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

Should you visit Dresden or Chartres?

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

Should I visit Dresden 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.

Dresden

Dresden is a friendly, architectural, and cultural city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, 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.

Dresden and Chartres: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dresden or Chartres?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dresden. Although Dresden and Chartres are both popular with visitors, Dresden has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Dresden is more popular for its nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Chartres is known for its small town charm. Dresden is more touristy than Chartres and is popular for its beautiful palaces, castles, and many landmarks (such as the Baroque Zwinger Palace, Semperoper Opera House and the Church of Our Lady). It is also home to Dresden Frauenkirche and The Royal Palace. Chartres is popular for its beautiful cathedral and long running history.

How is Dresden different from Chartres?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Dresden. It's rich in culture and baroque architecture. Some of the main sights around town include Dresden Frauenkirche, the Dresden Royal Palace and Museums, the Zwinger and Old Masters Picture Gallery, and the Semper Opera.

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 Dresden or Chartres? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Dresden and Chartres can be difficult as they are each good in their own way.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Dresden area. The food features a number of Saxon specialties, which are typically hearty and heavy on the meat. If you have a sweet tooth, you'll also appreciate the many sweets that you can find around town. You should make sure you try a Fettbemme (open faced sandwich), Eierschecke (a cake), and Sächsische Kartoffelsuppe (potato soup) while you're in town.

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 Dresden or Chartres Better for Nightlife?

Dresden is great for nightlife and partying. However, Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Many people head to Dresden for the nightlife scene. Head to Neustadt for the highest concentration of bars and clubs. There's a diversity of trendy clubs and casual bars. Bar hopping is easy as most places are accessible by public transit.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Dresden or Chartres Better for its Old Town?

Dresden is great for its old town. However, Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Dresden. Much of the city's old town has been rebuilt, but that's not to say it isn't beautiful. The main square and surrounding area are where you'll find the majority of the city's main sights.

Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Dresden or Chartres?

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Dresden. Kunsthofpassage Dresden is a network of streets where you'll find crafts, art, and other eclectic items for sale. Prager Strasse is a popular shopping street near old town and Seestrasse is where you'll find all of the trendy brands that are popular throughout Europe. The city also has many shopping malls.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Dresden or Chartres Better for Families?

Most people don't think of either Dresden or Chartres as a family destination.

Dresden doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. It doesn't have quite the abundance of activities for kids that you may find in other Germany cities, but that doesn't mean that kids will be bored. There's the Dresden Zoo, the Dresdner Parkeisenbahn (a small steam rail), and the Saxon Folk Art Museum. Families can also take a guided to of the Transparent Factory, which is owned by Volkswagon and provided information on the manufacturing of automobiles.

For families, Chartres is not always the best place to visit. 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 Dresden or Chartres Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Dresden and Chartres make for a good place to visit.

Dresden is a good city for couples to visit. Couples can explore the old town or walk through one of the city's many parks. The city has many cultural activities. In the new town you'll find many great bars and fascinating restaurants.

Chartres is a nice destination for couples. With its cathedral and rich history, many couples enjoy exploring the town. It is filled with history and interesting sights.

Is Dresden or Chartres Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dresden and Chartres are good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Dresden. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and the city itself is not particularly expensive.

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

Chartres is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Chartres. 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.

While Dresden offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has two major train stations as well as tram and bus lines around town.

Is Dresden or Chartres a more walkable city?

Dresden and Chartres both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Dresden is a very walkable destination. Particularly in the compact city center you'll find Dresden to be very walkable.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Chartres or Dresden?

How long in Dresden or Chartres?

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

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

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

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

One day in Dresden or Chartres?

The city of Dresden offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Dresden or Chartres?

Dresden 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. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Dresden, 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 Dresden or Chartres?

Dresden 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 Dresden or Chartres?

Dresden is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Dresden or Chartres?

Dresden has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Dresden 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 Dresden 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 Dresden or Chartres in the Summer?

Both Chartres and Dresden during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Dresden 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.

In July, Dresden is generally around the same temperature as Chartres. Daily temperatures in Dresden average around 20°C (68°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

Dresden usually gets more rain in July than Chartres. Dresden gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dresden or Chartres in the Autumn?

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

Dresden is cooler than Chartres in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dresden averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Chartres fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In October, Dresden usually receives more rain than Chartres. Dresden gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dresden or Chartres in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Dresden as well as Chartres. Many travelers come to Dresden 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 Dresden. In the winter, Dresden is much colder than Chartres. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dresden in January average around 1°C (33°F), and Chartres averages at about 5°C (40°F).

Dresden usually gets less rain in January than Chartres. Dresden gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dresden or Chartres in the Spring?

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

In April, Dresden is generally cooler than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Dresden average around 10°C (50°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In April, Dresden usually receives more rain than Chartres. Dresden gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Chartres and Dresden