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

Should you visit Cairo or Chartres?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cairo and Chartres can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Cairo or Chartres?

Cairo

Cairo is the chaotic capital city of Egypt. With a population of more than 16 million, it is one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East. As a traveler, you're likely to arrive and leave from here and you'll get your first orientation to the area during the chaotic and congestion filled taxi ride from the airport.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Chartres or Cairo?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Cairo 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 Cairo and Chartres in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cairo $9.36
    Chartres $63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cairo $19
    Chartres $126
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Chartres

Looking for a hotel in Cairo 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 Cairo


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: Cairo Hotel Prices and Chartres Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cairo $2.99
    Chartres $28
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cairo are as follows:


  • Metro Ride
    $0.08
  • Taxi Ride
    $0.32

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:

  • From Private Day Trip to Luxor w/ Transfer & Flights: $659
  • 3 Private Full-Day Tours to Cairo Top Attractions+One Airport Transfer: $300
  • Private Transfer from Cairo to Sharm El Sheikh : $290
  • Cairo - Sharm El Sheikh: One-Way or Return Private Transfer: $290
  • Full-Day Private Trip to Fayoum from Cairo, with Transfer: $286
  • 2 Days and 2 Evenings Private Tour in Cairo include airport transfer and M&A: $280
  • From One-Way Private Transfer To Luxor: $275
  • Private Transfer from El Cairo (CAI) Airport to Hurghada: $264
  • Private 3 Days in Giza Cairo and Alexandria including Free airport transfers: $250
  • Cairo To El Gouna Private Transfer: $248
  • Overnight camping White Desert (Baharaya Oasis) & Cairo Private Transfers: $240
  • Day Trip to Luxor East and West Bank from Cairo with private airport transfer and lunch included: $235

Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Chartres?

Prices for flights to both Chartres and Cairo 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
    Cairo $4.75
    Chartres $42
Typical Food Prices in Cairo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cairo:


  • Juice
    $0.04

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairo

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

  • Cairo/Giza: Nile Sunset, Dinner Cruise, Show & Private Transfer : $9.63
  • Cairo Dinner Cruise, Belly Dancer Show With Pickup Service: $11
  • Dinner Cruise on the Nile River: $12
  • Nile Sunset, Dinner Cruise, Show and Private Transfer: $16
  • VIP tour Giza pyramids ,Sphinx, Quad bike ,Camel, Dinner cruise : $19
  • Private Expert tour Giza Pyramids ,Sphinx ,Nile Dinner Cruise & Belly Dancer: $19
  • food tour private tour from cairo or giza hotel: $19
  • Giza Pyramids, Camel Ride, Quad Bike, Night and Dinner Cruise on Nile: $19
  • Private Cairo Food Tour : $20
  • All inclusive Tour to Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & ATV &Dinner cruise : $20
  • Giza pyramids and Nile dinner cruise private tour from Cairo Giza hotels: $22
  • Private Cairo food tour and Egyptian tea: $22

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cairo $5.75
    Chartres $24
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairo

Here are a few typical costs in Cairo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entry to Camel Market for Two
    $0.84
  • Egyptian Museum Entry for Two
    $6.49

Tours and Activities in Cairo

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

  • ( Stopover Tour Of Cairo ) Private All Inc.Pyramids,Camel Ride,Museum& Lunch: $180
  • 2 Days 1 Nights Tour package to Saint-Catherine from Cairo : $300
  • 2-Day Ancient Egypt Tour with Pyramids and Museums: $219
  • 2-Days Tour at Cairo & Giza: $86
  • 3-Day Private Tour in Cairo : $196
  • 3-Day Tour at Cairo & Giza : $200
  • 3-Days Tour at Cairo (Customized Package): $229
  • 4-Day Tours at Cairo & Giza & Alexandria: $209
  • 8-Hour Private Tour Giza Pyramids, Egyptian Museum and local Bazaars: $26
  • All Inclusive 2-Day Private Tour to All Pyramids and Cairo and 2 evenings: $299
  • All Inclusive Full-Day Tour to Pyramids, Museum, mosque and Felucca: $79
  • All Inclusive day tour to Giza pyramids, Egyptian museum and Felucca : $88

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
    Cairo $1.17
    Chartres $13


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cairo and Chartres, we can see that Chartres is more expensive. And not only is Cairo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cairo 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 Cairo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cairo 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 Cairo.

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


Which is Bigger, Cairo or Chartres?

Cairo has a larger population, and is about 180 times larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Cairo 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 Cairo or Chartres?

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

Should I visit Cairo or Chartres in the Summer?

Both Chartres and Cairo during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cairo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Chartres in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Cairo is a little warmer than Chartres. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cairo in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Chartres averages at about 20°C (68°F).

In Chartres, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Cairo. In the summer, Cairo often gets more sunshine than Chartres. Cairo gets 350 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun.

Cairo usually gets less rain in July than Chartres. Cairo gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cairo 28°C (82°F) 
    Chartres 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Cairo or Chartres in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cairo and Chartres. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cairo year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Chartres for the small town atmosphere during these months.

In October, Cairo is generally much warmer than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Cairo average around 23°C (73°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In Cairo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than Chartres during autumn. Cairo gets 290 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Cairo usually receives less rain than Chartres. Cairo gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cairo 23°C (73°F) 
    Chartres 13°C (56°F)

Should I visit Cairo or Chartres in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cairo as well as Chartres. Cairo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Chartres because of the museums and the cuisine.

The weather in Chartres can be very cold. Cairo is much warmer than Chartres in the winter. The daily temperature in Cairo averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and Chartres fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cairo this time of the year. In the winter, Cairo often gets more sunshine than Chartres. Cairo gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 56 hours of full sun.

Cairo usually gets less rain in January than Chartres. Cairo gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cairo 14°C (57°F) 
    Chartres 5°C (40°F)

Should I visit Cairo or Chartres in the Spring?

Both Chartres and Cairo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cairo throughout the year. Also, the small town charm are the main draw to Chartres this time of year.

In the spring, Cairo is much warmer than Chartres. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cairo in April average around 21°C (70°F), and Chartres averages at about 11°C (52°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cairo. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than Chartres during spring. Cairo gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 173 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Cairo usually receives less rain than Chartres. Cairo gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cairo 21°C (70°F) 
    Chartres 11°C (52°F)

Typical Weather for Chartres and Cairo

Cairo Chartres
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 5°C (40°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Feb 14°C (57°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 6°C (42°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 17°C (63°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 8°C (47°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 21°C (70°F) 7 mm (0.3 in) 11°C (52°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
May 25°C (77°F) 0 mm (0 in) 15°C (59°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 0 mm (0 in) 18°C (64°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 1 mm (0 in) 20°C (68°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 0 mm (0 in) 20°C (67°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 26°C (79°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 55 mm (2.1 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 13°C (56°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 1 mm (0 in) 8°C (47°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 5°C (42°F) 51 mm (2 in)