A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tallinn vs. Geneva for Old Town, Backpackers, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Tallinn or Geneva?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tallinn or Geneva, 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.

Tallinn

Tallinn is a quaint, whimsical, and historical city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Geneva

Geneva is a international, professional, and classy city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Tallinn and Geneva: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tallinn or Geneva?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Geneva than Tallinn. While Tallinn is larger than Geneva, Geneva has more sights and attractions for tourists. Geneva is very popular for its food, shopping, and big city activities, while Tallinn attracts visitors for its nightlife, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Tallinn is more touristy than Geneva and is popular for its well preserved old town and its active nightlife scene. Geneva is famous for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization. It is also well known for The Geneva Water Fountain (The Jet d'Eau).

How is Tallinn different from Geneva?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Tallinn or Geneva?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Tallinn and Geneva.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Tallinn can be an interesting and educational experience. There are beautiful historic churches, particularly in the city's old town. A highlight is the stunning Alexander Nevski Cathedral. You'll also find some unique museums around town as well as Toompea Castle.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Geneva. Famous sights and landmarks include the spectacular Water Jet, St Pierre Cathedral, and the Palais des Nations. There are also impressive art and history museums in the city.

Is the Food Better in Tallinn or Geneva? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Geneva is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Tallinn is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Geneva has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city has an amazing mix of traditional Swiss restaurants as well as diverse ethnic options. Traditional dishes include fondue and raclette, both of which involve the decadent Swiss cheese.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Tallinn area. Food is affordable and hearty. Many dishes incorporate rye bread, pork, smoked fish, potatoes, or dairy products. You'll also find a lot of variation in dishes between seasons.

Is Tallinn or Geneva Better for Nightlife?

Tallinn is a great destination for nightlife. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The people in Tallinn know how to have a good time. As it's grown in popularity with tourists, the city has put itself on the map as a top party destination in Eastern Europe. There's an active bar and club scene, but there are also art venues and other creative activities for everyone.

If you're looking for night time activities Geneva has a few options to choose from. During the day the city is all business, but at night the professionals, interns, students, and NGO workers all come together to enjoy a drink at a bar or dance at one of the city's diverse clubs.

Is Tallinn or Geneva Better for its Old Town?

Tallinn is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Tallinn offers plenty to see. The city's medieval old town is at the heart of it's tourist attractions. The Gothic architecture, local restaurants, and cobblestone streets give the city a fairytale charm.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Geneva. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.

Is the Shopping Better in Tallinn or Geneva?

Geneva is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Tallinn is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Geneva draws large crowds to its stores. Famous for its posh shops and luxury brands, this city is a popular shopping destination. From chic boutiques to deluxe toy stores, you'll find something for everyone. In particular, the city is known for its Swiss watches, Swiss Army knives, chocolate, and wine.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Tallinn. There's a mix of quirky shops and recognizable brands around town. Old town is a popular shopping area, as is nearby Kalamaja. Visitors enjoy picking up marzipan, local crafts, and unique art.

Is Tallinn or Geneva Better for Families?

Tallinn and Geneva are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Tallinn is a family-friendly city. Your kids will feel like they stepped into a fairytale in this beautiful city. It has countless museums including an open air museum and a zoo. There's also nearby Pirita Beach, where you and your kids can enjoy ice cream in a seaside setting.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Geneva. This diverse city has a number of chocolate shops, toy stores, and parks where kids can play. They'll be impressed by the Water Jet and there are few places where you can swim in the lake when the weather is warm.

Is Tallinn or Geneva Better for Couples?

Tallinn is a great destination for romance. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Tallinn frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Filled with gardens, romantic walks, and impressive views, this city makes for a great couple's getaway. Base yourself in the city's beautiful old town and dine in one of the many local restaurants. There are also nice hotels around town that are great for couples.

