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

Should you visit Delft 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 Delft 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.

Delft

Delft is a historic, quaint, and charming town. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food. See Delft travel costs.

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. See Chartres travel costs.

Delft and Chartres: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Delft or Chartres?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Delft. Although Delft and Chartres are popular destinations, Delft has more sights and attractions for tourists. Delft is very popular for its historical sights and shopping, while Chartres attracts visitors for its small town charm. Delft is famous for its charming canals, cobblestone streets, and blue and white ceramic pottery. It is also well known for the New Church (Nieuwe Kerk). Chartres is famous for its beautiful cathedral and long running history.

How is Delft different from Chartres?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Delft is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several museums that highlight the culture and history of the area. The Vermeer Center offers an immersive experience into the life and work of the famous Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer, who was born in the city. The Royal Delft Factory teaches visitors about the city's iconic blue-and-white pottery. The Delft Museum of Technology and the Old Church also provide insight into the city's engineering, cultural, and religious history.

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 Delft or Chartres? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Delft and Chartres offer a number of nice restaurants to choose from.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Delft. There are several local dishes like stamppot (mashed potatoes with vegetables) or a frikandel (a Dutch snack). The town has countless casual eateries and cozy cafes where you can enjoy pastries, coffee, and Dutch pancakes (pannenkoeken). There's also a selection of international restaurants around town that serve Italian, Asian, and Middle Eastern cuisines. Local markets and street food stalls provide affordable options, such as fresh herring or delicious Dutch cheese.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Chartres. There are a number of restaurants around town so it's easy to grab lunch during a day trip.

Is Delft or Chartres Better for Nightlife?

The reasonable nightlife scene is relatively similar in Delft and Chartres.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Delft. It has a low-key and relaxed nightlife scene with a variety of cozy pubs, bars, and cafes, many of which are located along the scenic canals.

Chartres is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. There are a few bars where you can grab a drink while you're in town.

Is Delft or Chartres Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Delft. The city's old town is known for its picturesque canals, historic buildings, and cobblestone streets. The heart of the old town is centered around the Market Square, where you'll find iconic landmarks such as the New Church (Nieuwe Kerk) and the City Hall.

Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Delft or Chartres?

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Delft. The city center is home to many unique shops selling local crafts, Dutch design, and traditional Delftware pottery, making it a great place for souvenirs. You'll also find popular international brands and stores along the main shopping streets. For a more local shopping experience, visit the weekly market in the Market Square, where you can buy fresh produce, flowers, and regional goods.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Delft or Chartres Better for Families?

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

Delft offers lots of family activities. There are boat tours on the canals. There's also the Vermeer Center which has an interactive experience where you can learn about the famous artist, Johannes Vermeer, in a way that's engaging and educational. The Royal Delft Factory is another great stop, where children can see traditional blue-and-white pottery being made and even try painting their own ceramics. If your kids need to stretch their legs, there's the Delftse Hout park which has a large playground, nature trails, and even a petting zoo.

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 Delft or Chartres Better for Couples?

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

Delft is a nice destination for couples. There are many romantic activities for couples like walking through the picturesque canals and cobblestone streets. There are also quaint cafes and romantic restaurants. You can also take a boat ride along the canals or enjoy a peaceful walk through Delftse Hout park.

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 Delft or Chartres Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chartres is a town with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Delft is lacking in good options for backpackers.

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.

Delft is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are some affordable accommodation options, but many backpackers head to Delft as a day trip from the nearby city of The Hague.

Is Delft or Chartres Better for Students?

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

Delft is a very popular town for students and younger travelers. It is home to Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), which is a well respected technical university. The city has a vibrant student atmosphere, with plenty of student-friendly cafes, bars, and activities.

Chartres is not popular with students.

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

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

Public transit in Delft is fairly effecient and thorough. There's a bus network that is reliable and convenient. The city's train station is centrally located and offers direct connections to major cities in the Netherlands, making it a great hub for exploring the region.

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 Delft or Chartres a more walkable city?

Delft 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.

Delft is a very easy town to get around on foot. The town's compact size and charming layout mean that most of the main attractions, such as the Old Church, New Church, and Market Square, are within walking distance of each other.

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 Delft Worth Visiting? and Is Chartres Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Chartres or Delft?

How long in Delft or Chartres?

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

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

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

One day in Delft or Chartres?

The town of Delft 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, many people enjoy the food and museums that this grand 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 Delft or Chartres?

Delft is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. A weekend 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. 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 Delft or Chartres?

Delft 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 Delft or Chartres?

Delft 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 historic 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Netherlands, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Netherlands, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Delft and Chartres, we can see that Delft is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Delft Expensive? and Is Chartres Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Delft or Chartres?

Delft has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Delft 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 Delft 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 Delft or Chartres in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Delft and Chartres. Many travelers come to Delft 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, Delft is cooler than Chartres. Typically, the summer temperatures in Delft 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 Delft, it's very sunny this time of the year. Delft usually receives less sunshine than Chartres during summer. Delft gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun in the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Delft as well as Chartres. Many visitors come to Delft in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Chartres for the small town atmosphere during these months.

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

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

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

Both Chartres and Delft are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Delft 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. Delft can be very cold during winter. Delft is much colder than Chartres in the winter. The daily temperature in Delft averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Chartres fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

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

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

Both Chartres and Delft during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the small town charm are the main draw to Chartres this time of year.

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

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

Delft usually gets more rain in April than Chartres. Delft 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 Delft