A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Arusha vs. Tartu for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Arusha or Tartu?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Arusha and Tartu 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.

Where Should I go: Arusha or Tartu?

Arusha

Arusha is a city in East Africa's Tanzania, located at the base of volcanic Mt. Meru. It’s a gateway to safari destinations and to Africa’s highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, lying some 100 kilometers northeast. To the west lies Serengeti National Park, home to wildlife including lions, rhinoceros, giraffes and leopards. Annual migrations feature huge herds of wildebeests crossing its plains. Arusha is Tanzania’s gateway to the northern circuit of stellar national parks and the starting point of many a memorable safari. It’s also a large, sprawling city which offers a nice break from the rigors of life on the African road – it has excellent places to stay and eat and, for the most part, it’s lush and green and enjoys a temperate climate throughout the year. Arusha is a great destination, and you're sure to enjoy your time here, no matter what your interests are.

Tartu

Tartu is a university town that is also the second largest city in Estonia. It has a population of about 100,000 and dates back to 1030, making it the oldest city in the country. The Emajogi River passes through town and it has a lovely old town that's pleasant to explore. The city is a great place to see day to day life in Estonia. It is a very real town with people going about their daily lives. If you find yourself here when the weather is nice, you'll be greeted by crowds of happy locals out enjoying the weather. They make full use of the warm, sunny weather with festivals, events, and concerts during the summer. This is easily the most fun and eventful time to visit the city.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Tanzania, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Estonia, and The Best Budget Tours to Estonia.


Which place is cheaper, Tartu or Arusha?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Arusha is $189, while the average daily cost in Tartu is $154. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Arusha and Tartu in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Arusha $126
    Tartu $55
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Arusha $252
    Tartu $110
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Tartu

Looking for a hotel in Arusha or Tartu? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Arusha


Hotels in Tartu


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Arusha Hotel Prices and Tartu Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Arusha $13
    Tartu $32

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha

Also for Arusha, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Arusha to Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO): $294
  • Moshi - Arusha Transfer: $130
  • Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha City Private Transfer: $120
  • Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha City Center Transfer: $60
  • Kilimanjaro/Arusha Airport Transfers with Private Day Tours: $60
  • Kilimanjaro Airport and Arusha Private Transfer: $59
  • Arusha Airport & Hotel Transfers: $40
  • Arusha Airport and Hotel Transfer: $35

Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Tartu?

Prices for flights to both Tartu and Arusha change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Arusha $40
    Tartu $75
Typical Food Prices in Arusha

For Arusha, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • A Quick Lunch (for 2)
    $2.09

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arusha

For Arusha, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • NGO Lifted Strong - Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class: $50
  • Local Tanzanian Food Cooking Class by Kingstone Asilia (Arusha): $55
  • Homestay + Cooking + Animal Care + Fruit Harvesting + Much More: $197

Typical Food Prices in Tartu

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tartu:


  • Danishes
    $0.88
  • Lunch for Two
    $5.73
  • Ice Cream
    $1.48
  • Cookies
    $0.59
  • Coffee & Cake
    $4.04

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Arusha $44
    Tartu $19

Tours and Activities in Arusha

For Arusha, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 1 Day trip to Materuni Waterfalls & Coffee Tour: $127
  • 1 day trip Materuni Waterfall, Village & Coffee Walking Tour: $127
  • 1-Day Materuni Waterfalls, Coffee Tour and Chemka Hot Spring: $100
  • 1-Day Trip Tarangire N.P Small group Tour Tanzania sharing Safari: $270
  • 8-Hour Lake Chala Guided Tour from Moshi or Arusha: $260
  • A Day at Materuni Waterfalls and Coffee Tour in Mt Kilimanjaro: $160
  • Amazing Lake Duluti Day Trip Experience: $70
  • Arusha African Shopping Tour: $100
  • Arusha Bike Town Tour Experience: $55
  • Arusha City Culture and Historical Walking Tour: $40
  • Arusha City town tour: $101
  • Arusha Full Day Tour to Waterfall and Coffee Tour: $140

Typical Entertainment Prices in Tartu

For Tartu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Art Museum ticket
    $1.11
  • Movie Ticket
    $4.04

Tours and Activities in Tartu

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tartu.

  • Around Viljandi bike tour: $29
  • Charming Viljandi Private Walking Tour for Couples: $256
  • Dazzling Tartu City Cultural Private Walking Tour: $751
  • Magical Tartu Romantic Private Walking Tour: $751
  • Private Horse-Drawn Sleigh Adventures: $211
  • TARTU COUNTRY: SLED DOG TOUR AND KENNEL VISIT: $141

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Arusha $10
    Tartu $18


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arusha and Tartu, we can see that Arusha is more expensive. And not only is Tartu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Arusha is in Africa and Tartu is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Tartu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tartu 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 Arusha would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arusha than you might in Tartu.

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


Which is Bigger, Arusha or Tartu?

Arusha has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Tartu. When comparing the sizes of Arusha and Tartu, 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.