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

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

Interlaken

Interlaken is a adrenaline-filled, breathtaking, and world-class town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the food, hiking, and skiing.

Chartres

Chartres is a historic, grand, and spectacular town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Other reasons to visit include food and museums.

Interlaken and Chartres: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Interlaken or Chartres?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Interlaken. Although Interlaken and Chartres are popular destinations, Interlaken has more sights and attractions for tourists. Interlaken is very popular for its skiing, food, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Chartres attracts visitors for its museums and small town charm. Interlaken is more touristy than Chartres and is known for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. It is also well known for its many mountain views.. Chartres is famous for its beautiful cathedral and long running history.

How is Interlaken different from Chartres?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Interlaken or Chartres Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is a popular place for skiing. However, Chartres is not a skiing destination.

For winter sports and skiing, Interlaken is a great destination to visit. While the city itself has no skiing, there is access to several ski areas in Jungfrau. There are several different resorts in the area near Grindelwald, Wengen, and Mürren. You'll need to take a train or ski bus to get most places.

Chartres is not a skiing destination.

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

Chartres is very good for its museums and history. However, Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

Chartres is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Interlaken 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.

Interlaken has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Restaurants in the area serve local classics like fondue, local meats, cheeses, and chocolate. You can finish your meal off with strudel or head to a local bakery and try their samplings. Meals are expensive but the quality is good. You should also out into the countryside and enjoy a meal looking out over the mountains.

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 Interlaken or Chartres Better for Hiking?

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

People visit Interlaken specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. Hikes in the area range from easy to challenging with every option in between. You can experience beautiful waterfalls, breathtaking views, and dramatic ridge hikes. Several of the best hikes in the area include Schynige Platte Ridge Trail, Mt Niesen Panorama Trail, and Giessbach Waterfalls.

Chartres is not a hiking destination.

Is Interlaken or Chartres Better for Families?

Interlaken is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Interlaken is a very family-friendly destination. While the city is beautiful, it's really the surrounding areas that you and your family will enjoy. There are amazing hikes, stunning views, playgrounds, lakes, and more. There's also an impressive ropes course that adventurous kids will love, funiculars, gondolas, and so many water sports!

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 Interlaken or Chartres Better for Couples?

Interlaken is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for couples.

Interlaken makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The mountaintop views, breathtaking hikes, and beautiful lakes make this a top destination for couples. Make sure you head out of town and fully immerse yourself in everything that the area has to offer. Kayaking, canoeing, paragliding, and more will make this a trip of a lifetime.

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 Interlaken or Chartres Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Interlaken and Chartres are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Interlaken is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's a world class destination with so many activities that backpackers will love, but it's also one of the most expensive areas in one of the most expensive countries. There are hostels in town as well as a few in the nearby towns and countryside, but prices are steep. Cook when you can and enjoy all of the free activities that the area has to offer.

It's common for backpackers to 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 Interlaken or Chartres Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find great public transit in both Interlaken and Chartres.

Public transit in Interlaken is fairly effecient and thorough. Buses travel around town, but to get into the mountains there are trains, cog railways, funiculars, and gondolas.

Chartres has some very good public transit options. 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 Interlaken or Chartres a more walkable city?

Chartres is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, Interlaken is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

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

Interlaken is a somewhat walkable place. The old town is relatively walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Chartres or Interlaken?

How long in Interlaken or Chartres?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Interlaken or Chartres to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Interlaken than Chartres because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Interlaken, and 1-2 days is enough time in Chartres.

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

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

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

One day in Interlaken or Chartres?

The beautiful town of Interlaken offers food and skiing. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.

With museums and food around the historic town of Chartres, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Chartres, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Interlaken or Chartres?

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

With food and museums around the destination of Chartres, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Interlaken or Chartres?

Interlaken is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Interlaken, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Chartres, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Interlaken or Chartres?

Interlaken 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.

Chartres is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

Which is Bigger, Interlaken or Chartres?

Chartres has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Interlaken 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 Interlaken or Chartres?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Interlaken or Chartres in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Interlaken and Chartres. Most visitors come to Interlaken for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Chartres because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Interlaken is around the same temperature as Chartres. Typically, the summer temperatures in Interlaken in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Chartres averages at about 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chartres this time of the year. In Interlaken, it's very sunny this time of the year. Interlaken usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Chartres during summer. Interlaken gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Chartres. Interlaken gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Interlaken or Chartres in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Interlaken as well as Chartres. The autumn months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Chartres this time of year.

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

In the autumn, Interlaken often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Chartres. Interlaken gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 126 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets more rain in October than Chartres. Interlaken gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Chartres in the Winter?

Both Chartres and Interlaken are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The skiing and the cuisine are the main draw to Interlaken 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 Interlaken in the winter. Interlaken is much colder than Chartres in the winter. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Chartres fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Interlaken usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Chartres during winter. Interlaken gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Chartres. Interlaken gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Interlaken or Chartres in the Spring?

Both Chartres and Interlaken during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Interlaken for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Chartres in the spring for the small town charm.

In the spring, Interlaken is around the same temperature as Chartres. Typically, the spring temperatures in Interlaken in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Chartres averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Interlaken often gets less sunshine than Chartres. Interlaken gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 173 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets more rain in April than Chartres. Interlaken gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Chartres and Interlaken