Which place is cheaper, Chartres or Brussels?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Brussels and Chartres. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Brussels is a cosmopolitan, authentic, and colorful city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.
Chartres is a historic, grand, and spectacular town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It's also known for food and museums.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Brussels. Although Brussels and Chartres are popular destinations, Brussels has more sights and attractions for tourists. Brussels is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Chartres attracts visitors for its small town charm. Brussels is famous for its beautiful architecture, grand squares, diverse population, and delicious waffles. It is also well known for La Grand Place (Grote Markt). Chartres is famous for its beautiful cathedral and long running history.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Chartres and Brussels. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Brussels is great for its historical sights. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.
Brussels offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Popular sights include Saint-Michel Cathedral, Place Royale, and the Belgian Royal Museum of Fine Arts. The city is filled with impressive architecture, fascinating art museums, and innovative science and technology museums.
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.
Brussels is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.
Brussels has a huge number of terrific restaurants. While the city is most known for its waffles and fries, the diversity of dishes and international restaurant selection continues to grow. There are Lebanese, Japanese, and Indian restaurants among others. Popular local dishes include moules-frites, waterzooi (a stew), and stoemp (made with mashed potatoes and vegetables).
There are many up and coming restaurants in the Chartres area. There are a number of restaurants around town so it's easy to grab lunch during a day trip.
Brussels 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 Brussels has a few options to choose from. The city's nightlife is quieter and more mellow than some other major cities around Europe. That doesn't mean there aren't plenty of dance clubs and bars where you can hang out. Keep your wits about you after the sun goes down as some areas are a bit rougher than others.
Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.
Brussels is great for its old town. However, Chartres does not have a historic old town.
Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Brussels. The old town in the city center is where you'll find the greatest concentration of historic sights. The area is surrounded by tree-lined boulevards and is easy to explore.
Chartres does not have a historic old town.
Brussels is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Known for shopping, Brussels draws large crowds to its stores. Although it's famous for diamonds, the city also has many shopping streets where you can find designer brands, vintage shops, and other unique boutiques that are fun to explore.
Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Brussels is great for its kid-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.
Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Brussels is very family-friendly. The city has a number of unique kid-friendly activities including a Mini-Europe Museum, a Comic Strip Museum, and Train World. The city is also a chocolate lover's dream with many factories and 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.
Brussels is great for its romantic activities. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for couples.
Brussels is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. From beautiful buildings and museums to shopping, dining, and chocolate shops, there are plenty of romantic spots around town. There's a vibrant nightlife scene and many diverse restaurants that couples can enjoy exploring.
Chartres is a good 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.
Brussels is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.
Many backpackers visit Brussels. The city has an active nightlife and a number of hostels that are great for backpackers, but do take note that some areas can get a bit rough at night, so make sure you understand where you are.
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.
Brussels is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not popular with students.
Brussels is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has a number of universities that attract students from around the world. The multicultural setting is great for students of the world.
Chartres is not popular with students.
Brussels is a must-visit destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.
Brussels has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. Transit options include train, tram, metro, bus, and waterbuses.
Chartres offers a very effecient public transportation network. 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.
Brussels and Chartres both are superb when exploring on foot.
Brussels is very walkable. If you stay in the historical area, it's easy to walk around and many boulevards are being converted to pedestrian areas.
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 Brussels Worth Visiting? and Is Chartres Worth Visiting?.
You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Brussels or Chartres to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Brussels than Chartres because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Brussels, and 1-2 days is enough time in Chartres.
Families should spend more time in Brussels than Chartres. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Brussels, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Brussels than Chartres. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Brussels that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Brussels 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 Brussels.
Brussels is a big city with plenty to do. 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.
The town of Chartres offers museums and food. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
Brussels 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 Brussels, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
Chartres is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Chartres, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
Brussels is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Brussels, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Chartres 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.
Brussels 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 city offers something for everyone.
Chartres is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Brussels is €137, while the average daily cost in Chartres is €117. 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 Brussels and Chartres in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Brussels 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.
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.
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Brussels are as follows:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Brussels:
Prices for flights to both Chartres and Brussels 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Brussels:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Brussels.
Here are a few actual costs in Brussels for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chartres.
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Brussels are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Brussels:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Brussels and Chartres, we can see that Brussels 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 Brussels would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Brussels 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 Brussels Expensive? and Is Chartres Expensive?.
Brussels has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Brussels 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.
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.
Both Chartres and Brussels during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Brussels this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Chartres for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Brussels is around the same temperature as Chartres. Typically, the summer temperatures in Brussels in July average around 18°C (65°F), and Chartres averages at about 20°C (68°F).
In Chartres, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Brussels often gets less sunshine than Chartres. Brussels gets 186 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun.
Brussels usually gets more rain in July than Chartres. Brussels gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Brussels and Chartres. Many travelers come to Brussels for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Chartres in the autumn for the small town atmosphere.
In October, Brussels is generally around the same temperature as Chartres. Daily temperatures in Brussels average around 12°C (54°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Chartres during autumn. Brussels gets 114 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Brussels usually receives more rain than Chartres. Brussels gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Brussels as well as Chartres. Many visitors come to Brussels in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Chartres for the museums and the cuisine during these months.
Chartres can be very cold during winter. Brussels can get quite cold in the winter. Brussels is cooler than Chartres in the winter. The daily temperature in Brussels averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Chartres fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).
In the winter, Brussels often gets less sunshine than Chartres. Brussels gets 49 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 56 hours of full sun.
Brussels usually gets more rain in January than Chartres. Brussels gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Chartres and Brussels are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Brussels for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Chartres because of the small town charm.
In the spring, Brussels is cooler than Chartres. Typically, the spring temperatures in Brussels in April average around 10°C (49°F), and Chartres averages at about 11°C (52°F).
Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Chartres during spring. Brussels gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 173 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Brussels usually receives more rain than Chartres. Brussels gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Brussels | Chartres | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
Apr | 10°C (49°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
May | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
Jul | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
Aug | 18°C (65°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 55 mm (2.1 in) |
Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
Dec | 4°C (40°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |