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

Should you visit Lausanne or Chartres?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lausanne or Chartres, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Lausanne

Lausanne is a vibrant, cultural, and international city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

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.

Lausanne and Chartres: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lausanne or Chartres?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lausanne. Although Lausanne and Chartres are both popular with visitors, Lausanne has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Lausanne is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Chartres is known for its small town charm. Chartres is more touristy than Lausanne and is popular for its beautiful cathedral and long running history. Lausanne is popular for being the home of the International Olympic Committee headquarters. It is also home to The Olympic Museum.

How is Lausanne different from Chartres?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Lausanne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. You'll find many great museums around town that cover a range of topics. The Olympic Museum is very interesting. You should also check out the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, and the Hermitage Foundation.

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 Lausanne or Chartres? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lausanne 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.

Lausanne has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city is filled with delicious chocolate, cheese, and wine. Fondue is a favorite, but you'll also find cured meats on most menus. While food can be expensive, it's also high quality and usually locally produced.

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 Lausanne or Chartres Better for Nightlife?

Lausanne 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 Lausanne has a few options to choose from. There are a surprising number of clubs around town and it's not hard to find somewhere to party. The large student population and the international vibe make this a fascinating place for nightlife.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Lausanne or Chartres Better for its Old Town?

Lausanne is a popular place for its old town. However, Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Lausanne. There's a relatively large historic section that has a Gothic cathedral and many quaint shops.

Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Lausanne or Chartres?

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

Lausanne is well-known for its shopping. You'll find luxury Swiss watch brands, jewelry, chocolate, and many other interesting things to buy. Prices can be high, but so is the quality. It's fun to look, even if you're not planning to purchase.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Lausanne or Chartres Better for Families?

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

Lausanne offers lots of family activities. There are kid-friendly museums, petting zoos, and other fun activities in town. You can also take a boat ride or let the kids run around one of the parks in town.

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 Lausanne or Chartres Better for Couples?

Lausanne and Chartres are both good to visit as a couple.

Lausanne is a good city for couples to visit. The medieval old city is fun to explore. The lakefront setting also offers fun activities like boating. There are also a number of museums in town to explore.

Chartres is a nice destination for couples. With its cathedral and rich history, many couples enjoy exploring the town. It is filled with history and interesting sights.

Is Lausanne or Chartres Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chartres is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Lausanne is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Lausanne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not the most popular town for backpackers but there are some affordable hotels. It's also more reasonably priced than many Swiss cities.

Is Lausanne or Chartres Better for Students?

Lausanne is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not popular with students.

Lausanne is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There are 11 institutes for higher learning in town, so students make up a significant percentage of the population. The city is also full of culture, making it a very livable city.

Chartres is not popular with students.

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

Chartres is well known for its public transit. Also, Lausanne 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 Lausanne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a comprehensive network of transportation options available in town including buses and boats.

Is Lausanne or Chartres a more walkable city?

Chartres is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Lausanne 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.

Lausanne is somewhat walkable. Many parts of the city, including the historic sections, and relatively easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Chartres or Lausanne?

How long in Lausanne or Chartres?

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

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

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

One day in Lausanne or Chartres?

The city of Lausanne offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The town of Chartres offers museums and food. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Lausanne or Chartres?

Lausanne 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Lausanne, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Chartres 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Chartres, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Lausanne or Chartres?

Lausanne 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 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.

A week in Lausanne or Chartres?

Lausanne is a great place to explore. 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.

Chartres is a great place to explore. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Switzerland, The Best Tours for Seniors to 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 Lausanne and Chartres, we can see that Lausanne 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 Lausanne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lausanne 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 Lausanne Expensive? and Is Chartres Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lausanne or Chartres?

Lausanne has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Lausanne 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.