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

Should you visit Tartu or Rotorua?

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 Rotorua 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. Tartu offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the nightlife. See Tartu travel costs.

Rotorua

Rotorua is a world-renowned, diverse, and cultural town. With stunning beauty, Rotorua attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and hiking. See Rotorua travel costs.

Tartu and Rotorua: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tartu or Rotorua?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Rotorua than Tartu. While Tartu is larger than Rotorua, Rotorua has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Rotorua is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Tartu attracts visitors for its nightlife and historical sights. Rotorua is more touristy than Tartu and is known for its geothermal activity, Maori cultural influence, and its role in the famous Lord of the Rings movies. It is also well known for Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Tartu is famous for its vibrant student population and long running university.

How is Tartu different from Rotorua?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Rotorua 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 Rotorua. The area is filled with opportunities to learn about the Maori culture. The Maori village of Whakarewarewa is a highlight and you should also visit Te Wairoa. Fans of Lord of the Rings won't want to miss Hobbiton either. Finally, Rotorua Museum well worth a visit.

Tartu does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Rotorua is a great town for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Tartu is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Rotorua has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's a wide selection of culinary options in the area that include steambox (food prepared with the geothermal heat), and hāngī, which is a traditional Maori cooking technique. Many restaurants also make use of the local fruit, vegetables, and meats.

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 Rotorua Better for Nightlife?

Tartu is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Tartu has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Rotorua has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find the best concentration of bars and restaurants around Tutankei Street, which is often referred to as "Eat Street".

Is Tartu or Rotorua Better for its Old Town?

Tartu is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Rotorua does not have a historic old town.

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.

Rotorua does not have a historic old town.

Is Tartu or Rotorua Better for Hiking?

Rotorua is a great town for hiking. However, Tartu is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Rotorua for the hiking trails. The area is filled with beautiful walking trails that take you by lakes, volcanoes, and geothermal hot springs. A favorite route in the area is Tarawera Trail, which is 15 kilometers long and ends at a natural hot water beach.

Tartu is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tartu or Rotorua?

Rotorua is a town with good options for its shopping areas. However, Tartu is not known for shopping.

Rotorua has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find stores and galleries selling art and crafts around the main town center.

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 Rotorua More Beautiful?

Rotorua is a great town for its scenery and beauty. Also, Tartu is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its scenery and beauty.

With stunning beauty, Rotorua attracts visitors from all around. It's surrounded by striking volcanoes, beautiful lakes, and surreal geothermal springs, giving it an exotic and beautiful atmosphere.

Tartu is a gorgeous place to visit. It's a beautiful city with a long history and a number of unique historical buildings.

Is Tartu or Rotorua Better for Families?

Rotorua is an amazing town to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Tartu is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its family-friendly activities.

Rotorua is an extremely popular town to visit for families. The geothermal activity is fascinating for kids and adults alike. There are also many activities that will teach kids about the Maori culture and for animal lovers, there are farms and wildlife tours. Lord of the Rings fans won't want to miss Hobbiton, and there are many thrilling activities in the area such as white water rafting.

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 Rotorua Better for Couples?

Rotorua is an amazing town to visit for couples. However, Tartu is not known for romance.

Rotorua is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The unique environment and beautiful natural setting make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. Couples will appreciate the geothermal activity, beautiful walking trails, and diverse outdoor activities. There's also horseback riding, hot springs, and helicopter rides.

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 Rotorua Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rotorua is an amazing town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Tartu is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Rotorua, as it is a very popular town for budget travelers. Well established on the backpacker trail, there are plenty of hostels in the area and tons of activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

Is Tartu or Rotorua Better for Students?

Tartu is an amazing university town to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Rotorua 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.

Rotorua is not popular with students.

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

Tartu and Rotorua 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.

Rotorua has a few public transit options. There are buses and shuttles that travel around town and through the area.

Is Tartu or Rotorua a more walkable city?

Tartu is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Rotorua is somewhat walkable. The town itself is fairly walkable but if you want to get into the surrounding areas, having a vehicle provides the most flexibility.

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

Should I spend more time in Rotorua or Tartu?

How long in Tartu or Rotorua?

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

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

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

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

One day in Tartu or Rotorua?

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 Rotorua, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this diverse destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This town 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 Rotorua?

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 Rotorua. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Rotorua?

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.

Rotorua is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Rotorua. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tartu or Rotorua?

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 cultural destination of Rotorua. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tartu and Rotorua, we can see that Tartu is more expensive. And not only is Rotorua much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tartu is in Europe and Rotorua is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Rotorua would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rotorua 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 Rotorua.

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

Which is Bigger, Tartu or Rotorua?

Tartu has a larger population, and is about 53% larger than the population of Rotorua. When comparing the sizes of Tartu and Rotorua, 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 Rotorua?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Rotorua is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Tartu has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Tartu or Rotorua in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tartu and Rotorua. The summer months attract visitors to Tartu because of the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rotorua this time of year.

Tartu is a little warmer than Rotorua in the summer. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Rotorua fluctuates around 12°C (54°F)in January.

In July, Tartu usually receives more rain than Rotoruain January. Tartu gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tartu or Rotorua in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Tartu as well as Rotorua. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Tartu this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Rotorua for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Tartu is much colder than Rotorua. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tartu in October average around 6°C (43°F), and Rotorua averages at about 16°C (61°F)in April.

Tartu usually gets more rain in October than Rotoruain April. Tartu gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tartu or Rotorua in the Winter?

Both Rotorua and Tartu are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Tartu for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Rotorua in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Tartu. In January, Tartu is generally much colder than Rotoruain July. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around -7°C (19°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In January, Tartu usually receives more rain than Rotoruain July. Tartu gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tartu or Rotorua in the Spring?

Both Rotorua and Tartu during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Tartu in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Rotorua for the natural beauty during these months.

Tartu can get quite cold in the spring. Tartu is much colder than Rotorua in the spring. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 5°C (41°F) in April, and Rotorua fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in October.

Tartu usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Rotoruain October. Tartu gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rotorua and Tartu