A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kaunas vs. Tampere for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kaunas or Tampere?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kaunas and Tampere. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Kaunas or Tampere?

Kaunas

Kaunas is the second biggest city in Lithuania, located at the country's center. It is a city of medieval history as well as modern entertainment with castle ruins, churches, and cathedrals, as well as galleries, museums, theatres, and outdoor recreation.

Tampere

Tampere is a city in southern Finland. It sits between Nasijarvi Lake and Pyhajarvi Lake, with the Tammerkoski rapids in between. It is one of the larger Finnish cities, with more than 200,000 inhabitants, but Tampere has managed to keep the small town feel. The city center is compact in size, and the atmosphere is friendly and casual. The city is located on a scenic spot on a narrow isthmus. The Tammerkoski rapids and their riverbanks form the backdrop for the old industrial buildings, and ridges formed thousands of years ago by ancient seas and retreating ice offer fantastic views over the two lakes. Original architecture and innovative urban development blend together to please both viewers and users of the built environment. Enjoy the surrounding lakes on peaceful rowboat trips or on cruises on larger vessels, or concentrate on the urban sights from a sightseeing bus. Regenerated industrial buildings now house quirky museums, enticing shops, pubs, cinemas and cafes. Tampere has a down-to-earth vitality that makes it a favorite for many visitors.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Lithuania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilnius, The Best 10-Day Tours from Helsinki, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Finland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kaunas and Tampere, we can see that Tampere is more expensive. And not only is Kaunas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kaunas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kaunas 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 Tampere would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tampere than you might in Kaunas.

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

Which is Bigger, Kaunas or Tampere?

Kaunas has a larger population, and is about 85% larger than the population of Tampere. When comparing the sizes of Kaunas and Tampere, 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 Kaunas or Tampere?

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 Kaunas or Tampere in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kaunas as well as Tampere. Many travelers come to Kaunas for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Kaunas is generally around the same temperature as Tampere. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around 18°C (64°F), and Tampere fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tampere. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kaunas this time of the year. In the summer, Kaunas often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tampere. Kaunas gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tampere receives 247 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Tampere. Kaunas gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Tampere receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or Tampere in the Autumn?

Both Tampere and Kaunas are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Kaunas in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Kaunas is a little warmer than Tampere in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around 8°C (46°F) in October, and Tampere fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

Kaunas usually receives more sunshine than Tampere during autumn. Kaunas gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Tampere receives 81 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Tampere. Kaunas gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Tampere receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kaunas or Tampere in the Winter?

Both Tampere and Kaunas during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Kaunas for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

The weather in Tampere can be very cold. Kaunas can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Kaunas is a little warmer than Tampere. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kaunas in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Tampere averages at about -7°C (19°F).

In the winter, Kaunas often gets more sunshine than Tampere. Kaunas gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tampere receives 37 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets more rain in January than Tampere. Kaunas gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Tampere receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or Tampere in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kaunas and Tampere. The spring months attract visitors to Kaunas because of the activities around the city.

It's quite cold in Tampere in the spring. In April, Kaunas is generally much warmer than Tampere. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around 7°C (44°F), and Tampere fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Kaunas usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tampere during spring. Kaunas gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Tampere receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kaunas usually receives more rain than Tampere. Kaunas gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Tampere receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Tampere and Kaunas