A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Leiden vs. Chartres for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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

Where Should I go: Leiden or Chartres?

Leiden

Leiden is a city in the province of South Holland. It is south of the Netherlands capital, Amsterdam, and has a population of about 190,000. It is known for its university, museums, markets, and of course, canals. Leiden University is the oldest university in the Netherlands and is a sister school of Oxford, which is England's oldest university.

Chartres

Chartres is a city in north-central France southwest of Paris. It is famed for its massive Cathedrale Notre-Dame. The well-preserved Gothic cathedral, completed in 1220, features 2 towering spires, Romanesque sculptures and elaborate rose windows. The cathedral is unique in that it has two very different steeples – one Gothic, the other Romanesque. Follow them to check out the cathedral's dazzling blue stained-glass windows and its collection of relics, including the Sainte Voile (Holy Veil) said to have been worn by the Virgin Mary when she gave birth to Jesus, which have lured pilgrims since the Middle Ages. The nearby Centre International du Vitrail has workshops and exhibits on stained-glass art. Chartres also had a carefully preserved old city, which is adjacent to the cathedral with staircases and steep streets lined with half-timbered medieval houses leading downhill to the narrow western channel of the Eure River, romantically spanned by footbridges.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Leiden or Chartres?

Leiden has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Leiden 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 Leiden 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 Leiden or Chartres in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Leiden and Chartres. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Chartres because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Leiden is generally cooler than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Leiden average around 17°C (62°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chartres this time of the year. In Leiden, it's very sunny this time of the year. Leiden usually receives less sunshine than Chartres during summer. Leiden gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Leiden usually receives more rain than Chartres. Leiden gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Leiden or Chartres in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Leiden as well as Chartres. Additionally, the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Chartres this time of year.

Leiden is cooler than Chartres in the autumn. The daily temperature in Leiden averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Chartres fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Leiden often gets less sunshine than Chartres. Leiden gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 126 hours of full sun.

Leiden usually gets more rain in October than Chartres. Leiden gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Leiden or Chartres in the Winter?

Both Chartres and Leiden are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. 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 Leiden in the winter. In the winter, Leiden is much colder than Chartres. Typically, the winter temperatures in Leiden in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Chartres averages at about 5°C (40°F).

Leiden usually receives less sunshine than Chartres during winter. Leiden gets 46 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Leiden usually receives more rain than Chartres. Leiden gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Leiden or Chartres in the Spring?

Both Chartres and Leiden during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Chartres in the spring for the small town charm.

In April, Leiden is generally cooler than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Leiden average around 8°C (46°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Leiden often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Chartres. Leiden gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 173 hours of full sun.

Leiden usually gets more rain in April than Chartres. Leiden gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Chartres and Leiden