A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bonn vs. Rouen for Families, Attractions, Food, and Old Town

Should you visit Bonn or Rouen?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Bonn or Rouen? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Bonn

Bonn is a lively, cultural, and beautiful city. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Rouen

Rouen is a charming, compact, and impressive city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Bonn and Rouen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bonn or Rouen?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bonn than Rouen. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Bonn is very popular for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Rouen attracts visitors for its food and impressive beauty. Bonn is famous for its many museums, cultural venues, and university atmosphere, as well as being the birthplace of Beethoven. It is also well known for The Bonn Minster. Rouen is famous for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture.

How is Bonn different from Rouen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Rouen and Bonn. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bonn or Rouen?

Bonn is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Bonn offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Some of the most popular museums include Haus der Geschichte (history), Beethoven's House, and Kunstmuseum Bonn (art). For architecture check out the Old Town Hall and Bonn Minster. Other landmarks include Poppelsdorf Palace and Schloss Drachenburg.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Rouen. You'll find the highest concentration of sights in the city's pedestrian zone. Highlights that you should check out include Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Abbatiale Saint-Ouen, and Aître Saint-Maclou.

Is the Food Better in Bonn or Rouen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Rouen is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Rouen. There are many local specialties found in town. Make sure you try the Passe Crassane, which is a French pear. The town is also known for its cheese, chocolate, and pastries.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Bonn. Like much of the food in Germany, you'll find local dishes are hearty and filling. Potatoes and meats are popular ingredients, as are milk, butter, and vegetables. For local flavors try the Rhenish Sauerbraten (veal stew), Reibekuchen (German pancakes), or Christmas Sausages.

Is Bonn or Rouen Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find nice options in both Bonn and Rouen.

If you're looking for night time activities Bonn has a few options to choose from. There are bars and nightclubs around town but even more popular are the cultural events that the city hosts. If nightlife is important to you, try to visit during one of the festivals around town.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Rouen. You'll find wine bars, trendy cocktail bars, and local pubs where you can grab a drink.

Is Bonn or Rouen Better for its Old Town?

Bonn is notable for its old town. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Bonn. The old town is filled with cobblestone streets and charming shops. There are also cafes and restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat.

Rouen has an old town worth visiting. The old town is where you'll find spectacular Gothic churches and the most charming streets.

Is the Shopping Better in Bonn or Rouen?

Bonn is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

Bonn is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. A mix of local shops and major chains make shopping fun and easy. Whether you're interested in souvenir gifts or a new outfit, there are countless stores around town.

Rouen has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Some of the city's best shopping is found along the Rue du Gros-Horloge in the old city center. You'll find independent boutiques and well as upscale vendors.

Is Bonn or Rouen Better for Families?

Bonn is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Bonn is a very family-friendly destination. Just outside of the town is the Haribo factory outlet store where you can pick up a number of sweet treats and spend some time exploring with the kids. Another favorite activity for the whole family is a trip to nearby Phantasialand. This is one of the best amusement parks in Germany and it has many rides for teens and younger kids alike. In town, you'll find playgrounds and kid-friendly museums. Kids will also love a visit to Schloss Drachenburg Castle.

Rouen is a family-friendly city. This beautiful city is filled with nice parks, free museums, and towers that offer views over the city. Kids will enjoy climbing the clocktower, eating pastries, or riding a bike around town.

Is Bonn or Rouen Better for Couples?

Rouen is a great city for romance. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Rouen is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The beautiful city makes a great retreat for couples who enjoy good food and nice architecture. There are many hidden gems around town that make this a favorite French city for many couples.

Bonn makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Churches, architecture, and botanical gardens all make this a great couples destination. You can take a cruise down the Rhein or enjoy a meal at one of the best restaurants.

Is Bonn or Rouen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bonn is a popular place for backpackers. However, Rouen is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bonn. Many backpackers skip this town, so its a good option for travelers who want to get off the beaten backpacker trail. There are affordable hotels and hostels around town as well as restaurants where you can pick up something cheap to eat.

Rouen is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Backpackers may struggle to find a hostel with a social setting, but for those who make it here there are many beautiful things to see.

Is Bonn or Rouen Better for Students?

Bonn is notable for students. However, Rouen is not popular with students.

Bonn is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has a very international vibe and you'll likely run into people speaking English around town. Job opportunities in the area are good and there are schools that attract students from around the globe.

Rouen is not popular with students.

Is Bonn or Rouen Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bonn and Rouen both offer high quality public transit to get you around.

Visitors to Bonn can move around easily with public transportation. There is a light rail system that includes 9 lines and 64 stations. There are also buses around town. Bonn is connected to the region by convenient commuter trains so it's possible to visit as a day trip.

The public transit in Rouen can get you around easily. The city has two agencies that offer public transportation. Métro du Rouen is a tramway that runs north to south from Boulingrin in the north to Saint-Sever, where it branches off into two lines (one to Technopôle and one to Georges Braque). There are also buses and rail connections to town.

Is Bonn or Rouen a more walkable city?

Bonn and Rouen are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Bonn is very walkable. The compact old town is easy to explore on foot.

Rouen is a very walkable city. There are many parts of town that can easily be explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Bonn Worth Visiting? and Is Rouen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rouen or Bonn?

How long in Bonn or Rouen?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bonn or Rouen to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bonn than Rouen because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bonn, and 1-2 days is enough time in Rouen.

Families should spend more time in Bonn than Rouen. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Bonn, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Rouen than Bonn. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Rouen that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bonn than Rouen if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Bonn.

One day in Bonn or Rouen?

In Bonn, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this outdoorsy destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Rouen. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Bonn or Rouen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bonn. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Rouen is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bonn or Rouen?

Bonn is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Bonn. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the impressive destination of Rouen. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bonn or Rouen?

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful destination of Bonn. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The impressive city of Rouen offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bonn and Rouen, we can see that Bonn is more expensive. And not only is Rouen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Rouen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rouen and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Bonn would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bonn than you might in Rouen.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bonn Expensive? and Is Rouen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bonn or Rouen?

Bonn has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Rouen. When comparing the sizes of Bonn and Rouen, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Bonn or Rouen?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bonn or Rouen in the Summer?

Both Rouen and Bonn during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Bonn because of the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rouen this time of year.

In the summer, Bonn is around the same temperature as Rouen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bonn in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Rouen averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In Rouen, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Bonn often gets less sunshine than Rouen. Bonn gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 241 hours of full sun.

Bonn usually gets more rain in July than Rouen. Bonn gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bonn or Rouen in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bonn and Rouen. The shopping scene are the main draw to Bonn this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rouen for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Bonn is generally around the same temperature as Rouen. Daily temperatures in Bonn average around 12°C (53°F), and Rouen fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Bonn usually receives less sunshine than Rouen during autumn. Bonn gets 109 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bonn usually receives less rain than Rouen. Bonn gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bonn or Rouen in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bonn as well as Rouen. Many travelers come to Bonn for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Rouen in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Rouen can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Bonn. Bonn is cooler than Rouen in the winter. The daily temperature in Bonn averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Rouen fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Bonn often gets less sunshine than Rouen. Bonn gets 45 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 62 hours of full sun.

Bonn usually gets less rain in January than Rouen. Bonn gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bonn or Rouen in the Spring?

Both Rouen and Bonn are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Rouen for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Bonn is a little warmer than Rouen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bonn in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Rouen averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Bonn usually receives less sunshine than Rouen during spring. Bonn gets 145 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bonn usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rouen. Bonn gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rouen and Bonn