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

Should you visit Oxford or Rouen?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oxford or Rouen, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Oxford

Oxford is a scholarly, collegiate, and beautiful college town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Rouen

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

Oxford and Rouen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Rouen?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Rouen than Oxford. While Oxford is larger than Rouen, Rouen has more sights and attractions for tourists. Rouen is very popular for its food and historical sights, while Oxford attracts visitors for its museums, nightlife, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Oxford is famous for being home to one of the world's most notable universities. Rouen is famous for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture. It is also well known for The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen.

How is Oxford different from Rouen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Oxford 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.

Oxford offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. This town is filled with culture, history, and world class museums. Check out the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, The Museum of Modern Art, Ashmolean Museum, or the Museum of Oxford.

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 Oxford or Rouen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Rouen is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Oxford. In addition to the typical British pubs and fish and chips shops, you'll find a wide diversity of ethnic food around town. Thai, sushi, Indian, and more are common dining options. Head to the Oxford Covered Market to try a traditional British breakfast or have some delicious ice cream.

Is Oxford or Rouen Better for Nightlife?

Oxford 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.

Oxford has plenty to do after the sun goes down. As a college town, you'll find an active nightlife scene with trivia nights and plenty of parties. There are pubs around town where you can grab a drink or find out if there's a concert while you're 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 Oxford or Rouen Better for its Old Town?

Rouen is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Oxford 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.

Oxford does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Rouen?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Oxford and Rouen.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Oxford. Shops around town offer the perfect opportunity to pick up some Oxford gear or by a few items from the Harry Potter franchise.

Rouen offers some nice shopping areas. 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 Oxford or Rouen Better for Families?

Oxford and Rouen are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Oxford is a family-friendly college town. Families will enjoy taking a paddle boat out on the water and exploring the beautiful setting. There are also a number of sights that were influential in the making of Harry Potter. In particular, you'll find the inspiration for the "Great Hall" if you take a tour of Christ Church College. The tour must be booked in advance and they often sell out. Older kids will also enjoy exploring the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

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 Oxford or Rouen Better for Couples?

Oxford and Rouen are both very good to visit as a couple.

Oxford makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The beautiful campus and striking architecture make this a great destination for romance. Hire a boat and explore the water or wander through one of the impressive gardens.

Couples visit Rouen frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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 Oxford or Rouen Better for Students?

Oxford is a world-class destination for students. However, Rouen is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Oxford. At its heart, Oxford is a college town and students are at the heart of the city and its culture.

Rouen is not popular with students.

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

Rouen is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

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.

You'll find some public transit in Oxford, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses available if your legs get tired.

Is Oxford or Rouen a more walkable city?

Oxford and Rouen are very good when it comes to walkability.

Oxford is very walkable. The best way to explore most of the town is on foot, so you can soak up the full collegiate atmosphere.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Rouen or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Rouen?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Rouen than Oxford. 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.

One day in Oxford or Rouen?

Even though Oxford is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. This college town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Rouen. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Oxford or Rouen?

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

Rouen is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Oxford or Rouen?

Oxford is a fun place to experience. Oxford is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rouen. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Oxford or Rouen?

Oxford is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historical destination of Rouen. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day 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 Oxford and Rouen, we can see that Oxford 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 Oxford would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Oxford 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 Oxford Expensive? and Is Rouen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Rouen?

Oxford has a larger population, and is about 37% larger than the population of Rouen. When comparing the sizes of Oxford 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 Oxford 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 Oxford or Rouen in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Oxford as well as Rouen. Many visitors come to Oxford in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Rouen for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rouen. In the summer, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Rouen. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 241 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in July than Rouen. Oxford gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Rouen in the Autumn?

Both Rouen and Oxford are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Oxford for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Rouen because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

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

Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Rouen during autumn. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Oxford usually receives less rain than Rouen. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Oxford or Rouen in the Winter?

Both Rouen and Oxford during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Oxford because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Rouen this time of year.

It's quite cold in Rouen in the winter. The weather in Oxford can be very cold. Oxford is cooler than Rouen in the winter. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Rouen fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Rouen. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 62 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in January than Rouen. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Rouen in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Rouen. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Oxford this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rouen for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Oxford is around the same temperature as Rouen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Oxford in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Rouen averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Rouen during spring. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Oxford usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rouen. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rouen and Oxford