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

Should you visit Dusseldorf or Chartres?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Dusseldorf and Chartres. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Dusseldorf

Dusseldorf is a vibrant, historic, and fun-filled 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 historic, grand, and spectacular town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It's also known for food and museums.

Dusseldorf and Chartres: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dusseldorf or Chartres?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dusseldorf. Although Dusseldorf and Chartres are popular destinations, Dusseldorf has more sights and attractions for tourists. Dusseldorf is very popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Chartres attracts visitors for its small town charm. Dusseldorf is famous for its music and art scene, as well as being the fashion capital of Germany. It is also well known for Altstadt (the Old Town). Chartres is famous for its beautiful cathedral and long running history.

How is Dusseldorf different from Chartres?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Dusseldorf and Chartres have nice landmarks and museums for visitors.

Dusseldorf is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are museums, palaces, and many cultural sights. Make sure you check out Schloss Benrath, the Rheinturm, the North Rhine-Westphalia Art Collection, and Museum Kunstpalast.

Chartres offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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 Dusseldorf or Chartres? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dusseldorf is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Dusseldorf has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find a mix of regional specialties and international restaurant options. Traditional dishes include Rheinischer Sauerbraten (Rhine style marinated roast), Haxe (shin), Flönz (blood sausage), and Ähzezupp (pea soup).

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

Is Dusseldorf or Chartres Better for Nightlife?

Dusseldorf is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Dusseldorf has a few options to choose from. You'll find the highest concentration of bars and pubs in the old town area. Try to find a brewerie where you can try Dusseldorf's famous altbier.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Dusseldorf or Chartres Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Dusseldorf. The old town is popular for its bars and pubs, which serve up the local altbier. The atmosphere is charming and there are restaurants that spill out onto the streets.

Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Dusseldorf or Chartres?

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Dusseldorf. Head to the popular shopping street of Königsallee. You'll find luxury brands and boutique shops. The city also has department stores and large shopping malls.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Dusseldorf or Chartres Better for Families?

Dusseldorf 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, Dusseldorf is very family-friendly. It has many great playgrounds and parks where kids can run around. Animal lovers will appreciate Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum and Grafenberger Wald which has about 100 animals. If the weather's nice you can head to Unterbacher See, which is a lakefront beach. Other kid-friendly activities in town include the Neanderthal Museum and Museum Kunstpalast.

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 Dusseldorf or Chartres Better for Couples?

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

Dusseldorf is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There is live theater, spa hotels, historic palaces, and many parks and gardens where couples can enjoy their time together. Popular activities for couples in town include visiting Rheinturm, taking a Rhine River cruise, and exploring Schloss Dyck.

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 Dusseldorf or Chartres Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dusseldorf and Chartres are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Dusseldorf. There are plenty of hostels and activities around town. There are also affordable restaurants and a nice nightlife scene.

Plenty of budget travelers 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 Dusseldorf or Chartres Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Dusseldorf is a must-visit destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.

Dusseldorf has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. All of the public transportation in town is operated by Rheinbahn. There's a city railway, (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses. Dusseldorf is also easily connected to the many other nearby towns and cities including Cologne.

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.

Is Dusseldorf or Chartres a more walkable city?

Dusseldorf and Chartres both are superb when exploring on foot.

Dusseldorf is very walkable. It's easy to explore most of the city on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Chartres or Dusseldorf?

How long in Dusseldorf or Chartres?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Dusseldorf or Chartres to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Dusseldorf than Chartres because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Dusseldorf, and 1-2 days is enough time in Chartres.

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

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

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

One day in Dusseldorf or Chartres?

The city of Dusseldorf offers food and shopping. 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.

With museums and food around the grand town of Chartres, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Chartres, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Dusseldorf or Chartres?

Dusseldorf 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 Dusseldorf, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

With food and museums around the destination of Chartres, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Dusseldorf or Chartres?

Dusseldorf 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, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Dusseldorf or Chartres?

Dusseldorf 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.

Chartres is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Munich, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, 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 Dusseldorf and Chartres, we can see that Dusseldorf 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 Dusseldorf would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dusseldorf 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 Dusseldorf Expensive? and Is Chartres Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Dusseldorf or Chartres?

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

Both Chartres and Dusseldorf during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dusseldorf this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Chartres for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

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

In Chartres, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Dusseldorf often gets less sunshine than Chartres. Dusseldorf gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun.

Dusseldorf usually gets more rain in July than Chartres. Dusseldorf gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dusseldorf or Chartres in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dusseldorf and Chartres. Many travelers come to Dusseldorf for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Chartres in the autumn for the small town atmosphere.

In October, Dusseldorf is generally cooler than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Dusseldorf average around 12°C (53°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Dusseldorf usually receives less sunshine than Chartres during autumn. Dusseldorf gets 112 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Dusseldorf usually receives more rain than Chartres. Dusseldorf gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dusseldorf or Chartres in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Dusseldorf as well as Chartres. Many visitors come to Dusseldorf in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Chartres for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Chartres can be very cold during winter. Dusseldorf can get quite cold in the winter. Dusseldorf is much colder than Chartres in the winter. The daily temperature in Dusseldorf averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Chartres fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Dusseldorf often gets less sunshine than Chartres. Dusseldorf gets 45 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 56 hours of full sun.

Dusseldorf usually gets more rain in January than Chartres. Dusseldorf gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dusseldorf or Chartres in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Dusseldorf is cooler than Chartres. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dusseldorf in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Chartres averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Dusseldorf usually receives less sunshine than Chartres during spring. Dusseldorf gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 173 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dusseldorf usually receives around the same amount of rain as Chartres. Dusseldorf 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 Dusseldorf