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

Should you visit Chartres or Santander?

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

Should I visit Chartres or Santander? 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.

Where Should I go: Chartres or Santander?

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.

Santander

Santander is the capital of the Cantabria Region which runs along the northern coast of Spain. Located right on the bay, it is a place of many historic churches and a handful of interesting museums that range from archaeological discoveries of the region, to maritime history, and cultural features like bullfighting. There is also a large selection of beaches for those looking for a more relaxing getaway in the sun and sand.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona.

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

Which is Bigger, Chartres or Santander?

Santander has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Chartres and Santander, 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 Chartres or Santander?

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 Chartres or Santander in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Chartres as well as Santander. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Chartres this time of year.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santander. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chartres this time of the year. In the summer, Chartres often gets more sunshine than Santander. Chartres gets 239 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 213 hours of full sun.

Chartres usually gets more rain in July than Santander. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Santander receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chartres or Santander in the Autumn?

Both Santander and Chartres are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Chartres for the small town atmosphere.

In October, Chartres is generally cooler than Santander. Daily temperatures in Chartres average around 13°C (56°F), and Santander fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Chartres usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santander during autumn. Chartres gets 126 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santander. In October, Chartres usually receives less rain than Santander. Chartres gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Santander receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Chartres or Santander in the Winter?

Both Santander and Chartres during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Chartres in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Chartres can get quite cold in the winter. Chartres is much colder than Santander in the winter. The daily temperature in Chartres averages around 5°C (40°F) in January, and Santander fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

In the winter, Chartres often gets less sunshine than Santander. Chartres gets 56 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 91 hours of full sun.

Santander gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Chartres usually gets less rain in January than Santander. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Santander receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chartres or Santander in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Chartres and Santander. Most visitors come to Chartres for the small town charm during these months.

In the spring, Chartres is around the same temperature as Santander. Typically, the spring temperatures in Chartres in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Santander averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Chartres usually receives more sunshine than Santander during spring. Chartres gets 173 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.

Santander receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Chartres usually receives less rain than Santander. Chartres gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Santander receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santander and Chartres