A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers The Hague vs. Chartres for Food, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

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

The Hague

The Hague is a diverse, global, and international city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and live music.

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.

The Hague and Chartres: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in The Hague or Chartres?

Travelers will usually find more to do in The Hague. Although The Hague and Chartres are popular destinations, The Hague has more sights and attractions for tourists. The Hague is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Chartres attracts visitors for its museums and small town charm. Chartres is more touristy than The Hague and is known for its beautiful cathedral and long running history. The Hague is famous for its large international population and its roll in international politics and diplomacy. It is also well known for The Peace Palace.

How is The Hague different from Chartres?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in The Hague or Chartres?

Chartres is very good for its museums and history. However, The Hague does not have museums and landmarks.

Chartres is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

The Hague does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in The Hague or Chartres? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

The Hague 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.

The Hague has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city has a diverse population and the large number of ethnic restaurants reflects that.

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 The Hague or Chartres Better for Nightlife?

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

Many people head to The Hague for the nightlife scene. Many of the city's restaurants turn into clubs at night. Head to The Grote Markt for some of the most energetic nightlife.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is The Hague or Chartres Better for Music?

The Hague is great for its live music scene. However, Chartres is not a live music destination.

The music scene in The Hague draws a good crowd. There's an active music scene here and the city actually played an active role in the development and popularity of electronic music.

Chartres is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in The Hague or Chartres?

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

The Hague is well-known for its shopping. There's a dynamic shopping scene with indoor malls, outdoor markets, and a number of neighborhoods that have shops that sell eclectic items.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is The Hague or Chartres Better for Families?

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

The Hague offers lots of family activities. This city has a bit more of a family-friendly vibe than nearby Amsterdam. Kids enjoy exploring by bike or heading to the Scheveningen Beach Resort.

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 The Hague or Chartres Better for Couples?

Both The Hague and Chartres are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

The Hague is a nice destination for couples. Couples can enjoy the diverse restaurants and the busting atmosphere that the city offers.

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 The Hague or Chartres Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

The Hague and Chartres are both nice destinations for backpackers.

The Hague is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. While most backpackers head to the more popular city of Amsterdam, The Hague has a fun atmosphere with a diversity of activities and restaurants.

It's common for backpackers to 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 The Hague or Chartres Better for Students?

The Hague is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not popular with students.

Many students frequent The Hague. This is a very popular study abroad destination so you'll find plenty of international students living here. It's an internationally oriented city so everyone feels right at home.

Chartres is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find great public transit in both The Hague and Chartres.

Public transit in The Hague is fairly effecient and thorough. There are bus and tram lines throughout the city.

Chartres has some very good public transit options. 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 The Hague or Chartres a more walkable city?

Chartres is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, The Hague is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

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

The Hague is a somewhat walkable place. There are a number of walk tours through the city center.

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

Should I spend more time in Chartres or The Hague?

How long in The Hague or Chartres?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in The Hague or Chartres to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in The Hague 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 The Hague, and 1-2 days is enough time in Chartres.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in The Hague 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 The Hague.

One day in The Hague or Chartres?

The Hague is a big city with plenty to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find food and museums around the town of Chartres. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Chartres has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in The Hague or Chartres?

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

You'll find museums and food around the historic destination of Chartres. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in The Hague or Chartres?

The Hague 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the historic town of Chartres. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in The Hague or Chartres?

The Hague 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 choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Netherlands, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Netherlands, 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 The Hague and Chartres, we can see that The Hague 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 The Hague would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in The Hague 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 The Hague Expensive? and Is Chartres Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, The Hague or Chartres?

The Hague has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of The Hague 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 The Hague 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 The Hague or Chartres in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both The Hague and Chartres. Most visitors come to The Hague for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Chartres because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, The Hague is cooler than Chartres. Typically, the summer temperatures in The Hague in July average around 17°C (62°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 The Hague, it's very sunny this time of the year. The Hague usually receives less sunshine than Chartres during summer. The Hague gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun in the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to The Hague as well as Chartres. The autumn months attract visitors to The Hague because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Additionally, the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Chartres this time of year.

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

In the autumn, The Hague often gets less sunshine than Chartres. The Hague gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 126 hours of full sun.

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

Both Chartres and The Hague are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to The Hague this time of year. 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 The Hague in the winter. The Hague is much colder than Chartres in the winter. The daily temperature in The Hague averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Chartres fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

The Hague usually receives less sunshine than Chartres during winter. The Hague gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

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

Both Chartres and The Hague during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to The Hague for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Chartres in the spring for the small town charm.

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

In the spring, The Hague often gets less sunshine than Chartres. The Hague gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 173 hours of full sun.

The Hague usually gets more rain in April than Chartres. The Hague 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 The Hague