A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tartu vs. Hofn for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Tartu or Hofn?

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 Hofn 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.

Where Should I go: Tartu or Hofn?

Tartu

Tartu is a university town that is also the second largest city in Estonia. It has a population of about 100,000 and dates back to 1030, making it the oldest city in the country. The Emajogi River passes through town and it has a lovely old town that's pleasant to explore. The city is a great place to see day to day life in Estonia. It is a very real town with people going about their daily lives. If you find yourself here when the weather is nice, you'll be greeted by crowds of happy locals out enjoying the weather. They make full use of the warm, sunny weather with festivals, events, and concerts during the summer. This is easily the most fun and eventful time to visit the city.

Hofn

Hofn is a very small fishing town on the southeast of Iceland, measuring just over half a mile across. It is best known for being located in the beautiful Vatnajokull Region, where the largest glacier in Europe is located. Hofn, and the surrounding area, is full of breathtaking natural scenery including lagoons, icefalls, and mountains.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Estonia, The Best Budget Tours to Estonia, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Iceland.


Which place is cheaper, Hofn or Tartu?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Tartu is €132, while the average daily cost in Hofn is €184. 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 Tartu and Hofn in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tartu €47
    Hofn €101
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tartu €94
    Hofn €202
Compare Hotels in Tartu and Hofn

Looking for a hotel in Tartu or Hofn? 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 Tartu


Hotels in Hofn


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: Tartu Hotel Prices and Hofn Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tartu €27
    Hofn €28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hofn

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

  • Private Hofn Airport Hotel Transfer: $77

Is it cheaper to fly into Tartu or Hofn?

Prices for flights to both Hofn and Tartu 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
    Tartu €65
    Hofn €65
Typical Food Prices in Tartu

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tartu:


  • Danishes
    €0.76
  • Lunch for Two
    €4.93
  • Ice Cream
    €1.27
  • Cookies
    €0.51
  • Coffee & Cake
    €3.47

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tartu €16
    Hofn €18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Tartu

For Tartu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Art Museum ticket
    €0.95
  • Movie Ticket
    €3.47

Tours and Activities in Tartu

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tartu.

  • Around Viljandi bike tour: $29
  • Charming Viljandi Private Walking Tour for Couples: $250
  • Private Historic Tartu Walking Tour Through Heritage: $738
  • Private Horse-Drawn Sleigh Adventures: $206
  • Private Romantic Walking Tour Through Historic Tartu: $738
  • SLED DOG TOUR AND KENNEL VISIT & WITH OVERNIGHT STAY: $219
  • TARTU COUNTRY: SLED DOG TOUR AND KENNEL VISIT: $207
  • Private Bike Tour with a Landscape Architect: $35
  • Vana Lugu: Alternative Walking Tour with Street Art: $23

Tours and Activities in Hofn

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hofn.

  • Blue Ice Cave Exploration from Jökulsárlón (Small Group Tour): $165
  • Crystal Ice Cave & Super Jeep Tour from Jökulsárlón: $171
  • Frozen Wonders : Small Group Ice Cave Tour: $195
  • Full Day Blue Ice Cave Experience: $290
  • Glacier Kayak Adventure: $183
  • Ice Cave Tour in the National Park of Vatnajökull: $157
  • Ice Exploration Tour from the Glacier Lagoon: $149
  • The Original Ice Cave Tour in Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: $195

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tartu €16
    Hofn €12


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


Which is Bigger, Tartu or Hofn?

Tartu has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Hofn. When comparing the sizes of Tartu and Hofn, 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 Hofn?

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 Hofn in the Summer?

Both Hofn and Tartu are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Tartu for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Tartu is generally much warmer than Hofn. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around 17°C (62°F), and Hofn fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In July, Tartu usually receives less rain than Hofn. Tartu gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Hofn receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Tartu 17°C (62°F) 
    Hofn 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Tartu or Hofn in the Autumn?

Both Hofn and Tartu during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Tartu because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

It's quite cold in Hofn in the autumn. Tartu is a little warmer than Hofn in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 6°C (43°F) in October, and Hofn fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Hofn gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Tartu usually gets less rain in October than Hofn. Tartu gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Hofn receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Tartu 6°C (43°F) 
    Hofn 4°C (40°F)

Should I visit Tartu or Hofn in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tartu and Hofn. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Tartu this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Hofn. It's quite cold in Tartu in the winter. In the winter, Tartu is much colder than Hofn. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tartu in January average around -7°C (19°F), and Hofn averages at about -0°C (31°F).

Hofn receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Tartu usually receives less rain than Hofn. Tartu gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Hofn receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Tartu -7°C (19°F) 
    Hofn -0°C (31°F)

Should I visit Tartu or Hofn in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Tartu as well as Hofn. Many travelers come to Tartu for the natural beauty.

Hofn can get quite cold in the spring. Be prepared for some very cold days in Tartu. In April, Tartu is generally much warmer than Hofn. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around 5°C (41°F), and Hofn fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

Tartu usually gets less rain in April than Hofn. Tartu gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Hofn receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Tartu 5°C (41°F) 
    Hofn 2°C (36°F)

Typical Weather for Hofn and Tartu

Tartu Hofn
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -7°C (19°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) -0°C (31°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Feb -6°C (20°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 0°C (32°F) 122 mm (4.8 in)
Mar -2°C (29°F) 26 mm (1 in) 0°C (32°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Apr 5°C (41°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 2°C (36°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
May 11°C (53°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 5°C (40°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 8°C (46°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 9°C (48°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Aug 16°C (61°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 9°C (48°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Sep 11°C (52°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 7°C (44°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Oct 6°C (43°F) 52 mm (2 in) 4°C (40°F) 153 mm (6 in)
Nov 1°C (33°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 1°C (34°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Dec -4°C (25°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) -0°C (32°F) 124 mm (4.9 in)