A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tallinn vs. Inverness for Backpackers, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Tallinn or Inverness?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tallinn or Inverness, 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 historical, charming, and quaint city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Inverness

Inverness is a traditional, local, and historic city. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Tallinn and Inverness: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Scenic old town
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Good public transit
  • Impressive beauty
  • Quaint atmosphere
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Home to Loch Ness
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Public transit not as usable


Is there more to do in Tallinn or Inverness?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Tallinn than Inverness, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Tallinn is better known for its nightlife, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Inverness is more popular for its food and small town charm. Tallinn is more touristy than Inverness and is popular for its well preserved old town and its active nightlife scene. Also, Tallinn is famous for The Old Town. Inverness is well known for its surrounding countryside, but also its regional heritage, local festivals and proximity to the famous Loch Ness.

The Old Town
The Old Town

How is Tallinn different from Inverness?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Inverness 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 Inverness?

Tallinn
Inverness

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

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 Inverness. As a city rich in culture and heritage, you'll find a number of sights and museums in town. Check out the Highland House of Fraser, Culloden Moor, and Clava Cairns.


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

Tallinn
Inverness

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

Inverness has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city makes a great spot to fill your belly after a few days exploring the Scottish Highlands. You'll find local restaurants that serve up regional specialties, and when the weather's nice, there are some spots with outdoor seating.

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 Inverness Better for Nightlife?

Tallinn
Inverness

Tallinn is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Tallinn offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Inverness. Nightlife isn't the first thing that comes to mind with this town, but there are actually lots of distilleries in the area and there's a surprising number of high quality bars and pubs that make for a fun evening.

Is Tallinn or Inverness Better for its Old Town?

Tallinn
Inverness

Tallinn is terrific for its old town. However, Inverness does not have a historic old town.

Tallinn has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. 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.

Inverness does not have a historic old town.


Is the Shopping Better in Tallinn or Inverness?

Tallinn
Inverness

Shoppers can find a variety of excellent stores in both Tallinn and Inverness.

Tallinn is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Inverness. The town is at the cultural heart of the Scottish Highlands you'll find plenty of local shops where you can pick up local products. Make sure you check out the Inverness Victorian Market.

Is Tallinn or Inverness Better for Families?

Tallinn
Inverness

Tallinn and Inverness are both notable 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 Inverness. The city has some parks and activities that are great for kids. Make sure you explore Inverness Castle and the Inverness Mystery Treasure Trail.

Is Tallinn or Inverness Better for Couples?

Tallinn
Inverness

Tallinn is a well-known place for its romantic activities. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Tallinn is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Inverness is a good city for couples to visit. Located in the Scottish Highlands, there ae many scenic spots and nice activities that couples can enjoy in the area.


Is Tallinn or Inverness Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tallinn
Inverness

Tallinn is terrific for backpackers. However, Inverness is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Tallinn. 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.

Inverness is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There a some hostels and student hotels, but this isn't one of the major backpacker spots in the UK.

Is Tallinn or Inverness Better for Students?

Tallinn
Inverness

Tallinn is very good for students. However, Inverness is not popular with students.

Tallinn is a good city to visit for students. International students appreciate the vibrant atmosphere and the affordable options around town.

Inverness is not popular with students.

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

Tallinn
Inverness

Tallinn is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Inverness is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Tallinn has some very good public transit options. There are buses trolleys and trams around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Inverness. There are local buses that pass through the town.


Is Tallinn or Inverness a more walkable city?

Tallinn
Inverness

Tallinn is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

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

Inverness is a very walkable destination. It's compact enough that you can explore much of the town on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Inverness or Tallinn?

How long in Tallinn or Inverness?

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

Families should spend more time in Tallinn than Inverness. 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 Inverness. 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 Inverness 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.


  • How many days in Tallinn or Inverness? Ideal Length of Stay
    Tallinn 2-4 
    Inverness 1-3

One day in Tallinn or Inverness?

You'll find shopping and museums around the quaint city of Tallinn. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Inverness, you'll find nightlife and food. 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 Inverness?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the charming destination of Tallinn. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

In Inverness, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Inverness has to offer.


Five days in Tallinn or Inverness?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the charming city of Tallinn. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Inverness 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 Inverness?

