Which place is cheaper, Chartres or Leuven?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Leuven or Chartres?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Leuven 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.
Where Should I go: Leuven or Chartres?
Leuven
Lying just east of Brussels, Leuven is a Belgian city and capital of the Province of Flemish Brabant known for its breweries, historic architecture, and university. Because of the university, the town is at its busiest during the academic year (September through June), but there is plenty to see and do during all seasons.
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 Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best Tours for Seniors to Belgium, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeuven €178Chartres €117
The average daily cost (per person) in Leuven is €178, while the average daily cost in Chartres is €117. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Leuven and Chartres in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeuven €93Chartres €59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeuven €186Chartres €118
Compare Hotels in Leuven and Chartres
Looking for a hotel in Leuven or Chartres? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Leuven Hotel Prices and Chartres Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leuven €61Chartres €26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leuven
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Leuven:
- Brussels Shuttle Transfer <-> Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (1 to 8 PLACES) : $280
- Private transfer from Brussels Airport - Maastricht MB E-CLASS 3 PAX: $279
- Round Trip Private Transfer Brussels Airport BRU to Antwerp City by Luxury Van: $273
- Transfer Brussels Airport <-> Namur MB V Class 1-7 PAX (ONE WAY): $240
- Transfer from Brussels Airport -> Antwerp MB S-CLASS 3 PAX: $235
- Private transfer from Brussels Airport <-> Gent MB S-CLASS 3 PAX: $221
- Round Trip Private Transfer Brussels Airport BRU to Mechelen City by Luxury Van: $216
- Transfer Brussels Airport -> Antwerp MB V-CLASS 7 PAX: $201
- Private transfer from BRU Airport - Brussels GO BACK MB V-CLASS 7 PAX: $190
- Private transfer from Brussels Airport <-> Gent MB E-CLASS 3 PAX: $185
- Round Trip Private Transfer Brussels Airport BRU to Mechelen by Business Car: $177
- Transfer From Brussels Airport to Charleroi Airport: $175
Is it cheaper to fly into Leuven or Chartres?
Prices for flights to both Chartres and Leuven change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayLeuven €49Chartres €39
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Leuven
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Leuven.
- Mechelen Small-Group Walking Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $75
- Mechelen Food Tour: $82
- Vegan Walking Food Tour in Mechelen: $82
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Leuven €23Chartres €22
Tours and Activities in Leuven
Here are a few actual costs in Leuven for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Guided Small-Group Cycling Tour of Mechelen: $60
- Escape Tour - Self-Guided Citygame: $32
- Murder Crime Game Self-Guided Interactive City Tour: $74
- Self-Guided Walking Tour with Offline Access: $5.99
- Mechelen Small-Group Running Tour: $52
- Private 2 Hour Walking Tour of Mechelen : $229
- Small-Group Chocolate Tour in Mechelen: $63
- Small-Group Mechelen City Guided Walking Tour: $52
- Soothing Corners of Leuven - Romantic Tour: $288
- Special Christmas Journey in Leuven - Walking Tour: $395
Tours and Activities in Chartres
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chartres.
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeuven €25Chartres €12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leuven and Chartres, we can see that Leuven 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 Leuven would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Leuven 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 Leuven Expensive? and Is Chartres Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leuven or Chartres?
Leuven has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Leuven 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 Leuven 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 Leuven or Chartres in the Summer?
Both Chartres and Leuven during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Chartres this time of year.
Leuven is around the same temperature as Chartres in the summer. The daily temperature in Leuven averages around 18°C (65°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, Leuven often gets less sunshine than Chartres. Leuven gets 186 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun.
Leuven usually gets more rain in July than Chartres. Leuven gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLeuven 18°C (65°F)Chartres 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Chartres in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Leuven and Chartres. Also, many travelers come to Chartres for the small town atmosphere.
In the autumn, Leuven is around the same temperature as Chartres. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Leuven in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Chartres averages at about 13°C (56°F).
Leuven usually receives less sunshine than Chartres during autumn. Leuven gets 114 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Leuven usually receives more rain than Chartres. Leuven gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLeuven 12°C (54°F)Chartres 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Chartres in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Leuven as well as Chartres. Also, many visitors come to Chartres in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.
Chartres can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Leuven. In January, Leuven is generally cooler than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Leuven average around 3°C (38°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).
In the winter, Leuven often gets less sunshine than Chartres. Leuven gets 49 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 56 hours of full sun.
Leuven usually gets more rain in January than Chartres. Leuven gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLeuven 3°C (38°F)Chartres 5°C (40°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Chartres in the Spring?
Both Chartres and Leuven are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Chartres for the small town charm during these months.
Leuven is cooler than Chartres in the spring. The daily temperature in Leuven averages around 10°C (49°F) in April, and Chartres fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
Leuven usually receives less sunshine than Chartres during spring. Leuven gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 173 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Leuven usually receives more rain than Chartres. Leuven gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLeuven 10°C (49°F)Chartres 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Chartres and Leuven
| Leuven | Chartres | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (49°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (65°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 55 mm (2.1 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (40°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.