First, the basics. A ticket to the Eurekaweek sets you back 92 euros, which is a very average amount compared to other introduction weeks in the Netherlands. Groningen (48 euros) and Nijmegen (58) are quite a lot cheaper, but it’s too late to go there now. The price of the Eurekaweek is as low as possible already: the organisation doesn’t turn a profit.
Your ticket in Rotterdam includes a daily lunch and two dinners. Excluding food and drinks, this is all the money you actually need to partake in the Eurekaweek.
Student houses to sleep
Then, you’ll need a place to sleep. Yes, you could commute from your parents’ house in Roelofarendsveen, but you’ll miss out on a lot of nightlife fun. A better option could be staying at student association houses, which you can book via their Instagram pages. These are mostly free or only ask for a small charge.
Another option is staying in the sports building on campus. You can choose this option while booking your ticket. Space is limited–only 200 people can stay here (and it’s pretty much sold out now). It will cost you 85 euros for a bed. But be aware that you will be sleeping in a sports hall with your sleeping bag as your only option for privacy.
Other alternatives
Couldn’t find a place in a student association house and don’t want to sleep in a big hall? A hostel could be another option for you. Eurekaweek offers a 10 percent discount at the Stay Okay hostels. A bed in an eight-person dorm costs about 150 euros for four nights, excluding the discount. The cheapest option we could find online for a bunk bed in Rotterdam is 108 euros.
Want to save money on sleeping? Make sure to make friends in advance and sleep over. Or go home with a date every night. If all else fails, we do have a huge famous bridge you could sleep under (just kidding, please don’t do this!).
Eat for free
Then, you’ll need to eat. Good news: most of the food will be free of charge. Eurekaweek will provide you with a daily lunch. On one night, you can eat at Erasmus Sport for free. After that, student association parties are your cheapest bet. They will charge you some money for dinner, with a maximum price of five euros. Don’t know how to get there? You’ll get 15 euros on your balance at two shared scooter companies.
Last but not least, drinks. You won’t find cheaper prices than these during your time in Rotterdam. While an average pub now charges at least 3 or 4 euros for a plain beer, at Eurekaweek the prices will usually be lower. The cheapest way to get drinks is at student association parties. For example, RSC/RVSV charges only 1.50 euros for a beer. At events catered by Eurekaweek, beer costs 2.80 euros, and soda 2.30 euros. This only applies to events organized by Eurekaweek, such as the Cantus, Sports & Play, and the festival on Thursday. At other events, such as the Maassilo Take-Off Party and Rotterdam Roulette, the venues charge their own (much higher) prices. If you’re really trying to save and live as healthily as possible, there is always free tap water! Bring your own bottle or buy one at the bar.
