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

Should you visit Dover or Chartres?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dover and Chartres can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dover

Dover is a natural, breathtaking, and iconic town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the hiking, museums, and food.

Chartres

Chartres is a spectacular, historic, and grand town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. Other popular activities here include food and museums.

Dover and Chartres: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dover or Chartres?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dover. Although Dover and Chartres are both popular with visitors, Dover has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Dover is more popular for its nightlife, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Chartres is known for its small town charm. Dover is popular for the famous White Cliffs of Dover as well as the ferry connection to mainland Europe. It is also home to The White Cliffs of Dover. Chartres is popular for its beautiful cathedral and long running history.

The White Cliffs of Dover

How is Dover different from Chartres?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Dover or Chartres.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Dover. Aside from the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, there is the Dover Castle, the South Foreland Lighthouse, and the Grand Shaft.

Chartres is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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 Dover or Chartres? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Dover and Chartres both to be good destinations.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Dover area. The town has a growing food scene that includes waterfront restaurants and local dishes. Find a restaurant with a view to make sure you take full advantage of the setting.

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 Dover or Chartres Better for Nightlife?

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

Dover doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The nightlife has a relaxed atmosphere with wine bars and microbreweries.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Dover or Chartres Better for Hiking?

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

Many visitors go to Dover for the hiking trails. There are many beautiful countryside walks that take you through the rolling hills and along the iconic white cliffs. Some of the best hikes in the area include The England Coast Path, The North Downs Way Saxon Shore Way.

Chartres is not a hiking destination.

Is Dover or Chartres Better for Families?

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

Dover offers lots of family activities. There are a few kid-friendly museums like the Dover Transport Museum and the Dover Castle. Also make sure you check out the South Foreland Lighthouse.

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 Dover or Chartres Better for Couples?

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

Dover is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. The White Cliffs of Dover are an iconic sight and perfect for a romantic trip away. Also make sure you check out St. Margaret's Bay Beach and the Kearsney Abbey Gardens.

Chartres is a good town 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 Dover or Chartres Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Dover and Chartres are good destinations for backpackers.

Dover is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. You'll find several nice hostels to choose from in the town.

It's common for backpackers to 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.

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

Chartres is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Dover is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Chartres can get you to most places 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 Dover. There are public buses through the district.

Is Dover or Chartres a more walkable city?

Chartres is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. Also, Dover is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

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

Dover is somewhat walkable. You can wander around the countryside, but prepare for rolling hills and great views.

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

Should I spend more time in Chartres or Dover?

How long in Dover or Chartres?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Dover or Chartres to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Dover than Chartres because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Dover, and 1-2 days is enough time in Chartres.

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

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

One day in Dover or Chartres?

The beautiful town of Dover offers museums and 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.

In Chartres, many people enjoy the food and museums that this historic destination offers. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Dover or Chartres?

Dover 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. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Dover, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chartres. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Dover or Chartres?

Dover 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 fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the destination of Chartres. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Dover or Chartres?

Dover 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 town offers something for everyone.

You'll find museums and food around the grand destination of Chartres. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Bicycle 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 Dover and Chartres, we can see that Dover 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 Dover would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dover 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 Dover Expensive? and Is Chartres Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Dover or Chartres?

Chartres has a larger population, and is about 56% larger than the population of Dover. When comparing the sizes of Dover 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 Dover 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 Dover or Chartres in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Dover as well as Chartres. Most visitors come to Dover for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Chartres because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Dover is generally cooler than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Dover average around 17°C (63°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chartres. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dover this time of the year. In the summer, Dover often gets less sunshine than Chartres. Dover gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun.

Dover usually gets less rain in July than Chartres. Dover gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dover or Chartres in the Autumn?

Both Chartres and Dover are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Dover because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Chartres this time of year.

Dover is around the same temperature as Chartres in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dover averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Chartres fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Dover usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Chartres during autumn. Dover gets 119 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Dover usually receives more rain than Chartres. Dover gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dover or Chartres in the Winter?

Both Chartres and Dover during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Dover this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Chartres for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Chartres. It's quite cold in Dover in the winter. In the winter, Dover is around the same temperature as Chartres. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dover in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Chartres averages at about 5°C (40°F).

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

Dover usually gets less rain in January than Chartres. Dover gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dover or Chartres in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dover and Chartres. Many travelers come to Dover for the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Chartres in the spring for the small town charm.

In April, Dover is generally cooler than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Dover average around 9°C (47°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Dover usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Chartres during spring. Dover gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 173 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dover usually receives less rain than Chartres. Dover gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Chartres and Dover