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

Should you visit Geneva 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 Geneva 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.

Geneva

Geneva is a classy, diverse, and international city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. 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.

Geneva and Chartres: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Geneva or Chartres?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Geneva. Although Geneva and Chartres are popular destinations, Geneva has more sights and attractions for tourists. Geneva is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Chartres attracts visitors for its small town charm. Geneva is famous for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization. It is also well known for The Geneva Water Fountain (The Jet d'Eau). Chartres is famous for its beautiful cathedral and long running history.

How is Geneva different from Chartres?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Geneva offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Famous sights and landmarks include the spectacular Water Jet, St Pierre Cathedral, and the Palais des Nations. There are also impressive art and history museums in the city.

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 Geneva or Chartres? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Geneva 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.

Geneva has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city has an amazing mix of traditional Swiss restaurants as well as diverse ethnic options. Traditional dishes include fondue and raclette, both of which involve the decadent Swiss cheese.

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 Geneva or Chartres Better for Nightlife?

Geneva 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 Geneva has a few options to choose from. During the day the city is all business, but at night the professionals, interns, students, and NGO workers all come together to enjoy a drink at a bar or dance at one of the city's diverse clubs.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Geneva or Chartres Better for its Old Town?

Geneva is a popular place for its old town. However, Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Geneva. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.

Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Geneva or Chartres?

Geneva is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Known for shopping, Geneva draws large crowds to its stores. Famous for its posh shops and luxury brands, this city is a popular shopping destination. From chic boutiques to deluxe toy stores, you'll find something for everyone. In particular, the city is known for its Swiss watches, Swiss Army knives, chocolate, and wine.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Geneva or Chartres Better for Families?

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

Geneva offers lots of family activities. This diverse city has a number of chocolate shops, toy stores, and parks where kids can play. They'll be impressed by the Water Jet and there are few places where you can swim in the lake when the weather is warm.

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 Geneva or Chartres Better for Couples?

Geneva and Chartres both nice destinations for a couple.

Geneva is a nice destination for couples. Wandering Old Town, sampling Swiss chocolate, and enjoying one of the many ethnic restaurants around town all make for great date activities. Fondue in a traditional restaurant is also a not to be missed experience.

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 Geneva or Chartres Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chartres is a good destination for backpackers. However, Geneva is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

Geneva is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city is often overlooked by backpackers as it is pretty expensive. Many hotels cater to the business traveler crowd, but there are a few hostels to choose from.

Is Geneva or Chartres Better for Students?

Geneva is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not popular with students.

Geneva is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The University of Geneva attracts many international students and the city is quite diverse. It feels like a mixing bowl of cultures, so students will feel very welcomed and comfortable here.

Chartres is not popular with students.

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

Geneva 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.

Geneva has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

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 Geneva or Chartres a more walkable city?

Geneva and Chartres both are superb when exploring on foot.

Geneva is very walkable. Most areas where visitors spend their time can be easily explored 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 Geneva Worth Visiting? and Is Chartres Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Chartres or Geneva?

How long in Geneva or Chartres?

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

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

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

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

One day in Geneva or Chartres?

Geneva is a big city with plenty to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. 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 Geneva or Chartres?

Geneva 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 Geneva, 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 Geneva or Chartres?

Geneva is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. 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 Geneva or Chartres?

Geneva is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. 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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland, The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland, 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 Geneva and Chartres, we can see that Geneva 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 Geneva would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Geneva 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 Geneva Expensive? and Is Chartres Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Geneva or Chartres?

Geneva has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Geneva 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 Geneva 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 Geneva or Chartres in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Geneva is around the same temperature as Chartres. Typically, the summer temperatures in Geneva in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Chartres averages at about 20°C (68°F).

In Chartres, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Geneva. In the summer, Geneva often gets more sunshine than Chartres. Geneva gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets more rain in July than Chartres. Geneva gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Chartres in the Autumn?

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

In October, Geneva is generally around the same temperature as Chartres. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 14°C (56°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Geneva usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Chartres during autumn. Geneva gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Geneva usually receives more rain than Chartres. Geneva gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Geneva or Chartres in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Geneva as well as Chartres. Many visitors come to Geneva 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. Geneva can get quite cold in the winter. Geneva is cooler than Chartres in the winter. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Chartres fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Geneva often gets more sunshine than Chartres. Geneva gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 56 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Geneva or Chartres in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Geneva is around the same temperature as Chartres. Typically, the spring temperatures in Geneva in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Chartres averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Geneva usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Chartres during spring. Geneva gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 173 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Geneva usually receives more rain than Chartres. Geneva gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Chartres and Geneva