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

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

Manchester

Manchester is a dynamic, diverse, and cultural city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and museums.

Rouen

Rouen is a compact, impressive, and relaxing city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Manchester and Rouen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Manchester or Rouen?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Manchester than Rouen. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Manchester is very popular for its museums, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Rouen attracts visitors for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Manchester is famous for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. It is also well known for The National Football Museum. Rouen is famous for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture.

How is Manchester different from Rouen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Manchester 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.

Manchester offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

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 Manchester or Rouen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Manchester and Rouen offer great local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Manchester. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Rouen. 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 Manchester or Rouen Better for Nightlife?

Manchester 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.

Manchester has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

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 Manchester or Rouen Better for Music?

Manchester is notable for its live music scene. However, Rouen is not a live music destination.

If you love music, you'll find something to enjoy in Manchester. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Rouen is not a live music destination.

Is Manchester or Rouen Better for its Old Town?

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

Rouen is a good destination for visiting its old town. The old town is where you'll find spectacular Gothic churches and the most charming streets.

Manchester does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Manchester or Rouen?

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

Manchester is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

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 Manchester or Rouen Better for Families?

Manchester 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.

Manchester is a very kid-friendly city. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United Museum.

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 Manchester or Rouen Better for Couples?

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

Manchester is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

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 Manchester or Rouen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Manchester. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

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 Manchester or Rouen Better for Students?

Manchester is notable for students. However, Rouen is not popular with students.

Manchester is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

Rouen is not popular with students.

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

Manchester and Rouen both offer great public transit to get you around.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Manchester. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

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.

Is Manchester or Rouen a more walkable city?

Rouen is great for its walkability. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

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

Manchester is a somewhat walkable place. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Rouen or Manchester?

How long in Manchester or Rouen?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Manchester or Rouen to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Manchester than Rouen because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Manchester, and 1-2 days is enough time in Rouen.

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

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

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

One day in Manchester or Rouen?

Each neighborhood in Manchester has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. 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.

With museums and nightlife around the compact city of Rouen, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Rouen, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Manchester or Rouen?

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

With nightlife and food around the destination of Rouen, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Manchester or Rouen?

Manchester is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the big city destination of Manchester. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Rouen, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Manchester or Rouen?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the diverse big city of Manchester. 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 place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, 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 Manchester and Rouen, we can see that Manchester 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 Manchester would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manchester 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 Manchester Expensive? and Is Rouen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Manchester or Rouen?

Manchester has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Rouen. When comparing the sizes of Manchester 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 Manchester 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 Manchester or Rouen in the Summer?

Both Rouen and Manchester during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Manchester for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Rouen because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Manchester is around the same temperature as Rouen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Manchester in July average around 16°C (62°F), and Rouen averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In Rouen, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Rouen. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 241 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets more rain in July than Rouen. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Rouen in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Rouen. The autumn months attract visitors to Manchester because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Rouen this time of year.

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

Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Rouen during autumn. Manchester gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Manchester usually receives more rain than Rouen. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Manchester or Rouen in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Rouen. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Manchester 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. It's quite cold in Manchester in the winter. Manchester is around the same temperature as Rouen in the winter. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Rouen fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Rouen. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 62 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets more rain in January than Rouen. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Rouen in the Spring?

Both Rouen and Manchester are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Manchester for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Rouen in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Manchester is cooler than Rouen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Manchester in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Rouen averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Rouen during spring. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Manchester usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rouen. Manchester gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rouen and Manchester