Which place is cheaper, Bologna or Rouen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Rouen or Bologna? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Rouen is a compact, impressive, and relaxing city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.
Bologna is a historical, culinary, and beautiful city. 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.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Bologna than Rouen, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Rouen is popular for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture. Bologna is popular for its Terracota buildings, large international student population, and being the birthplace of Bolognaise pasta. It is also home to Piazza Maggiore.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bologna and Rouen. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Plenty of people visit the good sights and museums in both Rouen and Bologna.
Rouen offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.
If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bologna. It has many historical and religious landmarks, active squares, and impressive museums including the Basilica of St. Petronius, St. Stephen Basilica, the Leaning Towers, and the Portico of the Madonna di San Luca.
Bologna is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.
For foodies, Bologna is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Foodies will appreciate the city's well earned culinary reputation. Some people even consider Bologna to be a food capital in Italy. There are cooking classes and food tours around town, as well as many great restaurants that serve up local dishes. Visitors should try Tagliatelle with Ragu (now famously known around the world as Bolognaise), Tortellini in broth, and Mortadella (salami).
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.
Bologna 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.
Bologna has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The young population that is filled with international students means that the city has a fun and active nightlife scene. Some of the city's best neighborhoods for nightlife include Centro Storico, where the tourists hang out, the University District, which is perfect for students in their 20s, and Via dell'Indipendenza, which is popular for an upscale evening out.
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.
Bologna 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 Bologna. The old town is filled with Terracota buildings, which give the city its nickname, La Rossa (The Red).
Rouen has an old town worth visiting. The old town is where you'll find spectacular Gothic churches and the most charming streets.
Bologna is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.
Bologna is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city hosts regular open-air markets where you can pick up local produce or local items. It is among the best shopping destinations in the region. For some of the city's best shopping, head to Piazza Maggiore, Mercato di Mezzo, Mercato delle Erbe, or Via Rizzoli.
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.
Kids will enjoy a visit to either Rouen or Bologna.
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.
Bologna is a family-friendly city. There are kid-friendly museums such as Museo Geologico Cappellini and the interactive history museum of Museo della Storia di Bologna. There's even a museum solely dedicated to gelato - Gelato at Carpigiani Museum. If your kids need a bit of time in nature, check out Dulcamara farm or the Botanic Garden. On the weekend you many be able to catch a show at Margherita's Puppet Theatre.
Rouen is a well-known place for couples. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.
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.
Bologna is a nice destination for couples. With beautiful museums, interesting architecture. and lively squares, this is a great city for a couple's holiday. It's filled with romance, but it has less tourist crowds than some of Italy's more popular cities.
Bologna is notable for backpackers. However, Rouen is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.
Bologna is a great city to visit for backpackers. It's not a popular as some of the other cities in Italy and Europe, but it still has a number of hostels and a good backpacker scene.
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.
Bologna is a world-class destination for students. However, Rouen is not popular with students.
Many students frequent Bologna. It's a top study abroad destination in Italy and is home to a few great universities including the well ranked University of Bologna. There are many great activities for students and a variety of fun places to explore.
Rouen is not popular with students.
Rouen is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.
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.
Bologna has some public transit options. There is an efficient and reliable bus system.
Rouen and Bologna both are great when exploring on foot.
Rouen is a very walkable city. There are many parts of town that can easily be explored on foot.
Bologna is a very walkable destination. Most sights are always within a 30 minute walk, and the city itself is very walkable.
For even more information, also check out Is Rouen Worth Visiting? and Is Bologna Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Rouen and Bologna. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bologna than in Rouen. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Rouen, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bologna.
Families should spend more time in Bologna than Rouen. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Bologna, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Rouen than Bologna. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Rouen that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bologna 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 Bologna.
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.
In Bologna, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this culinary destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the food. 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 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.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bologna. 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 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.
Bologna is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Bologna. Lots of people come for the food. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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. 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.
You'll find food and shopping around the culinary destination of Bologna. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Rouen is €109, while the average daily cost in Bologna is €159. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Rouen and Bologna in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Rouen or Bologna? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rouen:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bologna:
Prices for flights to both Bologna and Rouen change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bologna.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Rouen are as follows:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bologna are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bologna are as follows:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Bologna:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rouen and Bologna, we can see that Bologna 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 Bologna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bologna 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 Rouen Expensive? and Is Bologna Expensive?.
Bologna has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Rouen. When comparing the sizes of Rouen and Bologna, 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.
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.
Both Bologna and Rouen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rouen this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bologna for the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Rouen is cooler than Bologna. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rouen in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Bologna averages at about 24°C (75°F).
It's quite sunny in Bologna. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rouen. Rouen usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during summer. Rouen gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Rouen usually receives more rain than Bologna. Rouen gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Bologna and Rouen during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Rouen for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bologna in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Rouen is generally cooler than Bologna. Daily temperatures in Rouen average around 12°C (53°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
In the autumn, Rouen often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Rouen gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 177 hours of full sun.
Bologna gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Rouen usually gets less rain in October than Bologna. Rouen gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Rouen and Bologna. Many visitors come to Rouen in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bologna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Bologna can be very cold during winter. Rouen can get quite cold in the winter. Rouen is much warmer than Bologna in the winter. The daily temperature in Rouen averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Bologna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).
Rouen usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during winter. Rouen gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Rouen usually receives less rain than Bologna. Rouen gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Rouen as well as Bologna. Most visitors come to Rouen for the natural beauty during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Bologna because of the natural beauty.
In the spring, Rouen is cooler than Bologna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rouen in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Bologna averages at about 13°C (55°F).
In the spring, Rouen often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Rouen gets 172 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 192 hours of full sun.
Rouen usually gets less rain in April than Bologna. Rouen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
Rouen | Bologna | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
Mar | 7°C (44°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
Apr | 9°C (48°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
May | 12°C (54°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
Aug | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
Oct | 12°C (53°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
Dec | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |