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

Should you visit Edinburgh or Rouen?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Edinburgh and Rouen can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a character-filled, vibrant, and gothic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and theater.

Rouen

Rouen is a relaxing, historical, and charming city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Edinburgh and Rouen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Rouen?

You'll generally find more things to do in Edinburgh than Rouen. Edinburgh is bigger than Rouen, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Edinburgh is better known for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Rouen is more popular for its food. Edinburgh is more touristy than Rouen and is popular for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. Also, Edinburgh is famous for The Edinburgh Castle. Rouen is well known for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture.

How is Edinburgh different from Rouen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Edinburgh is a world-class destination for its sights and museums. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Edinburgh are among the most recognizable in the world. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

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 Edinburgh or Rouen Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is notable for its theatre productions. However, Rouen is not a theatre destination.

While in town, many visitors enjoy seeing a show in Edinburgh. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Rouen is not a theatre destination.

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

Rouen is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Rouen has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

Edinburgh may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.

Is Edinburgh or Rouen Better for Nightlife?

Edinburgh is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Edinburgh has plenty to do after the sun goes down. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Rouen. You'll find wine bars, trendy cocktail bars, and local pubs where you can grab a drink.

Is Edinburgh or Rouen Better for Music?

Edinburgh is a world-class destination for its live music scene. However, Rouen is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Edinburgh In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Rouen is not a live music destination.

Is Edinburgh or Rouen Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh is a world-class destination for its old town. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

The historic old town of Edinburgh is revered around the world. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.

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 Edinburgh or Rouen?

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

Edinburgh is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.

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 Edinburgh or Rouen Better for Families?

Edinburgh is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Edinburgh is a very kid-friendly city. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.

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 Edinburgh or Rouen Better for Couples?

Both Edinburgh and Rouen are excellent destinations for a couple's getaway.

Edinburgh makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples trip.

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 Edinburgh or Rouen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is a world-class destination for backpackers. However, Rouen is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Edinburgh. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.

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 Edinburgh or Rouen Better for Students?

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

Edinburgh is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

Rouen is not popular with students.

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

Rouen is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Rouen can get you to some places 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.

You'll find some public transit in Edinburgh, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

Is Edinburgh or Rouen a more walkable city?

Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh on foot. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

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 Edinburgh Worth Visiting? and Is Rouen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rouen or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Rouen?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Edinburgh or Rouen to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Edinburgh than Rouen because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Edinburgh, and 1-2 days is enough time in Rouen.

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

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

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

One day in Edinburgh or Rouen?

In Edinburgh, many people enjoy the live music and shopping that this character-filled destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

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 Edinburgh or Rouen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Edinburgh. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the impressive 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 Edinburgh or Rouen?

Edinburgh is a fun place to experience. In Edinburgh, many people enjoy the museums and theater that this quaint destination offers. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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 Edinburgh or Rouen?

You'll find theater and nightlife around the charming destination of Edinburgh. 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.

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 Edinburgh, The Best 10-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 Edinburgh and Rouen, we can see that Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh Expensive? and Is Rouen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Rouen?

Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Rouen. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh or Rouen in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Rouen. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Rouen in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Edinburgh is cooler than Rouen in the summer. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 14°C (58°F) in July, and Rouen fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rouen. In the summer, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Rouen. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 241 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Rouen. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Rouen in the Autumn?

Both Rouen and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Edinburgh in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Rouen for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Edinburgh is cooler than Rouen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Edinburgh in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Rouen averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Rouen during autumn. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Edinburgh usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rouen. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Rouen in the Winter?

Both Rouen and Edinburgh during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Rouen because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Rouen can be very cold. Edinburgh can be very cold during winter. In January, Edinburgh is generally cooler than Rouen. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 3°C (38°F), and Rouen fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Rouen. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 62 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Rouen. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Rouen in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Rouen. The spring months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Rouen this time of year.

Edinburgh is cooler than Rouen in the spring. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Rouen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Rouen during spring. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Rouen. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rouen and Edinburgh