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

Should you visit Lucerne or Chartres?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Lucerne and Chartres. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Lucerne

Lucerne is a scenic, active, and cultural city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Chartres

Chartres is a spectacular, historic, and grand town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the food and museums.

Lucerne and Chartres: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lucerne or Chartres?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lucerne. Although Lucerne and Chartres are both popular with visitors, Lucerne has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Lucerne is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Chartres is known for its small town charm. Lucerne is more touristy than Chartres and is known for it's wooden bridge, its waterfront setting, and the many nearby alpine day trips. It is also home to The Chapel Bridge. Chartres is popular for its beautiful cathedral and long running history.

The Chapel Bridge

How is Lucerne different from Chartres?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Lucerne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Top sights in town include the famous Chapel Bridge, the Lion Monument and the town walls and towers. There are also a number of museums including the Swiss Transport Museum and Museum Sammlung Rosengart.

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 Lucerne or Chartres? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Lucerne and Chartres offer good local cuisine and restaurants.

Lucerne is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Food is expensive around town, but there are some unique specialties like fondue, brätwurst, and of course, chocolate. It's nice to sit out by the river and enjoy a hearty meal while you soak up the view.

Chartres offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are a number of restaurants around town so it's easy to grab lunch during a day trip.

Is Lucerne or Chartres Better for Nightlife?

Lucerne is great for nightlife and partying. However, Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Many people head to Lucerne for the nightlife scene. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland, with many lively clubs, bars, and pubs. There are also many local events that are hosted in town and bring in a crowd.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Lucerne or Chartres Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Lucerne. Sitting on the water's edge, this old town has a number of historic buildings and the beautiful Chapel Bridge.

Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Lucerne or Chartres?

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

Lucerne is well-known for its shopping. The city is filled with high end shopping opportunities with everything from boutique shops to major chains. Popular items to purchase in town include chocolate, watches, jewelry, and Swiss army knives.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Lucerne or Chartres Better for Families?

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

Lucerne offers lots of family activities. The city is filled with history and there are a number of playgrounds around town. Also make sure you pop in a chocolate shop so that everyone can enjoy a sweet treat. If the weather's warm, you can also take a swim in Lake Lucerne. Many kids enjoy escaping the city and doing a day trip to the amazing Mt. Titlis, or other peaks that are nearby.

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 Lucerne or Chartres Better for Couples?

Lucerne is great for its romantic activities. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for couples.

Lucerne is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The city has many pleasant squares, excellent restaurants, and a romantic atmosphere that makes for a great couple's getaway. There are a number of nice hotels to choose from as well.

Chartres is a good city 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 Lucerne or Chartres Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chartres is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Lucerne is not a good destination for 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.

Lucerne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Prices are high everywhere in the area but there are a few hostels that attract backpackers. It's also possible to find free activities like swimming in the lake or simply wandering around town. Prices at restaurants are very high, so you'll do best to pick up food at supermarkets and prepare your own meals. Because it's a larger city, there are options that you might not find in smaller towns around Switzerland.

Is Lucerne 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. Also, Lucerne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Chartres. 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.

Lucerne has a few public transit options. There's a comprehensive system of buses around town.

Is Lucerne or Chartres a more walkable city?

Chartres is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Lucerne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

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

Lucerne is somewhat walkable. The major tourist areas are fairly walkable if your hotel is in a convenient location.

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

Should I spend more time in Chartres or Lucerne?

How long in Lucerne or Chartres?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Lucerne or Chartres to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Lucerne than Chartres because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Lucerne, and 1-2 days is enough time in Chartres.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chartres than Lucerne 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 Chartres.

One day in Lucerne or Chartres?

The beautiful city of Lucerne offers 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 Lucerne or Chartres?

Lucerne 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. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Lucerne, 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 Lucerne or Chartres?

Lucerne 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 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 Lucerne or Chartres?

Lucerne is a great place to explore. 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 city 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Switzerland, The Best 2-Week Tours in 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 Lucerne and Chartres, we can see that Lucerne 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 Lucerne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lucerne 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 Lucerne Expensive? and Is Chartres Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lucerne or Chartres?

Lucerne has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Lucerne 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 Lucerne 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 Lucerne or Chartres in the Summer?

Both Chartres and Lucerne are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lucerne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Chartres for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Lucerne is generally around the same temperature as Chartres. Daily temperatures in Lucerne average around 21°C (70°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Chartres. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lucerne. Lucerne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Chartres during summer. Lucerne gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Chartres. Lucerne 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 Lucerne or Chartres in the Autumn?

Both Chartres and Lucerne during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Lucerne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Chartres in the autumn for the small town atmosphere.

Lucerne is around the same temperature as Chartres in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lucerne averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Chartres fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

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

Lucerne usually gets more rain in October than Chartres. Lucerne 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 Lucerne or Chartres in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Lucerne and Chartres. Many visitors come to Lucerne in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Chartres for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Chartres can be very cold during winter. Lucerne can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Lucerne is much colder than Chartres. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lucerne in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Chartres averages at about 5°C (40°F).

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

In January, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Chartres. Lucerne 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 Lucerne or Chartres in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Lucerne as well as Chartres. Most visitors come to Lucerne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Chartres because of the small town charm.

In April, Lucerne is generally around the same temperature as Chartres. Daily temperatures in Lucerne average around 12°C (53°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

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

Lucerne usually gets more rain in April than Chartres. Lucerne 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 Lucerne