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

Should you visit Dingle or Chartres?

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

Should I visit Dingle 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.

Dingle

Dingle is a scenic, rustic, and picturesque peninsula. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the beaches, hiking, and food.

Chartres

Chartres is a spectacular, historic, and grand town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. Other popular activities here include food and museums.

Dingle and Chartres: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dingle or Chartres?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dingle. Although Dingle and Chartres are both popular with visitors, Dingle has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Dingle is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Chartres is known for its museums and small town charm. Dingle is more touristy than Chartres and is popular for its traditional pubs, stunning coastline, and rugged cliffs. It is also home to The Gallarus Oratory. Chartres is popular for its beautiful cathedral and long running history.

How is Dingle different from Chartres?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Chartres is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Dingle is a peninsula with minimal options for its historical sights.

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.

While most people don't head to Dingle specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most people visit for the natural beauty, but there are a couple of landmarks in the area including the Eask Tower, Gallarus Oratory, and the Blasket Centre.

Is the Food Better in Dingle or Chartres? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Dingle and Chartres can be an enjoyable experience.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Dingle area. You'll find great seafood throughout the peninsula. There's also traditional Irish food available including Irish stew or cabbage and bacon.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Chartres. There are a number of restaurants around town so it's easy to grab lunch during a day trip.

Is Dingle or Chartres Better for Nightlife?

Dingle is adequate for nightlife and partying. However, Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Dingle doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The area's not known for its nightlife but you can visit The Hillgrove, which is the peninsula's only nightclub. It's in a hotel and there is weekly entertainment.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Dingle or Chartres Better for Beaches?

Dingle is great for the beache. However, Chartres is not a beach destination.

Dingle is considered a top beach destination. It's not hard to find a quiet beach with scenic views and a serene setting. Some of the best beaches in the area include Coumeenole, Brandon Bay, and Ventry.

Chartres is not a beach destination.

Is Dingle or Chartres Better for Hiking?

Dingle is great for hiking. However, Chartres is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Dingle for the hiking trails. There are a variety of walking paths and hiking trails that take you through the coastal setting, rolling mountains, and remote nature. Some of the best trails in the area include the long distance hiking trail the Dingle Way, Mount Brandon, and Glenteenassig Forest Park.

Chartres is not a hiking destination.

Is Dingle or Chartres Better for Families?

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

Dingle offers lots of family activities. There are coastal walks and beaches that are perfect for kids. You can also visit the Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium, do a dolphin tour, or enjoy some watersports. Horseback riding and Sandy Feet Farm are both fun as well.

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 Dingle or Chartres Better for Couples?

Dingle is great for its romantic activities. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for couples.

Dingle is a great peninsula if you're traveling as a couple. Boat rides, sunset walks, and natural beauty all make this a fun place to explore with your significant other.

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

Is Dingle or Chartres Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dingle is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Dingle. There are a good number of hostels on the peninsula and there are interesting music festivals and other events that make this a good backpacker destination.

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 Dingle 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, Dingle is a peninsula with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Dingle. Bus Eireann offers buses daily to Tralee and then there are connections to other destinations.

Is Dingle or Chartres a more walkable city?

Chartres is a great destination for its ease of walking around. However, Dingle is a peninsula with minimal options for its walkability.

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

Dingle is generally not a very walkable peninsula. If you have enough time, there are countless walking trails throughout the peninsula.

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

Should I spend more time in Chartres or Dingle?

How long in Dingle or Chartres?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Dingle or Chartres to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Dingle than Chartres because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Dingle, and 1-2 days is enough time in Chartres.

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

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

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

One day in Dingle or Chartres?

The beautiful peninsula of Dingle offers food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Chartres. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Dingle or Chartres?

Dingle is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this peninsula makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Dingle, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Chartres is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Dingle or Chartres?

Dingle is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Dingle, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chartres. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Dingle or Chartres?

Dingle is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This peninsula offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the historic destination of Chartres. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Ireland, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Ireland, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Dingle or Chartres?

Chartres has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Dingle. When comparing the sizes of Dingle 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 Dingle 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 Dingle or Chartres in the Summer?

Both Chartres and Dingle during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Dingle because of the beaches, the hiking, 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.

In July, Dingle is generally cooler than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Dingle average around 15°C (59°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Chartres, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Dingle often gets less sunshine than Chartres. Dingle gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun.

Dingle usually gets more rain in July than Chartres. Dingle gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dingle or Chartres in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dingle and Chartres. The hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Dingle this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Chartres for the small town atmosphere.

Dingle is cooler than Chartres in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dingle averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Chartres fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Dingle usually receives less sunshine than Chartres during autumn. Dingle gets 79 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Dingle gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Dingle usually receives more rain than Chartres. Dingle gets 156 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dingle or Chartres in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Dingle as well as Chartres. Many travelers come to Dingle for the museums 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. In the winter, Dingle is a little warmer than Chartres. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dingle in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Chartres averages at about 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Dingle often gets less sunshine than Chartres. Dingle gets 44 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 56 hours of full sun.

Dingle receives a lot of rain in the winter. Dingle usually gets more rain in January than Chartres. Dingle gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dingle or Chartres in the Spring?

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

In April, Dingle is generally cooler than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Dingle average around 9°C (48°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Dingle usually receives less sunshine than Chartres during spring. Dingle gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 173 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dingle usually receives more rain than Chartres. Dingle gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Chartres and Dingle