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

Should you visit Tartu or Linz?

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 Linz 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 cultural, historical, and lively university town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife.

Linz

Linz is a cultural, historic, and beautiful town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Tartu and Linz: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for shopping
  • Less popular with couples
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife


Is there more to do in Tartu or Linz?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Linz than Tartu, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Linz is more popular for its museums, food, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Tartu is known for its nightlife and historical sights. Linz is more touristy than Tartu and is popular for its Baroque architecture, modern art museums, and great pastries. It is also home to The Castle of Linz. Tartu is popular for its vibrant student population and long running university.

How is Tartu different from Linz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Tartu
Linz

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

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Linz. The city has a lot of history which can be experienced with visits to The Castle of Linz, St. Martin's Church, and the New Cathedral. There are also several modern museums such as Ars Electronica Center, the OK Center, and the Lentos Art Museum.

Tartu does not have museums and landmarks.


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

Tartu
Linz

Linz is a town with good options for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Tartu is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Linz is becoming an appealing option for foodies. You'll find an endless supply of bakeries around town that serve cakes, tarts, and biscuits. A trip to Linz isn't complete without a sampling of the local pastries.

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 Linz Better for Nightlife?

Tartu
Linz

Tartu is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. However, Linz is not a good town for its evening party scene.

Tartu offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Linz. The town isn't exactly a party place, but you'll find a good theater and some live music venues that are worth checking out.

Is Tartu or Linz Better for its Old Town?

Tartu
Linz

Tartu is a well-known place for its old town. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its historic old town charm.

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.

Linz has an old town worth visiting. The old town is filled with Baroque architecture and a market square. There are a number of interesting buildings and great cafes in the area.


Is the Shopping Better in Tartu or Linz?

Tartu
Linz

Linz is a great town for its shopping areas. However, Tartu is not known for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Linz. There are a number of shopping streets around town, but the most popular is Landstraße. You'll find all kinds of retail stores with everything from clothing to furniture available.

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 Linz Better for Families?

Tartu
Linz

Both Tartu and Linz 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.

Linz is a family-friendly place to visit. Pöstlingberg Adventure World is a highlight for kids. You can take the tram up the mountain and see the views, visit the Grottenbahn, or explore the zoo. Kids will also appreciate the Ars Electronica Center, which is a futuristic museum in town as well as the The Linz Castle Museum.

Is Tartu or Linz Better for Couples?

Tartu
Linz

Linz is a great town for couples. However, Tartu is not known for romance.

Linz is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. The city is filled with beautiful baroque architecture. There's a lively main square and many great restaurants that couples will appreciate. There are also shopping areas and museums to explore.

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 Linz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tartu
Linz

Tartu is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Tartu is a great university town to visit for backpackers. 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Linz. Backpackers will find more budget hotels than hostels in town, so it can be a bit challenging to meet other travelers. Even so, this is a beautiful city that is well worth a visit.

Is Tartu or Linz Better for Students?

Tartu
Linz

Tartu is a world-class destination for students. However, Linz is not popular with students.

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.

Linz is not popular with students.

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

Tartu
Linz

Tartu and Linz both offer good 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.

Linz has a few public transit options. There are buses and streetcars that travel throughout the town.


Is Tartu or Linz a more walkable city?

Tartu
Linz

Tartu and Linz are great 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.

Linz is very walkable. The tourist areas are easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Linz or Tartu?

How long in Tartu or Linz?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Tartu or Linz to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Tartu than Linz because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Tartu, and 1-2 days is enough time in Linz.

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

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

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


  • How many days in Tartu or Linz? Ideal Length of Stay
    Tartu 1-3 
    Linz 1-2

One day in Tartu or Linz?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife when visiting the destination of Tartu. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Linz, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this cultural destination offers. This town 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 Linz?

Tartu is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

You'll find nightlife around the intellectual destination of Tartu. This university town offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

A week in Tartu or Linz?

The historical university town of Tartu offers nightlife. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of Linz. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria.


