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

Should you visit Tartu or Maribor?

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 Maribor 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 Maribor?

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.

Maribor

Located near the Austrian border is Maribor, the second largest city in Slovenia. Maribor is surrounded by hills that are filled with wine vineyards, as well as the Mariborsko Pohorje mountain. The city is split in half by the Drava River. On the left bank of the river you'll find the city's old town.

The city draws tourists from all over the world who come to enjoy the world renowned wine, old town culture, and outdoor activities which include hiking and skiing. The city is a great jumping off point for many outdoor activities and for those hoping to see the countryside. If you're more the city type, Maribor also has plenty to offer. Head to the theater for a show, sip some wine in a town square, or soak in the beauty of a cathedral while you're in the area.

Maribor's climate is humid continental with warm summers and cold winters. During the winter months the average temperature hovers around freezing. The warmest month is July, when average temperatures often exceed 20 degrees Celsius. Maribor is also one of the sunniest cities in Slovenia.

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 Slovenia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Slovenia.


Which place is cheaper, Maribor 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 Maribor is €76. 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 Maribor in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tartu 47
    Maribor 44
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tartu 94
    Maribor 88
Compare Hotels in Tartu and Maribor

Looking for a hotel in Tartu or Maribor? 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 Maribor


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 Maribor Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tartu 27
    Maribor 8.73

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Maribor

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Maribor:


  • Gondola (for 2)
    20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Maribor

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Maribor:

  • Private Transfer from Maribor to Ljubljana Airport (LJU): $252
  • Private transfer from Maribor to Ljubljana city: $250

Is it cheaper to fly into Tartu or Maribor?

Prices for flights to both Maribor 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
    Maribor 26
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 Maribor

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Maribor:


  • Restaurant Dinner (for 2)
    24
  • Gostilnica Navogalu Cafe Lunch
    7.50

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tartu 16
    Maribor 8.57
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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tartu 16
    Maribor 11

Typical Alcohol Prices in Maribor

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Maribor:


  • Bottle of Wine
    12


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tartu and Maribor, we can see that Tartu is more expensive. And not only is Maribor much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Maribor would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Maribor 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 Tartu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tartu than you might in Maribor.

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


Which is Bigger, Tartu or Maribor?

Tartu has a larger population, and is about 14% larger than the population of Maribor. When comparing the sizes of Tartu and Maribor, 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 Maribor?

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 Maribor in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tartu as well as Maribor. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Tartu this time of year.

Tartu is cooler than Maribor in the summer. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Maribor fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Maribor. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tartu this time of the year. In the summer, Tartu often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Maribor. Tartu gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maribor receives 266 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in July than Maribor. Tartu gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Maribor receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Tartu 17°C (62°F) 
    Maribor 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Tartu or Maribor in the Autumn?

Both Maribor and Tartu are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Tartu for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Tartu is much colder than Maribor. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tartu in October average around 6°C (43°F), and Maribor averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Tartu usually receives less sunshine than Maribor during autumn. Tartu gets 86 hours of sunny skies, while Maribor receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tartu usually receives less rain than Maribor. Tartu gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Maribor receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Tartu 6°C (43°F) 
    Maribor 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Tartu or Maribor in the Winter?

Both Maribor and Tartu during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Tartu in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Maribor can be very cold during winter. Tartu can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Tartu is generally much colder than Maribor. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around -7°C (19°F), and Maribor fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).

In the winter, Tartu often gets less sunshine than Maribor. Tartu gets 36 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maribor receives 54 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in January than Maribor. Tartu gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Maribor receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Tartu -7°C (19°F) 
    Maribor 1°C (35°F)

Should I visit Tartu or Maribor in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tartu and Maribor. Most visitors come to Tartu for the natural beauty during these months.

Tartu can be very cold during spring. Tartu is much colder than Maribor in the spring. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 5°C (41°F) in April, and Maribor fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

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

In April, Tartu usually receives less rain than Maribor. Tartu gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Maribor receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Tartu 5°C (41°F) 
    Maribor 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Maribor and Tartu

Tartu Maribor
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -7°C (19°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 1°C (35°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Feb -6°C (20°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 4°C (39°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Mar -2°C (29°F) 26 mm (1 in) 8°C (47°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Apr 5°C (41°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 13°C (55°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
May 11°C (53°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 20°C (69°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 16°C (61°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 22°C (71°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Sep 11°C (52°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 18°C (65°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Oct 6°C (43°F) 52 mm (2 in) 13°C (55°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Nov 1°C (33°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 8°C (46°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Dec -4°C (25°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 3°C (37°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)