A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Inverness vs. La Rochelle for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Inverness or La Rochelle?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Inverness and La Rochelle can help you decide which place is right for you.

Inverness

Inverness is a historic, cultural, and traditional city. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a quaint, charming, and peaceful coastal town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Inverness and La Rochelle: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Home to Loch Ness
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Scenic old town
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Small town charm


Is there more to do in Inverness or La Rochelle?

Visitors will usually find more to do in La Rochelle than Inverness, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. La Rochelle is better known for its food, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm, while Inverness is more popular for its shopping. Inverness is more touristy than La Rochelle and is popular for its surrounding countryside, but also its regional heritage, local festivals and proximity to the famous Loch Ness. La Rochelle is well known for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. Also, La Rochelle is famous for The Old Port.

How is Inverness different from La Rochelle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Inverness or La Rochelle?

Inverness
La Rochelle

Plenty of people visit the great sights and museums in both Inverness and La Rochelle.

Many visitors head to Inverness specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. As a city rich in culture and heritage, you'll find a number of sights and museums in town. Check out the Highland House of Fraser, Culloden Moor, and Clava Cairns.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to La Rochelle can be an interesting and educational experience. Filled with history, the town itself is like a living museum. Within town there are many sights such as the Vieux Port, La Rochelle Aquarium, Musée d'Histoire Naturelle, and Musée du Nouveau Monde de La Rochelle.


Is the Food Better in Inverness or La Rochelle? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Inverness
La Rochelle

La Rochelle is terrific for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

La Rochelle has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. It may be small, but its filled with delicious cafes, bistros, and local restaurants. Seafood is the obvious choice in this coastal town and many visitors head to Vieux Port to eat, as many restaurants there offer waterfront views. If you want something a little less touristy, head to the St. Nicolas District, which was the town's former fishing district. Rue de la Fourche is also a charming road with many places to grab a bite or a drink. Or head to Rue St Jean-du-Perot, which is just off the old port.

Inverness has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city makes a great spot to fill your belly after a few days exploring the Scottish Highlands. You'll find local restaurants that serve up regional specialties, and when the weather's nice, there are some spots with outdoor seating.

Is Inverness or La Rochelle Better for Nightlife?

Inverness
La Rochelle

Both Inverness and La Rochelle are notable when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Inverness. Nightlife isn't the first thing that comes to mind with this town, but there are actually lots of distilleries in the area and there's a surprising number of high quality bars and pubs that make for a fun evening.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in La Rochelle. While it's known as a peaceful, seaside town, you'll still find wine bars, pubs, and even a club or two around town.

Is Inverness or La Rochelle Better for Beaches?

Inverness
La Rochelle

La Rochelle is very good for the beache. However, Inverness is not a beach destination.

Many people head to La Rochelle to enjoy the beach. There are three main beaches in town that each attract a crowd on warm summer days. Plage de la Concurrence, Plage Chef de Baie, and Plage des Minimes are the closest beaches to La Rochelle, and they are popular for sunbathing and water sports. They have a mix of sand, pebbles, and cliffside views that attract locals and tourists alike.

Inverness is not a beach destination.


Is Inverness or La Rochelle Better for its Old Town?

Inverness
La Rochelle

La Rochelle is terrific for its old town. However, Inverness does not have a historic old town.

La Rochelle has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

Inverness does not have a historic old town.

Is Inverness or La Rochelle Better for Hiking?

Inverness
La Rochelle

La Rochelle is very good for the nearby hiking options. However, Inverness is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting La Rochelle. There are many coastal walks just outside of town that take you along the scenic coastline. It's beautiful to stroll through the countryside and pass through many quaint villages.

Inverness is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Inverness or La Rochelle?

Inverness
La Rochelle

Inverness is great for its shopping opportunities. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its shopping areas.

Inverness is well-known for its shopping. The town is at the cultural heart of the Scottish Highlands you'll find plenty of local shops where you can pick up local products. Make sure you check out the Inverness Victorian Market.

Many visitors go to La Rochelle to go shopping. The old town is filled with boutique shops as well as some name brands. Another fun place to visit is Les Halles, which is an indoor market with fresh produce, seafood, and many local cheeses.


Is Inverness or La Rochelle Better for Families?

Inverness
La Rochelle

You'll find notable kid-friendly activities in either Inverness or La Rochelle.

Inverness is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has some parks and activities that are great for kids. Make sure you explore Inverness Castle and the Inverness Mystery Treasure Trail.

La Rochelle is a family-friendly city. It's a coastal town with a port that you can explore. There's also an aquarium and many great seafood restaurants. A nice day trip is to go to l'Ile de Ré, which has nice beaches, some with playgrounds.

