A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers York vs. La Rochelle for Food, Old Town, Families, and Couples

Should you visit York or La Rochelle?

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

Should I visit York or La Rochelle? 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.

York

York is a medieval, fanciful, and historic city. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a laid-back, quaint, and charming coastal town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

York and La Rochelle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in York or La Rochelle?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in La Rochelle than York. While York is larger than La Rochelle, La Rochelle has more sights and attractions for tourists. La Rochelle is very popular for its beaches, hiking, and small town charm, while York attracts visitors for its nightlife. York is more touristy than La Rochelle and is popular for its markets, old town, and its many ghost tours. La Rochelle is famous for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. It is also well known for The Old Port.

How is York different from La Rochelle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in York or La Rochelle?

Both York and La Rochelle have high quality landmarks and museums for visitors.

York offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Popular museums include the York Castle Museum, the National Railway Museum, Castle Howard, and JORVIK Viking Centre.

Many visitors head to La Rochelle specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Filled with history, the town itself is like a living museum. Within town there are many sights such as the Vieux Port, La Rochelle Aquarium, Musée d'Histoire Naturelle, and Musée du Nouveau Monde de La Rochelle.

Is the Food Better in York or La Rochelle? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both York and La Rochelle both to be first-rate destinations.

For foodies, York is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Meat pies, fudge, and fish and chips are just some of the culinary experiences you'll find here. The Shambles Market has vendors that sell a wide variety of cuisines. There are also food trucks throughout town that offer affordable and delicious meal options.

La Rochelle has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. It may be small, but its filled with delicious cafes, bistros, and local restaurants. Seafood is the obvious choice in this coastal town and many visitors head to Vieux Port to eat, as many restaurants there offer waterfront views. If you want something a little less touristy, head to the St. Nicolas District, which was the town's former fishing district. Rue de la Fourche is also a charming road with many places to grab a bite or a drink. Or head to Rue St Jean-du-Perot, which is just off the old port.

Is York or La Rochelle Better for Nightlife?

York is great for nightlife and partying. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its evening party scene.

Many people head to York for the nightlife scene. The young population and thriving tourist scene means there's no shortage of nightlife around town. Check out a pub or music venue to experience everything that city has to offer.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in La Rochelle. While it's known as a peaceful, seaside town, you'll still find wine bars, pubs, and even a club or two around town.

Is York or La Rochelle Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is a popular place for its beaches. However, York is not a beach destination.

La Rochelle is a good option for a beach vacation. There are three main beaches in town that each attract a crowd on warm summer days. Plage de la Concurrence, Plage Chef de Baie, and Plage des Minimes are the closest beaches to La Rochelle, and they are popular for sunbathing and water sports. They have a mix of sand, pebbles, and cliffside views that attract locals and tourists alike.

York is not a beach destination.

Is York or La Rochelle Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the first-rate old towns in both York and La Rochelle.

The historic old town of York is revered around the world. The charming old town is filled with shops and restaurants. There are street performers, fudge shops, and all of the Harry Potter merchandise that a person could need.

With a famous historical old-town, La Rochelle offers plenty to see. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

Is York or La Rochelle Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, York is not a hiking destination.

La Rochelle is a good destination for hiking. There are many coastal walks just outside of town that take you along the scenic coastline. It's beautiful to stroll through the countryside and pass through many quaint villages.

York is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in York or La Rochelle?

Both York and La Rochelle are nice shopping destinations.

York is a great destination for shopping. The old town has many great candy stores that sell fudge and other local specialties. There are also Harry Potter stores that sell potions, t-shirts, games, and more.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting La Rochelle. The old town is filled with boutique shops as well as some name brands. Another fun place to visit is Les Halles, which is an indoor market with fresh produce, seafood, and many local cheeses.

Is York or La Rochelle Better for Families?

York is very popular for its kid-friendly activities. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, York is a very family-friendly destination. The city does an amazing job bringing history to life in a way that kids will enjoy. The JORVIK Viking Centre transports visitors back in time and introduces them to a fully immersive viking experience. The York Dungeon is great for older kids as long as they don't scare easily. Actors and special effects offer a terrifying and entertaining visit through a York dungeon. Harry Potter fans will enjoy exploring the potion shops and broomstick stores along the iconic Shambles, which is said to be an inspiration for J.K. Rowling's Diagon Alley.

