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

Should you visit Howth or Chartres?

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

Should I visit Howth 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.

Howth

Howth is a peaceful, coastal, and beautiful fishing village. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the museums, food, and beaches.

Chartres

Chartres is a grand, spectacular, and historic town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. And you can't forget about the food and museums.

Howth and Chartres: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Howth or Chartres?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Howth than Chartres, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Howth is more touristy than Chartres and is popular for its scenic coastline, charming character, and its accessibility to Dublin. Also, Howth is famous for The Baily Lighthouse. Chartres is well known for its beautiful cathedral and long running history.

How is Howth different from Chartres?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the notable sights and museums in both Howth and Chartres.

Howth offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The surrounding coastline is the main draw to this picturesque town but there is also a nice harbor, pier, and lighthouse that you can visit.

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 Howth or Chartres? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Howth. There are seafood restaurants and a few pubs where you can enjoy some fresh food and the local ambiance.

Chartres is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a number of restaurants around town so it's easy to grab lunch during a day trip.

Is Howth or Chartres Better for Nightlife?

Howth is adequate for nightlife and partying. However, Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Howth doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are a few pubs around town but if you're looking for a real nightlife scene then your best bet is to head into Dublin.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Howth or Chartres Better for Beaches?

Howth is great for the beache. However, Chartres is not a beach destination.

Howth is considered a top beach destination. Many people head to this coastal town specifically to hang out on the beach. There's also the Howth Cliff Path which is fun to explore. Some of the top beaches in the area include Red Rock Beach, Claremont Beach, and Balscadden Bay Beach. The beaches can be rocky and rough so make sure you understand the water conditions before heading to the beach.

Chartres is not a beach destination.

Is Howth or Chartres Better for Hiking?

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

Many visitors go to Howth for the hiking trails. The best way to experience Howth is to explore the The Howth Cliff Walk. There are several versions of the hike that cater to different experience and skill levels.

Chartres is not a hiking destination.

Is Howth or Chartres Better for Families?

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

Howth offers lots of family activities. It has a beach where kids can run around. There are also playgrounds, a lighthouse, and a pier to explore.

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 Howth or Chartres Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Howth and Chartres make for a notable place to visit.

Howth makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The small fishing village has some great seafood restaurants and a beach where couples can pass the time.

Chartres is a good fishing village 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 Howth or Chartres Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chartres is a popular place for backpackers. However, Howth is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Howth is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It a small village outside of Dublin so most backpackers don't make it this way.

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

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

Public transit in Chartres can get you to some 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 Howth offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. It's easy to reach the town from Dublin by DART.

Is Howth or Chartres a more walkable city?

Howth and Chartres both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Howth is a very walkable fishing village. It's a small town that's easy to explore on foot. There are also many walks through the cliffs.

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 Howth Worth Visiting? and Is Chartres Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Chartres or Howth?

How long in Howth or Chartres?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chartres than Howth 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 Chartres.

One day in Howth or Chartres?

The fishing village of Howth offers museums and food. 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.

In Chartres, many people enjoy the food and museums that this spectacular 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 Howth or Chartres?

Howth is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this fishing village makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Howth, 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 Howth or Chartres?

Howth 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.

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 Howth or Chartres?

Howth 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 fishing village offers something for everyone.

You'll find museums and food around the historic 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 2-Week Tours in Ireland, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Ireland, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.

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

When is the best time to visit Howth 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 Howth or Chartres in the Summer?

Both Chartres and Howth during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Howth because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Chartres this time of year.

Howth is cooler than Chartres in the summer. The daily temperature in Howth averages around 16°C (60°F) in July, and Chartres fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Chartres, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Howth often gets less sunshine than Chartres. Howth gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun.

Howth usually gets less rain in July than Chartres. Howth gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Howth or Chartres in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Howth and Chartres. The hiking trails and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Howth this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Chartres for the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Howth is cooler than Chartres. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Howth in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Chartres averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Howth usually receives less sunshine than Chartres during autumn. Howth gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Howth usually receives more rain than Chartres. Howth gets 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Howth or Chartres in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Howth as well as Chartres. Many travelers come to Howth for the museums and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Chartres in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Chartres can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Howth is generally a little warmer than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Howth average around 6°C (42°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

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

Howth usually gets more rain in January than Chartres. Howth gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Howth or Chartres in the Spring?

Both Chartres and Howth are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Howth in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm. Also, most visitors come to Chartres for the small town charm during these months.

Howth is cooler than Chartres in the spring. The daily temperature in Howth averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Chartres fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Howth usually receives less sunshine than Chartres during spring. Howth gets 157 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 173 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Howth usually receives around the same amount of rain as Chartres. Howth gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Chartres and Howth