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

Should you visit Tartu or Frankfurt?

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 Frankfurt 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 offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the nightlife.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a diverse, accessible, and modern city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Tartu and Frankfurt: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tartu or Frankfurt?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Frankfurt than Tartu. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Frankfurt is very popular for its museums, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Tartu attracts visitors for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Frankfurt is more touristy than Tartu and is known for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife. It is also well known for The Old Town Center. Tartu is famous for its vibrant student population and long running university.

The Old Town Center

How is Tartu different from Frankfurt?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt. Many sights are concentrated in the old town center. Highlights include the Historical Museum and St. Nicholas Church. Elsewhere, make sure you check out Maintower, the Städel Museum, and the Museum District.

Tartu does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Frankfurt is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Tartu is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Frankfurt has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. In addition to a number of international restaurants, the city also has a strong regional cuisine. Some of the most interesting local dishes include Frankfurter Sausage, Rindwurst, Grüne Soße (an herb sauce), and Handkäse mit Musik (marinated sour milk cheese). Also make sure you sample the Apfelwein.

Tartu offers some easy restaurants to choose from. 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.

Is Tartu or Frankfurt Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Frankfurt offers plenty to do in the evening. It's a vibrant city with many trendy clubs, cocktail bars, music venues, and more. You can enjoy techno, hip hop, and almost any style of music. There are also festivals, beer halls, and classic pubs.

Is Tartu or Frankfurt Better for its Old Town?

Tartu is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town charm. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Tartu. 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.

Many visitors go to Frankfurt to see the historical old town. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Is the Shopping Better in Tartu or Frankfurt?

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

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Frankfurt. It's a financial capital in Europe, and as such there are plenty of high end shopping opportunities. MyZeil is a major shopping mall in the city and Kleinmarkthalle is a more classic market. Popular shopping neighborhoods and streets include Goethestrasse, Sachsenhausen and Berger Strasse.

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 Frankfurt Better for Families?

Frankfurt is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Tartu is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Frankfurt. In town there's a zoo, a children’s museum, a math and technology museum (EXPERIMINTA), and a number of parks, natural areas, and playgrounds. If you're willing to head out of town then you can visit Taunus Wunderland, which is an amusement park with about 50 rides and attractions.

Tartu is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Tartu or Frankfurt Better for Couples?

Frankfurt is a city with good options for couples. However, Tartu is not known for romance.

Frankfurt is a good city for couples to visit. The iconic spot of romance in the city is the Iron Footbridge, which is a traditional spot to attach a "love lock" and take a selfie. The city also offers river cruises, winery tours, and beautiful parks and natural areas.

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 Frankfurt Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Tartu and Frankfurt are superb places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers 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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Frankfurt. You'll find a number of hostels in town. The city is also a major transportation hub so many backpackers pass through the area at some point on their trip through Germany.

Is Tartu or Frankfurt Better for Students?

For students, both Tartu and Frankfurt 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.

Frankfurt is a very popular place to visit for students. The city offers prestigious universities and a world class education. The economy offers many internships and job opportunities and you'll find students from around the world studying here. Frankfurt is also well connected to the rest of Europe, so it's easy to explore the region.

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

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt is top-notch. It is a huge transportation hub with a major international airport and a number of international train connections. Locally, the city has a subway, trams, commuter trains and buses.

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

Is Tartu or Frankfurt a more walkable city?

Tartu and Frankfurt are superb when it comes to walkability.

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

Frankfurt is very walkable. It has a compact city center that is generally pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Frankfurt or Tartu?

How long in Tartu or Frankfurt?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Tartu and Frankfurt. In our opinion, Frankfurt has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Frankfurt than Tartu. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt.

One day in Tartu or Frankfurt?

You'll find nightlife around the university town of Tartu. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Tartu has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Each neighborhood in Frankfurt has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Tartu or Frankfurt?

You'll find nightlife around the historical destination of Tartu. 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 university town has to offer. This university town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Frankfurt. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. 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 Frankfurt?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the historical university town of Tartu. 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.

Frankfurt is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the big city destination of Frankfurt. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tartu or Frankfurt?

Tartu 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the dynamic big city of Frankfurt. 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 Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Tartu or Frankfurt?

Frankfurt has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Tartu. When comparing the sizes of Tartu and Frankfurt, 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 Frankfurt?

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 Frankfurt in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tartu and Frankfurt. Many visitors come to Tartu in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Frankfurt for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Tartu is cooler than Frankfurt in the summer. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Frankfurt fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Frankfurt this time of the year. In Tartu, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tartu usually receives more sunshine than Frankfurt during summer. Tartu gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 225 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Tartu usually receives more rain than Frankfurt. Tartu gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tartu or Frankfurt in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Tartu as well as Frankfurt. Most visitors come to Tartu for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Frankfurt because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Tartu is much colder than Frankfurt. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tartu in October average around 6°C (43°F), and Frankfurt averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Tartu often gets less sunshine than Frankfurt. Tartu gets 86 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 103 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Frankfurt. Tartu gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tartu or Frankfurt in the Winter?

Both Frankfurt and Tartu are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Tartu because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Frankfurt this time of year.

It's quite cold in Frankfurt in the winter. The weather in Tartu can be very cold. In January, Tartu is generally much colder than Frankfurt. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around -7°C (19°F), and Frankfurt fluctuates around 1°C (34°F).

Tartu usually receives less sunshine than Frankfurt during winter. Tartu gets 36 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 41 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tartu usually receives less rain than Frankfurt. Tartu gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tartu or Frankfurt in the Spring?

Both Frankfurt and Tartu during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Tartu this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Frankfurt for the activities around the city.

It's quite cold in Tartu in the spring. Tartu is much colder than Frankfurt in the spring. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 5°C (41°F) in April, and Frankfurt fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Tartu often gets more sunshine than Frankfurt. Tartu gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 163 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in April than Frankfurt. Tartu gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Frankfurt and Tartu