A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint Petersburg vs. Rouen for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Rouen?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Rouen? 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.

Where Should I go: Saint Petersburg or Rouen?

Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is a beautiful city that sits on the eastern edge of the Baltic Sea. Its historical city center is threaded with canals and architecturally impressive buildings, leaving little doubt as to why this city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the second largest city in Russia, but perhaps a favorite among travelers. The metropolitan area has a population of over 5 million as well as an impressive culture with fascinating museums, restaurants, and architecture. The city has no shortage of sights and attractions, and many days can be passed while you wander its intricate streets.

Rouen

Rouen is a city on the River Seine in the north of France. It is the capital of the region of Normandy. It was formerly one of the largest and most prosperous cities of Medieval Europe. The city has had a turbulent history. It was devastated by fire and plague several times during the Middle Ages, and was occupied by the English during the Hundred Years War. The young French heroine Joan of Arc (Jeanne d'Arc) was tried for heresy and burned at the stake in the central square in 1431. And during WWII, Allied bombing raids laid waste to large parts of the city, especially south of the cathedral.

For some great organized tour ideas, see 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 Saint Petersburg and Rouen, we can see that Rouen is more expensive. And not only is Saint Petersburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint Petersburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Petersburg 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 Rouen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rouen than you might in Saint Petersburg.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint Petersburg Expensive? and Is Rouen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Rouen?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Rouen. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg or Rouen in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Rouen. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rouen this time of year.

Saint Petersburg is around the same temperature as Rouen in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Rouen fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rouen. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Petersburg this time of the year. In the summer, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than Rouen. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 241 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in July than Rouen. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Rouen in the Autumn?

Both Rouen and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Rouen for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Rouen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Rouen averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Rouen during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Rouen. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Rouen in the Winter?

Both Rouen and Saint Petersburg during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Rouen in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Rouen can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Petersburg. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Rouen. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Rouen fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Rouen. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 62 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in January than Rouen. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Rouen in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Rouen. Furthermore, most visitors come to Rouen for the natural beauty during these months.

Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the spring. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Rouen in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 4°C (40°F) in April, and Rouen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rouen during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Rouen. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rouen and Saint Petersburg