You should take normal precautions against pickpockets and baggage theft, especially in the main shopping streets, at markets, in trams and trains, at stations, and anywhere where tourists congregate.It is not wise to hang around Stadhuisplein when nightlife ends. Fights often occur in this area after midnight. Rotterdam also has a reputation of mass venues getting out of hand, though you shouldn't worry too much about it. If violence breaks out at football festivities not so unlikely or at the end of sun soaked festive days, like Queensday even less unlikely, especially at the Stadhuisplein, just get out of the way and you're unlikely to be affected. It's advisable not to wear a football jersey of Ajax Amsterdam or any other stuff promoting Ajax or Amsterdam.In terms of general safety, at daylight most areas in the city are safe. But at night, some areas such as Spangen, Charlois and Vreewijk are wise to avoid.When you drive a car with a foreign numberplate especially if it's a French or Belgian one you might or will be approached by so called drugsrunners. This can occur on the motorways surrounding the city and in the city proper. These guys try to lure people to places were drugs are dealt. Do not respond to their signals and do not follow them.
contact
The telephone country code for the Netherlands is 31, and Rotterdam's city code is 010. If making local calls to reserve hotel rooms or restaurants, or calls to other cities in the country, you will need a phone card â¬5 minimum as many green KPN telephone booths do not accept coins. Blue/orange Telfort booths accept both coins and cards. The KPN booths are currently being replaced by newer models, which will accept coins again.In case of an Emergency, dial 1-1-2 from any public phone for free. Be advised, however, that with the rise of cell phone use, many public phones have been removed, and can therefore be hard to come by.When staying for a longer time, buy a prepaid sim card for your mobile phone.
talk
Since virtually everybody in the Netherlands speaks at least passable English, getting around should be very easy too.