A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aberdeen vs. Interlaken for Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Aberdeen or Interlaken?

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

Should I visit Aberdeen or Interlaken? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Aberdeen

Aberdeen is a cultural, architectural, and authentic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Interlaken

Interlaken is a adrenaline-filled, breathtaking, and world-class town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for skiing, food, and hiking.

Aberdeen and Interlaken: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Aberdeen or Interlaken?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Aberdeen. Although Aberdeen and Interlaken are both popular with visitors, Aberdeen has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Aberdeen is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Interlaken is known for its skiing, food, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Interlaken is more touristy than Aberdeen and is popular for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. Aberdeen is popular for its longstanding maritime history and its many cultural sights and activities. It is also home to St Machar's Cathedral Aberdeen.

How is Aberdeen different from Interlaken?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Aberdeen or Interlaken Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is a popular place for snow skiing. However, Aberdeen is not a skiing destination.

Interlaken is a great destination for skiing with plenty areas to explore. While the city itself has no skiing, there is access to several ski areas in Jungfrau. There are several different resorts in the area near Grindelwald, Wengen, and Mürren. You'll need to take a train or ski bus to get most places.

Aberdeen is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Aberdeen or Interlaken?

Aberdeen is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Aberdeen specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city's long running history means that there are plenty of sights and museums worth exploring. Highlights include St. Machar's Cathedral, the University and King's College of Aberdeen, Brig o'Balgownie, and the Tolbooth Museum.

Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Aberdeen or Interlaken? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Interlaken is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Aberdeen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Interlaken makes for a great culinary experience. Restaurants in the area serve local classics like fondue, local meats, cheeses, and chocolate. You can finish your meal off with strudel or head to a local bakery and try their samplings. Meals are expensive but the quality is good. You should also out into the countryside and enjoy a meal looking out over the mountains.

Aberdeen has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Everything from brunch bistros to fine dining are available in this city. You can enjoy local specialties or international options at any of the unique restaurants around town.

Is Aberdeen or Interlaken Better for Nightlife?

Aberdeen is very good for nightlife. However, Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Aberdeen. The nightlife scene is diverse with whisky dens, local pubs, and even trendy nightclubs to choose from.

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Aberdeen or Interlaken Better for its Old Town?

Aberdeen is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town. However, Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Aberdeen. This city's old town is a hidden gem in Scotland. The cobblestone streets and long history make for a fascinating place to explore.

Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

Is Aberdeen or Interlaken Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is an unbeatable place for the nearby hiking options. However, Aberdeen is not a hiking destination.

People visit Interlaken specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. Hikes in the area range from easy to challenging with every option in between. You can experience beautiful waterfalls, breathtaking views, and dramatic ridge hikes. Several of the best hikes in the area include Schynige Platte Ridge Trail, Mt Niesen Panorama Trail, and Giessbach Waterfalls.

Aberdeen is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Aberdeen or Interlaken?

Aberdeen is very good for shopping. However, Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Aberdeen. A mix of modern shopping centers, antique vendors, and local boutiques make for an interesting shopping scene. For some of the city's best shopping head to Union Square Shopping Centre, the Trinity Centre, or Bon Accord Aberdeen.

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Aberdeen or Interlaken Better for Families?

Interlaken is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Aberdeen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Interlaken is a very family-friendly destination. While the city is beautiful, it's really the surrounding areas that you and your family will enjoy. There are amazing hikes, stunning views, playgrounds, lakes, and more. There's also an impressive ropes course that adventurous kids will love, funiculars, gondolas, and so many water sports!

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Aberdeen is very family-friendly. Explore the city's history or wander through one of the many museums. Some of the best museums for kids include the Aberdeen Maritime Museum, Little Treasures Toy Museum, the Aberdeen Science Center, and the Gordon Highlanders Museum. Adrenaline seekers will enjoy rock climbing and ropes courses at Transition Extreme or ziplining at Go Ape Crathes Castle. Also nearby is horseback riding and Codona’s Amusement Park.

Is Aberdeen or Interlaken Better for Couples?

Interlaken is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Aberdeen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Interlaken makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The mountaintop views, breathtaking hikes, and beautiful lakes make this a top destination for couples. Make sure you head out of town and fully immerse yourself in everything that the area has to offer. Kayaking, canoeing, paragliding, and more will make this a trip of a lifetime.

