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

Should you visit Cambridge 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 Cambridge 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.

Cambridge

Cambridge is a charming, historic, and beautiful university town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Rouen

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

Cambridge and Rouen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cambridge or Rouen?

Both Rouen and Cambridge have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Cambridge is very popular for its museums, shopping, and small town charm, while Rouen attracts visitors for its historical sights. Cambridge is more touristy than Rouen and is popular for its iconic university and the many colleges associated with it. Rouen is famous for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture.

How is Cambridge different from Rouen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Cambridge 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.

Cambridge offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The history is rich and impressive in this university town. There are countless museums and architectural sights that you should check out. High on the list are the Cambridge University buildings, The Fitzwilliam Museum, the Bridge of Sighs, The Round Church, and many more.

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 Cambridge or Rouen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Cambridge and Rouen offer a number of superb restaurants to choose from.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Cambridge. You'll find college pubs, local eateries, and fine dining, all in one charming town. Enjoy afternoon tea or fish chips at one of the many local restaurants around town.

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.

Is Cambridge or Rouen Better for Nightlife?

Both Cambridge and Rouen have nice vibes after the sun sets.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Cambridge. The nightlife scene is centered around the student culture and you'll find many university pubs, some lively clubs, theaters, and wine bars around town. Whether you're looking for a chill night with friends or a more wild experience, there are options in Cambridge.

Rouen has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find wine bars, trendy cocktail bars, and local pubs where you can grab a drink.

Is Cambridge or Rouen Better for its Old Town?

Rouen is a good destination for its historic old town. However, Cambridge does not have a historic old town.

Rouen is a good destination for visiting its old town. The old town is where you'll find spectacular Gothic churches and the most charming streets.

Cambridge does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Cambridge or Rouen?

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

Cambridge is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The town offers independent boutique shops, local brands, and a 7 day a week market. The three main shopping areas in town are The Grafton, Lion Yard and Grand Arcade.

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 Cambridge or Rouen Better for Families?

Both Cambridge and Rouen are nice family-friendly destinations.

Cambridge is a family-friendly university town. Kids will enjoy following the Treasure Trail, or climbing to the top of the Great St Mary’s Tower. Punting is another iconic experience. On a rainy day, head to the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences, the Museum of Zoology, or the Cambridge Science Centre.

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.

Is Cambridge or Rouen Better for Couples?

Cambridge and Rouen both superb destinations for a couple.

Cambridge makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The quaint town is fun to explore as a couple. Try your hand at punting or take a tour of one of the colleges. You can also enjoy a picnic in the botanical gardens or have tea at the Orchard Tea Garden.

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.

Is Cambridge or Rouen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Cambridge. With a handful of hostels and a vibrant student population, the town makes for a fun stop on your backpacking trip.

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 Cambridge or Rouen Better for Students?

Cambridge is a world-class destination for students. However, Rouen is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Cambridge. The town is home to more than 25,000 students who come from 140 different countries. This is one of the most iconic university towns in the world, and there's really no better place for students to visit or reside.

Rouen is not popular with students.

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

Rouen is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Cambridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Rouen. 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.

You'll find some public transit in Cambridge, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a regional bus service that operates through town.

Is Cambridge or Rouen a more walkable city?

Cambridge is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Cambridge on foot. Walking is the best way to explore the town.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Rouen or Cambridge?

How long in Cambridge or Rouen?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Cambridge or Rouen to fill your time. In our opinion, Cambridge has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Cambridge than Rouen. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cambridge 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 Cambridge.

One day in Cambridge or Rouen?

In Cambridge, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic destination offers. This university town 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 Cambridge or Rouen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cambridge. 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 Cambridge or Rouen?

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the charming 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 Cambridge or Rouen?

You'll find food and shopping around the charming destination of Cambridge. 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 3-Day Tours from London, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from London, 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 Cambridge and Rouen, we can see that Cambridge 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 Cambridge would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cambridge 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 Cambridge Expensive? and Is Rouen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cambridge or Rouen?

Cambridge has a larger population, and is about 14% larger than the population of Rouen. When comparing the sizes of Cambridge 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.