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

Should you visit Tartu or Lulea?

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 Lulea 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 Lulea?

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.

Lulea

Lulea is in northern Sweden, in Norrbotten. It's a mid sized city with about 70,000 residents. It also has a technical university, the Lulea University of Technology, which was created in 1971. The city of Lulea is located at the mouth of Lule River on the Gulf of Bothnia. The city's economy is focused on research, education, trade and services. The university's educational programs appeal to new businesses that range from local companies to multinational corporations. There is also a prominant IT sector in the city.

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


Which place is cheaper, Lulea 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 Lulea is €99. 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 Lulea in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tartu 47
    Lulea 52
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tartu 94
    Lulea 104
Compare Hotels in Tartu and Lulea

Looking for a hotel in Tartu or Lulea? 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 Lulea


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 Lulea Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tartu 27
    Lulea 20

Is it cheaper to fly into Tartu or Lulea?

Prices for flights to both Lulea 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
    Lulea 34
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
    Lulea 15
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: $28
  • Magical Tartu Romantic Walking Tour: $129
  • Charming Viljandi Walking Tour for Couples: $143
  • Spectacular Christmas Walking Tour in Viljandi: $202
  • Traditional Christmas Walking Tour in Tartu: $238

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tartu 16
    Lulea 17


When comparing the travel costs between Tartu and Lulea, we can see that Tartu 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 Lulea Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Tartu or Lulea?

Tartu has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Lulea. When comparing the sizes of Tartu and Lulea, 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 Lulea?

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 Lulea in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tartu as well as Lulea. The summer months attract visitors to Tartu because of the family-friendly experiences.

Tartu is around the same temperature as Lulea in the summer. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Lulea fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lulea. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tartu this time of the year. In the summer, Tartu often gets less sunshine than Lulea. Tartu gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lulea receives 304 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets more rain in July than Lulea. Tartu gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Lulea receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Tartu 17°C (62°F) 
    Lulea 15°C (60°F)

Should I visit Tartu or Lulea in the Autumn?

Both Lulea and Tartu are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Tartu this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Lulea. In the autumn, Tartu is much warmer than Lulea. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tartu in October average around 6°C (43°F), and Lulea averages at about 2°C (36°F).

Tartu usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lulea during autumn. Tartu gets 86 hours of sunny skies, while Lulea receives 82 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tartu usually receives less rain than Lulea. Tartu gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lulea receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Tartu 6°C (43°F) 
    Lulea 2°C (36°F)

Should I visit Tartu or Lulea in the Winter?

Both Lulea and Tartu during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Tartu for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Lulea can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Tartu. In January, Tartu is generally much warmer than Lulea. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around -7°C (19°F), and Lulea fluctuates around -12°C (10°F).

In the winter, Tartu often gets more sunshine than Lulea. Tartu gets 36 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lulea receives 19 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in January than Lulea. Tartu gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Lulea receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Tartu -7°C (19°F) 
    Lulea -12°C (10°F)

Should I visit Tartu or Lulea in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tartu and Lulea. Many visitors come to Tartu in the spring for the natural beauty.

Lulea can be very cold during spring. Tartu can get quite cold in the spring. Tartu is much warmer than Lulea in the spring. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 5°C (41°F) in April, and Lulea fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

Tartu usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lulea during spring. Tartu gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Lulea receives 194 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tartu usually receives more rain than Lulea. Tartu gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Lulea receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Tartu 5°C (41°F) 
    Lulea -1°C (31°F)

Typical Weather for Lulea and Tartu

Tartu Lulea
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -7°C (19°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) -12°C (10°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Feb -6°C (20°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) -12°C (11°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Mar -2°C (29°F) 26 mm (1 in) -7°C (19°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Apr 5°C (41°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) -1°C (31°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
May 11°C (53°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 6°C (43°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 13°C (55°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 15°C (60°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 16°C (61°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 13°C (56°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Sep 11°C (52°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 8°C (46°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Oct 6°C (43°F) 52 mm (2 in) 2°C (36°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Nov 1°C (33°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) -4°C (24°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Dec -4°C (25°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) -10°C (15°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)