Tallinn is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Inverness. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Inverness. 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, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from London, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh.


Which place is cheaper, Inverness or Tallinn?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Tallinn is €95, while the average daily cost in Inverness is €196. 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 Tallinn and Inverness in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tallinn 47
    Inverness 107
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tallinn 94
    Inverness 214
Compare Hotels in Tallinn and Inverness

Looking for a hotel in Tallinn or Inverness? 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 Tallinn


Hotels in Inverness


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: Tallinn Hotel Prices and Inverness Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tallinn 12
    Inverness 38
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tallinn

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Tallinn:


  • Tram Around Town for Two
    1.66

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tallinn

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

  • Tallinn hotels to Tallinn Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $16
  • Tallinn Cruise Port to Tallinn hotels - Arrival Private Transfer : $16
  • Private Transfer from Tallinn Cruise Port to Tallinn hotels : $16
  • Private Transfer from Tallinn hotels to Tallinn Cruise Port : $16
  • Tallinn Airport (TLL) to Tallinn Cruise Port - Round-Trip Privat Transfer: $33
  • Arrival private transfer from Tallinn Airport or Port to Tallinn by Luxury Van: $41
  • Departure private transfer from Tallinn to Tallinn TLL Airport by Luxury Van: $41
  • Private Airport Transfer: $43
  • Talinn Airport and City Private Transfer: $44
  • Highlights Shore Excursion with Return Transfer: $48
  • Airport Transfer Service: $48
  • Tallinn Highlights Shore Excursion With Port Return Transfer: $51

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Inverness

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Inverness:

  • Inverness to Isle of Skye Direct transfer: $623
  • Inverness to Glasgow Direct transfer: $781
  • Inverness to Fort William Direct transfer: $374
  • Inverness to Edinburgh Direct transfer: $781
  • Inverness Private Transfer to Aviemore: $229
  • Inverness Airport to Glenshee Ski Resort - Round-Trip Transfer: $131
  • Inverness Airport (INV) to Lecht Ski Resort - Arrival Transfer: $33
  • Inverness Airport (INV) to Glenshee Ski Resort - Arrival Transfer: $66
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Inverness INV to Inverness City by luxury vehicle: $105
  • Transfers / Tour from , inverness, Edinburgh ,Glasgow ,Aberdeen : $184

Is it cheaper to fly into Tallinn or Inverness?

Prices for flights to both Inverness and Tallinn 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
    Tallinn 36
    Inverness 57
Typical Food Prices in Tallinn

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


  • Lunch for Two
    7.68
  • Dessert
    1.15

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tallinn

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

  • Tallinn TV Tower evening dinner (2-course meal): $56
  • Tallinn TV Tower evening dinner (3-course meal): $63
  • Tallinn Russian Dinner: $84
  • Tallinn Beer House Dinner: $96
  • Tallinn Food Tour: $116
  • Tallinn 3-Hour Estonian Food Tour: $127
  • Tallinn Food Tour with Round-trip Transfer Port-City: $136
  • Vegan Food Tours Tallinn: $213

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tallinn 5.63
    Inverness 52

Tours and Activities in Tallinn

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

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Tallinn Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $6.95
  • Aegna Island: Self-Guided Discovery Tour: $8.54
  • Private Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour in Tallinn Old Town: $8.73
  • Tales of Reval Smartphone App Self-Guided GPS Walking Tour: $11
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Tallinn Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
  • Self-Guided Tour to Most Instagrammable Places in Tallinn: $15
  • Terrific Tallinn Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Virtual Time Travel Experience VR Tallinn 1939/44 I: $16
  • Time Travel Experience "VR Tallinn 1939/44": $16

Tours and Activities in Inverness

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Inverness are as follows:

  • 1-Day Moray Coast Tour with Speyside Whisky from Inverness: $97
  • 2-Day Tour to Isle of Skye, The Fairy Pools & Highland Castles: $191
  • 2-Hour Private Celtic Handfasting Ceremony Experience: $108
  • 25 Shot Clay Pigeon Shooting Experience: $63
  • Applecross, Loch Carron & Wild Highlands Tour from Inverness: $69
  • Cawdor Castle, Inverness, Culloden, Outlander and Loch Ness Tour: $164
  • Chauffeur driven sightseeing Edinburgh to & from Inverness: $1,000
  • Clan Tour - Castle ,Whisky and History Tour: $172
  • Craigs Luxury Speyside Private Whisky Tour: $686
  • Day tour to Isle of Skye and Fairy Pools from Inverness: $126
  • From Cairngorms National Park and Whisky Tour: $76
  • From Glen Affric, Culloden and Clava Cairns Tour: $73

