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

Should you visit Kilkenny 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 Kilkenny and Rouen can help you decide which place is right for you.

Kilkenny

Kilkenny is a ancient, medieval, and fascinating town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Kilkenny and Rouen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kilkenny or Rouen?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Kilkenny than Rouen, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Kilkenny is better known for its museums and historical sights, while Rouen is more popular for its impressive beauty. Kilkenny is well known for its medieval castle and long running history. Also, Kilkenny is famous for The Kilkenny Castle. Rouen is well known for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture.

The Kilkenny Castle

How is Kilkenny different from Rouen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Kilkenny 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.

Kilkenny offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. It's seeped in history and there are many historic landmarks in the area including Kilkenny Castle. Also make sure you check out the National Design & Craft Gallery, Saint Mary's Cathedral, and the Medieval Mile Museum.

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 Kilkenny or Rouen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Kilkenny. The town has two Michelin starred restaurants as well as many Irish pubs and international restaurants to choose from.

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 Kilkenny or Rouen Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Kilkenny or Rouen has a better nightlife scene.

Kilkenny has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find traditional pubs and local breweries around town. The town also hosts several local music festivals.

If you're looking for night time activities Rouen has a few options to choose from. You'll find wine bars, trendy cocktail bars, and local pubs where you can grab a drink.

Is Kilkenny or Rouen Better for its Old Town?

Kilkenny is notable for its old town. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Kilkenny. Known as the Medieval Mile, the old town dates back 1,500 years and is filled with city walls, cathedrals, and meandering lanes.

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 Kilkenny or Rouen?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Rouen and Kilkenny.

Kilkenny offers some nice shopping areas. There's a mix of shopping malls, shopping streets, and local markets. Make sure you check out Market Cross Shopping Centre, MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre, Connolly's Red Mills, and Castleinch Sunday 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 Kilkenny or Rouen Better for Families?

Kilkenny 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.

Kilkenny is a very kid-friendly town. The obvious activity is visiting the Kilkenny Castle, but there are so many other adventures that your family can have. You can do the zip line and other outdoor adventures at Castlecomer Discovery Park, try out falconry, or visit the National Reptile Museum. There's also river rafting, kayaking, and many other outdoor adventures in the area.

Rouen is a family-friendly town. 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 Kilkenny or Rouen Better for Couples?

Both Kilkenny and Rouen are great destinations to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Kilkenny frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Adventure lovers will enjoy rafting, kayaking, hiking, and cycling through the area. There are also Michelin starred restaurants and other romantic settings that make for a great couple's weekend.

Rouen is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. 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 Kilkenny or Rouen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kilkenny is a popular place for backpackers. However, Rouen is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Kilkenny. The area has some unique hostels that offer interesting experiences while you're in town.

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

Rouen is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Kilkenny is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

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.

While Kilkenny offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are city buses through town.

Is Kilkenny or Rouen a more walkable city?

Kilkenny and Rouen both are great when exploring on foot.

Kilkenny is a very walkable town. The town is easy to walk around and most areas can be explored 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 Kilkenny Worth Visiting? and Is Rouen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rouen or Kilkenny?

How long in Kilkenny or Rouen?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Kilkenny or Rouen to fill your time. In our opinion, Kilkenny has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Kilkenny than Rouen. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Kilkenny or Rouen?

In Kilkenny, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this medieval destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

The beautiful city of Rouen offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Kilkenny or Rouen?

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

Rouen is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Rouen, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Kilkenny or Rouen?

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

Rouen is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Kilkenny or Rouen?

You'll find food and shopping around the active destination of Kilkenny. 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 great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Ireland, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in 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 Kilkenny and Rouen, we can see that Rouen is more expensive. And not only is Kilkenny much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kilkenny would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kilkenny 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 Rouen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rouen than you might in Kilkenny.

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

Which is Bigger, Kilkenny or Rouen?

Rouen has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Kilkenny. When comparing the sizes of Kilkenny 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 Kilkenny 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 Kilkenny or Rouen in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kilkenny and Rouen. Most visitors come to Kilkenny for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Rouen because of the family-friendly experiences.

Kilkenny is cooler than Rouen in the summer. The daily temperature in Kilkenny averages around 15°C (60°F) in July, and Rouen fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rouen this time of the year. Kilkenny usually receives less sunshine than Rouen during summer. Kilkenny gets 131 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Kilkenny usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rouen. Kilkenny gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kilkenny or Rouen in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kilkenny as well as Rouen. The autumn months attract visitors to Kilkenny because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Rouen this time of year.

In the autumn, Kilkenny is cooler than Rouen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kilkenny in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Rouen averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Kilkenny often gets less sunshine than Rouen. Kilkenny gets 83 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 127 hours of full sun.

Kilkenny usually gets more rain in October than Rouen. Kilkenny gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kilkenny or Rouen in the Winter?

Both Rouen and Kilkenny are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kilkenny this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rouen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Rouen. In January, Kilkenny is generally a little warmer than Rouen. Daily temperatures in Kilkenny average around 5°C (41°F), and Rouen fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Kilkenny usually receives less sunshine than Rouen during winter. Kilkenny gets 50 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kilkenny usually receives more rain than Rouen. Kilkenny gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kilkenny or Rouen in the Spring?

Both Rouen and Kilkenny during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Kilkenny for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Rouen in the spring for the natural beauty.

Kilkenny is around the same temperature as Rouen in the spring. The daily temperature in Kilkenny averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Rouen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Kilkenny often gets less sunshine than Rouen. Kilkenny gets 139 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 172 hours of full sun.

Kilkenny usually gets more rain in April than Rouen. Kilkenny gets 53 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 Kilkenny