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

Should you visit Tartu or Setubal?

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 Setubal 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 Setubal?

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.

Setubal

Setubal is a busy working port and major commercial fishing center. Setubal is a city that has always had a close connection to the seas, and this is celebrated along the newly rejuvenated waterfront, which encompasses the colorful fishing harbor, the popular urban park and the Troia Peninsula ferry terminal. Within the charming historic center is a maze of narrow alleys, hidden plazas, and family-owned shops, along with Portugal's largest fish market. Setubal is primarily an industrial city, but is situated in a region of immense beauty; to the east is the stunning Serra da Arrabida, to the north is historic Palmela, while to the south are the paradise beaches of the Troia Peninsula. Setubal may not be a conventional holiday destination, but there is a surprising amount to see and do within the city and the surrounding region.

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 Portugal, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Setubal or Tartu?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Tartu is €132, while the average daily cost in Setubal is €149. 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 Setubal in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tartu 47
    Setubal 59
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tartu 94
    Setubal 118
Compare Hotels in Tartu and Setubal

Looking for a hotel in Tartu or Setubal? 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 Setubal


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 Setubal Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tartu 27
    Setubal 54

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Setubal

Also for Setubal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer: Grândola > Lisbon: $278
  • Serra da Arrabida Natural Park E Bike Tour with Transfers: $187
  • Transfer From Évora to Lisbon: $146
  • Sesimbra Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $55

Is it cheaper to fly into Tartu or Setubal?

Prices for flights to both Setubal 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 65
    Setubal 60
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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Setubal

For Setubal, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Traditional Evora Cooking Class & Wine Pairings in Fatima’s Home: $220
  • Authentic Evora Cooking Class with Wine in Chef Sofia’s Garden: $279

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tartu 16
    Setubal 12
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.

  • Around Viljandi bike tour: $29
  • Charming Viljandi Private Walking Tour for Couples: $255
  • Dazzling Tartu City Cultural Private Walking Tour: $751
  • Magical Tartu Romantic Private Walking Tour: $751
  • Private Horse-Drawn Sleigh Adventures: $211
  • TARTU COUNTRY: SLED DOG TOUR AND KENNEL VISIT: $141

Tours and Activities in Setubal

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Setubal.

  • Évora Private Walking Tour and Traditional Food Tasting: $181
  • Évora Roman Legacy: Private walking tour with tickets: $99
  • Évora Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.46
  • Évora Walking Tour: Small Group Tour with Chapel of Bones Tickets: $57
  • Évora or Montemor-o-Novo: Guided Tour to Escoural Caves: $29
  • Évora: Private walking tour with tickets to main monuments: $101
  • 4x4 Tour to the Wonders of Cabo Espichel: $70
  • Arrabida Adventure Circuit: $76
  • Boat Tour with Lunch in the Heart of Arrábida - Sesimbra: $140
  • COMPORTA, Arrábida Adventure Coasteering Try Dive or Via Ferrata: $140
  • Chã dos Navegantes Jeep Tour: $64
  • Climbing Experience in Arrábida: $76

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tartu 16
    Setubal 10

Sample the Local Flavors in Setubal

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Setubal:

  • Workshop - Wine Tasting 101: $70
  • Private Half Day Arrabida Tour with Wine Tasting in Sesimbra: $143
  • Half Day Wine Tour Around Evora: $152


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


Which is Bigger, Tartu or Setubal?

Setubal has a larger population, and is about 16% larger than the population of Tartu. When comparing the sizes of Tartu and Setubal, 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 Setubal?

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 Setubal in the Summer?

Both Setubal and Tartu are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Tartu in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Tartu is cooler than Setubal. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tartu in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Setubal averages at about 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Setubal. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tartu. Tartu usually receives less sunshine than Setubal during summer. Tartu gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Setubal receives 352 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Tartu usually receives more rain than Setubal. Tartu gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Setubal receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Tartu 17°C (62°F) 
    Setubal 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Tartu or Setubal in the Autumn?

Both Setubal and Tartu during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Tartu for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Tartu is generally much colder than Setubal. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around 6°C (43°F), and Setubal fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In Setubal, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Tartu often gets less sunshine than Setubal. Tartu gets 86 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Setubal receives 213 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in October than Setubal. Tartu gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Setubal receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Tartu 6°C (43°F) 
    Setubal 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Tartu or Setubal in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tartu and Setubal. The winter months attract visitors to Tartu because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

The weather in Tartu can be very cold. Tartu is much colder than Setubal in the winter. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around -7°C (19°F) in January, and Setubal fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Tartu usually receives less sunshine than Setubal during winter. Tartu gets 36 hours of sunny skies, while Setubal receives 144 hours of full sun in the winter.

Setubal receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Tartu usually receives less rain than Setubal. Tartu gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Setubal receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Tartu -7°C (19°F) 
    Setubal 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Tartu or Setubal in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Tartu as well as Setubal. The natural beauty are the main draw to Tartu this time of year.

It's quite cold in Tartu in the spring. In the spring, Tartu is much colder than Setubal. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tartu in April average around 5°C (41°F), and Setubal averages at about 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Setubal. In the spring, Tartu often gets less sunshine than Setubal. Tartu gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Setubal receives 235 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in April than Setubal. Tartu gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Setubal receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Tartu 5°C (41°F) 
    Setubal 16°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Setubal and Tartu

Tartu Setubal
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -7°C (19°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Feb -6°C (20°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Mar -2°C (29°F) 26 mm (1 in) 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 5°C (41°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
May 11°C (53°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Aug 16°C (61°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Sep 11°C (52°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Oct 6°C (43°F) 52 mm (2 in) 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 1°C (33°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Dec -4°C (25°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)