How I Survive in Rotterdam With Almost No Money
When I arrived in Rotterdam this time, I had about €20 in my bank account.
No savings.
No long-term plan.
No secure job.
Just a backpack and a volunteer position in a hostel for three months.
And honestly? I wasn’t scared.
I’ve done this before — in The Hague and in Mexico. The only difference this time was that I wanted to stay longer in Rotterdam and save properly for my next trip to Asia.
This wasn’t chaos.
It was strategy disguised as madness.
Step 1: Secure Accommodation First (Even If It’s Not Glamorous)
Before arriving, I arranged a work exchange through Worldpackers at a hostel in Rotterdam.
That means:
- I work a few hours per week
- I don’t pay rent
- I meet incredible people every day
In one of the most expensive countries in Europe, my rent is €0.
If you remove rent from the equation, survival becomes possible.
And this experience is turning to be one of my best work exchanges experiences I had while traveling for a year nonstop.
Read here: How to Make Money While Being a Nomad (No Digital Work) 🌍💸
Step 2: Say Yes to Work — Then Adjust
My first attempt at making money? A warehouse job.
I did a couple of shifts.
It was far.
The organization was chaotic.
They didn’t pay me for one day.
So I quit.
Here’s something important:
Not every opportunity deserves your loyalty.
After that, I applied everywhere:
- Warehouse jobs
- Coffee places
- Barista positions
- Gig apps
- Delivery services
Now I’m waiting to start Uber Eats.
Not glamorous.
But it’s fuel for Vietnam hikes, drinking mezcal in Mexico, random adventures to nearby countries and more.
Step 3: Keep Monthly Costs Almost Embarrassingly Low
Right now, my monthly survival costs look like this:
- Groceries + energy drinks + tobacco: ~€50
- E-bike rental for deliveries: €30/week
- Transport: €0
- Rent: €0
I even booked:
- Day trip to Germany
- A flight to Finland to see my crush😉
It’s not about being broke.
It’s about being intentional.
The Hardest Part? The In-Between Phase
The hardest moments aren’t hunger or exhaustion.
It’s the waiting.
Waiting for the next gig.
Waiting for confirmation.
Waiting for income.
That in-between space creates anxiety.
But the moment the next job is secured?
The anxiety leaves my body.
Because I’ve learned something:
This always works out.
And even when it doesn’t — it leads to something better.
Why I’m Not Panicking
This exact mindset once led me to:
- 6 months in Den Haag
- 3 months in Croatia
- 4 months in Mexico
- 2 months in Rotterdam so far
Every time things looked uncertain, something magical followed.
So now?
I’m more excited than anxious.
More grateful than scared.
Maybe it’s optimism.
Maybe it’s delusion.
But imagining myself hiking in Vietnam or wandering through Scotland meeting Highland cows keeps me moving.
Work is not the dream.
Work is the fuel.
What Rotterdam (and The Hague) Taught Me
- Even expensive countries can be affordable if you remove rent.
- Patience is survival currency.
- If you have a purpose bigger than your current struggle, you don’t feel trapped.
- Smoking less would save me money (still working on that one 😅).
- Having done this before in The Hague gave me confidence to know it would work out.
Most importantly:
It’s a privilege to be able to pause somewhere, make money, and then hit the road again.
Practical Advice: If You Arrive in Rotterdam With €300
Here’s what I would do:
- Secure accommodation first (hostel work exchange).
- Apply everywhere immediately.
- Don’t wait for the “perfect” job.
- Use gig apps like:
- StuffYou
- YoungOnes
- Uber Eats
- Consider warehouse, hospitality, or coffee jobs.
- Rent an e-bike instead of paying daily public transport, especially if you are interested to make money with companies like UberEats.
Fastest jobs to get:
- Warehouse shifts
- Delivery jobs
- Barista work
- Temp agency shifts
Biggest mistake newcomers make?
Spending money before income is secured.
Worldpackers (work exchange) If you are interested to travel on a budget and make memories along the road!! You can use my code: NIKKISOLO
As always,
Wander. Explore. Live