Aberdeen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many of the standard activities for couples such as interesting restaurants, theaters, and fun concerts.

Is Aberdeen or Interlaken Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Interlaken is a popular place for backpackers. However, Aberdeen is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Interlaken. It's a world class destination with so many activities that backpackers will love, but it's also one of the most expensive areas in one of the most expensive countries. There are hostels in town as well as a few in the nearby towns and countryside, but prices are steep. Cook when you can and enjoy all of the free activities that the area has to offer.

Aberdeen is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Aberdeen or Interlaken Better for Students?

Aberdeen is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Interlaken is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Aberdeen. The city is a nice affordable option for students who want to study at the University of Aberdeen.

Interlaken is not popular with students.

Is Aberdeen or Interlaken Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Interlaken is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Aberdeen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Interlaken is fairly effecient and thorough. Buses travel around town, but to get into the mountains there are trains, cog railways, funiculars, and gondolas.

Aberdeen has some public transit options. There are public buses through town and it's possible to pick up a Grasshopper ticket that lets you ride on most of the bus companies.

Is Aberdeen or Interlaken a more walkable city?

Aberdeen is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, Interlaken is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Aberdeen is very walkable. It's easy to walk to most of the city's attractions.

Interlaken is a somewhat walkable place. The old town is relatively walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Aberdeen Worth Visiting? and Is Interlaken Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Interlaken or Aberdeen?

How long in Aberdeen or Interlaken?

In either Aberdeen or Interlaken, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Interlaken than Aberdeen because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Aberdeen, and 2-5 days is enough time in Interlaken.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Interlaken than Aberdeen 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 Interlaken.

One day in Aberdeen or Interlaken?

With museums and nightlife around the authentic city of Aberdeen, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The beautiful town of Interlaken offers food and skiing. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Aberdeen or Interlaken?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Aberdeen, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Interlaken is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Interlaken, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Aberdeen or Interlaken?

Aberdeen, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Interlaken is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Interlaken, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Aberdeen or Interlaken?

Aberdeen is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Interlaken is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Geneva, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Zurich.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aberdeen and Interlaken, we can see that Interlaken is more expensive. And not only is Aberdeen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Aberdeen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Aberdeen 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 Interlaken would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Interlaken than you might in Aberdeen.

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

Which is Bigger, Aberdeen or Interlaken?

Aberdeen has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Aberdeen and Interlaken, 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 Aberdeen or Interlaken?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Aberdeen or Interlaken in the Summer?

Both Interlaken and Aberdeen during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Aberdeen this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Interlaken for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Aberdeen is much colder than Interlaken in the summer. The daily temperature in Aberdeen averages around 14°C (58°F) in July, and Interlaken fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In Interlaken, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Aberdeen often gets less sunshine than Interlaken. Aberdeen gets 157 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 241 hours of full sun.

Aberdeen usually gets less rain in July than Interlaken. Aberdeen gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aberdeen or Interlaken in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Aberdeen and Interlaken. Many travelers come to Aberdeen for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Interlaken in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Aberdeen is cooler than Interlaken. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Aberdeen in October average around 9°C (49°F), and Interlaken averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Aberdeen usually receives less sunshine than Interlaken during autumn. Aberdeen gets 93 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Aberdeen usually receives more rain than Interlaken. Aberdeen gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Aberdeen or Interlaken in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Aberdeen as well as Interlaken. Many visitors come to Aberdeen in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Interlaken for the skiing and the cuisine during these months.

Interlaken can be very cold during winter. Aberdeen can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Aberdeen is generally around the same temperature as Interlaken. Daily temperatures in Aberdeen average around 3°C (38°F), and Interlaken fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Aberdeen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Interlaken. Aberdeen gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 55 hours of full sun.

Aberdeen usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Interlaken. Aberdeen gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aberdeen or Interlaken in the Spring?

Both Interlaken and Aberdeen are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Aberdeen for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the natural beauty.

Aberdeen is much colder than Interlaken in the spring. The daily temperature in Aberdeen averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Interlaken fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Aberdeen usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Interlaken during spring. Aberdeen gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Aberdeen usually receives less rain than Interlaken. Aberdeen gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Interlaken and Aberdeen