Swapfiets vs renting a bike: which one is cheaper?

Swapfiets vs renting a bike: which one is cheaper?

Swapfiets vs renting a bike: which one is cheaper?

Renting a bike works for short trips. But if you cycle regularly, a bike subscription is usually cheaper and more reliable. With Swapfiets you get your own bike, unlimited repairs, and a fixed monthly price. Here’s how it compares to renting.

Spoiler alert
👀 From 5 days per month, Swapfiets becomes the cheaper option.

Why choose Swapfiets over Renting a Bike?

Why choose Swapfiets over Renting a Bike?

Why choose Swapfiets over Renting a Bike?

Rent a bike.

  • Pay €4.80 per 24 hours
  • No repairs or service included
  • Not your own bike. Availability varies

Subscribe to Swapfiets

  • From €0.66 per day (€19.90 p/m)
  • Repairs included
  • Your own bike, always ready
VS

Rent a bike.

  • Pay €4.80 per 24 hours
  • No repairs or service included
  • Not your own bike. Availability varies

Swapfiets

  • From €0.66 per day (€19.90 p/m)
  • Repairs included
  • Your own bike, always ready
VS

Rent a bike.

  • Pay €4.80 per 24 hours
  • No repairs or service included
  • Not your own bike. Availability varies

Subscribe to Swapfiets

  • From €0.66 per day (€19.90 p/m)
  • Repairs included
  • Your own bike, always ready
VS

270.000+ Swapfiets members

270.000+ Swapfiets members

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4.5

based on 8.146 reviews

Cost comparison: renting a bike vs Swapfiets

f you use a bike more than 4 days per month, renting a bike quickly becomes more expensive than a subscription.

Days per month

Swapfiets (€19.90 p/m)

OV bike (€4.80/day)

Bike rental (€10/day)

1 day

€19.90

€4.80

€10.00

2 days

€19.90

€9.60

€20.00

3 days

€19.90

€14.40

€30.00

4 days

€19.90

€19.20

€40.00

5 days

€19.90

€24.00

€50.00

10 days

€19.90

€48.00

€100.00

Prices are based on a Swapfiets Original, an OV bike (€4.80 per 24 hours), and an average bike rental price of €10 per day.

Renting a bike: good for short-term use

Renting a bike in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht or other cities is ideal for temporary use. Think of a weekend trip, a day out, or occasional rides.

  • No subscription required

  • Instant access to a bike

  • Flexible per day

Downside: if you ride regularly, renting quickly becomes expensive.

Cost comparison: renting a bike vs Swapfiets

f you use a bike more than 4 days per month, renting a bike quickly becomes more expensive than a subscription.

Days per month

Swapfiets (€19.90 p/m)

OV bike (€4.80/day)

Bike rental (€10/day)

1 day

€19.90

€4.80

€10.00

2 days

€19.90

€9.60

€20.00

3 days

€19.90

€14.40

€30.00

4 days

€19.90

€19.20

€40.00

5 days

€19.90

€24.00

€50.00

10 days

€19.90

€48.00

€100.00

Prices are based on a Swapfiets Original, an OV bike (€4.80 per 24 hours), and an average bike rental price of €10 per day.

Renting a bike: good for short-term use

Renting a bike in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht or other cities is ideal for temporary use. Think of a weekend trip, a day out, or occasional rides.

  • No subscription required

  • Instant access to a bike

  • Flexible per day

Downside: if you ride regularly, renting quickly becomes expensive.

Become a member

Join the ride - Become part of our journey today.

Become a member

Join the ride - Become part of our journey today.

Find available bikes in your city

Pickup or delivery in your city

Trusted by 270.000+ members

Electric bike rental vs Swapfiets

Renting an e-bike is relatively expensive per day and quickly adds up if you ride regularly. In cities like Haarlem or Amsterdam, you will typically pay €30 to €40 per 24 hours.

A Swapfiets e-bike subscription is often the better choice. You pay a fixed monthly fee, including maintenance and repairs, and always have a working bike. No hassle, no unexpected costs.

From just 3 days per month, renting an e-bike is already more expensive than a Swapfiets subscription.

Electric bike rental vs Swapfiets

Renting an e-bike is relatively expensive per day and quickly adds up if you ride regularly. In cities like Haarlem or Amsterdam, you will typically pay €30 to €40 per 24 hours.

A Swapfiets e-bike subscription is often the better choice. You pay a fixed monthly fee, including maintenance and repairs, and always have a working bike. No hassle, no unexpected costs.

From just 3 days per month, renting an e-bike is already more expensive than a Swapfiets subscription.

Our great Dutch-quality bikes

Our great Dutch-quality bikes

Ready to make the switch? Choose the Swapfiets that suits you.

Ready to make the switch? Choose the Swapfiets that suits you.

Ready to make the switch? Choose the Swapfiets that suits you.

1 month free

Original

Classic city bike

Classic and durable bike for all your daily rides.

€{price} per monthFrom €{price} per month

More details

1 month free

Deluxe 7

Sleek city bike

Sleek city bike with 7 gears for comfortable rides.

€{price} per monthFrom €{price} per month

More details

Up to €30 off

Power 1

Easy e-Bike

Intuitive and simple e-Bike, for fast and easy rides.

€59.90 per month

From

€54.90 per month

More details

Up to €60 off

Power 7

Powerful e-Bike

More performance, comfort, and stability for any distance.

€74.90 per month

From

€64.90 per month

More details

1 month free

Original

Classic city bike

Classic and durable bike for all your daily rides.

€{price} per monthFrom €{price} per month

More details

1 month free

Deluxe 7

Sleek city bike

Sleek city bike with 7 gears for comfortable rides.

€{price} per monthFrom €{price} per month

More details

Up to €30 off

Power 1

Easy e-Bike

Intuitive and simple e-Bike, for fast and easy rides.

€59.90 per month

From

€54.90 per month

More details

Up to €60 off

Power 7

Powerful e-Bike

More performance, comfort, and stability for any distance.

€74.90 per month

From

€64.90 per month

More details

Students get €1.67 off per month on the Original and Deluxe.

Bike rental vs Swapfiets: FAQs

Bike rental vs Swapfiets: FAQs

What is Swapfiets?

Swapfiets is a bike membership. That means for a low, fixed monthly fee, you get a Swapfiets and we make sure it always works. Problem along the way? Hit us up via our app and we’ll fix or swap it for a new one.

What does it cost to rent a bike per day?

On average, renting a bike costs between €10 and €15 per day. Prices vary by city and provider. For e-bikes, prices are higher and typically range from €30 to €40 per day.

When is Swapfiets cheaper?

Swapfiets is usually cheaper if you ride regularly.

  • For a standard bike: from around 4–5 days per month

  • For an e-bike: from around 2 days per month

What are the costs or renting an electric bike?

Renting an electric bike typically costs between €25 and €40 per day, depending on the city.

In larger cities like Amsterdam, prices are often on the higher end. Cheaper options, such as electric OV bikes, are limited in availability.

What happens when I'm done with my membership?

To cancel your membership simply follow the instructions and steps in the Swapfiets app. All of our memberships include a one-month notice period. If you’re on a loyal membership, you can cancel after 6 months. Once you bring back the bike we'll give it a quick tune-up and send it on its way to serve another member.