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

Should you visit Ephesus or Chartres?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ephesus or Chartres, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Ephesus

Ephesus is a world-renowned, fascinating, and ancient archeological site. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food. See Ephesus travel costs.

Chartres

Chartres is a grand, spectacular, and historic town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the food and museums. See Chartres travel costs.

Ephesus and Chartres: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ephesus or Chartres?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Ephesus than Chartres, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Ephesus is better known for its museums and attractions and shopping, while Chartres is more popular for its small town charm. Ephesus is more touristy than Chartres and is known for its well-preserved ruins and vast size Also, Ephesus is famous for the Library of Celsus. Chartres is well known for its beautiful cathedral and long running history.

How is Ephesus different from Chartres?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Ephesus is a must-visit destination for its historical sights. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Ephesus are world-renowned. Of course, the iconic site is the ruins of Ephesus. There are also several fascinating museums in the area that offer deeper insights into the region's rich history and culture. The Ephesus Archaeological Museum in Selçuk is popular. It has an impressive collection of artifacts excavated from the ancient city, including statues, pottery, and inscriptions. Just outside the museum, the Temple of Artemis section displays remnants of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Selçuk Museum of Ephesus is another excellent spot to explore, with exhibits that highlight both the daily life of ancient Ephesians and their religious practices. A short drive from Ephesus is the House of the Virgin Mary museum, a revered site believed to be the final home of Mary, mother of Jesus, with a chapel and peaceful surroundings. Lastly, the İsa Bey Mosque and Museum in Selçuk adds to the area's historical depth, offering a glimpse into the Seljuk architecture and Islamic heritage of the region.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Chartres. 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 Ephesus or Chartres? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at notable restaurants in both Ephesus and Chartres.

Ephesus has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Most of the food options are found in the nearby town of Selçuk. Popular dishes include kebabs, mezes, and pide (Turkish flatbread pizza). Many restaurants are casual and cater specifically to the tourist crowds.

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 Ephesus or Chartres Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find respectable options in both Ephesus and Chartres.

Ephesus doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The there are a couple of bars and restaurants with live music in the town of Selçuk, but generally the nightlife is very low key.

Most people don't head to Chartres specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There are a few bars where you can grab a drink while you're in town.

Is the Shopping Better in Ephesus or Chartres?

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Ephesus. Selçuk has a variety of local shops and markets. Traditional handicrafts such as carpet and kilim weaving, ceramics, and leather goods are popular souvenirs. The Selçuk Market is held on Saturdays and offers fresh produce, spices, and other local products.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Ephesus or Chartres Better for Families?

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

Ephesus offers lots of family activities. Kids who are into history or archeology will enjoy a visit to the famed ruins of Ephesus. There's also the Ephesus Archaeological Museum where everyone can learn about ancient Greek and Roman cultures in an interactive setting. The nearby House of the Virgin Mary offers a peaceful stop where kids can learn about its historical and religious significance in a tranquil environment. For an active experience, families can enjoy a short hike to Pamucak Beach, where children can swim, build sandcastles, and enjoy the Mediterranean sun.

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 Ephesus or Chartres Better for Couples?

Ephesus and Chartres are both notable to visit as a couple.

Ephesus makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Many couples stop off at these ruins as part of a bigger tour of Turkey. The ruins are well preserved and impressive, but can get crowded if you visit during the peak times.

Chartres is a good archeological site 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 Ephesus or Chartres Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Ephesus and Chartres are notable places to visit.

It's common for backpackers to visit Ephesus. Many backpackers stay in the nearby town of Selçuk, which has several hostels. This is also where you'll find a number of restaurants and shopping opportunities.

Chartres is a good archeological site 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.

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

Ephesus and Chartres both offer very good public transit to get you around.

Ephesus has some very good public transit options. The town of Selçuk is well-connected by dolmuşes (shared minivans) that run frequently and offer affordable rides to nearby destinations, including Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary, and the Pamucak Beach area.

The public transit in Chartres can get you to most 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 Ephesus or Chartres a more walkable city?

Chartres is a great town for its high level of walkability. Also, Ephesus is not as popular, but is still a nice archeological site for its ease of walking around.

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

Ephesus is a somewhat walkable archeological site. The ruins are spread out over a large area, but most of the key sites, like the Library of Celsus and the Great Theater, are within walking distance of each other. From Selçuk, it's about a half hour walk to the entrance of the Ephesus ruins, but most visitors prefer to take a short taxi or dolmuş ride to the site. Within Selçuk, many of the sites can be reached on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Chartres or Ephesus?

How long in Ephesus or Chartres?

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

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

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

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

One day in Ephesus or Chartres?

The archeological site of Ephesus offers food and shopping. 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 Ephesus or Chartres?

Ephesus is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this archeological site makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Ephesus, 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 Ephesus or Chartres?

Ephesus is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. 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 Ephesus or Chartres?

Ephesus is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This archeological site 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 Cultural Tours in Turkey, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey, 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 Ephesus and Chartres, we can see that Chartres is more expensive. And not only is Ephesus much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ephesus would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ephesus 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 Chartres would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chartres than you might in Ephesus.

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

Which is Bigger, Ephesus or Chartres?

Ephesus has a larger population, and is about 44% larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Ephesus 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 Ephesus 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 Ephesus or Chartres in the Summer?

Both Chartres and Ephesus are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Ephesus in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Chartres for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Ephesus is a little warmer than Chartres in the summer. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Chartres fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Chartres. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ephesus. Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Chartres during summer. Ephesus gets 378 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Chartres. Ephesus gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ephesus or Chartres in the Autumn?

Both Chartres and Ephesus during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Ephesus for the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Chartres because of the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Ephesus is a little warmer than Chartres. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ephesus in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Chartres averages at about 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Ephesus. In the autumn, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Chartres. Ephesus gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 126 hours of full sun.

Ephesus usually gets less rain in October than Chartres. Ephesus gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ephesus or Chartres in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ephesus and Chartres. The winter months attract visitors to Ephesus because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Chartres this time of year.

It's quite cold in Chartres in the winter. In January, Ephesus is generally much warmer than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 10°C (50°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Chartres during winter. Ephesus gets 131 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

Ephesus gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Ephesus usually receives more rain than Chartres. Ephesus gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ephesus or Chartres in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Ephesus as well as Chartres. Additionally, many travelers come to Chartres for the small town charm.

Ephesus is a little warmer than Chartres in the spring. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Chartres fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ephesus this time of the year. In the spring, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Chartres. Ephesus gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 173 hours of full sun.

Ephesus usually gets less rain in April than Chartres. Ephesus gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Chartres and Ephesus