A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Coimbra vs. Rouen for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Coimbra or Rouen?

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

Should I visit Coimbra 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.

Where Should I go: Coimbra or Rouen?

Coimbra

Coimbra is located in Central Portugal in the Centro Region. It's the third largest city in the country with about 460,000 people living in the entire region. It is also where you'll find the University of Coimbra, which is one of the oldest universities in Europe and the oldest academic institution in the Portuguese speaking world. During the High Middle Ages, Coimbra served as the nation's capital and there are archaeological structures that date back to the Roman era.

Rouen

Rouen is a city on the River Seine in the north of France. It is the capital of the region of Normandy. It was formerly one of the largest and most prosperous cities of Medieval Europe. The city has had a turbulent history. It was devastated by fire and plague several times during the Middle Ages, and was occupied by the English during the Hundred Years War. The young French heroine Joan of Arc (Jeanne d'Arc) was tried for heresy and burned at the stake in the central square in 1431. And during WWII, Allied bombing raids laid waste to large parts of the city, especially south of the cathedral.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Portugal, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Portugal, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Rouen or Coimbra?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Coimbra is €103, while the average daily cost in Rouen is €109. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Coimbra and Rouen in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Coimbra 44
    Rouen 52
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Coimbra 88
    Rouen 104
Compare Hotels in Coimbra and Rouen

Looking for a hotel in Coimbra or Rouen? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Coimbra


Hotels in Rouen


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Coimbra Hotel Prices and Rouen Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Coimbra 11
    Rouen 34

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Coimbra

Also for Coimbra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Fátima Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $147
  • Transfer Viseu - Porto: $157

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rouen

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rouen:

  • Round-Trip Private Transfer Rouen Airport URO to Rouen by Minivan: $164

Is it cheaper to fly into Coimbra or Rouen?

Prices for flights to both Rouen and Coimbra change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Coimbra 48
    Rouen 35

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Coimbra

For Coimbra, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Chanfana: Cooking Traditional Portuguese Cuisine Experience: $49

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Coimbra 18
    Rouen 18

Tours and Activities in Coimbra

For Coimbra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $3.21
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $3.21
  • Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $5.45
  • Coimbra's Historical Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour of Historical Highlights: $6.99
  • Tomar: Unveiling the Templar Order with a Self-Guided Tour: $7.62
  • Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $7.65
  • Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
  • Tomar Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
  • Discover Coimbra's Legacy through a Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Portugal dos Pequenitos entry ticket: $16

Tours and Activities in Rouen

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Rouen are as follows:

  • Audio guided tour : Rouen retold - Joan of Arc retold: $16
  • From Normandy D-Day Beaches Private Full-Day Tour: $1,283
  • From Normandy’s Regional Highlights Private Tour: $933
  • Guided Tour of the Historic Center of Rouen: $26
  • Private Custom Walking Guided Tour in Rouen: $51
  • Rouen Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $52
  • Rouen audio guided tour: $13
  • American Landing Beaches Discovery Private Tour: $1,128
  • Castles and Abbeys Private Full-Day Tour: $1,283
  • Discover Rouen with a licenced tour guide: $59
  • Guided Tour of the Historic Center: $26
  • Private Guided Walking Tour: $307

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Coimbra 12
    Rouen 7.86

Sample the Local Flavors in Coimbra

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Coimbra:

  • Wine Tasting Experience in Portugal: $27


When comparing the travel costs between Coimbra and Rouen, we can see that Rouen is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Coimbra or Rouen?

Rouen has a larger population, and is about 6% larger than the population of Coimbra. When comparing the sizes of Coimbra 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 Coimbra 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 Coimbra or Rouen in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Coimbra as well as Rouen. Additionally, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rouen this time of year.

In July, Coimbra is generally a little warmer than Rouen. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 23°C (73°F), and Rouen fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rouen. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coimbra this time of the year. In the summer, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than Rouen. Coimbra gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 241 hours of full sun.

Coimbra usually gets less rain in July than Rouen. Coimbra gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Coimbra 23°C (73°F) 
    Rouen 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Coimbra or Rouen in the Autumn?

Both Rouen and Coimbra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Rouen for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Coimbra is much warmer than Rouen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 18°C (65°F) in October, and Rouen fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than Rouen during autumn. Coimbra gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Coimbra. In October, Coimbra usually receives more rain than Rouen. Coimbra gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Coimbra 18°C (65°F) 
    Rouen 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Coimbra or Rouen in the Winter?

Both Rouen and Coimbra during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, 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. In the winter, Coimbra is much warmer than Rouen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Coimbra in January average around 11°C (51°F), and Rouen averages at about 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than Rouen. Coimbra gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 62 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Coimbra. Coimbra usually gets more rain in January than Rouen. Coimbra gets 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Coimbra 11°C (51°F) 
    Rouen 4°C (39°F)

Should I visit Coimbra or Rouen in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Coimbra and Rouen. Also, most visitors come to Rouen for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Coimbra is generally much warmer than Rouen. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 15°C (59°F), and Rouen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In Coimbra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than Rouen during spring. Coimbra gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Coimbra usually receives more rain than Rouen. Coimbra gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Coimbra 15°C (59°F) 
    Rouen 9°C (48°F)

Typical Weather for Rouen and Coimbra

Coimbra Rouen
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 11°C (51°F) 139 mm (5.5 in) 4°C (39°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Feb 12°C (53°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 4°C (40°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 13°C (56°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 7°C (44°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 9°C (48°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
May 17°C (63°F) 77 mm (3 in) 12°C (54°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 15°C (59°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 17°C (63°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 13 mm (0.5 in) 17°C (63°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Sep 22°C (71°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Oct 18°C (65°F) 101 mm (4 in) 12°C (53°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Nov 14°C (57°F) 128 mm (5 in) 7°C (45°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 11°C (52°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 5°C (40°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)