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

Should you visit Tallinn or Lausanne?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tallinn or Lausanne, 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. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Lausanne

Lausanne is a international, diverse, and vibrant city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Tallinn and Lausanne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tallinn or Lausanne?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Tallinn than Lausanne, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Tallinn is more popular for its nightlife, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Lausanne is known for its food. Tallinn is more touristy than Lausanne and is popular for its well preserved old town and its active nightlife scene. It is also home to The Old Town. Lausanne is popular for being the home of the International Olympic Committee headquarters.

The Old Town

How is Tallinn different from Lausanne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Lausanne. You'll find many great museums around town that cover a range of topics. The Olympic Museum is very interesting. You should also check out the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, and the Hermitage Foundation.

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

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

Lausanne has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city is filled with delicious chocolate, cheese, and wine. Fondue is a favorite, but you'll also find cured meats on most menus. While food can be expensive, it's also high quality and usually locally produced.

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 Lausanne Better for Nightlife?

Tallinn is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Lausanne is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Tallinn is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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 Lausanne has a few options to choose from. There are a surprising number of clubs around town and it's not hard to find somewhere to party. The large student population and the international vibe make this a fascinating place for nightlife.

Is Tallinn or Lausanne Better for its Old Town?

Tallinn is a world-class destination for its historic old town charm. Also, Lausanne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town.

The historic old town of Tallinn is revered around the world. 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.

Lausanne is a good destination for visiting its old town. There's a relatively large historic section that has a Gothic cathedral and many quaint shops.

Is the Shopping Better in Tallinn or Lausanne?

Shoppers can find a variety of superb stores in both Tallinn and Lausanne.

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 Lausanne. You'll find luxury Swiss watch brands, jewelry, chocolate, and many other interesting things to buy. Prices can be high, but so is the quality. It's fun to look, even if you're not planning to purchase.

Is Tallinn or Lausanne Better for Families?

Tallinn and Lausanne are both good 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 Lausanne. There are kid-friendly museums, petting zoos, and other fun activities in town. You can also take a boat ride or let the kids run around one of the parks in town.

Is Tallinn or Lausanne Better for Couples?

Tallinn is well known for couples. Also, Lausanne is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

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.

Lausanne is a nice destination for couples. The medieval old city is fun to explore. The lakefront setting also offers fun activities like boating. There are also a number of museums in town to explore.

Is Tallinn or Lausanne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tallinn is a world-class destination for backpackers. However, Lausanne is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Tallinn is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Lausanne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not the most popular town for backpackers but there are some affordable hotels. It's also more reasonably priced than many Swiss cities.

Is Tallinn or Lausanne Better for Students?

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

Lausanne is a great city to visit as a student. There are 11 institutes for higher learning in town, so students make up a significant percentage of the population. The city is also full of culture, making it a very livable city.

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

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

Tallinn is well known for its public transit. Also, Lausanne is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

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

While Lausanne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a comprehensive network of transportation options available in town including buses and boats.

Is Tallinn or Lausanne a more walkable city?

Tallinn is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Lausanne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

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

Lausanne is somewhat walkable. Many parts of the city, including the historic sections, and relatively easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Lausanne or Tallinn?

How long in Tallinn or Lausanne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Tallinn or Lausanne to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Tallinn than Lausanne because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Tallinn, and 1-2 days is enough time in Lausanne.

Families should spend more time in Tallinn than Lausanne. 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 Lausanne. 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 Lausanne 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 Lausanne?

The beautiful city of Tallinn offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Lausanne, 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 Lausanne?

Tallinn is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Tallinn, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Lausanne, 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 Lausanne has to offer.

Five days in Tallinn or Lausanne?

Tallinn is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

Lausanne 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 Lausanne?

Tallinn is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lausanne. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Lausanne. 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 Luxury Tours to Switzerland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Switzerland.

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

Which is Bigger, Tallinn or Lausanne?

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