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

Should you visit Ghent 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 Ghent 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.

Ghent

Ghent is a youthful, high energy, and cultural city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. 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.

Ghent and Chartres: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ghent or Chartres?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Ghent. Although Ghent and Chartres are popular destinations, Ghent has more sights and attractions for tourists. Ghent is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Chartres attracts visitors for its small town charm. Ghent is famous for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets It is also well known for The Fortress of Gravensteen. Chartres is famous for its beautiful cathedral and long running history.

How is Ghent different from Chartres?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Ghent offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city has many different sights that are concentrated in a compact area. Make sure you check out the Cathedral of St. Bavo, The Fortress of Gravensteen, and The Belfry. The audio tour at Gravensteen really brings the history to life and makes for an enjoyable activity.

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 Ghent or Chartres? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Ghent 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.

Ghent has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The food scene is diverse and international, but there are also many local dishes and flavors that you should try. Pas de Rouge is a local cheese and mastel is a local bread. Ganda ham is also a popular meat that is dried and salted. In additional to traditional restaurants, you'll find almost any international cuisine that you could want.

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 Ghent or Chartres Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. However, Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Ghent is a world class party destination. With its young student population, you'll find plenty of lively bars and clubs around town. There are many places where you can party or dance into the early hours of the morning and some of the best places are around Oude Beestenmarkt, De Overpoort, and De Vlasmarkt. There's also the famous Ghent Festival every July.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Ghent or Chartres Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Ghent. The medieval old town follows along the canal and offers great architecture and a unique atmosphere.

Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Ghent or Chartres?

Ghent is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Ghent is well-known for its shopping. The city has the largest pedestrian shopping area in Belgium, making it a great place to explore on foot. The city has several different shopping areas which each have their own style and personality. You'll find everything from major European brands to local boutiques and street markets.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Ghent or Chartres Better for Families?

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

Ghent offers lots of family activities. The city has a fun atmosphere with kid-friendly restaurants and a number of attractions that appeal to all ages. Kids and adults alike will enjoy exploring Gravensteen, which is the "Castle of Counts". You can also take a boat tour, rent bikes, or head to one of the town's playgrounds so the kids can burn off some energy.

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 Ghent or Chartres Better for Couples?

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

Ghent is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. It makes a great weekend getaway with a diverse restaurant scene, nice hotels, and plenty of historic attractions that you can explore.

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 Ghent or Chartres Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Ghent and Chartres are nice destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Ghent. The city has a number of hostels to choose from as well as a young vibe with a large student population. Many people overlook Ghent, but it feels more genuine than nearby Bruges, which attracts the larger tourist crowds.

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 Ghent or Chartres Better for Students?

Ghent is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Ghent. The city is very popular with international students so it has a young and energetic vibe with plenty to do throughout the year.

Chartres is not popular with students.

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

Ghent 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.

Ghent has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.

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 Ghent or Chartres a more walkable city?

Ghent and Chartres both are superb when exploring on foot.

Ghent is very walkable. The area's with the most tourist attractions are generally 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 Ghent Worth Visiting? and Is Chartres Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Chartres or Ghent?

How long in Ghent or Chartres?

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

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

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

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

One day in Ghent or Chartres?

The beautiful city of Ghent offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Chartres, many people enjoy the food and museums that this grand destination offers. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Ghent or Chartres?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chartres. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Ghent or Chartres?

Ghent is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that nightlife 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.

Chartres is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the destination of Chartres. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Ghent or Chartres?

Ghent is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. 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.

You'll find museums and food around the grand destination of Chartres. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Ghent or Chartres?

Ghent has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Ghent 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 Ghent 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 Ghent or Chartres in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Ghent as well as Chartres. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ghent this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Chartres for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Ghent is cooler than Chartres. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ghent in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Chartres averages at about 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chartres. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ghent this time of the year. In the summer, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Chartres. Ghent gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets more rain in July than Chartres. Ghent gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Chartres in the Autumn?

Both Chartres and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Ghent for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Chartres in the autumn for the small town atmosphere.

In October, Ghent is generally around the same temperature as Chartres. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 12°C (54°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Chartres during autumn. Ghent gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Ghent usually receives more rain than Chartres. Ghent 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 Ghent or Chartres in the Winter?

Both Chartres and Ghent during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Ghent in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Chartres for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Chartres can be very cold during winter. Ghent can get quite cold in the winter. Ghent is cooler than Chartres in the winter. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Chartres fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Chartres. Ghent gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 56 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Chartres. Ghent gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Chartres in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and Chartres. Most visitors come to Ghent for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Chartres because of the small town charm.

In the spring, Ghent is cooler than Chartres. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ghent in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Chartres averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Chartres during spring. Ghent gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 173 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Ghent usually receives around the same amount of rain as Chartres. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Chartres and Ghent