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

Should you visit Utrecht or Chartres?

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

Should I visit Utrecht 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.

Utrecht

The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Chartres

Chartres is a historic, grand, and spectacular town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for food and museums.

Utrecht and Chartres: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Utrecht or Chartres?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Utrecht. Although Utrecht and Chartres are popular destinations, Utrecht has more sights and attractions for tourists. Utrecht is very popular for its nightlife, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Chartres attracts visitors for its small town charm. Utrecht is more touristy than Chartres and is popular for its beautiful canals, huge number of bikes, and charming old town. It is also well known for the Dom Tower. Chartres is famous for its beautiful cathedral and long running history.

How is Utrecht different from Chartres?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Utrecht is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The Dom Tower and St. Martin's Cathedral is a highlight of the city, but you'll also find smaller, more local museums and several beautiful churches. If you're up for heading out of town, you can visit De Haar Castle, which is most accessible if you have a private vehicle.

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 Utrecht or Chartres? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Utrecht and Chartres both to be nice destinations.

Utrecht offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are a number of interesting international restaurants around town including Greek, Italian, and Spanish tapas. It's particularly fun to dine canal-side and sip wine as the boats pass by.

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 Utrecht or Chartres Better for Nightlife?

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

Many people head to Utrecht for the nightlife scene. The student population keeps the nightlife scene fun and lively. There are plenty of bars in the old town and you'll find tourists and locals hanging out at the same spots.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Utrecht or Chartres Better for its Old Town?

Utrecht is a must-visit destination for its old town. However, Chartres does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Utrecht can be explored in its historical center. The old town is large, charming, and filled with locals. There are canals that that see a frequent stream of boats and kayakers. There are also historic buildings and cobblestone streets. The city is unique because many cafes offer seating directly next to the canals.

Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Utrecht or Chartres?

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

Utrecht is well-known for its shopping. You'll find both local shops and European chains throughout the old town. There's also a large mall right next to the main tourist area.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Utrecht or Chartres Better for Families?

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

Utrecht offers lots of family activities. There are a few museums around town that are fun for kids. Make sure you check out the Miffy Museum, which is great for younger kids. The Museum Speelklok is fun for kids and adults alike. Families will also enjoy renting bikes for the day or taking a canal boat tour. Also make sure you try some local pancakes.

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 Utrecht or Chartres Better for Couples?

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

Utrecht is a great if you're traveling as a couple. The charming old town and cozy cafes make for a wonderful date day. You can take a canal boat tour, sip coffee at a cafe by a canal, or explore the city as it lights up at night.

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

Utrecht is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Utrecht. It's a university city with a young population and plenty to do in the evening. There are also a decent number of hostels to choose from and a lively atmosphere with fun activities and festivals.

Chartres is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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 Utrecht or Chartres Better for Students?

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

Utrecht is a very popular for students and younger travelers. This is a great university city. The population is young, but housing can be challenging to find and very expensive.

Chartres is not popular with students.

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

Both Utrecht and Chartres offer high quality public transit options.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Utrecht. There are buses around town and two tram lines that travel to the suburbs.

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 Utrecht or Chartres a more walkable city?

Utrecht 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.

Utrecht is a very easy to get around on foot. The old town is easy to explore on foot, but don't walk in a bike lane or you'll likely receive a firm scolding from a local. Utrecht is regularly ranked as one of the world's most bike-friendly cities.

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 Utrecht Worth Visiting? and Is Chartres Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Chartres or Utrecht?

How long in Utrecht or Chartres?

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

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

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

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

One day in Utrecht or Chartres?

The beautiful of Utrecht 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 Utrecht or Chartres?

Utrecht is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this 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 Utrecht, 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 Utrecht or Chartres?

Utrecht 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 Utrecht or Chartres?

Utrecht 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 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Netherlands, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours 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 Utrecht and Chartres, we can see that Utrecht 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 Utrecht would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Utrecht 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 Utrecht Expensive? and Is Chartres Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Utrecht or Chartres?

Utrecht has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Utrecht 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 Utrecht 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 Utrecht or Chartres in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Utrecht as well as Chartres. The summer months attract visitors to Utrecht because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Chartres this time of year.

In the summer, Utrecht is cooler than Chartres. Typically, the summer temperatures in Utrecht in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Chartres averages at about 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chartres. In the summer, Utrecht often gets less sunshine than Chartres. Utrecht gets 194 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun.

Utrecht usually gets more rain in July than Chartres. Utrecht gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Utrecht or Chartres in the Autumn?

Both Chartres and Utrecht are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Utrecht this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Chartres for the small town atmosphere.

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

Utrecht usually receives less sunshine than Chartres during autumn. Utrecht gets 100 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Utrecht usually receives more rain than Chartres. Utrecht gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Utrecht or Chartres in the Winter?

Both Chartres and Utrecht during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Utrecht for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, 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 Utrecht. Utrecht is much colder than Chartres in the winter. The daily temperature in Utrecht averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Chartres fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Utrecht often gets less sunshine than Chartres. Utrecht gets 38 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 56 hours of full sun.

Utrecht usually gets more rain in January than Chartres. Utrecht gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Utrecht or Chartres in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Utrecht and Chartres. Many visitors come to Utrecht in the spring for the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Chartres for the small town charm during these months.

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

Utrecht usually receives less sunshine than Chartres during spring. Utrecht gets 156 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 173 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Utrecht usually receives more rain than Chartres. Utrecht gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Chartres and Utrecht