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

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

Grindelwald

Grindelwald is a breathtaking, beautiful, and adventure-filled town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the hiking, skiing, and nightlife.

Chartres

Chartres is a spectacular, historic, and grand town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. Other popular activities here include food and museums.

Grindelwald and Chartres: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Grindelwald or Chartres?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Grindelwald. Although Grindelwald and Chartres are both popular with visitors, Grindelwald has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Grindelwald is more popular for its skiing, nightlife, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Chartres is known for its museums. Grindelwald is more touristy than Chartres and is popular for its stunning views, beautiful hikes, and breathtaking scenery. It is also home to the beautiful mountain scenery. Chartres is popular for its beautiful cathedral and long running history.

The beautiful mountain scenery

How is Grindelwald different from Chartres?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Grindelwald or Chartres Better for Skiing?

Grindelwald is great for skiing. However, Chartres is not a skiing destination.

Visitors travel far to experience snow skiing in Grindelwald. Most of the skiing in the area is best for intermediate level skiers. There are also some places for beginners to ski, but not a lot of options for advanced skiers. The resort is relatively large with 30 lifts and some cross country skiing options as well.

Chartres is not a skiing destination.

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

Chartres is very good for its museums and landmarks. However, Grindelwald is not particularly known for its historical sights.

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.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Grindelwald. If you happen to have poor weather, there are very few indoor activities around town. The area is all about the views and the outdoor setting, so weather is key when visiting.

Is the Food Better in Grindelwald or Chartres? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Grindelwald and Chartres both to be good destinations.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Grindelwald area. You'll find a casual pizza joint, a cafe, fine dining, and a handful of other restaurants in town.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Chartres. There are a number of restaurants around town so it's easy to grab lunch during a day trip.

Is Grindelwald or Chartres Better for Nightlife?

Grindelwald 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 Grindelwald has a few options to choose from. You'll find the most bars of any of the Jungfrau ski resorts in town. Most are attached to a hotel and offer a nice place to enjoy a drink in a laid back setting.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Grindelwald or Chartres Better for Hiking?

Grindelwald is a must-visit destination for hiking. However, Chartres is not a hiking destination.

People visit Grindelwald specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. Hiking in the area offers spectacular views of the Bernese Alps including Wetterhorn, Eiger, Jungfrau, and Breithorn. There are trails that cater to all levels and hiking is the best way to explore the countryside.

Chartres is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Grindelwald or Chartres?

Grindelwald is adequate for its shopping opportunities. However, Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

If you're looking to go shopping, Grindelwald has some nice offerings. There are places to pick up sporting equipment that you may have forgotten. Many shops are seasonal and the turnover is frequent as the tourist season ebbs and flows.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Grindelwald or Chartres Better for Families?

Grindelwald is great for its kid-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Grindelwald is very family-friendly. The area is filled with outdoor adventures like hiking, ziplining, and cog railways. There are hikes for every age and skill level and older kids will enjoy the ropes courses and other outdoor activities.

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 Grindelwald or Chartres Better for Couples?

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

Grindelwald is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Most people don't visit for the town itself, but instead for the many outdoor adventures in the area. Couples that enjoy hiking and skiing will appreciate a visit to this beautiful alpine setting.

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 Grindelwald or Chartres Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Many backpackers visit Grindelwald. There are a decent number of hostels in the area, so the town makes a good base for backpackers.

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

Chartres is well known for its public transit. Also, Grindelwald is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Chartres can get you to most places 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.

While Grindelwald offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are local buses that travel around the region.

Is Grindelwald or Chartres a more walkable city?

Chartres is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Grindelwald is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Chartres is a very walkable destination. It's easy to see the sights around town on foot.

Grindelwald is somewhat walkable. Most places in town can be reached on foot but there can be a lot of traffic on the main thoroughfares.

For even more information, also check out Is Grindelwald Worth Visiting? and Is Chartres Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Chartres or Grindelwald?

How long in Grindelwald or Chartres?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Grindelwald or Chartres to fill your time. In our opinion, Grindelwald has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Grindelwald than Chartres. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Grindelwald or Chartres?

Grindelwald is a small town where visitors enjoy the skiing and nightlife. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the food and museums when visiting the spectacular town of Chartres. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Grindelwald or Chartres?

Grindelwald 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 spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Grindelwald, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the historic destination of Chartres. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Grindelwald or Chartres?

Grindelwald is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that hiking 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.

The spectacular town of Chartres offers food and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Grindelwald or Chartres?

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

Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Chartres. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Switzerland, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in 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 Grindelwald and Chartres, we can see that Grindelwald 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 Grindelwald would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Grindelwald 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 Grindelwald Expensive? and Is Chartres Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Grindelwald or Chartres?

Chartres has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Grindelwald. When comparing the sizes of Grindelwald 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 Grindelwald 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 Grindelwald or Chartres in the Summer?

Both Chartres and Grindelwald during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Grindelwald for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Chartres because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

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

In Chartres, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Grindelwald. In the summer, Grindelwald often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Chartres. Grindelwald gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Grindelwald. Grindelwald usually gets more rain in July than Chartres. Grindelwald gets 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Grindelwald or Chartres in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Grindelwald and Chartres. The autumn months attract visitors to Grindelwald because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Chartres this time of year.

Grindelwald is a little warmer than Chartres in the autumn. The daily temperature in Grindelwald averages around 15°C (58°F) in October, and Chartres fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Grindelwald usually receives more sunshine than Chartres during autumn. Grindelwald gets 152 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Grindelwald gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Grindelwald usually receives more rain than Chartres. Grindelwald gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Grindelwald or Chartres in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Grindelwald as well as Chartres. The skiing, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Grindelwald this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Chartres for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Chartres. It's quite cold in Grindelwald in the winter. In the winter, Grindelwald is around the same temperature as Chartres. Typically, the winter temperatures in Grindelwald in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Chartres averages at about 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Grindelwald often gets more sunshine than Chartres. Grindelwald gets 119 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 56 hours of full sun.

Grindelwald usually gets more rain in January than Chartres. Grindelwald gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Grindelwald or Chartres in the Spring?

Both Chartres and Grindelwald are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Grindelwald for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Chartres in the spring for the small town charm.

In April, Grindelwald is generally a little warmer than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Grindelwald average around 13°C (55°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Grindelwald usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Chartres during spring. Grindelwald gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 173 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Grindelwald. In April, Grindelwald usually receives more rain than Chartres. Grindelwald gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Chartres and Grindelwald