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

Should you visit Rouen or Oslo?

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

Should I visit Rouen or Oslo? 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

Rouen is a impressive, relaxing, and historical city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Oslo

Oslo is a park-filled, green, and clean 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, museums, and nightlife.

Rouen and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rouen or Oslo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Oslo than Rouen. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Oslo is very popular for its museums and big city activities, while Rouen attracts visitors for its food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Oslo is more touristy than Rouen and is known for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports. It is also well known for The Royal Palace. Rouen is famous for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture.

How is Rouen different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Oslo 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.

Oslo offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch Museum.

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 Rouen or Oslo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Rouen is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Oslo has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city has a reputation of serving a lot of cured meats and potato dishes, but there is actually a good amount of variation available. Local favorites include smoked salmon, meatballs, and meat stews.

Is Rouen or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are nice in both Rouen and Oslo.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Rouen. You'll find wine bars, trendy cocktail bars, and local pubs where you can grab a drink.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Oslo. The city's high alcohol prices mean that many locals enjoy their drinks at home during pre-parties before heading out on the town. The atmosphere is usually laid-back and chill, with a diversity of entertainment venues that you can choose between.

Is Rouen or Oslo Better for its Old Town?

Rouen is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Rouen to see the historical old town. The old town is where you'll find spectacular Gothic churches and the most charming streets.

Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Rouen or Oslo?

Rouen is a nice place to visit for shopping. However, Oslo is a mediocre city for its shopping opportunities.

Rouen is a great destination for shopping. 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Oslo has some nice offerings. The shopping that is available includes shopping malls and local boutique shops.

Is Rouen or Oslo Better for Families?

Oslo is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Oslo is a very family-friendly destination. The city goes out of its way to integrate kid-friendly activities into everyday life. From playgrounds and parks to interactive museums and nearby amusement parks, this city is among the most kid-friendly around.

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 Rouen or Oslo Better for Couples?

Rouen is notable for romance. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Oslo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. You can explore castles, go on forest hikes, or enjoy a couple's massage.

Is Rouen or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Oslo. Notoriously expensive, this city does have some hostels, but it can be a bit challenging for those on a budget. Because many backpackers avoid the area due to the costs, it can be challenging to meet other backpackers.

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 Rouen or Oslo Better for Students?

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

Oslo is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The University of Oslo has an excellent reputation and welcomes many foreign students every year. The school does a lot to make sure international students feel at home here.

Rouen is not popular with students.

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

Oslo is a world-class destination for its public transit. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

With a huge network, the transit system in Oslo can get you around easily. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

The public transit in Rouen can get you to most 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 Rouen or Oslo a more walkable city?

Rouen and Oslo both are very good when exploring on foot.

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

Oslo is a very walkable destination. The city has a number of traffic-free areas so it's fun to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Rouen?

How long in Rouen or Oslo?

In either Rouen or Oslo, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Oslo than Rouen because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Rouen, and 1-5 days is enough time in Oslo.

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

Couples should spend more time in Rouen than Oslo. 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 Oslo 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 Oslo.

One day in Rouen or Oslo?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Rouen. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Each neighborhood in Oslo has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Rouen or Oslo?

Rouen is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

Five days in Rouen or Oslo?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the compact destination of Rouen. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Oslo is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Oslo has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Rouen or Oslo?

The impressive city of Rouen offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the progressive big city of Oslo. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. 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 Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rouen and Oslo, we can see that Oslo 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 Oslo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Oslo 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 Oslo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Rouen or Oslo?

Oslo has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Rouen. When comparing the sizes of Rouen and Oslo, 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 Rouen or Oslo?

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.

Should I visit Rouen or Oslo in the Summer?

Both Oslo and Rouen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Rouen for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Oslo in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Rouen is generally around the same temperature as Oslo. Daily temperatures in Rouen average around 17°C (63°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Oslo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rouen. Rouen usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Oslo during summer. Rouen gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Rouen usually receives less rain than Oslo. Rouen gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Rouen or Oslo in the Autumn?

Both Oslo and Rouen during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Rouen in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Oslo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Rouen is much warmer than Oslo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rouen averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Oslo fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the autumn, Rouen often gets more sunshine than Oslo. Rouen gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 86 hours of full sun.

Rouen usually gets less rain in October than Oslo. Rouen gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rouen or Oslo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Rouen and Oslo. Most visitors come to Rouen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Oslo because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Oslo can be very cold. Rouen can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Rouen is much warmer than Oslo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rouen in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Oslo averages at about -4°C (25°F).

Rouen usually receives more sunshine than Oslo during winter. Rouen gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Rouen usually receives more rain than Oslo. Rouen gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Rouen or Oslo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Rouen as well as Oslo. The spring months attract visitors to Rouen because of the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Oslo this time of year.

In April, Rouen is generally much warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Rouen average around 9°C (48°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the spring, Rouen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Oslo. Rouen gets 172 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun.

Rouen usually gets more rain in April than Oslo. Rouen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Oslo and Rouen