Geneva makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Wandering Old Town, sampling Swiss chocolate, and enjoying one of the many ethnic restaurants around town all make for great date activities. Fondue in a traditional restaurant is also a not to be missed experience.

Is Tallinn or Geneva Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tallinn is an unbeatable place for backpackers. However, Geneva is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Tallinn is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. The city is both affordable and unique, which is perfect for travelers on a budget. There are plenty of hostels around town as well as casual places to grab a cheap bite to eat.

Geneva is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city is often overlooked by backpackers as it is pretty expensive. Many hotels cater to the business traveler crowd, but there are a few hostels to choose from.

Is Tallinn or Geneva Better for Students?

Geneva is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Tallinn is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Geneva is a great city to visit as a student. The University of Geneva attracts many international students and the city is quite diverse. It feels like a mixing bowl of cultures, so students will feel very welcomed and comfortable here.

Tallinn is popular with students. International students appreciate the vibrant atmosphere and the affordable options around town.

Is Tallinn or Geneva Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Geneva is a must-visit destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Tallinn is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Geneva has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

The public transit in Tallinn can get you to most places easily. There are buses trolleys and trams around town.

Is Tallinn or Geneva a more walkable city?

Tallinn is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Getting around Tallinn on foot is easy. The city is compact and easily explored on foot, particularly in the most touristy areas.

Geneva is a very walkable city. Most areas where visitors spend their time can be easily explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Tallinn Worth Visiting? and Is Geneva Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Geneva or Tallinn?

How long in Tallinn or Geneva?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Tallinn and Geneva. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Tallinn than in Geneva. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Tallinn, and 1-3 days is enough time in Geneva.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Tallinn than Geneva 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 Tallinn.

One day in Tallinn or Geneva?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the quaint destination of Tallinn. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Because Geneva is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. This city 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 Tallinn or Geneva?

Tallinn is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Because Geneva is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Geneva has to offer.

Five days in Tallinn or Geneva?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tallinn. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Geneva 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 Tallinn or Geneva?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Tallinn. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Geneva. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Geneva. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. 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 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland, and The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Tallinn or Geneva?

Tallinn has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Geneva. When comparing the sizes of Tallinn and Geneva, 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 Tallinn or Geneva?

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 Tallinn or Geneva in the Summer?

Both Geneva and Tallinn during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Tallinn for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Geneva in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Tallinn is generally cooler than Geneva. Daily temperatures in Tallinn average around 17°C (62°F), and Geneva fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

In Geneva, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tallinn. In the summer, Tallinn often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Geneva. Tallinn gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Geneva receives 285 hours of full sun.

Tallinn usually gets more rain in July than Geneva. Tallinn gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tallinn or Geneva in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tallinn and Geneva. Many visitors come to Tallinn in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Geneva for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Tallinn is much colder than Geneva in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tallinn averages around 7°C (44°F) in October, and Geneva fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

Tallinn usually receives less sunshine than Geneva during autumn. Tallinn gets 92 hours of sunny skies, while Geneva receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tallinn usually receives less rain than Geneva. Tallinn gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tallinn or Geneva in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tallinn as well as Geneva. Most visitors come to Tallinn for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Geneva because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Geneva can be very cold. Tallinn can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Tallinn is much colder than Geneva. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tallinn in January average around -5°C (22°F), and Geneva averages at about 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Tallinn often gets less sunshine than Geneva. Tallinn gets 25 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Geneva receives 62 hours of full sun.

Tallinn usually gets less rain in January than Geneva. Tallinn gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tallinn or Geneva in the Spring?

Both Geneva and Tallinn are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Tallinn because of the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Geneva this time of year.

The weather in Tallinn can be very cold. In April, Tallinn is generally much colder than Geneva. Daily temperatures in Tallinn average around 4°C (39°F), and Geneva fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Tallinn usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Geneva during spring. Tallinn gets 186 hours of sunny skies, while Geneva receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tallinn usually receives less rain than Geneva. Tallinn gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Geneva and Tallinn