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

Should you visit Windsor or Rouen?

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

Should I visit Windsor 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.

Windsor

Windsor is a beautiful, royal, and traditional town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the food, museums, and nightlife.

Rouen

Rouen is a charming, compact, and impressive city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Windsor and Rouen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Windsor or Rouen?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Rouen than Windsor, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Rouen is better known for its food and shopping, while Windsor is more popular for its museums, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Windsor is more touristy than Rouen and is known for being home to the largest and oldest operating castle in the world. Rouen is well known for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture. Also, Rouen is famous for The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen.

How is Windsor different from Rouen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Windsor 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.

Windsor offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The main draw is the Windsor Castle, which many people explore in a few hours. Then you can pass some time wandering around the town.

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 Windsor or Rouen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Rouen is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Windsor is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Windsor is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are cafes, pubs, and local restaurants that let you sample regional dishes. There are also chain restaurants and international options including Japanese and Thai food.

Is Windsor or Rouen Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Windsor and Rouen.

Windsor has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There's a low key nightlife scene with local pubs and a theater. Dinner cruises are also a fun activity.

If you're looking for night time activities Rouen has a few options to choose from. You'll find wine bars, trendy cocktail bars, and local pubs where you can grab a drink.

Is Windsor or Rouen Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the notable old towns in both Windsor and Rouen.

Many people head to Windsor to see the old town. The old town is opposite the castle and caters specifically to tourists with its restaurants, pubs, and a few shops.

Rouen has an old town worth visiting. The old town is where you'll find spectacular Gothic churches and the most charming streets.

Is the Shopping Better in Windsor or Rouen?

Rouen is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Windsor is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Rouen offers some nice shopping areas. 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.

Windsor is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Windsor or Rouen Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Windsor or Rouen.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Windsor. Kids will enjoy seeing a working castle when they visit Windsor Castle. While a visit to Windsor Castle is the obvious draw to the town, there are also river cruises, parks, and even the Royal Windsor Maze at the Goswells Park that the whole family will enjoy. There is also a Legoland in the area for those who have more time.

Rouen offers lots of family activities. 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 Windsor or Rouen Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Windsor and Rouen make for a high quality place to visit.

Couples visit Windsor frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Exploring the Windsor Castle, taking a river cruise, and wandering the parks and gardens hand in hand make this a great place for a couples retreat.

Rouen is a great town if you're traveling as 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.

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

Rouen is well known for its public transit. Also, Windsor is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Rouen can get you around 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.

While Windsor offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a bus system around town.

Is Windsor or Rouen a more walkable city?

Windsor and Rouen both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Windsor is a very walkable town. The town is compact and relatively easy to walk around. There are also several walking routes in the area.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Rouen or Windsor?

How long in Windsor or Rouen?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Windsor or Rouen to fill your time. In our opinion, Rouen has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Rouen than Windsor. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

One day in Windsor or Rouen?

Even though Windsor is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. This town 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 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.

A weekend in Windsor or Rouen?

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

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.

Five days in Windsor or Rouen?

Windsor is a fun place to experience. Windsor is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

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.

A week in Windsor or Rouen?

Windsor is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in United Kingdom, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, 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 Windsor and Rouen, we can see that Windsor 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 Windsor would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Windsor 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 Windsor Expensive? and Is Rouen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Windsor or Rouen?

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

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 Windsor or Rouen in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Windsor and Rouen. The summer months attract visitors to Windsor because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rouen this time of year.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rouen this time of the year. Windsor usually receives less sunshine than Rouen during summer. Windsor gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Windsor usually receives less rain than Rouen. Windsor gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Windsor or Rouen in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Windsor as well as Rouen. The small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Windsor this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rouen for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Windsor is around the same temperature as Rouen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Windsor in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Rouen averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Windsor often gets less sunshine than Rouen. Windsor gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 127 hours of full sun.

Windsor usually gets less rain in October than Rouen. Windsor gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Windsor or Rouen in the Winter?

Both Rouen and Windsor are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Windsor for the museums and the cuisine. Also, 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 Windsor. In January, Windsor is generally a little warmer than Rouen. Daily temperatures in Windsor average around 4°C (40°F), and Rouen fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Windsor usually receives less sunshine than Rouen during winter. Windsor gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Windsor usually receives less rain than Rouen. Windsor gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Windsor or Rouen in the Spring?

Both Rouen and Windsor during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Windsor in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Rouen for the natural beauty during these months.

Windsor is around the same temperature as Rouen in the spring. The daily temperature in Windsor averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Rouen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Windsor often gets less sunshine than Rouen. Windsor gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 172 hours of full sun.

Windsor usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Rouen. Windsor gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rouen and Windsor