A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chartres vs. Vitoria-Gasteiz for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Chartres or Vitoria-Gasteiz?

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

Should I visit Chartres or Vitoria-Gasteiz? 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.

Where Should I go: Chartres or Vitoria-Gasteiz?

Chartres

Chartres is a city in north-central France southwest of Paris. It is famed for its massive Cathedrale Notre-Dame. The well-preserved Gothic cathedral, completed in 1220, features 2 towering spires, Romanesque sculptures and elaborate rose windows. The cathedral is unique in that it has two very different steeples – one Gothic, the other Romanesque. Follow them to check out the cathedral's dazzling blue stained-glass windows and its collection of relics, including the Sainte Voile (Holy Veil) said to have been worn by the Virgin Mary when she gave birth to Jesus, which have lured pilgrims since the Middle Ages. The nearby Centre International du Vitrail has workshops and exhibits on stained-glass art. Chartres also had a carefully preserved old city, which is adjacent to the cathedral with staircases and steep streets lined with half-timbered medieval houses leading downhill to the narrow western channel of the Eure River, romantically spanned by footbridges.

Vitoria-Gasteiz

In the midst of a vast, starry night, medieval cathedrals and ancient buildings are scattered with light across the humming city. This is none other than Vitoria-Gasteiz, a town located in the province of Araba/Alava in northern Spain. Within its border, this city contains Basque Country's House of Parliament, the headquarters of the Government, and the Lehendakari's (Prime Minister's) official residence. In 2012, Vitoria-Gasteiz was awarded the title of European Green Capital and now is one of the top five places to live in Spain. This multicultural city is chock full of amazing national history as well as unique cultural traditions. Vitoria-Gasteiz is also well known for its festivals, including Azkena rock festival, FesTVal, Vitoria-Gasteiz jazz festival, and the Virgen Blanca Festivities. Whether you seek to explore its world-renowned wineries or dine in a chic restaurant, Vitoria-Gasteiz holds an endless amount of possibilities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France, The Best 2-Week Tours from Barcelona, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chartres and Vitoria-Gasteiz, we can see that Vitoria-Gasteiz 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 Vitoria-Gasteiz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vitoria-Gasteiz 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 Chartres Expensive? and Is Vitoria-Gasteiz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chartres or Vitoria-Gasteiz?

Vitoria-Gasteiz has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Chartres and Vitoria-Gasteiz, 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 Chartres or Vitoria-Gasteiz?

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 Chartres or Vitoria-Gasteiz in the Summer?

Both Vitoria-Gasteiz and Chartres are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Chartres for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chartres. Chartres usually receives more sunshine than Vitoria-Gasteiz during summer. Chartres gets 239 hours of sunny skies, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 188 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Chartres usually receives more rain than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Chartres or Vitoria-Gasteiz in the Autumn?

Both Vitoria-Gasteiz and Chartres during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Chartres in the autumn for the small town atmosphere.

Chartres is cooler than Vitoria-Gasteiz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chartres averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Vitoria-Gasteiz fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Chartres often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vitoria-Gasteiz. Chartres gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 125 hours of full sun.

Vitoria-Gasteiz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Chartres usually gets less rain in October than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Chartres gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chartres or Vitoria-Gasteiz in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Chartres and Vitoria-Gasteiz. Most visitors come to Chartres for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Chartres can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Chartres is much colder than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chartres in January average around 5°C (40°F), and Vitoria-Gasteiz averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Chartres usually receives less sunshine than Vitoria-Gasteiz during winter. Chartres gets 56 hours of sunny skies, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 77 hours of full sun in the winter.

Vitoria-Gasteiz receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Chartres usually receives less rain than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Chartres or Vitoria-Gasteiz in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Chartres as well as Vitoria-Gasteiz. The spring months attract visitors to Chartres because of the small town charm.

In April, Chartres is generally around the same temperature as Vitoria-Gasteiz. Daily temperatures in Chartres average around 11°C (52°F), and Vitoria-Gasteiz fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Chartres often gets more sunshine than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Chartres gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 117 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Vitoria-Gasteiz. Chartres usually gets less rain in April than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Chartres gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Vitoria-Gasteiz and Chartres