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

Should you visit Tartu or Kaunas?

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 Kaunas 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 offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife.

Kaunas

Kaunas is a active, young, and vibrant city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the nightlife and food.

Tartu and Kaunas: Pros and Cons

How is Tartu different from Kaunas?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Tartu or Kaunas Better for Food?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Tartu and Kaunas can be difficult as they are each unique 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.

Kaunas offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. It is a great place to try traditional Lithuanian dishes as there are a number of good restaurants and an active restaurant scene. Popular local dishes include cepelinai potato dumplings and cold beetroot soup.

Is Tartu or Kaunas Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find comparable options between Tartu and Kaunas.

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Kaunas. The nightlife scene continues to improve with a growing number of bars and clubs. During the warmer months you'll find many places opening outdoor areas. The old town is one of the more lively areas in town where it's nice to enjoy a drink on a terrace.

Is Tartu or Kaunas Better for its Old Town?

Both Tartu and Kaunas have 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.

Many visitors go to Kaunas to see the historical old town. The old town has tree-lined streets with charming cafes and a number of museums. It's also where you'll find the Kaunas Castle.

Is Tartu or Kaunas Better for Shopping?

If you're looking to go shopping, Tartu and Kaunas both offer plenty of spots.

Tartu has some good spots for those that want to go 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.

Kaunas is a good destination for shopping. The old town is the place to pick up souvenirs, but there are also shopping malls and outlets in the city.

Is Tartu or Kaunas Better for Families?

Both Tartu and Kaunas are fun 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.

Kaunas is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has both outdoor and indoor areas that are fun for kids. Vienybės Square has fountains and splash areas that are fun for kids of all ages. Lampėdis Lake is a great place to swim or visit an adventure park. When the weather isn't great, you can head indoors to the the Kaunas Tadas Ivanauskas Zoological Museum or "CurioCity" in the Mega Mall.

Is Tartu or Kaunas Better for Couples?

Neither Tartu or Kaunas is generally regarded as a top spot for a couple to visit.

Tartu is not always the best place to visit for a couple. 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.

Kaunas is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The city has a number of historical sites as well as interesting restaurants that you can explore.

Is Tartu or Kaunas Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Tartu and Kaunas are fairly comparable 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.

Kaunas is a good university town to visit for backpackers. It's not a popular destination, but there are enough concerts and festivals throughout the year that it does see a few tourists.

Is Tartu or Kaunas Better for Students?

While Kaunas and Tartu are both good for students, overall Tartu is genreally more popular.

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.

Kaunas is a good university town to visit for students. The city has a vibrant and young student population. It also hosts festivals, concerts, and other events that make it a fun destination for international students.

Is Tartu or Kaunas Better for Public Transit?

Tartu and Kaunas both offer public transit to get you around.

While Tartu offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a comprehensive bus system around the town.

Kaunas has a few public transit options. There are both buses and trolleybuses around town.

Is Tartu or Kaunas a more walkable city?

Tartu and Kaunas are similar 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.

Kaunas is somewhat walkable. When the weather is nice, the city is a nice place to take a walk.

Should I spend more time in Kaunas or Tartu?

How long in Tartu or Kaunas?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Tartu or Kaunas to fill your time. Many people usually spend more of their time in Tartu than Kaunas.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Tartu is 1-3 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Kaunas is 1-2 days.

One day in Tartu or Kaunas?

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.

In Kaunas, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this young destination offers. 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 Kaunas?

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 Kaunas. 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 Kaunas?

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.

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

A week in Tartu or Kaunas?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the lively 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 nightlife around the vibrant destination of Kaunas. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

When is the best time to visit Tartu or Kaunas?

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 Kaunas in the Summer?

Both Kaunas and Tartu during the summer are popular places to visit. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Tartu this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Kaunas for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Tartu is around the same temperature as Kaunas in the summer. The temperature in Tartu is usually 17°C (62°F) in July, and Kaunas stays around 18°C (64°F).

In Kaunas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tartu. In the summer, Tartu often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kaunas. Tartu gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kaunas receives 256 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in July than Kaunas. Tartu gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Kaunas receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tartu or Kaunas in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tartu and Kaunas. Many travelers come to Tartu for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Kaunas in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Tartu is cooler than Kaunas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tartu in October are around 6°C (43°F), and Kaunas is about 8°C (46°F).

Tartu usually receives less sunshine than Kaunas during autumn. Tartu gets 86 hours of sunny skies, while Kaunas receives 99 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tartu usually receives more rain than Kaunas. Tartu gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kaunas receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tartu or Kaunas in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tartu as well as Kaunas. Many visitors come to Tartu in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Kaunas for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Kaunas can be very cold during winter. Tartu can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Tartu is generally cooler than Kaunas. Temperatures in Tartu average around -7°C (19°F), and Kaunas stays around -5°C (23°F).

In the winter, Tartu often gets less sunshine than Kaunas. Tartu gets 36 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kaunas receives 40 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in January than Kaunas. Tartu gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Kaunas receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tartu or Kaunas in the Spring?

Both Kaunas and Tartu are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Tartu for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Kaunas because of the activities around the city.

Tartu can be very cold during spring. Tartu is cooler than Kaunas in the spring. The temperature in Tartu is usually 5°C (41°F) in April, and Kaunas stays around 7°C (44°F).

Tartu usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kaunas during spring. Tartu gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Kaunas receives 175 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tartu usually receives less rain than Kaunas. Tartu gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Kaunas receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kaunas and Tartu