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

Should you visit Bonn or Chartres?

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

Should I visit Bonn or Chartres? 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.

Bonn

Bonn is a outdoorsy, lively, and cultural city. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Chartres

Chartres is a historic, grand, and spectacular town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Other reasons to visit include food and museums.

Bonn and Chartres: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bonn or Chartres?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bonn. Although Bonn and Chartres are popular destinations, Bonn has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bonn is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Chartres attracts visitors for its small town charm. Bonn is famous for its many museums, cultural venues, and university atmosphere, as well as being the birthplace of Beethoven. It is also well known for The Bonn Minster. Chartres is famous for its beautiful cathedral and long running history.

How is Bonn different from Chartres?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Bonn offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Some of the most popular museums include Haus der Geschichte (history), Beethoven's House, and Kunstmuseum Bonn (art). For architecture check out the Old Town Hall and Bonn Minster. Other landmarks include Poppelsdorf Palace and Schloss Drachenburg.

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 Bonn or Chartres? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Bonn and Chartres offer nice local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Bonn. Like much of the food in Germany, you'll find local dishes are hearty and filling. Potatoes and meats are popular ingredients, as are milk, butter, and vegetables. For local flavors try the Rhenish Sauerbraten (veal stew), Reibekuchen (German pancakes), or Christmas Sausages.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Chartres. There are a number of restaurants around town so it's easy to grab lunch during a day trip.

Is Bonn or Chartres Better for Nightlife?

Bonn is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Bonn has a few options to choose from. There are bars and nightclubs around town but even more popular are the cultural events that the city hosts. If nightlife is important to you, try to visit during one of the festivals around town.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Bonn or Chartres Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Bonn. The old town is filled with cobblestone streets and charming shops. There are also cafes and restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat.

Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bonn or Chartres?

Bonn is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Bonn is well-known for its shopping. A mix of local shops and major chains make shopping fun and easy. Whether you're interested in souvenir gifts or a new outfit, there are countless stores around town.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Bonn or Chartres Better for Families?

Bonn is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Bonn is a very family-friendly destination. Just outside of the town is the Haribo factory outlet store where you can pick up a number of sweet treats and spend some time exploring with the kids. Another favorite activity for the whole family is a trip to nearby Phantasialand. This is one of the best amusement parks in Germany and it has many rides for teens and younger kids alike. In town, you'll find playgrounds and kid-friendly museums. Kids will also love a visit to Schloss Drachenburg Castle.

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 Bonn or Chartres Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Bonn and Chartres make for a nice place to visit.

Bonn is a nice destination for couples. Churches, architecture, and botanical gardens all make this a great couples destination. You can take a cruise down the Rhein or enjoy a meal at one of the best restaurants.

Chartres makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With its cathedral and rich history, many couples enjoy exploring the town. It is filled with history and interesting sights.

Is Bonn or Chartres Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Bonn and Chartres are nice places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bonn. Many backpackers skip this town, so its a good option for travelers who want to get off the beaten backpacker trail. There are affordable hotels and hostels around town as well as restaurants where you can pick up something cheap to eat.

Chartres is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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 Bonn or Chartres Better for Students?

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

Bonn is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has a very international vibe and you'll likely run into people speaking English around town. Job opportunities in the area are good and there are schools that attract students from around the globe.

Chartres is not popular with students.

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

Bonn and Chartres both offer high quality public transit to get you around.

Visitors to Bonn can move around easily with public transportation. There is a light rail system that includes 9 lines and 64 stations. There are also buses around town. Bonn is connected to the region by convenient commuter trains so it's possible to visit as a day trip.

The public transit in Chartres can get you around easily. 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.

Is Bonn or Chartres a more walkable city?

Bonn and Chartres are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Bonn is very walkable. The compact old town is easy to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Chartres or Bonn?

How long in Bonn or Chartres?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bonn or Chartres to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bonn 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 Bonn, and 1-2 days is enough time in Chartres.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bonn 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 Bonn.

One day in Bonn or Chartres?

The city of Bonn 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.

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Chartres. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Bonn or Chartres?

Bonn is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this 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 Bonn, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Chartres is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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 Bonn or Chartres?

Bonn is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

You'll find museums and food around the spectacular destination of Chartres. This town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bonn or Chartres?

Bonn is a great place to explore. 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 city offers something for everyone.

The spectacular town of Chartres offers food and museums. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, 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 Bonn and Chartres, we can see that Bonn is more expensive. And not only is Chartres much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chartres would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chartres 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 Bonn would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bonn than you might in Chartres.

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

Which is Bigger, Bonn or Chartres?

Bonn has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Bonn 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 Bonn or Chartres?

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 Bonn or Chartres in the Summer?

Both Chartres and Bonn are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Bonn because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Chartres this time of year.

In the summer, Bonn is around the same temperature as Chartres. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bonn in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Chartres averages at about 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Chartres. Bonn usually receives less sunshine than Chartres during summer. Bonn gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bonn usually receives more rain than Chartres. Bonn gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bonn or Chartres in the Autumn?

Both Chartres and Bonn during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene are the main draw to Bonn this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Chartres for the small town atmosphere.

In October, Bonn is generally cooler than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Bonn average around 12°C (53°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Bonn often gets less sunshine than Chartres. Bonn gets 109 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 126 hours of full sun.

Bonn usually gets more rain in October than Chartres. Bonn gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bonn or Chartres in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bonn and Chartres. Many travelers come to Bonn for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Chartres in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Chartres can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Bonn. Bonn is much colder than Chartres in the winter. The daily temperature in Bonn averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Chartres fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Bonn usually receives less sunshine than Chartres during winter. Bonn gets 45 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bonn usually receives less rain than Chartres. Bonn gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bonn or Chartres in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bonn as well as Chartres. Additionally, most visitors come to Chartres for the small town charm during these months.

In the spring, Bonn is cooler than Chartres. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bonn in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Chartres averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Bonn often gets less sunshine than Chartres. Bonn gets 145 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 173 hours of full sun.

Bonn usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Chartres. Bonn gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Chartres and Bonn