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tallinn 15
    Inverness 27

Sample the Local Flavors in Tallinn

Also in Tallinn, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Mad Monk’s Pub Crawl Tallinn: $21
  • Tallinn Pub Crawl (Ex The Epic Bar Crawl): $27
  • Tallinn Exclusive Pub & Bar Crawl - Free Drinks, Local Guide: $42
  • Tallinn Brewery Fiesta: $72
  • Tallinn Guided Bar Crawl: $123

Sample the Local Flavors in Inverness

Also in Inverness, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • From Invergordon Port Dunrobin Castle, Clynelish Distillery Tour : $203
  • Speyside Distillery Tour From Inverness: $1,124


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tallinn and Inverness, we can see that Inverness 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 Inverness would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Inverness 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 Inverness Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Tallinn or Inverness?

Tallinn has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Inverness. When comparing the sizes of Tallinn and Inverness, 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 Inverness?

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 Inverness in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tallinn as well as Inverness. Most visitors come to Tallinn for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Inverness because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Tallinn is a little warmer than Inverness in the summer. The daily temperature in Tallinn averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Inverness fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tallinn this time of the year. In the summer, Tallinn often gets more sunshine than Inverness. Tallinn gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Inverness receives 147 hours of full sun.

Tallinn usually gets more rain in July than Inverness. Tallinn gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Inverness receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Tallinn 17°C (62°F) 
    Inverness 14°C (58°F)

Should I visit Tallinn or Inverness in the Autumn?

Both Inverness and Tallinn are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Tallinn because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Inverness this time of year.

In the autumn, Tallinn is cooler than Inverness. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tallinn in October average around 7°C (44°F), and Inverness averages at about 9°C (49°F).

Tallinn usually receives more sunshine than Inverness during autumn. Tallinn gets 92 hours of sunny skies, while Inverness receives 84 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tallinn usually receives more rain than Inverness. Tallinn gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Inverness receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Tallinn 7°C (44°F) 
    Inverness 9°C (49°F)

Should I visit Tallinn or Inverness in the Winter?

Both Inverness and Tallinn during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Tallinn this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Inverness for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Inverness. It's quite cold in Tallinn in the winter. In January, Tallinn is generally much colder than Inverness. Daily temperatures in Tallinn average around -5°C (22°F), and Inverness fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Tallinn often gets less sunshine than Inverness. Tallinn gets 25 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Inverness receives 42 hours of full sun.

Tallinn usually gets less rain in January than Inverness. Tallinn gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Inverness receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Tallinn -5°C (22°F) 
    Inverness 3°C (38°F)

Should I visit Tallinn or Inverness in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tallinn and Inverness. Many travelers come to Tallinn for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Inverness in the spring for the small town charm.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Tallinn. Tallinn is much colder than Inverness in the spring. The daily temperature in Tallinn averages around 4°C (39°F) in April, and Inverness fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Tallinn usually receives more sunshine than Inverness during spring. Tallinn gets 186 hours of sunny skies, while Inverness receives 136 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tallinn usually receives around the same amount of rain as Inverness. Tallinn gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Inverness receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Tallinn 4°C (39°F) 
    Inverness 7°C (44°F)

Typical Weather for Inverness and Tallinn

Tallinn Inverness
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -5°C (22°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 3°C (38°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Feb -6°C (22°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 3°C (38°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar -2°C (29°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 5°C (41°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Apr 4°C (39°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 7°C (44°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
May 10°C (50°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 10°C (50°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Jun 15°C (58°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 14°C (58°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Aug 16°C (60°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 14°C (57°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 11°C (52°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 12°C (54°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Oct 7°C (44°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 9°C (49°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Nov 1°C (34°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 5°C (42°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Dec -3°C (27°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 4°C (39°F) 52 mm (2 in)