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

Should you visit Fussen or Chartres?

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

Should I visit Fussen 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.

Fussen

Fussen is a picturesque, quintesential, and storybook town. You'll find plenty of local activities in this small town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the hiking, museums, and food.

Chartres

Chartres is a grand, spectacular, and historic town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the food and museums.

Fussen and Chartres: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Fussen or Chartres?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Fussen than Chartres, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Fussen is more touristy than Chartres and is known for its romantic atmosphere and its proximity to the Neuschwanstein Castle. Also, Fussen is famous for The Neuschwanstein Castle. Chartres is well known for its beautiful cathedral and long running history.

The Neuschwanstein Castle

How is Fussen different from Chartres?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Fussen and Chartres.

Fussen offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Most people stopping in town are on their way to or from the Neuschwanstein Castle. It is one of the most famous castles in Germany as many people say it was the inspiration for the Disney Castle.

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 Fussen or Chartres? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Fussen has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Many restaurants embrace the fairytale setting and offer their own storybook atmosphere. This is a well worn tourist path, so you'll find a number of restaurants serving traditional dishes specifically for the tourists.

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 Fussen or Chartres Better for its Old Town?

Fussen is a must-visit destination for its old town. However, Chartres does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Fussen can be explored in its historical center. The small old town is filled with classic German charm.

Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Is Fussen or Chartres Better for Hiking?

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

Many visitors go to Fussen for the hiking trails. The countryside offers a number of beautiful trails that pass through forests and meadows. You'll also find waterfalls and nice viewpoints. The hikes are very well marked with excellent signage.

Chartres is not a hiking destination.

Is Fussen or Chartres Better for Families?

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

Fussen offers lots of family activities. Neuschwanstein Castle is not far away, and it's a big part of why some families may stay in this small town. Kids will also enjoy wandering around the old town and grabbing ice cream. Just outside of town is Lechfall, which is a manmade waterfall and a little further is the Treetop Walkway. The surrounding area also has a lot of natural beauty as well as giant alpine slides.

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 Fussen or Chartres Better for Couples?

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

Fussen is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. It sits at the end of Germany's Romantic Road and the small town does not disappoint. For many, it's a stopover while visiting the famous Neuschwanstein Castle, but the surrounding countryside is also beautiful and worth exploring.

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 Fussen or Chartres Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Fussen and Chartres are notable places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Fussen. For its small size, the town has a number of hostels to choose from. Prices are reasonable, so this is a nice option for backpackers passing through the area.

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

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

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.

Fussen has a few public transit options. There are buses through the region including buses to Neuschwanstein Castle.

Is Fussen or Chartres a more walkable city?

Fussen 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.

Fussen is a very easy town to get around on foot. It's easy to walk from one side of the old town to the other in half an hour.

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 Fussen Worth Visiting? and Is Chartres Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Chartres or Fussen?

How long in Fussen or Chartres?

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

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

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

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

One day in Fussen or Chartres?

Fussen is a small town where visitors enjoy the 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.

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 Fussen or Chartres?

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

Fussen 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.

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 Fussen or Chartres?

Fussen 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.

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 Oktoberfest Tours in Germany, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Germany, 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 Fussen and Chartres, we can see that Fussen 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 Fussen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fussen 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 Fussen Expensive? and Is Chartres Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Fussen or Chartres?

Chartres has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Fussen. When comparing the sizes of Fussen 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.