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

Should you visit Tartu or Geneva?

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 Geneva 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 historical, lively, and intellectual university town. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife.

Geneva

Geneva is a classy, diverse, and international city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Tartu and Geneva: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tartu or Geneva?

You'll generally find more things to do in Geneva than Tartu. Geneva is bigger than Tartu, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Geneva is better known for its museums, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Tartu is more popular for its nightlife and historical sights. Geneva is more touristy than Tartu and is popular for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization. Also, Geneva is famous for The Geneva Water Fountain (The Jet d'Eau). Tartu is well known for its vibrant student population and long running university.

How is Tartu different from Geneva?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Geneva 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 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.

Tartu does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Geneva has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

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 Geneva Better for Nightlife?

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

The people in Tartu know how to have a good time. 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.

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 Tartu or Geneva Better for its Old Town?

Tartu is a great destination for its historic old town. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

There are many historical things to see 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.

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 Tartu or Geneva?

Geneva is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. However, Tartu is not known for shopping.

Many people travel to Geneva specifically to go shopping. 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.

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 Geneva Better for Families?

Both Tartu and Geneva are notable 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.

Geneva is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Tartu or Geneva Better for Couples?

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

Geneva is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

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 Geneva Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tartu is a great destination for backpackers. However, Geneva is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget 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.

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 Tartu or Geneva Better for Students?

Tartu is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Tartu is a very popular place to visit 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.

Geneva is a very popular university town for students and younger travelers. 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.

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

Geneva 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 Geneva is top-notch. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

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

Is Tartu or Geneva a more walkable city?

Tartu and Geneva are very good 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.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Geneva or Tartu?

How long in Tartu or Geneva?

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

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

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

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

One day in Tartu or Geneva?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the destination of Tartu. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Each neighborhood in Geneva has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Lots of people come for the shopping. 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 Geneva?

Tartu 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Geneva. 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 Geneva?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tartu. 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 fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the big city destination of Geneva. Lots of people come for the shopping. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tartu or Geneva?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the student-oriented destination of Tartu. This university town 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the diverse big city of Geneva. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the shopping. 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, 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 Tartu and Geneva, we can see that Geneva 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 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 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 Geneva Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Tartu or Geneva?

Geneva has a larger population, and is about 82% larger than the population of Tartu. When comparing the sizes of Tartu 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 Tartu 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 Tartu or Geneva in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tartu as well as Geneva. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Tartu this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Geneva for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Tartu is cooler than Geneva. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tartu in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Geneva averages at about 22°C (71°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Geneva. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tartu this time of the year. In the summer, Tartu often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Geneva. Tartu gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Geneva receives 285 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets more rain in July than Geneva. Tartu gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tartu or Geneva in the Autumn?

Both Geneva and Tartu are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Tartu for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Geneva in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Tartu is generally much colder than Geneva. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around 6°C (43°F), and Geneva fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

Tartu usually receives less sunshine than Geneva during autumn. Tartu gets 86 hours of sunny skies, while Geneva receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tartu usually receives less rain than Geneva. Tartu gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tartu or Geneva in the Winter?

Both Geneva and Tartu during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Tartu in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Geneva for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Geneva can be very cold during winter. Tartu can get quite cold in the winter. Tartu is much colder than Geneva in the winter. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around -7°C (19°F) in January, and Geneva fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Tartu often gets less sunshine than Geneva. Tartu gets 36 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Geneva receives 62 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in January than Geneva. Tartu gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tartu or Geneva in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tartu and Geneva. Most visitors come to Tartu for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Geneva because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Tartu can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Tartu is much colder than Geneva. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tartu in April average around 5°C (41°F), and Geneva averages at about 11°C (53°F).

Tartu usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Geneva during spring. Tartu gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Geneva receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tartu usually receives less rain than Geneva. Tartu gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Geneva and Tartu