La Rochelle is a family-friendly place to visit. It's a coastal town with a port that you can explore. There's also an aquarium and many great seafood restaurants. A nice day trip is to go to l'Ile de Ré, which has nice beaches, some with playgrounds.

Is York or La Rochelle Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is a world-class destination for romance. Also, York is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

La Rochelle makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. This beautiful coastal town is seeped in history. There are beautiful squares, romantic parks, and cobblestone streets that you can wander down. It's also nice to take a coastal walk before grabbing dinner at a local seafood restaurant.

York makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can explore the history and entertainment venues that make York an enjoyable destination. There are museums, restaurants, and outdoor markets that make this a great weekend getaway.

Is York or La Rochelle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

York is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit York. There are a few hostels around town as well as nightlife venues and entertainment spots that appeal to backpackers and younger travelers. For great and affordable food, grab a meal at one of the many food trucks around town.

La Rochelle is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There aren't a ton of hostels in the area, but there are just enough that you should be able to find a place to stay.

Is York or La Rochelle Better for Students?

La Rochelle is a popular place for students. However, York is not popular with students.

La Rochelle is a good coastal town to visit for students. It's a touristy city with a lot for students to see and do, but the atmosphere is generally quiet and peaceful.

York is not popular with students.

Is York or La Rochelle Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both York and La Rochelle offer nice public transit options.

York has a few public transit options. There is a reliable and efficient bus system around town.

La Rochelle has some public transit options. Public transit around town is operated by Yeló, and mostly consists of buses.

Is York or La Rochelle a more walkable city?

La Rochelle is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, York is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

La Rochelle is very walkable. It's filled with meandering cobblestone streets that are best explored on foot. Most places around town can be explored on foot.

York is a somewhat walkable place. The old town has many pedestrian streets that are easily explored on food.

For even more information, also check out Is York Worth Visiting? and Is La Rochelle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in La Rochelle or York?

How long in York or La Rochelle?

It's fun to spend time in either York or La Rochelle. In our opinion, La Rochelle has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in La Rochelle than York. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in York than La Rochelle 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 York.

One day in York or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the medieval city of York. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Most people visit for the food. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

La Rochelle is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. 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.

A weekend in York or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the fanciful destination of York. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

La Rochelle 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.

Five days in York or La Rochelle?

The historic city of York offers shopping and museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

La Rochelle is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This coastal town 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.

A week in York or La Rochelle?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting York. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people visit for the food. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Because La Rochelle is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best 10-Day Tours from Edinburgh, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

When comparing the travel costs between York and La Rochelle, we can see that York is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, York or La Rochelle?

York has a larger population, and is about 88% larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of York and La Rochelle, 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 York or La Rochelle?

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 York or La Rochelle in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to York as well as La Rochelle. The summer months attract visitors to York because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year.

In the summer, York is cooler than La Rochelle. Typically, the summer temperatures in York in July average around 16°C (62°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 20°C (67°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Rochelle. In the summer, York often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. York gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun.

York usually gets more rain in July than La Rochelle. York gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit York or La Rochelle in the Autumn?

Both La Rochelle and York are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene are the main draw to York this time of year. Also, many travelers come to La Rochelle for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

In October, York is generally cooler than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in York average around 11°C (52°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

York usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during autumn. York gets 112 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, York usually receives less rain than La Rochelle. York gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit York or La Rochelle in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in York. York is much colder than La Rochelle in the winter. The daily temperature in York averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, York often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. York gets 61 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 72 hours of full sun.

York usually gets less rain in January than La Rochelle. York gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit York or La Rochelle in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both York and La Rochelle. Furthermore, most visitors come to La Rochelle for the beaches and the small town charm during these months.

In the spring, York is cooler than La Rochelle. Typically, the spring temperatures in York in April average around 8°C (46°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 11°C (52°F).

York usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during spring. York gets 151 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 187 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, York usually receives around the same amount of rain as La Rochelle. York gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for La Rochelle and York