A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bucharest vs. Rouen for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Bucharest or Rouen?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bucharest and Rouen. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Bucharest

Bucharest is a cultural, charming, and historical city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Rouen

Rouen is a historical, charming, and compact city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bucharest and Rouen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bucharest or Rouen?

You'll generally find more things to do in Bucharest than Rouen. Bucharest is bigger than Rouen, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Bucharest is better known for its big city activities, while Rouen is more popular for its food and impressive beauty. Rouen is more touristy than Bucharest and is known for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture. Bucharest is well known for its wide avenues and longstanding religious institutions. Also, Bucharest is famous for The Palace of Parliament.

How is Bucharest different from Rouen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the notable sights and museums in both Bucharest and Rouen.

Bucharest offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The city is rich in landmarks and historical buildings. Popular sights include the Romanian Athenaeum, the Palace of the Parliament, Stavropoleos Church, and Curtea Veche.

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 Bucharest or Rouen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Rouen is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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.

Bucharest is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Many Romanian recipes have been passed down through the generations and they still use traditional flavors. You'll see some German or Hungarian influences, but the flavors are still uniquely Romanian. Popular dishes include ciorba (tripe soup), cabbage rolls, and mici (grilled meat rolls).

Is Bucharest or Rouen Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Bucharest and Rouen.

Bucharest has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city has come to life with its party scene, with many bars and clubs that you can choose from. There are rooftop bars, chic dance clubs, and cozy pubs where you can pass the evening. You'll find most of the upscale clubs in the northern part of the city, with a more casual scene found in the downtown areas around Universitate and Romanā.

If you're looking for night time activities Rouen has a few options to choose from. You'll find wine bars, trendy cocktail bars, and local pubs where you can grab a drink.

Is Bucharest or Rouen Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the notable old town areas in both Bucharest and Rouen.

Many people head to Bucharest to see the old town. The old town dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries, with much of the historical charm seen in the architecture. Many of the buildings have been restored, but others are still awaiting repairs. This gives the area a sense of authenticity that you often miss in other old towns.

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 Bucharest or Rouen?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Rouen and Bucharest.

Bucharest offers some nice shopping areas. The residents love fashion, and you'll find many shopping centers around town where you can find a good deal. In addition to the many malls, there are also antique shops, flea markets and boutique clothing stores where you might find a hidden gem.

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 Bucharest or Rouen Better for Families?

Rouen is a good destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Rouen. 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.

For families, Bucharest is not always the best place to visit. Kid-friendly activities include kid's play areas, museums such as the Museum of the Senses, and water centered activities like rowing in the park or visiting the wellness center Therme.

Is Bucharest or Rouen Better for Couples?

Rouen is well known for its romantic activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for couples.

Couples visit Rouen frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Bucharest is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The city has some romantic settings such as wandering down Victory Avenue or exploring the historic Cotroceni Neighbourhood. There are also several gardens and a number of nice cafes to explore.

Is Bucharest or Rouen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bucharest. The city is affordable, but it's often overlooked by backpackers. Part of the charm for many is the sense of authenticity that can often be hard to find in travel these days.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Bucharest and Rouen.

The public transit in Bucharest can get you around easily. Public transit options include trams, buses, and trolley buses.

Rouen offers a very effecient public transportation network. 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 Bucharest or Rouen a more walkable city?

Rouen is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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

Bucharest is a somewhat walkable city. Many of the tourist attractions are within a walkable area.

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

Should I spend more time in Rouen or Bucharest?

How long in Bucharest or Rouen?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bucharest or Rouen to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bucharest 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 Bucharest, and 1-2 days is enough time in Rouen.

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

Couples should spend more time in Rouen than Bucharest. 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 Bucharest 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 Bucharest.

One day in Bucharest or Rouen?

In Bucharest, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this cultural destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Rouen. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Rouen has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Bucharest or Rouen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bucharest. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the charming destination of Rouen. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Bucharest or Rouen?

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the compact city of Rouen. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bucharest or Rouen?

You'll find food and shopping around the charming destination of Bucharest. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Rouen is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania, 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 Bucharest and Rouen, we can see that Bucharest 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 Bucharest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bucharest 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 Bucharest Expensive? and Is Rouen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Rouen?

Bucharest has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Rouen. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest 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 Bucharest or Rouen?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bucharest or Rouen in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bucharest and Rouen. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bucharest this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rouen for the family-friendly experiences.

Bucharest is a little warmer than Rouen in the summer. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Rouen fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rouen this time of the year. In Bucharest, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bucharest usually receives more sunshine than Rouen during summer. Bucharest gets 289 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bucharest usually receives more rain than Rouen. Bucharest gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bucharest or Rouen in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as Rouen. Many travelers come to Bucharest for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Rouen in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Bucharest is around the same temperature as Rouen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bucharest in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Rouen averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Bucharest often gets more sunshine than Rouen. Bucharest gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 127 hours of full sun.

Bucharest usually gets less rain in October than Rouen. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bucharest or Rouen in the Winter?

Both Rouen and Bucharest are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Bucharest in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Rouen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Rouen can be very cold during winter. Bucharest can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Bucharest is generally much colder than Rouen. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around -1°C (29°F), and Rouen fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Bucharest usually receives more sunshine than Rouen during winter. Bucharest gets 71 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Rouen. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bucharest or Rouen in the Spring?

Both Rouen and Bucharest during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Bucharest for the activities around the city during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Rouen because of the natural beauty.

Bucharest is a little warmer than Rouen in the spring. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Rouen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Bucharest often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Rouen. Bucharest gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 172 hours of full sun.

Bucharest usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Rouen. Bucharest gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rouen and Bucharest