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

Should you visit Nottingham 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 Nottingham 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.

Nottingham

Nottingham is a authentic, dynamic, and livable city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Chartres

Chartres is a historic, grand, and spectacular town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It's also known for food and museums.

Nottingham and Chartres: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nottingham or Chartres?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nottingham. Although Nottingham and Chartres are popular destinations, Nottingham has more sights and attractions for tourists. Nottingham is very popular for its nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Chartres attracts visitors for its small town charm. Nottingham is famous for its authenticity and local cuisine. It is also well known for Old Market Square. Chartres is famous for its beautiful cathedral and long running history.

How is Nottingham different from Chartres?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Nottingham and Chartres have nice landmarks and museums for visitors.

Nottingham is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find history and culture around town. Some of the notable landmarks include Wollaton Hall, the National Justice Museum, Nottingham Castle, and Old Market Square.

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 Nottingham or Chartres? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Nottingham and Chartres offer nice local cuisine and restaurants.

Nottingham offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find a diversity of restaurants around town that range from local fish and chips shops to international options. Pubs, cafes, and fine dining are all available in town.

Chartres has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a number of restaurants around town so it's easy to grab lunch during a day trip.

Is Nottingham or Chartres Better for Nightlife?

Nottingham 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 Nottingham has a few options to choose from. Head to the oldest pub in England, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, for a pint or check out one of the trendy clubs around town. The city is also a big sports town, so see if there are any sporting events going on while you're visiting.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Nottingham or Chartres Better for Music?

Nottingham is a popular place for its live music scene. However, Chartres is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Nottingham is active and vibrant. Many of the best music concerts in the UK make there way to Nottingham. Check out Rock City, which hosts all kinds of concerts.

Chartres is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nottingham or Chartres?

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

Nottingham is well-known for its shopping. Head to the Lace Market, which is a popular shopping area. You can also wander around the center of town on foot and head to the pedestrian streets that are often lined with independent shops or international chains.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Nottingham or Chartres Better for Families?

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

Nottingham offers lots of family activities. There are a number of parks and play areas that younger kids will enjoy. You can check out Wheelgate Park, White Post Farm, Rufford Abbey, or Sherwood Pines. Sundown Adventureland is a small theme park that's designed for younger kids under 10. If your kids are into museums, head to the Newark Air Museum.

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 Nottingham or Chartres Better for Couples?

Both Nottingham and Chartres are nice destinations for a couple's getaway.

Nottingham is a nice destination for couples. You'll find the typical date night activities around town like arcades, minigolf, and some interesting restaurants. There are also parks where you can enjoy a stroll in nature.

Chartres makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With its cathedral and rich history, many couples enjoy exploring the town. It is filled with history and interesting sights.

Is Nottingham or Chartres Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chartres is a town with good options for backpackers. However, Nottingham is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Chartres is a good town to visit for backpackers. 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.

Nottingham is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Nottingham and Chartres.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Nottingham. There are buses and trams around town that connect into the rail network. The multi-operator system is organized by the Robin Hood Network.

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 Nottingham or Chartres a more walkable city?

Nottingham and Chartres both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Nottingham is very walkable. It is trying to transform itself into a pedestrian-friendly city, and you'll find some areas that are particularly walkable. The city center is very compact and generally walkable.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Chartres or Nottingham?

How long in Nottingham or Chartres?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chartres than Nottingham 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 Nottingham or Chartres?

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

With museums and food around the grand town of Chartres, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Chartres, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Nottingham or Chartres?

Nottingham 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 Nottingham, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

With food and museums around the destination of Chartres, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Nottingham or Chartres?

Nottingham 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, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Nottingham or Chartres?

Nottingham 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 popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom, 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 Nottingham and Chartres, we can see that Nottingham 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 Nottingham would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nottingham 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 Nottingham Expensive? and Is Chartres Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nottingham or Chartres?

Nottingham has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Nottingham 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 Nottingham 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 Nottingham or Chartres in the Summer?

Both Chartres and Nottingham during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Nottingham for the city activities, the music scene, and 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, Nottingham is cooler than Chartres. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nottingham in July average around 16°C (62°F), and Chartres averages at about 20°C (68°F).

In Chartres, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Nottingham often gets less sunshine than Chartres. Nottingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun.

Nottingham usually gets less rain in July than Chartres. Nottingham gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nottingham or Chartres in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nottingham and Chartres. Many visitors come to Nottingham in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, most visitors come to Chartres for the small town atmosphere during these months.

In October, Nottingham is generally cooler than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Nottingham average around 11°C (52°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Nottingham usually receives less sunshine than Chartres during autumn. Nottingham gets 112 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Nottingham usually receives more rain than Chartres. Nottingham gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nottingham or Chartres in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nottingham as well as Chartres. Most visitors come to Nottingham 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. Nottingham can be very cold during winter. Nottingham is cooler than Chartres in the winter. The daily temperature in Nottingham averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Chartres fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Nottingham often gets more sunshine than Chartres. Nottingham gets 61 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 56 hours of full sun.

Nottingham usually gets less rain in January than Chartres. Nottingham gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nottingham or Chartres in the Spring?

Both Chartres and Nottingham are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Nottingham because of the activities around the city. Also, the small town charm are the main draw to Chartres this time of year.

In the spring, Nottingham is cooler than Chartres. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nottingham in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Chartres averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Nottingham usually receives less sunshine than Chartres during spring. Nottingham gets 151 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 173 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Nottingham usually receives around the same amount of rain as Chartres. Nottingham gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Chartres and Nottingham