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

Should you visit Mombasa or Tartu?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Mombasa and Tartu. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Mombasa or Tartu?

Mombasa

Mombasa is a beautiful, large city on the eastern coast of Kenya, bordering the Indian Ocean. The city is famous for its stunning beaches, friendly locals, and diverse marine life. Mombasa experiences a tropical climate year round, meaning temperatures rarely drop below 70° Fahrenheit. The rainiest months of the year are April and May and the driest months are January and February. Temperatures tend to be more mild from May through October, usually in the 70's and 80's. Temperatures get much warmer from November through April, with daily averages reaching the high 90's.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Estonia, and The Best Budget Tours to Estonia.


Which place is cheaper, Tartu or Mombasa?

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 Mombasa is $80, while the average daily cost in Tartu is $155. 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 Mombasa and Tartu in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mombasa $26
    Tartu $55
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mombasa $52
    Tartu $110
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Tartu

Looking for a hotel in Mombasa or Tartu? 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 Mombasa


Hotels in Tartu


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: Mombasa Hotel Prices and Tartu Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mombasa $18
    Tartu $32

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa

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

  • Mombasa Airport Transfers to Mtwapa: $130
  • Mombasa Airport Transfers : $129
  • Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Watamu Hotels: $114
  • Private Day Tour of Mombasa City with Transfers: $104
  • Mombasa Airport Private Transfers To Vipingo & Kilifi Hotels: $95
  • Mombasa Airport Private Transfer to Diani Beach: $81
  • Private Transfer from Mombasa City Hotels to Mombasa Cruise Port: $79
  • Private Transfer from Mombasa Cruise Port to Mombasa City Hotels: $79
  • Mombasa Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $74
  • DianiBeach: Private Transfer from Airport or Railway Station: $70
  • Private Transfer from Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA) to Mombasa City: $43
  • Private Transfer from Mombasa City to Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA): $43

Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Tartu?

Prices for flights to both Tartu and Mombasa 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
    Mombasa $41
    Tartu $76

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mombasa

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

  • Special African Dinner: $46

Typical Food Prices in Tartu

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tartu:


  • Danishes
    $0.89
  • Lunch for Two
    $5.78
  • Ice Cream
    $1.49
  • Cookies
    $0.59
  • Coffee & Cake
    $4.07

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mombasa $18
    Tartu $19

Tours and Activities in Mombasa

For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Mombasa Getaway with Haller Park Tours: $150
  • The Best Of Mombasa Walking Tour: $227
  • Bus Tickets from Mombasa to Nairobi: $55
  • Day Tour To Tsavo East National Park: $240
  • Day Tour to Tsavo East National Park from Mombasa or Diani: $278
  • Day tour to Shimba hills National Reserve from Mombasa/Diani: $336
  • Diani: Full-day Guided Mombasa City Tour from Diani: $110
  • Fort Jesus Museum Walking Tour in Mombasa: $35
  • Full Day Group Joining Tour of Mombasa : $107
  • Full Day Mombasa Excursion Tour : $110
  • Full day tour in Mombasa: $93
  • Full-Day Tour of Mombasa: $110

Typical Entertainment Prices in Tartu

For Tartu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Art Museum ticket
    $1.12
  • Movie Ticket
    $4.07

Tours and Activities in Tartu

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

  • Around Viljandi bike tour: $30
  • Charming Viljandi Private Walking Tour for Couples: $260
  • Dazzling Tartu City Cultural Private Walking Tour: $751
  • Magical Tartu Romantic Private Walking Tour: $751
  • TARTU COUNTRY: SLED DOG TOUR AND KENNEL VISIT: $141

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mombasa $8.79
    Tartu $18


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and Tartu, we can see that Tartu is more expensive. And not only is Mombasa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mombasa is in Africa and Tartu is in Europe, 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 Mombasa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mombasa 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 Mombasa.

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


Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Tartu?

Mombasa has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Tartu. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa and Tartu, 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 Mombasa or Tartu?

Tartu has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Mombasa experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Mombasa or Tartu in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Tartu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Tartu because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Mombasa is a little warmer than Tartu. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mombasa in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Tartu averages at about 17°C (62°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tartu this time of the year. In Mombasa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mombasa usually receives less sunshine than Tartu during summer. Mombasa gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Tartu receives 265 hours of full sun in the summer.

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


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Mombasa 24°C (75°F) 
    Tartu 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Mombasa or Tartu in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Tartu. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Tartu this time of year.

In October, Mombasa is generally much warmer than Tartu. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 26°C (79°F), and Tartu fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mombasa this time of the year. In the autumn, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Tartu. Mombasa gets 291 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tartu receives 86 hours of full sun.

Mombasa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Mombasa usually gets more rain in October than Tartu. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Tartu receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Mombasa 26°C (79°F) 
    Tartu 6°C (43°F)

Should I visit Mombasa or Tartu in the Winter?

Both Tartu and Mombasa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mombasa throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Tartu for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Tartu. Mombasa is much warmer than Tartu in the winter. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Tartu fluctuates around -7°C (19°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than Tartu during winter. Mombasa gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Tartu receives 36 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Mombasa usually receives more rain than Tartu. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Tartu receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Mombasa 27°C (81°F) 
    Tartu -7°C (19°F)

Should I visit Mombasa or Tartu in the Spring?

Both Tartu and Mombasa during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mombasa because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Tartu in the spring for the natural beauty.

Tartu can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Mombasa is much warmer than Tartu. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mombasa in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Tartu averages at about 5°C (41°F).

It's quite sunny in Mombasa. In the spring, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Tartu. Mombasa gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tartu receives 180 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually gets more rain in April than Tartu. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Tartu receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Mombasa 27°C (81°F) 
    Tartu 5°C (41°F)

Typical Weather for Tartu and Mombasa

Mombasa Tartu
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (81°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) -7°C (19°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) -6°C (20°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)
Mar 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) -2°C (29°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 5°C (41°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
May 26°C (79°F) 260 mm (10.2 in) 11°C (53°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Jun 24°C (75°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 15°C (59°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 24°C (75°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 16°C (61°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Sep 25°C (77°F) 50 mm (2 in) 11°C (52°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Oct 26°C (79°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 6°C (43°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 1°C (33°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) -4°C (25°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)