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

Should you visit Newcastle upon Tyne 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 Newcastle upon Tyne and Rouen can help you decide which place is right for you.

Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle upon Tyne is a vibrant, high energy, and livable port city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Rouen

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

Newcastle upon Tyne and Rouen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Newcastle upon Tyne or Rouen?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Newcastle upon Tyne than Rouen, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Newcastle upon Tyne is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Rouen is known for its impressive beauty. Newcastle upon Tyne is popular for its compact and livable atmosphere as well as its active nightlife scene. It is also home to The Tyne Bridge. Rouen is popular for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture.

How is Newcastle upon Tyne different from Rouen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Newcastle upon Tyne or Rouen?

Newcastle upon Tyne 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.

Newcastle upon Tyne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are many historic and cultural sights around town. Some of the most interesting include the Historic Tyne Bridges, the Millennium Bridge, the Castle, Newcastle Cathedral, and the Great North Museum: Hancock.

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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Rouen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Newcastle upon Tyne and Rouen can be difficult as they are each great in their own way.

Newcastle upon Tyne has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city is known for its food and there are some interesting local flavors that you should try. For something unique, try the singing hinny (sweet bread), pan haggerty (similar to potato gratin), stottie cake (bread) or craster kippers (smoked herring). You'll also find a diversity of cosmopolitan restaurants around town.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Rouen makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Rouen Better for Nightlife?

Newcastle upon Tyne 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.

Newcastle upon Tyne has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Because of the large student population, you'll find a very active nightlife scene. There are several party districts in the city that you should check out including Quayside, the Gate, the Diamond Strip, Bigg Market, and Dean Street.

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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Rouen Better for its Old Town?

Newcastle upon Tyne 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 Newcastle upon Tyne. Known as Grainger Town, the city's historic commercial center is famous for its Georgian and Victorian buildings.

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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Rouen?

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

Newcastle upon Tyne is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has boutique shops as well as major shopping malls. Some of the best shopping areas include the pedestrian shopping street of Northumberland Street, the historic Grey Street, and Grainger 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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Rouen Better for Families?

You'll find good kid-friendly activities in either Newcastle upon Tyne or Rouen.

Newcastle upon Tyne is a family-friendly port city. Kids will love visiting the Newcastle Castle, but there are also ropes courses and the Victoria Tunnel Tours. Museum lovers will enjoy a visit to Discovery Museum, the Life Science Center, or Beamish, the Living Museum of the North.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Rouen. 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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Rouen Better for Couples?

Rouen is a very popular place for couples. Also, Newcastle upon Tyne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Rouen makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Newcastle upon Tyne is a nice destination for couples. The city boasts many romantic walks as well as fine dining restaurants and interesting entertainment options. It's not hard to enjoy a fun date night out on the town.

Is Newcastle upon Tyne or Rouen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Newcastle upon Tyne is a popular place for backpackers. However, Rouen is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Newcastle upon Tyne. There are a number of hostels to choose from and plenty of entertainment choices so you shouldn't have much trouble meeting other people.

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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Rouen Better for Students?

Newcastle upon Tyne is notable for students. However, Rouen is not popular with students.

Newcastle upon Tyne is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. The city has a large student population and a lively nightlife scene, so it's a fun place for students to spend a semester or more.

Rouen is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find great public transit in both Newcastle upon Tyne and Rouen.

Newcastle upon Tyne offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are bus, ferry, and light rail services in the city.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation 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.

Is Newcastle upon Tyne or Rouen a more walkable city?

Newcastle upon Tyne is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Newcastle upon Tyne on foot. The city is one of the most walkable in the UK.

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 Newcastle upon Tyne Worth Visiting? and Is Rouen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rouen or Newcastle upon Tyne?

How long in Newcastle upon Tyne or Rouen?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Newcastle upon Tyne 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 Newcastle upon Tyne.

One day in Newcastle upon Tyne or Rouen?

In Newcastle upon Tyne, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this livable destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This port 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.

In Rouen, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this destination offers. 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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Rouen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Newcastle upon Tyne. 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.

Many people visit Rouen for a weekend. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. 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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Rouen?

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

The beautiful destination of Rouen offers shopping and museums. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Newcastle upon Tyne or Rouen?

You'll find food and shopping around the high energy destination of Newcastle upon Tyne. 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Rouen. This city offers something for everyone. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Historical Tours in 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 Newcastle upon Tyne and Rouen, we can see that Newcastle upon Tyne 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 Newcastle upon Tyne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Newcastle upon Tyne 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 Newcastle upon Tyne Expensive? and Is Rouen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Newcastle upon Tyne or Rouen?

Newcastle upon Tyne has a larger population, and is about 71% larger than the population of Rouen. When comparing the sizes of Newcastle upon Tyne 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 Newcastle upon Tyne 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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Rouen in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Newcastle upon Tyne as well as Rouen. Most visitors come to Newcastle upon Tyne for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Rouen because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Newcastle upon Tyne is generally cooler than Rouen. Daily temperatures in Newcastle upon Tyne average around 15°C (59°F), and Rouen fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rouen. In the summer, Newcastle upon Tyne often gets less sunshine than Rouen. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 241 hours of full sun.

Newcastle upon Tyne usually gets more rain in July than Rouen. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Newcastle upon Tyne or Rouen in the Autumn?

Both Rouen and Newcastle upon Tyne are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Newcastle upon Tyne because of the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Rouen this time of year.

Newcastle upon Tyne is cooler than Rouen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Newcastle upon Tyne averages around 10°C (49°F) in October, and Rouen fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Newcastle upon Tyne usually receives less sunshine than Rouen during autumn. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 69 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Newcastle upon Tyne. In October, Newcastle upon Tyne usually receives more rain than Rouen. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Newcastle upon Tyne or Rouen in the Winter?

Both Rouen and Newcastle upon Tyne during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Newcastle upon Tyne 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 Newcastle upon Tyne in the winter. In the winter, Newcastle upon Tyne is cooler than Rouen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Newcastle upon Tyne in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Rouen averages at about 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Newcastle upon Tyne often gets less sunshine than Rouen. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 62 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Newcastle upon Tyne. Newcastle upon Tyne usually gets more rain in January than Rouen. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Newcastle upon Tyne or Rouen in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Newcastle upon Tyne and Rouen. Furthermore, many visitors come to Rouen in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Newcastle upon Tyne is generally cooler than Rouen. Daily temperatures in Newcastle upon Tyne average around 7°C (45°F), and Rouen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Newcastle upon Tyne usually receives less sunshine than Rouen during spring. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 134 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Newcastle upon Tyne usually receives more rain than Rouen. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 78 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 Newcastle upon Tyne