A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tartu vs. Odense for Families, Backpackers, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Tartu or Odense?

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 Odense 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.

Odense

It's also popular because of the food.

Tartu and Odense: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tartu or Odense?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Tartu than Odense. While Odense is larger than Tartu, Tartu has more sights and attractions for tourists. Tartu is very popular for its nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Odense attracts visitors for its food. Tartu is more touristy than Odense and is popular for its vibrant student population and long running university. It is also well known for Tartu Cathedral. Odense is famous for

How is Tartu different from Odense?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Odense is becoming an appealing option for foodies. You'll find local restaurants serving local favorites such as smoked salmon. You'll also find burger joints and international options such as sushi.

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 Odense Better for Nightlife?

Tartu is notable for its evening party scene. However, Odense is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Tartu has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

Odense is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Tartu or Odense Better for its Old Town?

Tartu is notable for its historic old town charm. However, Odense does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Tartu. 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.

Odense does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Tartu or Odense?

Tartu is a moderate university town for its shopping areas. However, Odense is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Odense is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Tartu or Odense Better for Families?

Odense is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Tartu is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Odense. As the home of Hans Christian Andersen, this town is a child's playhouse. You can visit the H.C. Andersen House, which will bring his fairytale mind to life. The city also has more than 200 playgrounds, an amazing zoo, and the Funen Village, which is an open air museum. There's also a castle to explore and paddle boating on the water.

Tartu is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Tartu or Odense Better for Couples?

Neither Tartu or Odense 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.

Odense is not the best destination for a couple to visit. It's a charming city with a lot of green space and paddle boating on the water, but it lacks some of the romance that you find in many European cities.

Is Tartu or Odense Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tartu is notable for backpackers. However, Odense is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Tartu is a very popular university town for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Odense is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's a hostel or two in town, but most backpackers don't make the time to visit this off-the-beaten-path destination.

Is Tartu or Odense Better for Students?

Tartu is terrific for students. Also, Odense is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

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.

Plenty of students visit Odense. It's a charming and friendly city that makes a fun place to learn and live. There's a fascinating culture and a number of things to do.

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

Tartu is a good destination for its public transit. However, Odense does not have public transit.

Tartu has a few public transit options. There is a comprehensive bus system around the town.

Odense does not have public transit.

Is Tartu or Odense a more walkable city?

Tartu is notable for its ease of walking around. However, Odense is not a walkable destination.

Tartu is a very walkable destination. The city is compact with most of its sights and restaurants close together along a couple of streets.

Odense is not a walkable destination.

Should I spend more time in Odense or Tartu?

How long in Tartu or Odense?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Tartu and Odense. In our opinion, Tartu has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Tartu than Odense. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Tartu, and 2-3 days is enough time in Odense.

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

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

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

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 Odense, many people enjoy the food that this destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Tartu or Odense?

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 Odense. 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 Odense?

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.

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

A week in Tartu or Odense?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the intellectual 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 around the destination of Odense. 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 2-Week Tours from Copenhagen, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Denmark.

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

Which is Bigger, Tartu or Odense?

Odense has a larger population, and is about 44% larger than the population of Tartu. When comparing the sizes of Tartu and Odense, 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.