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

Should you visit Galway or Chartres?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Galway and Chartres can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Galway

Galway is a vibrant, lively, and friendly 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. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for food and museums.

Galway and Chartres: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Galway or Chartres?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Galway. Although Galway and Chartres are popular destinations, Galway has more sights and attractions for tourists. Galway is very popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Chartres attracts visitors for its small town charm. Chartres is more touristy than Galway and is popular for its beautiful cathedral and long running history. Galway is famous for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music. It is also well known for The Galway Market.

How is Galway different from Chartres?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Galway is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Popular landmarks and sights in town include Eyre Square, St. Nicholas' Church, the Galway Cathedral, and the Galway City Museum.

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 Galway or Chartres? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Galway and Chartres can be an enjoyable experience.

Galway offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

Chartres has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a number of restaurants around town so it's easy to grab lunch during a day trip.

Is Galway or Chartres Better for Nightlife?

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

Many people head to Galway for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is among the best in Ireland. The city embraces the friendly Irish hospitality and there are laid back pubs and bars around town as well as a few trendy nightclubs.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is the Shopping Better in Galway or Chartres?

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Galway. You'll find shopping both in the city center as well as at suburban shopping malls. For some of the best shopping head to The Latin Quarter, The Westend or the outdoor market which is found in Church lane by St Nicholas' Church.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Galway or Chartres Better for Families?

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

Galway offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy the National Aquarium Galway or simply wandering around the Latin Quarter. About 15 minutes outside of the city is the Wildlands Adventure Park which has ziplines, ropes courses, and other adrenaline filled activities. Brigit's Garden is another fun place to let kids stretch their legs.

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 Galway or Chartres Better for Couples?

Both Galway and Chartres are nice destinations for a couple's getaway.

Galway is a nice destination for couples. There are nice restaurants, beautiful walks, and a few parks to explore. There are also several romantic places just outside of town that make for a great day trip.

Chartres makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With its cathedral and rich history, many couples enjoy exploring the town. It is filled with history and interesting sights.

Is Galway or Chartres Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Many backpackers visit Galway. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other travelers.

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 Galway or Chartres Better for Students?

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

It's common for students to visit Galway. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

Chartres is not popular with students.

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

Chartres is notable for its public transit. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation 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.

Galway has some public transit options. There are two bus companies in Galway, Bus Eireann and City Direct.

Is Galway or Chartres a more walkable city?

Galway and Chartres both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Galway is very walkable. If you stay in central Galway, the area is generally compact and walkable.

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 Galway Worth Visiting? and Is Chartres Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Chartres or Galway?

How long in Galway or Chartres?

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

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

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

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

One day in Galway or Chartres?

The city of Galway offers food and shopping. 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 Galway or Chartres?

Galway 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Galway, 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 Galway or Chartres?

Galway 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 Galway or Chartres?

Galway is a great place to explore. 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 spectacular 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 Budget Tours to Ireland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Galway or Chartres?

Galway has a larger population, and is about 61% larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Galway 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 Galway 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 Galway or Chartres in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Galway as well as Chartres. Many travelers come to Galway for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Chartres in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Galway is cooler than Chartres. Typically, the summer temperatures in Galway in July average around 16°C (60°F), and Chartres averages at about 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chartres. In the summer, Galway often gets less sunshine than Chartres. Galway gets 142 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun.

Galway usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Chartres. Galway gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galway or Chartres in the Autumn?

Both Chartres and Galway are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Galway in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Chartres for the small town atmosphere during these months.

In October, Galway is generally cooler than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Galway average around 11°C (52°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Galway usually receives less sunshine than Chartres during autumn. Galway gets 96 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Galway. In October, Galway usually receives more rain than Chartres. Galway gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Galway or Chartres in the Winter?

Both Chartres and Galway during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Galway for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Chartres because of the museums and the cuisine.

The weather in Chartres can be very cold. Galway is a little warmer than Chartres in the winter. The daily temperature in Galway averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Chartres fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Galway often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Chartres. Galway gets 59 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 56 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Galway. Galway usually gets more rain in January than Chartres. Galway gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galway or Chartres in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Galway and Chartres. The spring months attract visitors to Galway because of the activities around the city. Also, the small town charm are the main draw to Chartres this time of year.

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

Galway usually receives less sunshine than Chartres during spring. Galway gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 173 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Galway usually receives more rain than Chartres. Galway gets 52 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 Galway