A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ericeira vs. Chartres for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ericeira 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 Ericeira and Chartres can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Ericeira or Chartres?

Ericeira

Beneath an indigo sky, a city perches at the edge of sandstone cliffs that overlook the vast expanse of the Atlantic. A seaside resort and fishing community, Ericeira is located in western Portugal within the municipality of Mafra. A picturesque village, Ericeira is quaint, quiet, and absolutely breathtaking with a population of no more than 10,260. Because of its blue waters and pristine coastlines, it has been named the Surfing Mecca of Europe. The town was a famous summer retreat for the families of Lisbon during the 1940s and 1950s and still remains so today for families beyond Lisbon's borders. Ericeira also has a World Surfing Reserve, the first in Europe and second in the world. Besides the many beaches on Ericeira, including Ribeira d'Ilhas, Pescadores, and Mataduoro, the town also has a park called Parque de Santa Maria as well as an old town center that has a collection of cafes, shops, restaurants, and bars. There are also some important landmarks that can be explored as no more than a brief visit, such as Forte Mil Regos and Casa De Cultura Jaime Lobo E. Silvs. Whether you are a surfer, fisher, or simply a lover of the beach, Ericeira is the perfect place for those who wish to experience the Atlantic like never before.

Chartres

Chartres is a city in north-central France southwest of Paris. It is famed for its massive Cathedrale Notre-Dame. The well-preserved Gothic cathedral, completed in 1220, features 2 towering spires, Romanesque sculptures and elaborate rose windows. The cathedral is unique in that it has two very different steeples – one Gothic, the other Romanesque. Follow them to check out the cathedral's dazzling blue stained-glass windows and its collection of relics, including the Sainte Voile (Holy Veil) said to have been worn by the Virgin Mary when she gave birth to Jesus, which have lured pilgrims since the Middle Ages. The nearby Centre International du Vitrail has workshops and exhibits on stained-glass art. Chartres also had a carefully preserved old city, which is adjacent to the cathedral with staircases and steep streets lined with half-timbered medieval houses leading downhill to the narrow western channel of the Eure River, romantically spanned by footbridges.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lisbon, 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 Ericeira and Chartres, we can see that Chartres is more expensive. And not only is Ericeira much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ericeira would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ericeira 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 Chartres would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chartres than you might in Ericeira.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ericeira Expensive? and Is Chartres Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ericeira or Chartres?

Chartres has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Ericeira. When comparing the sizes of Ericeira 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 Ericeira or Chartres?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Ericeira or Chartres in the Summer?

Both Chartres and Ericeira are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Chartres because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Ericeira is generally a little warmer than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Ericeira average around 23°C (73°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Chartres. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ericeira. Ericeira usually receives more sunshine than Chartres during summer. Ericeira gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Ericeira usually receives less rain than Chartres. Ericeira gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ericeira or Chartres in the Autumn?

Both Chartres and Ericeira during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Chartres this time of year.

Ericeira is a little warmer than Chartres in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ericeira averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Chartres fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Ericeira. In the autumn, Ericeira often gets more sunshine than Chartres. Ericeira gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 126 hours of full sun.

Ericeira usually gets more rain in October than Chartres. Ericeira gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ericeira or Chartres in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ericeira and Chartres. Also, many travelers come to Chartres for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Chartres. In the winter, Ericeira is much warmer than Chartres. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ericeira in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Chartres averages at about 5°C (40°F).

Ericeira usually receives more sunshine than Chartres during winter. Ericeira gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

Ericeira gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Ericeira usually receives more rain than Chartres. Ericeira gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ericeira or Chartres in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Ericeira as well as Chartres. Also, many visitors come to Chartres in the spring for the small town charm.

In April, Ericeira is generally a little warmer than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Ericeira average around 16°C (60°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ericeira this time of the year. In the spring, Ericeira often gets more sunshine than Chartres. Ericeira gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 173 hours of full sun.

Ericeira usually gets more rain in April than Chartres. Ericeira gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Chartres and Ericeira