A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Toulouse vs. Rome for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Backpackers

Should you visit Toulouse or Rome?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Toulouse and Rome can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Toulouse

Toulouse is a historic, vibrant, and friendly city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Rome

Rome is a ancient, archeological, and bustling city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the nightlife, live music, and food.

Toulouse and Rome: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toulouse or Rome?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Rome than Toulouse. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Rome is very popular for its museums, nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Toulouse attracts visitors for its historical sights. Rome is more touristy than Toulouse and is popular for its iconic archaeological sites such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, as well as its gelato, Italian cuisine, and strong religious roots. It is also well known for The Colosseum. Toulouse is famous for its impressive old town, many museums, and delicious local cuisine.

The Colosseum

How is Toulouse different from Rome?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Toulouse or Rome?

Rome is a must-visit destination for its historical sights. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Rome has many famous sights for visitors. The historical sights around the city are among the most impressive in the world. Almost anywhere you look you'll find a notable landmark but some of the most famous include the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, and the Roman Forum.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Toulouse. There is a long running history with countless landmarks and museums. Highlights include Basilique Saint-Sernin, Place du Capitole, Muséum de Toulouse, and Fondation Bemberg.

Is the Food Better in Toulouse or Rome? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Toulouse and Rome offer a number of world-class restaurants to choose from.

Many restaurants in Toulouse have been singled out for their culinary prowess. There are many unique regional recipes that make use of poultry, cold meats, and foie gras. Toulouse sausage, cassoulet, Poulet à la Toulousaine, and Foie gras d’oie are all popular local dishes.

Eat your way through Rome, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Homemade pasta, fresh sauces, and fine wine all make the food scene among the best. Also make sure you try the gelato.

Is Toulouse or Rome Better for Nightlife?

Rome is a must-visit destination for its evening party scene. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Rome is a world class party destination. You'll find a huge concentration of bars and clubs in the Testaccio area. There are late night clubs with salsa dancing, merengue, and live DJ's spinning every type of music.

Toulouse has plenty to do after the sun goes down. You'll find a large number of students in town so the nightlife scene is active and fun. For the most lively atmosphere head to Carmes, Saint-Cyprien, or Place Saint-Pierre.

Is Toulouse or Rome Better for Music?

Rome is a must-visit destination for its music scene. However, Toulouse is not a live music destination.

Rome has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Popular music venues include Live Alcazar, Atlantico Live, and Beba do Samba.

Toulouse is not a live music destination.

Is Toulouse or Rome Better for its Old Town?

Toulouse is a great destination for its historic old town charm. However, Rome does not have a historic old town.

Toulouse is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town is filled with terra-cota buildings and pedestrian walkways. The area flows out around the Capitole and is crossed by the Garonne.

Rome does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Toulouse or Rome?

Rome is a must-visit destination for its shopping areas. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many people travel to Rome specifically to go shopping. For the biggest brand names, head to Via del Corso, which is near the Spanish Steps. Popular items to buy include Italian ceramics, shoes, leather goods, and jewelry.

Toulouse is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are many great shopping districts around town including Place du Capitole, The Saint Georges district, and Rue Alsace Lorraine.

Is Toulouse or Rome Better for Families?

Both Toulouse and Rome are great to visit with kids.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Toulouse. The city's known for its space industry so the La Cite de l’Espace (Space Museum) is a favorite attraction for kids and adults alike. You can also visit Aeroscopia, the airplane museum. La Halle de la machine is a truly unique and impressive playground. The city also has many other museums and outdoor spaces to explore.

Rome is a very family-friendly place to visit. What kid wouldn't be thrilled to be surrounded by pizza and spaghetti restaurants? In addition to kid-friendly food options, there are also a number of great activities that the whole family can enjoy including exploring the Colosseum, taking a gladiator class, and eating gelato.

Is Toulouse or Rome Better for Couples?

Both Toulouse and Rome are great destinations for a couple's getaway.