Is Inverness or La Rochelle Better for Couples?

Inverness
La Rochelle

La Rochelle is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

For those traveling as a couple, La Rochelle has plenty to offer. This beautiful coastal town is seeped in history. There are beautiful squares, romantic parks, and cobblestone streets that you can wander down. It's also nice to take a coastal walk before grabbing dinner at a local seafood restaurant.

Inverness is a good city for couples to visit. Located in the Scottish Highlands, there ae many scenic spots and nice activities that couples can enjoy in the area.

Is Inverness or La Rochelle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Inverness
La Rochelle

La Rochelle is very good for backpackers. However, Inverness is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

La Rochelle is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There aren't a ton of hostels in the area, but there are just enough that you should be able to find a place to stay.

Inverness is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There a some hostels and student hotels, but this isn't one of the major backpacker spots in the UK.


Is Inverness or La Rochelle Better for Students?

Inverness
La Rochelle

La Rochelle is very good for students. However, Inverness is not popular with students.

La Rochelle is a good coastal town to visit for students. It's a touristy city with a lot for students to see and do, but the atmosphere is generally quiet and peaceful.

Inverness is not popular with students.

Is Inverness or La Rochelle Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Inverness
La Rochelle

La Rochelle is very good for its public transit. However, Inverness is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

La Rochelle has a few public transit options. Public transit around town is operated by Yeló, and mostly consists of buses.

Public transit is mostly limited in Inverness. There are local buses that pass through the town.

Is Inverness or La Rochelle a more walkable city?

Inverness
La Rochelle

Inverness and La Rochelle both are great when exploring on foot.

Inverness is a very walkable city. It's compact enough that you can explore much of the town on foot.

La Rochelle is a very walkable destination. It's filled with meandering cobblestone streets that are best explored on foot. Most places around town can be explored on foot.


For even more information, also check out Is Inverness Worth Visiting? and Is La Rochelle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in La Rochelle or Inverness?

How long in Inverness or La Rochelle?

It's fun to spend time in either Inverness or La Rochelle. Generally, people tend to spend more time in La Rochelle due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Inverness, and 2-4 days is enough time in La Rochelle.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in La Rochelle than Inverness 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 La Rochelle.


  • How many days in Inverness or La Rochelle? Ideal Length of Stay
    Inverness 1-3 
    La Rochelle 2-4

One day in Inverness or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural city of Inverness. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Even though La Rochelle is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Inverness or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the local destination of Inverness. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

La Rochelle is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal town has to offer. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Inverness or La Rochelle?

The local city of Inverness offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

La Rochelle is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.


A week in Inverness or La Rochelle?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Inverness. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

La Rochelle is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 London, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.


Which place is cheaper, La Rochelle or Inverness?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Inverness is £168, while the average daily cost in La Rochelle is £97. 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 Inverness and La Rochelle in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Inverness £91
    La Rochelle £57
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Inverness £182
    La Rochelle £114
Compare Hotels in Inverness and La Rochelle

Looking for a hotel in Inverness or La Rochelle? 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 Inverness


Hotels in La Rochelle


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: Inverness Hotel Prices and La Rochelle Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Inverness £33
    La Rochelle £15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Inverness

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Inverness:

  • Inverness to Glasgow Direct transfer: $781
  • Inverness to Edinburgh Direct transfer: $781
  • Inverness to Isle of Skye Direct transfer: $623
  • Inverness to Fort William Direct transfer: $374
  • Inverness Private Transfer to Aviemore: $229
  • Transfers / Tour from , inverness, Edinburgh ,Glasgow ,Aberdeen : $184
  • Inverness Airport to Glenshee Ski Resort - Round-Trip Transfer: $131
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Inverness INV to Inverness City by luxury vehicle: $105
  • Inverness Airport (INV) to Glenshee Ski Resort - Arrival Transfer: $66
  • Inverness Airport (INV) to Lecht Ski Resort - Arrival Transfer: $33

Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Rochelle

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

  • Private Transfer from La Rochelle Port to Nantes Airport (NTE): $88
  • Private Transfer from La Rochelle Cruise Port to Nantes Hotels: $88

Is it cheaper to fly into Inverness or La Rochelle?

