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

Should you visit Mainz 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 Mainz 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.

Mainz

Mainz is a quaint, charming, and beautiful town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Chartres

Chartres is a historic, grand, and spectacular town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Other reasons to visit include food and museums.

Mainz and Chartres: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mainz or Chartres?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Mainz. Although Mainz and Chartres are popular destinations, Mainz has more sights and attractions for tourists. Mainz is very popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Chartres attracts visitors for its small town charm. Mainz is more touristy than Chartres and is known for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares. It is also well known for The Mainz Cathedral. Chartres is famous for its beautiful cathedral and long running history.

The Mainz Cathedral

How is Mainz different from Chartres?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the nice sights and museums in either Mainz or Chartres.

Mainz is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's an old university town with a number of historical sights. Check out the Church of St. Stephan, Mainz Cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum, and the Museum of Ancient Seafaring.

Chartres offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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 Mainz or Chartres? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Mainz 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.

Mainz has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes that serve local food. There are also wine taverns where you can sample the local wines and dine of regional specialties.

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 Mainz or Chartres Better for Nightlife?

Mainz is mediocre for nightlife and partying. However, Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Mainz It's a sleepy little town, so even locals often head to bigger cities for better nightlife.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Mainz or Chartres Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Mainz. Filled with beautiful squares and cobblestone streets, this is a nice old town in a pleasant city.

Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Mainz or Chartres?

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Mainz. Head to the boulevard of Am Brand near the cathedral for some of the town's best shopping. There are shops that line the street and it's a nice area to walk around.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Mainz or Chartres Better for Families?

Neither Mainz nor Chartres are considered to be the most family-friendly destination.

Mainz is not always a place people visit with their families. Kids will enjoy the Gutenburg Museum and the outdoor spaces where they can run around. There's also a nice old town that everyone will have fun exploring.

Chartres doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. 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 Mainz or Chartres Better for Couples?

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

Mainz is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Located on the Rhine River, this scenic setting is popular for river cruises. The town is nice to explore on its own, or you can hop around and take in several of the German river towns. You can also sit at outdoor cafes and sip local wine.

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

Mainz and Chartres are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Mainz is a good town to visit for backpackers. The town is popular with river cruises but you'll also find a hostel or two where budget travelers can save some money and 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 Mainz or Chartres Better for Students?

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

Mainz is a very popular town for students and younger travelers. It's a university town with a pleasant atmosphere and a beautiful setting.

Chartres is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find excellent public transit in both Mainz and Chartres.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Mainz. There are regional trains that make it easy to use Mainz as a base to explore the area, or you could visit Mainz as a day trip from another nearby town.

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.

Is Mainz or Chartres a more walkable city?

Mainz is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its ease of walking around.

Mainz is a very easy town to get around on foot. The town is easily explored on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Chartres or Mainz?

How long in Mainz or Chartres?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Mainz or Chartres to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Mainz than Chartres because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Mainz, and 1-2 days is enough time in Chartres.

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

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

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

One day in Mainz or Chartres?

The beautiful town of Mainz offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Chartres, many people enjoy the food and museums that this historic destination offers. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Mainz or Chartres?

Mainz 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. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Mainz, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chartres. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Mainz or Chartres?

Mainz 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 fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the destination of Chartres. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Mainz or Chartres?

Mainz 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 town offers something for everyone.

You'll find museums and food around the spectacular destination of Chartres. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Germany, 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 Mainz and Chartres, we can see that Mainz 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 Mainz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mainz 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 Mainz Expensive? and Is Chartres Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Mainz or Chartres?

Mainz has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Mainz 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 Mainz 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 Mainz or Chartres in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mainz and Chartres. Many travelers come to Mainz for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Chartres in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Mainz is around the same temperature as Chartres. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mainz in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Chartres averages at about 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chartres this time of the year. In Mainz, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mainz usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Chartres during summer. Mainz gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Mainz usually receives more rain than Chartres. Mainz gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Mainz or Chartres in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Mainz as well as Chartres. Many visitors come to Mainz in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Chartres for the small town atmosphere during these months.

In October, Mainz is generally cooler than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Mainz average around 11°C (51°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Mainz often gets less sunshine than Chartres. Mainz gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 126 hours of full sun.

Mainz usually gets more rain in October than Chartres. Mainz gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mainz or Chartres in the Winter?

Both Chartres and Mainz are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Mainz 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. Mainz can be very cold during winter. Mainz is much colder than Chartres in the winter. The daily temperature in Mainz averages around 2°C (35°F) in January, and Chartres fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Mainz usually receives less sunshine than Chartres during winter. Mainz gets 41 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Mainz usually receives less rain than Chartres. Mainz gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Mainz or Chartres in the Spring?

Both Chartres and Mainz during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Mainz because of the natural beauty. Furthermore, the small town charm are the main draw to Chartres this time of year.

In the spring, Mainz is around the same temperature as Chartres. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mainz in April average around 11°C (51°F), and Chartres averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Mainz often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Chartres. Mainz gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 173 hours of full sun.

Mainz usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Chartres. Mainz 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 Mainz