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

Should you visit Cardiff or Chartres?

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

Should I visit Cardiff 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.

Cardiff

Cardiff is a industrial, up-and-coming, and green city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

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.

Cardiff and Chartres: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cardiff or Chartres?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Cardiff than Chartres, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Cardiff is better known for its nightlife, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Chartres is more popular for its food and small town charm. Cardiff is well known for having the most castles per square mile of any city in Europe. Also, Cardiff is famous for The Cardiff Castle. Chartres is well known for its beautiful cathedral and long running history.

How is Cardiff different from Chartres?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the notable sights and museums in both Cardiff and Chartres.

Cardiff offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The most notable landmark of the city is the famous and well-preserved Cardiff Castle. Visitors also enjoy seeing the Victorian arcades, museums, and cathedrals around town.

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 Cardiff or Chartres? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Chartres is a popular place for its restaurant scene. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Cardiff may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Welsh cuisine is known for its stews and hearty vegetable dishes. The national dish is cawl, which is a stew made with lamb and vegetables. Other local favorites include Welsh rarebit, which is a type of cheese toast, and Glamorgan Sausage, which is actually made with vegetables.

Is Cardiff or Chartres Better for Nightlife?

Cardiff 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 Cardiff has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is all about fun and most of the activities are driven by the large and diverse student population.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is the Shopping Better in Cardiff or Chartres?

Cardiff is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Cardiff. Shopping options include shopping malls and boutique lined streets. There is a nice mix of independent shops and major chains to choose between.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Cardiff or Chartres Better for Families?

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

Cardiff offers lots of family activities. The city has a number of climbing and play areas, museums, and playgrounds that can keep the little ones entertained. There are also plenty of outdoor parks and trails to wander around.

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 Cardiff or Chartres Better for Couples?

Chartres is a popular place for its romantic activities. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for couples.

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.

Cardiff is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The most romantic experiences involve a night out dining at nice restaurants, enjoying a cocktail at a classy bar, and strolling through neighborhoods and soaking up the atmosphere.

Is Cardiff or Chartres Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chartres is a popular place for backpackers. However, Cardiff is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers 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.

Cardiff is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Cardiff or Chartres Better for Students?

Cardiff is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Cardiff. Most students come to study at Cardiff University, which is a leading university in Great Britain.

Chartres is not popular with students.

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

Chartres is a great destination for its public transit. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Cardiff. There is a bus system that you can use to get around.

Is Cardiff or Chartres a more walkable city?

Chartres is a great destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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

Cardiff is a somewhat walkable city. There are pedestrianized areas and the waterfront is nice to walk around but there is still room for improvement when it comes to walkability.

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

Should I spend more time in Chartres or Cardiff?

How long in Cardiff or Chartres?

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

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

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

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

One day in Cardiff or Chartres?

The city of Cardiff offers nightlife and shopping. 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 Cardiff or Chartres?

Cardiff 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Cardiff, 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 Cardiff or Chartres?

Cardiff 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.

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 Cardiff or Chartres?

Cardiff 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 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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, 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 Cardiff and Chartres, we can see that Cardiff 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 Cardiff would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cardiff 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 Cardiff Expensive? and Is Chartres Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cardiff or Chartres?

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

Both Chartres and Cardiff during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Cardiff because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Chartres this time of year.

Cardiff is cooler than Chartres in the summer. The daily temperature in Cardiff 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 Cardiff. In the summer, Cardiff often gets less sunshine than Chartres. Cardiff gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun.

Cardiff usually gets more rain in July than Chartres. Cardiff gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cardiff or Chartres in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cardiff and Chartres. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Cardiff this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Chartres for the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Cardiff is cooler than Chartres. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cardiff in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Chartres averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Cardiff usually receives less sunshine than Chartres during autumn. Cardiff gets 95 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Cardiff gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Cardiff usually receives more rain than Chartres. Cardiff gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cardiff or Chartres in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cardiff as well as Chartres. Many travelers come to Cardiff for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, 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 Cardiff. In January, Cardiff is generally cooler than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Cardiff average around 3°C (38°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Cardiff often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Chartres. Cardiff gets 57 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 56 hours of full sun.

Cardiff usually gets more rain in January than Chartres. Cardiff gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cardiff or Chartres in the Spring?

Both Chartres and Cardiff are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Cardiff in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Chartres for the small town charm during these months.

Cardiff is cooler than Chartres in the spring. The daily temperature in Cardiff averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Chartres fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Cardiff usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Chartres during spring. Cardiff gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 173 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Cardiff usually receives around the same amount of rain as Chartres. Cardiff gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Chartres and Cardiff