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

Should you visit Lucerne or Rouen?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Lucerne and Rouen. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Lucerne

Lucerne is a scenic, active, and cultural 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. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Rouen

Rouen is a historical, charming, and compact city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Lucerne and Rouen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lucerne or Rouen?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Lucerne than Rouen. While Rouen is larger than Lucerne, Lucerne has more sights and attractions for tourists. Lucerne is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Rouen is known for its food. Lucerne is more touristy than Rouen and is popular for it's wooden bridge, its waterfront setting, and the many nearby alpine day trips. It is also home to The Chapel Bridge. Rouen is popular for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture.

The Chapel Bridge

How is Lucerne different from Rouen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Lucerne 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.

Lucerne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Top sights in town include the famous Chapel Bridge, the Lion Monument and the town walls and towers. There are also a number of museums including the Swiss Transport Museum and Museum Sammlung Rosengart.

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 Lucerne or Rouen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Rouen is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Lucerne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Lucerne offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Food is expensive around town, but there are some unique specialties like fondue, brätwurst, and of course, chocolate. It's nice to sit out by the river and enjoy a hearty meal while you soak up the view.

Is Lucerne or Rouen Better for Nightlife?

Lucerne 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.

Lucerne has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland, with many lively clubs, bars, and pubs. There are also many local events that are hosted in town and bring in a crowd.

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 Lucerne or Rouen Better for its Old Town?

Lucerne 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 Lucerne. Sitting on the water's edge, this old town has a number of historic buildings and the beautiful Chapel Bridge.

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 Lucerne or Rouen?

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

Lucerne is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city is filled with high end shopping opportunities with everything from boutique shops to major chains. Popular items to purchase in town include chocolate, watches, jewelry, and Swiss army knives.

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 Lucerne or Rouen Better for Families?

Both Lucerne and Rouen are good family-friendly destinations.

Lucerne offers lots of family activities. The city is filled with history and there are a number of playgrounds around town. Also make sure you pop in a chocolate shop so that everyone can enjoy a sweet treat. If the weather's warm, you can also take a swim in Lake Lucerne. Many kids enjoy escaping the city and doing a day trip to the amazing Mt. Titlis, or other peaks that are nearby.

Rouen is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Lucerne or Rouen Better for Couples?

Lucerne and Rouen both superb destinations for a couple.

Lucerne is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The city has many pleasant squares, excellent restaurants, and a romantic atmosphere that makes for a great couple's getaway. There are a number of nice hotels to choose from as well.

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.

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

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

Many visitors use the public transit system 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.

Lucerne has a few public transit options. There's a comprehensive system of buses around town.

Is Lucerne or Rouen a more walkable city?

Rouen is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Lucerne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Rouen is a very walkable destination. There are many parts of town that can easily be explored on foot.

Lucerne is somewhat walkable. The major tourist areas are fairly walkable if your hotel is in a convenient location.

For even more information, also check out Is Lucerne Worth Visiting? and Is Rouen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rouen or Lucerne?

How long in Lucerne or Rouen?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Lucerne or Rouen to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Lucerne 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 Lucerne, and 1-2 days is enough time in Rouen.

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

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

One day in Lucerne or Rouen?

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

In Rouen, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Lucerne or Rouen?

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

In Rouen, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Rouen has to offer.

Five days in Lucerne or Rouen?

Lucerne is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Lucerne. 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 great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Lucerne or Rouen?

You'll find food and shopping around the historic destination of Lucerne. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rouen. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Rouen. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Switzerland, The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, 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 Lucerne and Rouen, we can see that Lucerne 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 Lucerne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lucerne 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 Lucerne Expensive? and Is Rouen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lucerne or Rouen?

Rouen has a larger population, and is about 98% larger than the population of Lucerne. When comparing the sizes of Lucerne 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 Lucerne 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 Lucerne or Rouen in the Summer?

Both Rouen and Lucerne during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lucerne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rouen for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Lucerne is generally a little warmer than Rouen. Daily temperatures in Lucerne average around 21°C (70°F), and Rouen fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Rouen, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Lucerne. In the summer, Lucerne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Rouen. Lucerne gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 241 hours of full sun.

Lucerne usually gets more rain in July than Rouen. Lucerne gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lucerne or Rouen in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lucerne and Rouen. Many travelers come to Lucerne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Rouen in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Lucerne is a little warmer than Rouen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lucerne averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Rouen fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Lucerne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rouen during autumn. Lucerne gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Lucerne usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rouen. Lucerne gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lucerne or Rouen in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lucerne as well as Rouen. Many visitors come to Lucerne in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Rouen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Rouen can be very cold during winter. Lucerne can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Lucerne is cooler than Rouen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lucerne in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Rouen averages at about 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Lucerne often gets less sunshine than Rouen. Lucerne gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 62 hours of full sun.

Lucerne usually gets more rain in January than Rouen. Lucerne gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lucerne or Rouen in the Spring?

Both Rouen and Lucerne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Lucerne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Rouen because of the natural beauty.

In April, Lucerne is generally a little warmer than Rouen. Daily temperatures in Lucerne average around 12°C (53°F), and Rouen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Lucerne usually receives less sunshine than Rouen during spring. Lucerne gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Rouen. Lucerne gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rouen and Lucerne