A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers The Hague vs. Rouen for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Families

Should you visit The Hague 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 The Hague and Rouen can help you decide which place is right for you.

The Hague

The Hague is a global, international, and bustling 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 nightlife, live music, and food.

Rouen

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

The Hague and Rouen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in The Hague or Rouen?

Tourists will generally find more to do in The Hague than Rouen. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. The Hague is very popular for its nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Rouen attracts visitors for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Rouen is more touristy than The Hague and is popular for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture. The Hague is famous for its large international population and its roll in international politics and diplomacy. It is also well known for The Peace Palace.

How is The Hague different from Rouen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in The Hague or Rouen?

Rouen is very good for its museums and history. However, The Hague does not have museums and landmarks.

Rouen is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

The Hague does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in The Hague or Rouen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in The Hague. The city has a diverse population and the large number of ethnic restaurants reflects that.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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.

Is The Hague or Rouen Better for Nightlife?

The Hague 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.

The Hague has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Many of the city's restaurants turn into clubs at night. Head to The Grote Markt for some of the most energetic nightlife.

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 The Hague or Rouen Better for Music?

The Hague is notable for its live music scene. However, Rouen is not a live music destination.

If you love music, you'll find something to enjoy in The Hague. There's an active music scene here and the city actually played an active role in the development and popularity of electronic music.

Rouen is not a live music destination.

Is The Hague or Rouen Better for its Old Town?

Rouen is very good for its historic old town. However, The Hague 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.

The Hague does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in The Hague or Rouen?

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

The Hague is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There's a dynamic shopping scene with indoor malls, outdoor markets, and a number of neighborhoods that have shops that sell eclectic items.

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 The Hague or Rouen Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either The Hague or Rouen.

The Hague is a family-friendly city. This city has a bit more of a family-friendly vibe than nearby Amsterdam. Kids enjoy exploring by bike or heading to the Scheveningen Beach Resort.

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 The Hague or Rouen Better for Couples?

Rouen is an excellent place to visit for romance. Also, The Hague is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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.

The Hague makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can enjoy the diverse restaurants and the busting atmosphere that the city offers.

Is The Hague or Rouen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit The Hague. While most backpackers head to the more popular city of Amsterdam, The Hague has a fun atmosphere with a diversity of activities and restaurants.

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 The Hague or Rouen Better for Students?

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

Many students frequent The Hague. This is a very popular study abroad destination so you'll find plenty of international students living here. It's an internationally oriented city so everyone feels right at home.

Rouen is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find great public transit in both The Hague and Rouen.

Public transit in The Hague is fairly effecient and thorough. There are bus and tram lines throughout the city.

Rouen has some very good public transit options. 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 The Hague or Rouen a more walkable city?

Rouen is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, The Hague is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

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

The Hague is a somewhat walkable place. There are a number of walk tours through the city center.

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

Should I spend more time in Rouen or The Hague?

How long in The Hague or Rouen?

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

Families should spend more time in Rouen than The Hague. 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 The Hague. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in The Hague 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 The Hague.

One day in The Hague or Rouen?

Each neighborhood in The Hague 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Rouen. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Rouen has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in The Hague or Rouen?

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

You'll find museums and nightlife around the impressive destination of Rouen. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in The Hague or Rouen?

The Hague is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the big city destination of The Hague. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the compact city of Rouen. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in The Hague or Rouen?

You'll find live music and food around the global big city of The Hague. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Rouen is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Netherlands, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Netherlands, 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 The Hague and Rouen, we can see that The Hague 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 The Hague would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in The Hague 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 The Hague Expensive? and Is Rouen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, The Hague or Rouen?

The Hague has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Rouen. When comparing the sizes of The Hague 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 The Hague 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 The Hague or Rouen in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to The Hague as well as Rouen. Most visitors come to The Hague for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Rouen because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, The Hague is around the same temperature as Rouen. Typically, the summer temperatures in The Hague in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Rouen averages at about 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 The Hague this time of the year. In the summer, The Hague often gets less sunshine than Rouen. The Hague gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 241 hours of full sun.

The Hague usually gets more rain in July than Rouen. The Hague gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit The Hague or Rouen in the Autumn?

Both Rouen and The Hague are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to The Hague because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Rouen this time of year.

In October, The Hague is generally cooler than Rouen. Daily temperatures in The Hague average around 11°C (51°F), and Rouen fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

The Hague usually receives less sunshine than Rouen during autumn. The Hague gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, The Hague usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rouen. The Hague gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit The Hague or Rouen in the Winter?

Both Rouen and The Hague during the winter are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to The Hague this time of year. Also, 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 The Hague in the winter. The Hague is much colder than Rouen in the winter. The daily temperature in The Hague averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Rouen fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, The Hague often gets less sunshine than Rouen. The Hague gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 62 hours of full sun.

The Hague usually gets more rain in January than Rouen. The Hague gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit The Hague or Rouen in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both The Hague and Rouen. Many travelers come to The Hague for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Rouen in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, The Hague is cooler than Rouen. Typically, the spring temperatures in The Hague in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Rouen averages at about 9°C (48°F).

The Hague usually receives less sunshine than Rouen during spring. The Hague gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, The Hague usually receives more rain than Rouen. The Hague gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rouen and The Hague