A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Antwerp vs. Chartres for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Antwerp 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 Antwerp and Chartres can help you decide which place is right for you.

Antwerp

Antwerp is a historical, youthful, and vibrant port city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Chartres

Chartres is a grand, spectacular, and historic town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. And you can't forget about the food and museums.

Antwerp and Chartres: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Antwerp or Chartres?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Antwerp than Chartres, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Antwerp is better known for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Chartres is more popular for its small town charm. Chartres is more touristy than Antwerp and is popular for its beautiful cathedral and long running history. Antwerp is well known for its historic train station, festive chocolate shops, decadent waffle stands, and down-to-earth old town. Also, Antwerp is famous for Antwerpen-Centraal.

How is Antwerp different from Chartres?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Antwerp or Chartres?

Antwerp is great for its historical sights. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

Antwerp offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city has a number of cathedrals, museums, and art galleries that are fun to explore. The history and culture of the town is best experienced by wandering the streets and soaking up the architecture.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Chartres. Most visitors make the trip to see the spectacular Gothic cathedral, Cathédrale Notre-Dame. It was completed in 1220 and is famous for its beautiful stained glass windows.

Is the Food Better in Antwerp or Chartres? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Antwerp and Chartres can be an enjoyable experience.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Antwerp. People with a sweet tooth will enjoy the chocolates and biscuits that make this city famous. You'll also find plenty of fries and casual dining options to choose from. Local favorites include mussels and fish and chips, and of course, you must try the beer!

Chartres is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a number of restaurants around town so it's easy to grab lunch during a day trip.

Is Antwerp or Chartres Better for Nightlife?

Antwerp is great for nightlife and partying. However, Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Many people head to Antwerp for the nightlife scene. With its large student population and young vibe, you'll find an active nightlife scene around town. Many of the the clubs and bars are concentrated in the docklands, but you'll also find places to hang out everywhere around town.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Antwerp or Chartres Better for its Old Town?

Antwerp is great for its old town. However, Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Antwerp. The old city has a long running history and many unique spots to explore. At the heart of the old town is Grote Markt, which is surrounded by beautiful buildings and cobblestone streets. There are a diversity of restaurants including local cuisines, Italian restaurants, and a number of different ethnic food. You'll also find local chocolate shops, waffle vendors, and ice cream.

Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Antwerp or Chartres?

Antwerp is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Known for shopping, Antwerp draws large crowds to its stores. The city has become known for its fashion scene. The main shopping street is Meir, which is where you'll find a variety of European fashion chains. It's also fun to buy chocolates, art, or other souvenirs around town. You'll find both locals and tourists perusing the main shopping areas around town.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Antwerp or Chartres Better for Families?

Antwerp is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Antwerp offers lots of family activities. Favorite kid-friendly activities around town include taking a ride on the Ferris Wheel, going to the local zoo, or exploring the indoor play area Plopsa Station. Kids will also enjoy exploring the underground canals or taking a boat ride. Chocolate lovers will have fun checking out the many chocolate shops around town.

Chartres is not the most family-friendly destination. The main attraction in town is the cathedral, but the surrounding area is also filled with history. This may not keep your kids entertained for long, so you can also check out the Stained Glass Museum, La Tanière (a zoo), or one of the parks around town.

Is Antwerp or Chartres Better for Couples?

Both Antwerp and Chartres are notable destinations to visit as a couple.

Antwerp makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city has a wonderful café culture with great restaurants and beautiful neighborhoods to explore. There are many great restaurants as well as plenty of shopping opportunities.

Chartres is a good port city for couples to visit. With its cathedral and rich history, many couples enjoy exploring the town. It is filled with history and interesting sights.

Is Antwerp or Chartres Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Antwerp and Chartres are notable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Antwerp is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. With a handful of hostels and a variety of free activities, this is an affordable place to visit. It's often overlooked by backpackers so those that visit will be rewarded. It has a vibe of authenticity which is great for backpacker's who are a bit jaded from the tourism scene.

It's common for backpackers to visit Chartres. It's easy enough to visit as a day trip from Paris, so backpackers and other tourists typically allow themselves a few hours to explore.

Is Antwerp or Chartres Better for Students?

Antwerp is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not popular with students.

Antwerp is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. There's a good student culture and a lot of activities that give the city a fun and youthful vibe. It's a relatively big city with a lot of transportation connections, so it makes a great base for exploring other areas.

Chartres is not popular with students.

Is Antwerp or Chartres Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

Chartres has some very good public transit options. There are trains that leave Paris Montparnasse 1 Et 2 every half hour and travel to Chartres. The trip takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.

While Antwerp offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are both tram and bus lines around town. The city also has a large and impressive train station with many connections, making it a good base for exploring other areas.

Is Antwerp or Chartres a more walkable city?

Antwerp and Chartres both are great when exploring on foot.

Antwerp is a very walkable port city. The old town can be comfortably explored on foot, particularly the area around Grote Markt.

Chartres is a very walkable destination. It's easy to see the sights around town on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Antwerp Worth Visiting? and Is Chartres Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Chartres or Antwerp?

How long in Antwerp or Chartres?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Antwerp or Chartres to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Antwerp than Chartres because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Antwerp, and 1-2 days is enough time in Chartres.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Antwerp than Chartres 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 Antwerp.

One day in Antwerp or Chartres?

The port city of Antwerp offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Chartres, you'll find food and museums. This town 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 Antwerp or Chartres?

Antwerp is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this port city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Antwerp, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Chartres, you'll find museums and food. 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 Chartres has to offer.

Five days in Antwerp or Chartres?

Antwerp is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Chartres 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 Antwerp or Chartres?

Antwerp is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This port city offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chartres. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Chartres. 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 Tours for Seniors to Belgium, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Brussels, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Antwerp and Chartres, we can see that Antwerp 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 Antwerp Expensive? and Is Chartres Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Antwerp or Chartres?

Antwerp has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Antwerp 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 Antwerp or Chartres?

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 Antwerp or Chartres in the Summer?

Both Chartres and Antwerp during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Antwerp for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Chartres because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Antwerp is cooler than Chartres in the summer. The daily temperature in Antwerp averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Chartres fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Chartres, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Antwerp. In the summer, Antwerp often gets less sunshine than Chartres. Antwerp gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun.

Antwerp usually gets more rain in July than Chartres. Antwerp gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Antwerp or Chartres in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Antwerp and Chartres. The autumn months attract visitors to Antwerp because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Chartres this time of year.

In the autumn, Antwerp is around the same temperature as Chartres. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Antwerp in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Chartres averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Antwerp usually receives less sunshine than Chartres during autumn. Antwerp gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Antwerp usually receives more rain than Chartres. Antwerp gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Antwerp or Chartres in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Antwerp as well as Chartres. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Antwerp this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Chartres for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Chartres. It's quite cold in Antwerp in the winter. In January, Antwerp is generally cooler than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Antwerp average around 3°C (38°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Antwerp often gets less sunshine than Chartres. Antwerp gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 56 hours of full sun.

Antwerp usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Chartres. Antwerp gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Antwerp or Chartres in the Spring?

Both Chartres and Antwerp are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Antwerp for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Chartres in the spring for the small town charm.

Antwerp is cooler than Chartres in the spring. The daily temperature in Antwerp averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Chartres fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Antwerp usually receives less sunshine than Chartres during spring. Antwerp gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 173 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Antwerp usually receives around the same amount of rain as Chartres. Antwerp gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Chartres and Antwerp