Which place is cheaper, Linz or Tartu?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Tartu is €105, while the average daily cost in Linz is €114. 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 Linz in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tartu 47
    Linz 58
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tartu 94
    Linz 116
Compare Hotels in Tartu and Linz

Looking for a hotel in Tartu or Linz? 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 Linz


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 Linz Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tartu 27
    Linz 41

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Linz

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Linz:

  • Transfer from Linz to Munich: Private daytrip with 2 hours for sightseeing: $212
  • Private Transfer from Linz to Munich, Hotel-to-hotel, English-speaking driver: $180
  • Linz Private Transfer from Linz Airport to City centre: $70
  • Linz Private Transfer from Linz city centre to Linz Airport: $70
  • Linz Private Transfer from Linz Airport to Wels city: $68

Is it cheaper to fly into Tartu or Linz?

Prices for flights to both Linz 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 37
    Linz 32
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

Typical Food Prices in Linz

Some typical examples of dining costs in Linz are as follows:


  • Leberkäse (Sausage Loaf)
    4.20
  • Lunch
    8.50

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tartu 16
    Linz 13
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.

  • European Capital of Culture 2024 - Cycling Tour: $14
  • Around Viljandi bike tour: $27
  • TARTU COUNTRY: SLED DOG TOUR & KENNEL VISIT: $75
  • Magical Tartu Romantic Walking Tour: $127
  • Charming Viljandi Walking Tour for Couples: $142
  • Spectacular Christmas Walking Tour in Viljandi: $199
  • Traditional Christmas Walking Tour in Tartu: $234

Tours and Activities in Linz

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Linz are as follows:

  • Christmas Tales of Linz – Private Walking Tour: $544
  • Christmas Tales of Linz – Private Walking Tour: $262
  • Cycling Tour of Linz with a Private Guide: $237
  • Detective Trail puzzle tour for the whole family: $16
  • Family Tour of Linz's Old Town, Pöstlingberg and Grottenbahn: $214
  • Family Tour of Linz's Old Town, Pöstlingberg and Grottenbahn: $210
  • Linz - Private Historic Walking Tour: $374
  • Linz Christmas Market Tour: $294
  • Linz Crime Experience: self-guided crime tour: $42
  • Linz Cultural Marvels Walking Tour: $401
  • Linz Cultural Marvels Walking Tour: $205
  • Linz Exploration: Private Walking Tour with Local Guide: $176

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tartu 16
    Linz 16


When comparing the travel costs between Tartu and Linz, we can see that Linz is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Tartu or Linz?

Linz has a larger population, and is about 79% larger than the population of Tartu. When comparing the sizes of Tartu and Linz, 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 Linz?

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 Linz in the Summer?

Both Linz and Tartu during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Tartu because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Linz this time of year.

In July, Tartu is generally cooler than Linz. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around 17°C (62°F), and Linz fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Linz, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tartu. In the summer, Tartu often gets more sunshine than Linz. Tartu gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Linz receives 236 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in July than Linz. Tartu gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Linz receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Tartu 17°C (62°F) 
    Linz 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Tartu or Linz in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tartu and Linz. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Tartu this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Linz for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Tartu is much colder than Linz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 6°C (43°F) in October, and Linz fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Tartu usually receives less sunshine than Linz during autumn. Tartu gets 86 hours of sunny skies, while Linz receives 129 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tartu usually receives more rain than Linz. Tartu gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Linz receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Tartu 6°C (43°F) 
    Linz 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Tartu or Linz in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tartu as well as Linz. Many travelers come to Tartu for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Linz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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

In the winter, Tartu often gets less sunshine than Linz. Tartu gets 36 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Linz receives 57 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in January than Linz. Tartu gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Linz receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Tartu or Linz in the Spring?

Both Linz and Tartu are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Tartu in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Linz for the natural beauty during these months.

Tartu can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Tartu is generally much colder than Linz. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around 5°C (41°F), and Linz fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Tartu usually receives more sunshine than Linz during spring. Tartu gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Linz receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tartu usually receives less rain than Linz. Tartu gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Linz receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Tartu 5°C (41°F) 
    Linz 11°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Linz and Tartu

Tartu Linz
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -7°C (19°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) -0°C (31°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Feb -6°C (20°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 2°C (36°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar -2°C (29°F) 26 mm (1 in) 6°C (43°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Apr 5°C (41°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 11°C (51°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
May 11°C (53°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 18°C (65°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 20°C (68°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Aug 16°C (61°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 19°C (67°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Sep 11°C (52°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 16°C (61°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Oct 6°C (43°F) 52 mm (2 in) 11°C (52°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Nov 1°C (33°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 5°C (42°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Dec -4°C (25°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 1°C (35°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)