Prices for flights to both La Rochelle and Inverness 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
    Inverness £49
    La Rochelle £30

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Inverness £44
    La Rochelle £11

Tours and Activities in Inverness

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

  • 1-Day Moray Coast Tour with Speyside Whisky from Inverness: $97
  • 2-Day Tour to Isle of Skye, The Fairy Pools & Highland Castles: $191
  • 2-Hour Private Celtic Handfasting Ceremony Experience: $108
  • 25 Shot Clay Pigeon Shooting Experience: $63
  • Applecross, Loch Carron & Wild Highlands Tour from Inverness: $69
  • Cawdor Castle, Inverness, Culloden, Outlander and Loch Ness Tour: $164
  • Chauffeur driven sightseeing Edinburgh to & from Inverness: $1,000
  • Clan Tour - Castle ,Whisky and History Tour: $172
  • Craigs Luxury Speyside Private Whisky Tour: $686
  • Day tour to Isle of Skye and Fairy Pools from Inverness: $126
  • From Cairngorms National Park and Whisky Tour: $76
  • From Glen Affric, Culloden and Clava Cairns Tour: $73

Tours and Activities in La Rochelle

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for La Rochelle.

  • La Rochelle : Discovery Stroll and Reading Walking Tour: $2.13
  • Entry Ticket to the 3 Towers: $12
  • La Rochelle Towers Entrance Ticket: $12
  • Les Minimes and Bay Boat Tour: $18
  • Guided tour of La Rochelle The splendor of merchants in the 18th century: $22
  • Planet Exotica entrance ticket: $23
  • Coastline Sailing Cruise: $27
  • 2-Hour Sunset Sailing Cruise: $31
  • 3-Hour Sailing cruise: $37
  • La Rochelle Seaside Segway Tour - 1h: $43
  • Lighthouse at the End of the World Segway Tour - 1h: $43
  • Discover Discovery Walking Tour of La Rochelle: $44

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Inverness £23
    La Rochelle £14

Sample the Local Flavors in Inverness

Also in Inverness, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • From Invergordon Port Dunrobin Castle, Clynelish Distillery Tour : $203
  • Speyside Distillery Tour From Inverness: $1,124


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Inverness and La Rochelle, we can see that Inverness is more expensive. And not only is La Rochelle much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to La Rochelle would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Rochelle 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 Inverness would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Inverness than you might in La Rochelle.

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


Which is Bigger, Inverness or La Rochelle?

La Rochelle has a larger population, and is about 88% larger than the population of Inverness. When comparing the sizes of Inverness and La Rochelle, 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 Inverness or La Rochelle?

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 Inverness or La Rochelle in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Inverness as well as La Rochelle. Most visitors come to Inverness for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Inverness is cooler than La Rochelle in the summer. The daily temperature in Inverness averages around 14°C (58°F) in July, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Rochelle. In the summer, Inverness often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. Inverness gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun.

Inverness usually gets more rain in July than La Rochelle. Inverness gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Inverness 14°C (58°F) 
    La Rochelle 20°C (67°F)

Should I visit Inverness or La Rochelle in the Autumn?

Both La Rochelle and Inverness are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Inverness because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year.

In the autumn, Inverness is much colder than La Rochelle. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Inverness in October average around 9°C (49°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 15°C (59°F).

Inverness usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during autumn. Inverness gets 84 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Inverness usually receives less rain than La Rochelle. Inverness gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Inverness 9°C (49°F) 
    La Rochelle 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Inverness or La Rochelle in the Winter?

Both La Rochelle and Inverness during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Inverness this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to La Rochelle for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Inverness in the winter. In January, Inverness is generally much colder than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Inverness average around 3°C (38°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Inverness often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. Inverness gets 42 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 72 hours of full sun.

Inverness usually gets less rain in January than La Rochelle. Inverness gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Inverness 3°C (38°F) 
    La Rochelle 7°C (44°F)

Should I visit Inverness or La Rochelle in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Inverness and La Rochelle. Many travelers come to Inverness for the small town charm. Furthermore, many visitors come to La Rochelle in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm.

Inverness is much colder than La Rochelle in the spring. The daily temperature in Inverness averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Inverness usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during spring. Inverness gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 187 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Inverness usually receives less rain than La Rochelle. Inverness gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Inverness 7°C (44°F) 
    La Rochelle 11°C (52°F)

Typical Weather for La Rochelle and Inverness

Inverness La Rochelle
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (38°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 7°C (44°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Feb 3°C (38°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 7°C (45°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 9°C (48°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Apr 7°C (44°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
May 10°C (50°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 14°C (58°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Jun 13°C (55°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 17°C (63°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Jul 14°C (58°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 20°C (67°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Aug 14°C (57°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 20°C (67°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 18°C (64°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Oct 9°C (49°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 15°C (59°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Nov 5°C (42°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 10°C (51°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 52 mm (2 in) 7°C (45°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)