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

Should you visit Galway 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 Galway 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.

Galway

Galway is a vibrant, lively, and friendly 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 relaxing, historical, and charming city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Galway and Rouen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Galway or Rouen?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Galway than Rouen. While Rouen is larger than Galway, Galway has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Galway is very popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Rouen attracts visitors for its food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Rouen is more touristy than Galway and is known for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture. Galway is famous for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music. It is also well known for The Galway Market.

How is Galway different from Rouen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Galway and Rouen have nice landmarks and museums for visitors.

Galway is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Popular landmarks and sights in town include Eyre Square, St. Nicholas' Church, the Galway Cathedral, and the Galway City Museum.

Rouen offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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 Galway or Rouen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Rouen is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Rouen makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Galway has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

Is Galway or Rouen Better for Nightlife?

Galway 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.

Galway has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene is among the best in Ireland. The city embraces the friendly Irish hospitality and there are laid back pubs and bars around town as well as a few trendy nightclubs.

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 Galway or Rouen Better for its Old Town?

Rouen is a city with good options for its historic old town. However, Galway does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Rouen to see the historical old town. The old town is where you'll find spectacular Gothic churches and the most charming streets.

Galway does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Galway or Rouen?

Both Galway and Rouen are nice shopping destinations.

Galway is a great destination for shopping. You'll find shopping both in the city center as well as at suburban shopping malls. For some of the best shopping head to The Latin Quarter, The Westend or the outdoor market which is found in Church lane by St Nicholas' Church.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Rouen. 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 Galway or Rouen Better for Families?

Both Galway and Rouen are nice to visit with kids.

Galway is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy the National Aquarium Galway or simply wandering around the Latin Quarter. About 15 minutes outside of the city is the Wildlands Adventure Park which has ziplines, ropes courses, and other adrenaline filled activities. Brigit's Garden is another fun place to let kids stretch their legs.

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 Galway or Rouen Better for Couples?

Rouen is notable for romance. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Rouen is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Galway makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are nice restaurants, beautiful walks, and a few parks to explore. There are also several romantic places just outside of town that make for a great day trip.

Is Galway or Rouen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Galway is notable for backpackers. However, Rouen is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Galway is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other travelers.

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 Galway or Rouen Better for Students?

Galway is a popular place for students. However, Rouen is not popular with students.

Galway is a good city to visit for students. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

Rouen is not popular with students.

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

Rouen is notable for its public transit. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Galway has some public transit options. There are two bus companies in Galway, Bus Eireann and City Direct.

Is Galway or Rouen a more walkable city?

Galway and Rouen both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Galway is very walkable. If you stay in central Galway, the area is generally compact and walkable.

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 Galway Worth Visiting? and Is Rouen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rouen or Galway?

How long in Galway or Rouen?

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

Families should spend more time in Rouen than Galway. 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 Galway. 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 Galway 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 Galway.

One day in Galway or Rouen?

In Galway, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this lively destination offers. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Rouen. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Galway or Rouen?

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

Rouen is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Galway or Rouen?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rouen. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Galway or Rouen?

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

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Rouen. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Ireland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland, 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 Galway and Rouen, we can see that Galway 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 Galway would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Galway 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 Galway Expensive? and Is Rouen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Galway or Rouen?

Rouen has a larger population, and is about 60% larger than the population of Galway. When comparing the sizes of Galway 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 Galway 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 Galway or Rouen in the Summer?

Both Rouen and Galway are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Galway for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Rouen in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Galway is around the same temperature as Rouen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Galway in July average around 16°C (60°F), and Rouen averages at about 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Rouen. Galway usually receives less sunshine than Rouen during summer. Galway gets 142 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Galway usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rouen. Galway gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Galway or Rouen in the Autumn?

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

In October, Galway is generally around the same temperature as Rouen. Daily temperatures in Galway average around 11°C (52°F), and Rouen fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Galway often gets less sunshine than Rouen. Galway gets 96 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 127 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Galway. Galway usually gets more rain in October than Rouen. Galway gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galway or Rouen in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Galway and Rouen. Most visitors come to Galway for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, 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. Galway is a little warmer than Rouen in the winter. The daily temperature in Galway averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Rouen fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Galway usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rouen during winter. Galway gets 59 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

Galway gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Galway usually receives more rain than Rouen. Galway gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Galway or Rouen in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Galway as well as Rouen. The spring months attract visitors to Galway because of the activities around the city. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Rouen this time of year.

In the spring, Galway is around the same temperature as Rouen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Galway in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Rouen averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Galway often gets less sunshine than Rouen. Galway gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 172 hours of full sun.

Galway usually gets more rain in April than Rouen. Galway gets 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rouen and Galway