Toulouse is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There are many beautiful parks, gardens, and walking paths. Make sure you take a stroll along the Canal du Midi and visit Jardin Japonais Pierre Baudis. This is also a great city for visiting a spa.

Rome is a very popular place to visit for couples. With many beautiful buildings, world class restaurants, and world renowned sights, this city makes a great romantic destination.

Is Toulouse or Rome Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rome is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Toulouse is not a good destination for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Rome, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. Backpackers will find no shortage of hostels where they can stay, particularly near the main train station where accommodation is particularly cheap (but not always the best quality).

Toulouse is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a major stop off for many backpackers in Europe so you won't find as many hostels as you do in other cities.

Is Toulouse or Rome Better for Students?

Rome is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Rome is a very popular city for students. The city is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find plenty of international students here.

Toulouse is a good city to visit for students. You'll find a diverse student population with many international students.

Is Toulouse or Rome Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Rome is a must-visit destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Rome has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. There's a metro system, trams, and a comprehensive bus system that goes around the city.

Toulouse has a few public transit options. There are a large number of bus routes that travel both locally and regionally.

Is Toulouse or Rome a more walkable city?

Rome is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Rome is a very easy city to get around on foot. You'll find many of the most popular sights in a compact area that's easily explored on foot. Do watch out for traffic, which can be a bit chaotic at times.

Toulouse is very walkable. Within the city center it is very walkable and easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Toulouse Worth Visiting? and Is Rome Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rome or Toulouse?

How long in Toulouse or Rome?

Both Toulouse and Rome have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Rome than in Toulouse. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Toulouse, and 3-7 days is enough time in Rome.

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

Couples should spend more time in Rome than Toulouse. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Rome that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rome than Toulouse 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 Rome.

One day in Toulouse or Rome?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Toulouse. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Rome is a big city with plenty to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Toulouse or Rome?

Toulouse is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

Rome is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Toulouse or Rome?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the dynamic destination of Toulouse. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Rome is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Rome, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Toulouse or Rome?

The friendly city of Toulouse offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

Rome is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Rome has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Toulouse and Rome, we can see that Rome is more expensive. And not only is Toulouse much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Toulouse would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Toulouse 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 Rome would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rome than you might in Toulouse.

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

Which is Bigger, Toulouse or Rome?

Rome has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Toulouse. When comparing the sizes of Toulouse and Rome, 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 Toulouse or Rome?

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 Toulouse or Rome in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Toulouse as well as Rome. The summer months attract visitors to Toulouse because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rome this time of year.

Toulouse is cooler than Rome in the summer. The daily temperature in Toulouse averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Rome fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rome. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toulouse this time of the year. In the summer, Toulouse often gets less sunshine than Rome. Toulouse gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 338 hours of full sun.

Toulouse usually gets more rain in July than Rome. Toulouse gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Rome receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulouse or Rome in the Autumn?

Both Rome and Toulouse are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Toulouse this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rome for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Toulouse is cooler than Rome. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Toulouse in October average around 15°C (60°F), and Rome averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Toulouse usually receives less sunshine than Rome during autumn. Toulouse gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 198 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Toulouse usually receives less rain than Rome. Toulouse gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rome receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Toulouse or Rome in the Winter?

Both Rome and Toulouse during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Toulouse for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Rome in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Toulouse is generally cooler than Rome. Daily temperatures in Toulouse average around 6°C (44°F), and Rome fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Toulouse often gets less sunshine than Rome. Toulouse gets 88 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 127 hours of full sun.

Toulouse usually gets less rain in January than Rome. Toulouse gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Rome receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulouse or Rome in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Toulouse and Rome. Many visitors come to Toulouse in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Rome for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

Toulouse is cooler than Rome in the spring. The daily temperature in Toulouse averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Rome fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rome this time of the year. Toulouse usually receives less sunshine than Rome during spring. Toulouse gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Toulouse usually receives more rain than Rome. Toulouse gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Rome receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rome and Toulouse