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

Should you visit Kinsale or Chartres?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kinsale and Chartres can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Kinsale

Kinsale is a picturesque, colorful, and charming seaside town. You'll find plenty of local activities in this small town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, food, and hiking.

Chartres

Chartres is a grand, spectacular, and historic town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the food and museums.

Kinsale and Chartres: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kinsale or Chartres?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Kinsale than Chartres, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Kinsale is more touristy than Chartres and is known for its colorful houses, excellent restaurants, and beautiful seaside walks. Also, Kinsale is famous for Charles Fort. Chartres is well known for its beautiful cathedral and long running history.

How is Kinsale different from Chartres?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Kinsale and Chartres.

Kinsale offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. In addition to the colorful old town, you can check out Charles Fort, James Fort, and Old Head Signal Tower. The town is filled with history and many unique landmarks that are worth exploring.

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 Kinsale or Chartres? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kinsale is a must-visit destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

For foodies, Kinsale is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. For such a small town, it really has an impressive food scene and many people consider it to be the culinary capital of Ireland. The food scene includes Michelin starred restaurants and local cafes.

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 Kinsale or Chartres Better for Nightlife?

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

Kinsale doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a small town that's not known for its nightlife scene. There are a couple of traditional Irish pubs in town.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Kinsale or Chartres Better for Beaches?

Kinsale is adequate for the beache. However, Chartres is not a beach destination.

You can check out the beach in Kinsale. You'll find a number of beaches within about 20 minutes of town. The closest is Kinsale Beach, which is about 3 kilometers from the center of town. For a more peaceful setting, head out of town and check out Sandycove Beach, Garrylucas Blue Flag Beach, and Coolmain Beach.

Chartres is not a beach destination.

Is Kinsale or Chartres Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Kinsale. The old town is filled with brightly colored houses, and it offers a unique setting that's different from many of Europe's more standard old towns.

Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Is Kinsale or Chartres Better for Hiking?

Kinsale is a popular place for hiking. However, Chartres is not a hiking destination.

Kinsale is a good destination for hiking. There are many seaside walks just outside of town.

Chartres is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kinsale or Chartres?

Kinsale is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Kinsale. There are a number of shops around town that highlight Irish designers and local brands.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Kinsale or Chartres Better for Families?

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

Kinsale offers lots of family activities. If your kids need a break from the tourist circuit, there are a couple of playgrounds and outdoor centers around town. There's also one hour pony treks available at the Kinsale Equestrian Centre.

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 Kinsale or Chartres Better for Couples?

Both Kinsale and Chartres are notable destinations for a couple's getaway.

Kinsale makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. From coastal walks to quaint streets, there are many picturesque places that a couple can explore. The town also has an impressive restaurant scene where couples can enjoy a great meal.

Chartres is a good seaside 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 Kinsale or Chartres Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Kinsale and Chartres are notable places to visit.

Kinsale is a good seaside town to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels around town where you can meet other backpackers.

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.

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

Chartres is great for times when you don't have a car. However, Kinsale is not a good destination for its public transit.

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.

Public transit is generally limited in Kinsale. The town has buses that pass through.

Is Kinsale or Chartres a more walkable city?

Chartres is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Kinsale is not as popular, but is still a nice seaside town for its ease of walking around.

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

Kinsale is a somewhat walkable seaside town. The town itself is relatively compact and walkable. There are also many seaside walks just outside of town.

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

Should I spend more time in Chartres or Kinsale?

How long in Kinsale or Chartres?

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

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

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

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

One day in Kinsale or Chartres?

Kinsale is a small town where visitors enjoy the 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, you'll find food and museums. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Kinsale or Chartres?

Kinsale is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this seaside town 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 Kinsale, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Chartres, you'll find museums and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Chartres has to offer.

Five days in Kinsale or Chartres?

Kinsale is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food 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 great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Kinsale or Chartres?

Kinsale is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food 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 seaside town offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chartres. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Chartres. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland, The Best 3-Day Tours from Dublin, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Kinsale or Chartres?

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

Both Chartres and Kinsale are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Kinsale for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Chartres in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

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

It's quite sunny in Chartres. Kinsale usually receives less sunshine than Chartres during summer. Kinsale gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Kinsale usually receives around the same amount of rain as Chartres. Kinsale gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kinsale or Chartres in the Autumn?

Both Chartres and Kinsale during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Kinsale in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Chartres for the small town atmosphere during these months.

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

In the autumn, Kinsale often gets less sunshine than Chartres. Kinsale gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 126 hours of full sun.

Kinsale usually gets more rain in October than Chartres. Kinsale gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kinsale or Chartres in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kinsale and Chartres. Most visitors come to Kinsale for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Chartres because of the museums and the cuisine.

The weather in Chartres can be very cold. In January, Kinsale is generally a little warmer than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Kinsale average around 6°C (43°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Kinsale usually receives more sunshine than Chartres during winter. Kinsale gets 60 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

Kinsale gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Kinsale usually receives more rain than Chartres. Kinsale gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kinsale or Chartres in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kinsale as well as Chartres. The spring months attract visitors to Kinsale because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, the small town charm are the main draw to Chartres this time of year.

Kinsale is cooler than Chartres in the spring. The daily temperature in Kinsale averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Chartres fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Kinsale often gets less sunshine than Chartres. Kinsale gets 157 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 173 hours of full sun.

Kinsale usually gets more rain in April than Chartres. Kinsale gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Chartres and Kinsale