A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tartu vs. Budapest for Backpackers, Nightlife, Old Town, and Couples

Should you visit Tartu or Budapest?

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

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

Tartu

Tartu is a intellectual, student-oriented, and cultural university town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the nightlife.

Budapest

Budapest is a historic, authentic, and bustling city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Tartu and Budapest: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tartu or Budapest?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Budapest than Tartu, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Budapest is more touristy than Tartu and is known for its thermal hot springs, European spas, rich culture, and wild nightlife scene. It is also home to The Hungarian Parliament Building. Tartu is popular for its vibrant student population and long running university.

How is Tartu different from Budapest?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Tartu or Budapest?

Budapest is a great city for its historical sights. However, Tartu does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Budapest. Famous sights include the Buda Castle and Castle Hill, the Hungarian Parliament Building, and St. Stephen's Basilica.

Tartu does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Tartu or Budapest? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Tartu and Budapest can be difficult as they are each decent in their own way.

Tartu may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The restaurant scene is surprisingly limited because of the large student population. Most students prefer saving their money for a night out drinking over a quiet meal at a restaurant. There are some cafes around town as well as pastry shops and a few good ethnic restaurants to choose between.

Budapest offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Traditional dishes tend to be heavy on the meat and bread. They make good comfort food and are very filling meals. The city also has many great pastry shops. Make sure you check out the stuffed cabbage, goulash, and chimney cake.

Is Tartu or Budapest Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find superb options in both Tartu and Budapest.

The nightlife in Tartu has something for everybody. With its huge student population, there is plenty of activity year round. The nightlife scene includes many bars, dance clubs, and pubs that are popular with students and visitors alike. You'll find large parties and music festivals throughout the year that bring crowds to the city.

Budapest offers plenty to do in the evening. The city's active nightlife includes dance clubs, local pubs, and cultural festivals throughout the year.

Is Tartu or Budapest Better for its Old Town?

Both Tartu and Budapest have superb historic old towns worth visiting.

Tartu is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town is where you'll find one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe. There is also Town Hall Square and St. John’s Quarter with many historic buildings and beautiful architecture.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Budapest. The city grew from the merging of two towns, Buda and Pest, which were divided by the Danube River. Buda is the more historical part of town and Pest is more modern.

Is the Shopping Better in Tartu or Budapest?

Budapest is a great city for its shopping areas. However, Tartu is not known for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Budapest. The city has a diverse shopping scene that you can experience by visiting the Central Market or Váci Street.

Tartu is a good destination for shopping. While most people don't visit to go shopping, there is an active art scene in town so you can find some creative pieces that are worth checking out.

Is Tartu or Budapest Better for Families?

Both Tartu and Budapest are good to visit with kids.

Tartu offers lots of family activities. Many of the kid-friendly activities are outdoors, so summer visits are better if you're traveling with children. There are adventure parks, animal parks, and educational museums that you can choose from.

Budapest is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has the typical trampoline parks and playgrounds, but kids will also enjoy the baths and pools around town. Do take note that most of the museums are less hands on than kids prefer.

Is Tartu or Budapest Better for Couples?

Budapest is a great city for couples. However, Tartu is not known for romance.

Budapest is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. With it's many beautiful neighborhoods, and unique entertainment options including the opera, this is a fun city for couples. The baths and spas also make for a great experience for couples.

Tartu is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The city has a young population, so you'll find many activities center around a more youthful vibe. There are some great museums that couples will enjoy, as well as a lively nightlife scene. Outside of old town, couples will enjoy wandering through the Karlova and Supilinn districts.

Is Tartu or Budapest Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Budapest is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Tartu is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Budapest, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city is more affordable than many large cities and it has a number of fun hostels to choose from. There's a good backpacker vibe around town with many places to meet and hang out with other travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Tartu. With it's young population and budget friendly entertainment options, there are many things that backpackers will enjoy. It's not nearly as popular with backpackers as some other cities, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have a lot to offer.

Is Tartu or Budapest Better for Students?

For students, both Tartu and Budapest are amazing places to visit.

Tartu is a very popular university town for students. It is a university town and home to one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe. The student population is large here, with many activities, museums, and nightlife options to choose from. There always seems to be something going on in this vibrant city.

Budapest is a very popular place to visit for students. The city has a great international vibe with several good universities that are welcoming to international students that are studying abroad.

Is Tartu or Budapest Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Budapest is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Tartu is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its public transit.

Public transit in Budapest is top-notch. The metro, trams, and buses make it easy to get around town.

Tartu has a few public transit options. There is a comprehensive bus system around the town.

Is Tartu or Budapest a more walkable city?

Budapest is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Tartu is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its walkability.

Budapest is a very easy city to get around on foot. Pest is very flat, making for an easy stroll, while Buda is more hilly.

Tartu is very walkable. The city is compact with most of its sights and restaurants close together along a couple of streets.

For even more information, also check out Is Tartu Worth Visiting? and Is Budapest Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Budapest or Tartu?

How long in Tartu or Budapest?

In either Tartu or Budapest, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Budapest than Tartu because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Tartu, and 2-5 days is enough time in Budapest.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Budapest than Tartu 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 Budapest.

One day in Tartu or Budapest?

The university town of Tartu offers nightlife. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Each neighborhood in Budapest has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Tartu or Budapest?

Tartu is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this university town 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 Tartu, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Budapest. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Tartu or Budapest?

Tartu 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.

Budapest is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Budapest has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Tartu or Budapest?

Tartu 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 university town offers something for everyone.

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the cultural big city of Budapest. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Estonia, The Best Budget Tours to Estonia, The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Budapest.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Tartu or Budapest?

Budapest has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Tartu. When comparing the sizes of Tartu and Budapest, 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 Tartu or Budapest?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Tartu or Budapest in the Summer?

Both Budapest and Tartu are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Tartu in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Budapest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Tartu is generally cooler than Budapest. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around 17°C (62°F), and Budapest fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Budapest. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tartu. Tartu usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest during summer. Tartu gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 278 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Tartu usually receives more rain than Budapest. Tartu gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tartu or Budapest in the Autumn?

Both Budapest and Tartu during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Tartu for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Budapest because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Tartu is much colder than Budapest in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 6°C (43°F) in October, and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Tartu often gets less sunshine than Budapest. Tartu gets 86 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 152 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets more rain in October than Budapest. Tartu gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tartu or Budapest in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tartu and Budapest. The winter months attract visitors to Tartu because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Budapest this time of year.

It's quite cold in Budapest in the winter. The weather in Tartu can be very cold. In the winter, Tartu is much colder than Budapest. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tartu in January average around -7°C (19°F), and Budapest averages at about -1°C (31°F).

Tartu usually receives less sunshine than Budapest during winter. Tartu gets 36 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 61 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tartu usually receives less rain than Budapest. Tartu gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tartu or Budapest in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Tartu as well as Budapest. The natural beauty are the main draw to Tartu this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Budapest for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

It's quite cold in Tartu in the spring. In April, Tartu is generally much colder than Budapest. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around 5°C (41°F), and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the spring, Tartu often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest. Tartu gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 178 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in April than Budapest. Tartu gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Budapest and Tartu