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

Should you visit Inverness or Rouen?

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 Rouen can help you decide which place is right for you.

Inverness

Inverness is a cultural, traditional, and local city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Rouen

Rouen is a compact, impressive, and relaxing city. 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.

Inverness and Rouen: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Home to Loch Ness
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Public transit not as usable
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Scenic old town
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good public transit
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Inverness or Rouen?

Both Rouen and Inverness have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Inverness is better known for its museums, shopping, and small town charm, while Rouen is more popular for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Inverness is more touristy than Rouen and is known for its surrounding countryside, but also its regional heritage, local festivals and proximity to the famous Loch Ness. Rouen is well known for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture.

How is Inverness different from Rouen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Rouen 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 Rouen?

Inverness
Rouen

Inverness 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.

Inverness offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

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 Inverness or Rouen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Inverness
Rouen

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Inverness and Rouen.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Inverness. 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.

Rouen has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Is Inverness or Rouen Better for Nightlife?

Inverness
Rouen

Both Inverness and Rouen 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 Rouen. You'll find wine bars, trendy cocktail bars, and local pubs where you can grab a drink.

Is Inverness or Rouen Better for its Old Town?

Inverness
Rouen

Rouen is very good for its old town. However, Inverness does not have a historic old town.

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

Inverness does not have a historic old town.


Is the Shopping Better in Inverness or Rouen?

Inverness
Rouen

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

Inverness is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

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 Inverness or Rouen Better for Families?

Inverness
Rouen

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

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.

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 Inverness or Rouen Better for Couples?

Inverness
Rouen

Rouen is a well-known place for its romantic activities. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

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.

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

Inverness
Rouen

Rouen is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Inverness is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Rouen has some very good public transit options. 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.

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

Is Inverness or Rouen a more walkable city?

Inverness
Rouen

Inverness and Rouen 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.

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 Inverness Worth Visiting? and Is Rouen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rouen or Inverness?

How long in Inverness or Rouen?

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

Couples should spend more time in Rouen than Inverness. 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.


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

One day in Inverness or Rouen?

In Inverness, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this cultural destination offers. This city 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 Inverness or Rouen?

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

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the impressive 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 Inverness or Rouen?

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of Inverness. 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 London, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Rouen 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 Rouen is £93. 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 Rouen in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Inverness £91
    Rouen £45
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Inverness £182
    Rouen £90
Compare Hotels in Inverness and Rouen

Looking for a hotel in Inverness 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 Inverness


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: Inverness Hotel Prices and Rouen Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Inverness £33
    Rouen £29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Inverness

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Inverness:

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

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 Inverness or Rouen?

Prices for flights to both Rouen 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
    Rouen £30

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Inverness £44
    Rouen £15

Tours and Activities in Inverness

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

  • City Discovery App-Based Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $15
  • Inverness City Daily Walking Tour (11:30am, 2pm & 5:30pm): $15
  • Guided Walking Tour with a Local: $17
  • SEA LIFE Loch Lomond General Admission Ticket: $20
  • Northern Highlights Sightseeing Pass: $25
  • Loch Ness 1-Hour Cruise with Urquhart Castle Views: $27
  • Loch Ness and Caledonian Canal 2-Hour Cruise from Dochgarroch: $38
  • Glenaladale Cruise - Great for wizard spotting!: $38
  • Inverness Bike Tour a 2 hours guided bike tour around the Waterways of Inverness: $39
  • Gaskan cruise - Golden Eagles!: $44
  • Puffin Tour: $57

Tours and Activities in Rouen

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

  • Rouen audio guided tour: $13
  • Audio guided tour : Rouen retold - Joan of Arc retold: $16
  • Guided Tour of the Historic Center: $26
  • Guided Tour of the Historic Center of Rouen: $26
  • The OFFICIAL Rouen Tour : The 1-hour must-sees: $27
  • Treetop adventure course in the heart of Rouen: $31
  • The OFFICIAL Rouen Tour : The 2-hours must-sees: $48
  • Private custom tour with a local guide: $50
  • Welcome to Private Walking Tour with a Local: $51
  • Private Custom Walking Guided Tour in Rouen: $51
  • Rouen Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $52
  • Discover Rouen with a licenced tour guide: $59

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Inverness £23
    Rouen £6.72

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 Rouen, we can see that Inverness 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 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 Rouen.

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


Which is Bigger, Inverness or Rouen?

Rouen has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Inverness. When comparing the sizes of Inverness 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 Inverness 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 Inverness or Rouen in the Summer?

Both Rouen and Inverness are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. 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 Rouen because of the family-friendly experiences.

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

It's quite sunny in Rouen. Inverness usually receives less sunshine than Rouen during summer. Inverness gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Inverness usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rouen. Inverness gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Inverness 14°C (58°F) 
    Rouen 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Inverness or Rouen in the Autumn?

Both Rouen and Inverness during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Inverness because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Rouen this time of year.

In the autumn, Inverness is cooler than Rouen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Inverness in October average around 9°C (49°F), and Rouen averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Inverness often gets less sunshine than Rouen. Inverness gets 84 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 127 hours of full sun.

Inverness usually gets less rain in October than Rouen. Inverness gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Inverness 9°C (49°F) 
    Rouen 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Inverness or Rouen in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Inverness and Rouen. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Inverness this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rouen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Rouen. It's quite cold in Inverness in the winter. In January, Inverness is generally cooler than Rouen. Daily temperatures in Inverness average around 3°C (38°F), and Rouen fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Inverness usually receives less sunshine than Rouen during winter. Inverness gets 42 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Inverness usually receives less rain than Rouen. Inverness gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Inverness 3°C (38°F) 
    Rouen 4°C (39°F)

Should I visit Inverness or Rouen in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Inverness as well as Rouen. Many travelers come to Inverness for the small town charm. Additionally, many visitors come to Rouen in the spring for the natural beauty.

Inverness is cooler than Rouen in the spring. The daily temperature in Inverness averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Rouen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Inverness often gets less sunshine than Rouen. Inverness gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 172 hours of full sun.

Inverness usually gets less rain in April than Rouen. Inverness gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Inverness 7°C (44°F) 
    Rouen 9°C (48°F)

Typical Weather for Rouen and Inverness

Inverness Rouen
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (38°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 4°C (39°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Feb 3°C (38°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 4°C (40°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 7°C (44°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 7°C (44°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 9°C (48°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
May 10°C (50°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 12°C (54°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Jun 13°C (55°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 15°C (59°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 14°C (58°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Aug 14°C (57°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 17°C (63°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Oct 9°C (49°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 12°C (53°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Nov 5°C (42°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 7°C (45°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 52 mm (2 in) 5°C (40°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)