A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Alexandria vs. Chartres for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Alexandria or Chartres?

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 Alexandria and Chartres can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Alexandria or Chartres?

Alexandria

There are few cities in the world with a history as rich, deep, tragic and fascinating than Alexandria, Egypt. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Egypt's second largest city has seen the most extreme ups and extreme downs. The city watched the beautiful and iconic Alexandria Lighthouse crumble to the ground after several natural disasters. The Alexandria Library housed their most sacred and historical documents only to be burned to the ground. These structures may be physically gone, but the history remains. Alexandria is a city with an ancient allure that draws in visitors from all over the world. Alexandria is a survivor city ready for a comeback.

Chartres

Chartres is a city in north-central France southwest of Paris. It is famed for its massive Cathedrale Notre-Dame. The well-preserved Gothic cathedral, completed in 1220, features 2 towering spires, Romanesque sculptures and elaborate rose windows. The cathedral is unique in that it has two very different steeples – one Gothic, the other Romanesque. Follow them to check out the cathedral's dazzling blue stained-glass windows and its collection of relics, including the Sainte Voile (Holy Veil) said to have been worn by the Virgin Mary when she gave birth to Jesus, which have lured pilgrims since the Middle Ages. The nearby Centre International du Vitrail has workshops and exhibits on stained-glass art. Chartres also had a carefully preserved old city, which is adjacent to the cathedral with staircases and steep streets lined with half-timbered medieval houses leading downhill to the narrow western channel of the Eure River, romantically spanned by footbridges.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt, The Best Budget Tours to Egypt, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Chartres or Alexandria?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Alexandria is $17, while the average daily cost in Chartres is $125. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Alexandria and Chartres in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Alexandria $7.99
    Chartres $63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Alexandria $16
    Chartres $126
Compare Hotels in Alexandria and Chartres

Looking for a hotel in Alexandria or Chartres? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Alexandria


Hotels in Chartres


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Alexandria Hotel Prices and Chartres Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Alexandria $2.49
    Chartres $28
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Alexandria

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Alexandria:


  • Taxi to Train Station
    $0.08

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alexandria

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alexandria:

  • From Private Transfer to Luxor: $251
  • Private transfer from Luxor to Alexandria: $243
  • From Private One-Way Transfer to Cairo: $75
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo : $73
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria Port to Cairo Int Airport (CAI): $71
  • Private One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Cairo and Giza Hotels: $68
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo/Giza Hotels or Cairo./Giza to Alexandr: $65
  • Alexandria Airport to Alexandria - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $52
  • Private Transfer from 6 of October City to El Cairo (CAI) Airport: $52
  • Private Pickup Transfer From A Hotel In Alexandria To Borg Al Arab Airport: $50
  • Borg El Arab Arrival & Departure Transfers: $40
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria Airport (HBE) to Alexandria: $26

Is it cheaper to fly into Alexandria or Chartres?

Prices for flights to both Chartres and Alexandria change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Alexandria $6.46
    Chartres $42

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alexandria

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alexandria.

  • Half-Day Food Tour in Alexandria, Egypt: $35
  • Alexandria Food Tour: $50
  • From Giza: Sound&light show, Giza pyramids and Dinner on the Nile: $94

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Alexandria $3.50
    Chartres $24

Tours and Activities in Alexandria

Here are a few actual costs in Alexandria for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Day Tour to Alamein and Alexandria: $169
  • National Museum and Egyptian museum Private Tour in Egypt: $258
  • Tour to The Qaitbay Citadel in Alexandria: $16
  • 10-Hour Historical Pyramids Tour from Alexandria Port: $130
  • 2 Day Tour Visit the Top Attractions of Alexandria City: $174
  • 2 Day Tour Visit the Top Attractions of Alexandria City: $155
  • 6-Hour Day Tour to Alexandria Attractions with Pickup Included: $78
  • 6-Hour Private Day Tour to Rashid from Alexandria: $100
  • 8 Days Ultra Luxury Cairo, Alexandria & Nile cruise: $4,190
  • Alamein full day tour from Alexandria: $95
  • Alexandria : Rosetta Day Tour from Alexandria: $117
  • Alexandria : Tour to WadiElNatroun Monastery from Alexandria: $135

Tours and Activities in Chartres

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chartres.

  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Alexandria $1.35
    Chartres $13


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alexandria and Chartres, we can see that Chartres is more expensive. And not only is Alexandria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Alexandria is in Africa and Chartres is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Alexandria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alexandria 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 Chartres would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chartres than you might in Alexandria.

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


Which is Bigger, Alexandria or Chartres?

Alexandria has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Alexandria and Chartres, 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 Alexandria or Chartres?

Chartres has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Alexandria experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Alexandria or Chartres in the Summer?

Both Chartres and Alexandria during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Alexandria because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Chartres because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Alexandria is generally a little warmer than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Alexandria average around 26°C (79°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

Alexandria usually gets less rain in July than Chartres. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Alexandria 26°C (79°F) 
    Chartres 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Alexandria or Chartres in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Alexandria and Chartres. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Alexandria year-round. Also, the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Chartres this time of year.

Alexandria is much warmer than Chartres in the autumn. The daily temperature in Alexandria averages around 22°C (72°F) in October, and Chartres fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In October, Alexandria usually receives less rain than Chartres. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Alexandria 22°C (72°F) 
    Chartres 13°C (56°F)

Should I visit Alexandria or Chartres in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Alexandria as well as Chartres. Alexandria attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Chartres for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Chartres. In the winter, Alexandria is much warmer than Chartres. Typically, the winter temperatures in Alexandria in January average around 13°C (55°F), and Chartres averages at about 5°C (40°F).

Alexandria usually gets less rain in January than Chartres. Alexandria gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Alexandria 13°C (55°F) 
    Chartres 5°C (40°F)

Should I visit Alexandria or Chartres in the Spring?

Both Chartres and Alexandria are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Alexandria throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Chartres in the spring for the small town charm.

In April, Alexandria is generally much warmer than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Alexandria average around 19°C (66°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In April, Alexandria usually receives less rain than Chartres. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Alexandria 19°C (66°F) 
    Chartres 11°C (52°F)

Typical Weather for Chartres and Alexandria

Alexandria Chartres
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 13°C (55°F) 50 mm (2 in) 5°C (40°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 6°C (42°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 16°C (61°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 8°C (47°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 19°C (66°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
May 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 15°C (59°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Jun 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 18°C (64°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Jul 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 20°C (67°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 17°C (63°F) 55 mm (2.1 in)
Oct 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 13°C (56°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 8°C (47°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Dec 14°C (57°F) 50 mm (2 in) 5°C (42°F) 51 mm (2 in)