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

Should you visit Dublin or Chartres?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dublin or Chartres, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Dublin

Dublin is a laid-back, friendly, and welcoming city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

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.

Dublin and Chartres: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dublin or Chartres?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Dublin than Chartres, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Dublin is better known for its museums, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Chartres is more popular for its small town charm. Dublin is more touristy than Chartres and is popular for its friendly and social nightlife, its local pubs, and its role as the birthplace of Guinness. Also, Dublin is famous for The Guinness Storehouse. Chartres is well known for its beautiful cathedral and long running history.

How is Dublin different from Chartres?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Dublin is great for its historical sights. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

Dublin offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are a number of museums around town including the National Museum of Ireland, the Little Museum of Dublin, and the National Gallery of Ireland.

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 Dublin or Chartres? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Dublin and Chartres.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Dublin. Seafood has become popular around town, but you can also try traditional favorites like stew, pancakes, or coddle.

Chartres is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a number of restaurants around town so it's easy to grab lunch during a day trip.

Is Dublin or Chartres Better for Nightlife?

Dublin is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. However, Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Dublin is a world class party destination. Temple Bar is where you'll find the greatest concentration of pubs and nightlife. The city is among the friendliest and most welcoming, and this is seen even in the vibe around town at night.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Dublin or Chartres Better for Music?

Dublin is great for its live music scene. However, Chartres is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Dublin draws a good crowd. The best places to hear live music around town are the back street pubs that feature local groups.

Chartres is not a live music destination.

Is Dublin or Chartres Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Dublin. On the south side of the River Liffey are three different historic parts to the city. The Medieval Quarter is the oldest. To the east is Temple Bar, and further east is the Georgian Quarter.

Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Dublin or Chartres?

Dublin is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Dublin is well-known for its shopping. Head to Grafton Street to see a number of brand name and local shops. It's a pedestrian street that is fun to wander around.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Dublin or Chartres Better for Families?

Dublin is great for its kid-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Dublin is very family-friendly. Explore the waterways with the viking splash, learn about the vikings at the museum Dublina, or visit any of the other kid-friendly museums around town, or see a show at The Gaiety.

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 Dublin or Chartres Better for Couples?

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

Dublin is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. It's laid-back vibe and countless pubs make it a fun weekend getaway for couples.

Chartres is a good city 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 Dublin or Chartres Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Many backpackers visit Dublin. There are a number of popular backpacker hostels around town. The pub scene is also popular with the young crowd.

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 Dublin or Chartres Better for Students?

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

It's common for students to visit Dublin. While student accommodation can be a bit expensive in town, the nightlife and social aspect of living in the city center makes it well worth it.

Chartres is not popular with students.

Is Dublin 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, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

While Dublin offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Dublin or Chartres a more walkable city?

Dublin is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its ease of walking around.

Dublin is a very easy city to get around on foot. Because it is so compact and flat, it is easy to explore the city center on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Chartres or Dublin?

How long in Dublin or Chartres?

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

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

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

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

One day in Dublin or Chartres?

The city of Dublin offers museums and nightlife. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Dublin or Chartres?

Dublin 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 Dublin, 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 Dublin or Chartres?

Dublin is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Dublin, 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 Dublin or Chartres?

Dublin is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. 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.

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 Walking Tours in Ireland, The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland, 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 Dublin and Chartres, we can see that Dublin 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 Dublin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dublin 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 Dublin Expensive? and Is Chartres Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Dublin or Chartres?

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

Both Chartres and Dublin during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Dublin in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Chartres for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Dublin is cooler than Chartres in the summer. The daily temperature in Dublin averages around 16°C (60°F) in July, and Chartres fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Chartres, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Dublin often gets less sunshine than Chartres. Dublin gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Dublin or Chartres in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dublin and Chartres. Most visitors come to Dublin for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Chartres because of the small town atmosphere.

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

Dublin usually receives less sunshine than Chartres during autumn. Dublin gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Dublin usually receives more rain than Chartres. Dublin gets 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dublin or Chartres in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Dublin as well as Chartres. The winter months attract visitors to Dublin because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Chartres this time of year.

It's quite cold in Chartres in the winter. In January, Dublin is generally a little warmer than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Dublin average around 6°C (42°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

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

Dublin usually gets more rain in January than Chartres. Dublin gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dublin or Chartres in the Spring?

Both Chartres and Dublin are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city are the main draw to Dublin this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Chartres for the small town charm.

Dublin is cooler than Chartres in the spring. The daily temperature in Dublin averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Chartres fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Dublin usually receives less sunshine than Chartres during spring. Dublin gets 157 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 173 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dublin usually receives around the same amount of rain as Chartres. Dublin gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Chartres and Dublin