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

Should you visit Tartu or Lucerne?

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 Lucerne 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. It's also popular because of the nightlife.

Lucerne

Lucerne is a historic, vibrant, and scenic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Tartu and Lucerne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tartu or Lucerne?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Lucerne than Tartu. While Tartu is larger than Lucerne, Lucerne has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Lucerne is more touristy than Tartu and is known for it's wooden bridge, its waterfront setting, and the many nearby alpine day trips. It is also well known for The Chapel Bridge. Tartu is famous for its vibrant student population and long running university.

The Chapel Bridge

How is Tartu different from Lucerne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lucerne 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 Lucerne. Top sights in town include the famous Chapel Bridge, the Lion Monument and the town walls and towers. There are also a number of museums including the Swiss Transport Museum and Museum Sammlung Rosengart.

Tartu does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Lucerne is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Food is expensive around town, but there are some unique specialties like fondue, brätwurst, and of course, chocolate. It's nice to sit out by the river and enjoy a hearty meal while you soak up the view.

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 Lucerne Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find very good options in both Tartu and Lucerne.

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.

Lucerne offers plenty to do in the evening. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland, with many lively clubs, bars, and pubs. There are also many local events that are hosted in town and bring in a crowd.

Is Tartu or Lucerne Better for its Old Town?

Both Tartu and Lucerne have very good 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.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Lucerne. Sitting on the water's edge, this old town has a number of historic buildings and the beautiful Chapel Bridge.

Is the Shopping Better in Tartu or Lucerne?

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

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Lucerne. The city is filled with high end shopping opportunities with everything from boutique shops to major chains. Popular items to purchase in town include chocolate, watches, jewelry, and Swiss army knives.

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 Lucerne Better for Families?

Both Tartu and Lucerne are nice 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.

Lucerne is a family-friendly place to visit. The city is filled with history and there are a number of playgrounds around town. Also make sure you pop in a chocolate shop so that everyone can enjoy a sweet treat. If the weather's warm, you can also take a swim in Lake Lucerne. Many kids enjoy escaping the city and doing a day trip to the amazing Mt. Titlis, or other peaks that are nearby.

Is Tartu or Lucerne Better for Couples?

Lucerne is a great city for couples. However, Tartu is not known for romance.

Lucerne is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The city has many pleasant squares, excellent restaurants, and a romantic atmosphere that makes for a great couple's getaway. There are a number of nice hotels to choose from as well.

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 Lucerne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tartu is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Lucerne is not a good destination for backpackers.

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.

Lucerne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Prices are high everywhere in the area but there are a few hostels that attract backpackers. It's also possible to find free activities like swimming in the lake or simply wandering around town. Prices at restaurants are very high, so you'll do best to pick up food at supermarkets and prepare your own meals. Because it's a larger city, there are options that you might not find in smaller towns around Switzerland.

Is Tartu or Lucerne Better for Students?

Tartu is very popular for its student-friendly activities. However, Lucerne is not a good destination for students.

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.

Lucerne is a decent spot for students. Most people don't think of the city as a student town but there are some good opportunities for international students. The prices are high, but the city is surrounded by stunning natural beauty that is fun to explore.

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

Tartu and Lucerne both offer nice 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.

Lucerne has a few public transit options. There's a comprehensive system of buses around town.

Is Tartu or Lucerne a more walkable city?

Tartu is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Lucerne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its 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.

Lucerne is somewhat walkable. The major tourist areas are fairly walkable if your hotel is in a convenient location.

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

Should I spend more time in Lucerne or Tartu?

How long in Tartu or Lucerne?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Tartu than Lucerne 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 Lucerne?

In Tartu, you'll find nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This university town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Lucerne, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this vibrant destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Lucerne?

In Tartu, you'll find nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Tartu has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lucerne. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Lucerne?

Tartu is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

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

A week in Tartu or Lucerne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tartu. Many people enjoy the nightlife when visiting Tartu. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find food and shopping around the vibrant destination of Lucerne. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Switzerland, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland.

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

Which is Bigger, Tartu or Lucerne?

Tartu has a larger population, and is about 77% larger than the population of Lucerne. When comparing the sizes of Tartu and Lucerne, 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 Lucerne?

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 Lucerne in the Summer?

Both Lucerne and Tartu are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Tartu this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lucerne for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Tartu is cooler than Lucerne in the summer. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Lucerne fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Lucerne. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tartu. Tartu usually receives more sunshine than Lucerne during summer. Tartu gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Lucerne receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Tartu usually receives less rain than Lucerne. Tartu gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tartu or Lucerne in the Autumn?

Both Lucerne and Tartu during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Tartu for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Lucerne in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Tartu is much colder than Lucerne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tartu in October average around 6°C (43°F), and Lucerne averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Tartu often gets less sunshine than Lucerne. Tartu gets 86 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lucerne receives 120 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in October than Lucerne. Tartu gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tartu or Lucerne in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tartu and Lucerne. Many visitors come to Tartu in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Lucerne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Lucerne can be very cold during winter. Tartu can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Tartu is generally much colder than Lucerne. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around -7°C (19°F), and Lucerne fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Tartu usually receives less sunshine than Lucerne during winter. Tartu gets 36 hours of sunny skies, while Lucerne receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tartu usually receives less rain than Lucerne. Tartu gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tartu or Lucerne in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Tartu as well as Lucerne. Most visitors come to Tartu for the natural beauty during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Lucerne because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Tartu can be very cold during spring. Tartu is much colder than Lucerne in the spring. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 5°C (41°F) in April, and Lucerne fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the spring, Tartu often gets more sunshine than Lucerne. Tartu gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lucerne receives 150 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in April than Lucerne. Tartu gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lucerne and Tartu