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

Should you visit Tartu or Tampere?

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 Tampere 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 Tampere?

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.

Tampere

Tampere is a city in southern Finland. It sits between Nasijarvi Lake and Pyhajarvi Lake, with the Tammerkoski rapids in between. It is one of the larger Finnish cities, with more than 200,000 inhabitants, but Tampere has managed to keep the small town feel. The city center is compact in size, and the atmosphere is friendly and casual. The city is located on a scenic spot on a narrow isthmus. The Tammerkoski rapids and their riverbanks form the backdrop for the old industrial buildings, and ridges formed thousands of years ago by ancient seas and retreating ice offer fantastic views over the two lakes. Original architecture and innovative urban development blend together to please both viewers and users of the built environment. Enjoy the surrounding lakes on peaceful rowboat trips or on cruises on larger vessels, or concentrate on the urban sights from a sightseeing bus. Regenerated industrial buildings now house quirky museums, enticing shops, pubs, cinemas and cafes. Tampere has a down-to-earth vitality that makes it a favorite for many visitors.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Estonia, The Best Budget Tours to Estonia, The Best 10-Day Tours from Helsinki, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Finland.

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

Which is Bigger, Tartu or Tampere?

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

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 Tampere in the Summer?

Both Tampere 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 July, Tartu is generally around the same temperature as Tampere. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around 17°C (62°F), and Tampere fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Tampere. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tartu. Tartu usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tampere during summer. Tartu gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Tampere receives 247 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Tartu usually receives less rain than Tampere. Tartu gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Tampere receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tartu or Tampere in the Autumn?

Both Tampere 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.

Tartu is a little warmer than Tampere in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 6°C (43°F) in October, and Tampere fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

In the autumn, Tartu often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tampere. Tartu gets 86 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tampere receives 81 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in October than Tampere. Tartu gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Tampere receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tartu or Tampere in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Tampere in the winter. The weather in Tartu can be very cold. In the winter, Tartu is around the same temperature as Tampere. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tartu in January average around -7°C (19°F), and Tampere averages at about -7°C (19°F).

Tartu usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tampere during winter. Tartu gets 36 hours of sunny skies, while Tampere receives 37 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tartu usually receives less rain than Tampere. Tartu gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Tampere receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tartu or Tampere in the Spring?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Tampere. It's quite cold in Tartu in the spring. In April, Tartu is generally a little warmer than Tampere. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around 5°C (41°F), and Tampere fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the spring, Tartu often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tampere. Tartu gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tampere receives 174 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Tampere. Tartu gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Tampere receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Tampere and Tartu