, consider taking a Private Walking Tour of Rotterdam. You can enjoy Rotterdam with your own private guide!

How do I know if my booking is received?2023-03-28T10:58:31+00:00

After choosing your date & time and entering your name & email address, you are taken to this screen:

Make sure to click on the BOOK NOW button to confirm your submission. If your booking is recorded, you will see this screen:

An email is sent to your email address for further reference.

Didn’t receive anything? There are several possibilities why this happens:

  • The email address was entered with a typo
  • The confirmation email is recognized as spam (check your spam folder!)
  • Our booking confirmation isn’t working correctly

No worries, your booking is surely recorded if you saw the screen above. If you wish to receive the details anyways, please send us an email.

Is a Free Walking tour safe?2020-07-31T17:04:17+00:00

Yes! In compliance to current guidelines, groups are no bigger than 15 people and we ask people to bring a face mask for crowded spots and possible indoor sightings. Additionally, we keep 1.5 meter distance from each other.

Do we keep distance from each other?2020-06-15T10:55:46+00:00

If you are a household, you can stay together with 5 people. Otherwise always keep 1.5 meter distance from each other.

What does Free Walking Tour Rotterdam do to keep us safe?2020-08-20T20:18:21+00:00
  • Only pre bookings with health check 
  • Instruct when and where the use of a face mask is mandatory
  • Guides wash hands before & after every tour 
  • Prevent small streets to keep a safe distance
What will I see on the Free Tour?2020-06-15T08:11:03+00:00

We will pass by the highlights of town while telling you stories about Rotterdam from a local perspective.

Some of the tour highlights:

  • Markthal and the story behind it
  • World War 2 story of Rotterdam
  • Cube houses
  • And more. Check out our main page for more info.
Is the tour route wheelchair accessible?2017-08-01T15:40:00+00:00

Yes, some areas have stairs, but it’s possible to go around them.

Is the tour suitable for children?2017-08-01T14:54:13+00:00

Yes, children are welcome! The attractions are great to see also for the younger ones as well! It is a 2-hour walk and we hope it would be comfortable enough for the kids to walk such a distance and time.

What languages are the tours given in?2018-04-30T19:12:40+00:00

The everyday tours are in English. We also give on Saturdays a Spanish tour.

Do you stop for any breaks?2017-08-01T14:34:07+00:00

The duration of the tour is around 2 hours so we don’t stop for any break. We can make a quick toilet break if anyone needs to. We don’t stop for food or drinks.

Is there a maximum number of people allowed on the tour?2017-08-01T14:35:44+00:00

We like to keep the groups small which is why  there is a limit of 25 people. So if you want to be sure to join the tour and book a spot on our website right away.

What if I am late for the tour?2017-09-12T11:40:27+00:00

We sometimes leave 5 minutes later (not a guarantee, though) so please be on time! It is not possible to catch up with the tour once we start.

What time do I need to show up for the tour?2017-08-01T14:53:07+00:00

We recommend all participants arrive 10 minutes before the tour starts. Of course, you will not miss the tour by coming just on time.

What is The Free Tour system?2017-08-01T14:19:56+00:00

This is the title given to tours that work on a donation basis (at the end you can give the guide what you feel the tour was worth). In our small company, we are confident enough to let you decide the value of the tour. You can not get a fairer system and this ensures that our guides give their best service every tour.

I went on a tour and we took a group picture, where can I see it?2017-08-01T15:15:08+00:00

We post the picture every after the tour around eight o’clock in the evening. You can find the picture on our Facebook page.

So how do you guys make money?2017-08-01T14:29:14+00:00

The only source of income the guides have is the tips that generous people think that they’re worth after having taken the awesome tour. We don’t get sponsored by the city or anyone else. Any tip is accepted of course, in this way, anyone can join no matter what your travel budget is.

I’m a teacher with a school class, can we come to the tour?2017-08-01T16:04:25+00:00

Our Free Tours are aimed at individual visitors and small groups and we try to keep our groups small, so please contact the guides and ask for a private tour instead.

How do I book a private tour with you?2017-08-01T15:34:52+00:00

For the time being, you can write us an email with the following details:

  • Date of the tour
  • Start time (tour ends about 2 hours later)
  • Start location If your hotel is in the center otherwise we start in front of the Markthal.
  • Your phone number
  • Size of the group
  • Any special request

Please send us your inquiry here and we will respond within 24 hours.

How far will we be walking?2017-08-01T15:39:17+00:00

From start to end, it will be a little over 3 km or about 2 miles.

How long do the tour last and where does it end?2017-08-01T14:38:08+00:00

The tour takes about 2 hours and we end up at the Markthal, the same spot where we start the tour. In this way, you won’t get lost!

There’s no tour scheduled when I’m in Rotterdam! What should I do?2017-08-01T15:11:14+00:00

That really sucks and we’re sorry! However, you can ask our guides for a private tour, which costs money but is absolutely excellent! If you’re interested, send an email

Can I leave before the tour ends?2017-08-01T14:39:41+00:00

Sure you can. You’re free to join and free to leave. We only ask you to let your guide know so we don’t have to look for you.

Do I need to make a reservation?2017-08-01T14:51:57+00:00

We strongly recommend making a reservation. In this way, we know how many people will book join the tour. So if necessary we will be there with more guides. If the tour is full you may have to join the next tour. So please click here to book a tour to secure a spot.

How do I recognize the guide?2017-08-01T14:47:10+00:00

Look for a tall Dutchman holding a white umbrella on the square in front of the Markt Hallen.Free walking tour Rotterdam

When do the tours run?2018-03-25T10:06:41+00:00

Every day at 13:30. Saturday and sunday we also run a tour in the morning, starting at 10:30.

Can I take my dog on the tour?2017-08-01T14:58:43+00:00

Yes, your furry pets are most welcome to join our tour! Apart from few buildings where we have to go inside, other than that, you can join every part of the tour.

What if it rains or snows?2017-08-01T15:43:05+00:00

We operate with the motto ”Rain or snow we always go!” So we will always be there. The tour runs as scheduled.

There is no such thing as bad weather just bad clothing!

What if only a few people show up?2017-08-01T15:12:27+00:00

Then you’ll be able to hear the guide better! As long as at least 1 person shows up and wants to take the tour, it’s on!

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