A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aqaba vs. Interlaken for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Aqaba or Interlaken?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aqaba or Interlaken, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Aqaba or Interlaken?

Aqaba

Aqaba is a port city in Jordan, in fact, it is the only port city in the country. This city is located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, which is in the southern part of Jordan. The city is still being developed; many of its facilities and infrastructures are being improved. The population of Aqaba is about 190,000 and the city has been key in developing Jordan's economy via trade and tourism.

Interlaken

Interlaken is a small city that is located in the Bernese Highlands Region of central Switzerland. It sits pleasantly between two Alpine Lakes, Brienzersee and Thunersee. This scenic setting and its easy accessibility make it a popular base camp for travel into the Bernese Oberland Alps. It has become a top tourist destination in Switzerland and it is also a hub for outdoor sports enthusiasts with plenty of hiking, skiing, paragliding, and other activities in the region.. Interlaken is a great hoping off point to explore many of the nearby mountains, lakes, and valleys, too. It offers easy transportation to most major Swiss cities by train or car.

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


Which place is cheaper, Interlaken or Aqaba?

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 Aqaba is $157, while the average daily cost in Interlaken is $326. 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 Aqaba and Interlaken in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Aqaba $59
    Interlaken $156
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Aqaba $118
    Interlaken $312
Compare Hotels in Aqaba and Interlaken

Looking for a hotel in Aqaba or Interlaken? 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 Aqaba


Hotels in Interlaken


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: Aqaba Hotel Prices and Interlaken Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Aqaba $24
    Interlaken $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:

  • Wadi Rum: Private Transfer to Aqaba through Hotel Pickup: $68
  • Wadi Rum: One-Way Transfer to/from Aqaba by Private Car: $80
  • Transfers , Meet & Assistance at Wadi Araba Crossing Border: $153
  • Transfer from Aqaba City Or TalaBay to Wadi rum: $120
  • Transfer from Aqaba City Or TalaBay to Amman Airport: $101
  • Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Petra: $60
  • Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Wadi rum: $140
  • Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Aqaba City Or TalaBay: $25
  • Snorkeling in The Red Sea With Equipment And Free Transfer: $51
  • Private Transfers from Wadi Rum Inside Jordan and Vice Versa: $129
  • Private Transfer: Aqaba Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $27
  • Private Transfer: Aqaba Airport to Sheikh Hussein Border or vice versa: $193

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Interlaken

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Interlaken are as follows:


  • Cable Cars (for 2)
    $77

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Interlaken

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

  • Day Hike to Augstmatthorn with Transfer from Interlaken: $262
  • From Private One-Way Transfer to Lucerne: $325
  • Private Group transfer Interlaken - Zurich Airport: $892
  • Private Transfer from interlaken City to Lucerne City: $165
  • Private direct transfer from Interlaken to Zurich: $259

Is it cheaper to fly into Aqaba or Interlaken?

Prices for flights to both Interlaken and Aqaba 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
    Aqaba $73
    Interlaken $130

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aqaba.

  • Sunset Cruise with BBQ Dinner and Drinks: $54
  • 4h Jeep Tour + Bedouin Night (Dinner & Breakfast): $65
  • Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight in Bedouin Camp & Dinner: $100
  • Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight & Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $110
  • From Wadi Rum Full-Day Private Jeep Tour with Dinner: $169
  • Wadi Rum Private Tour with Jeep Safari and Dinner: $220
  • Petra & Wadi Rum Private Tour with Dinner one day: $425

Typical Food Prices in Interlaken

For Interlaken, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Tea at Interlaken
    $38

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Interlaken

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

  • From Night Sledding with Cheese Fondue Dinner: $161
  • Fondue Cooking Class and Cheese Workshop in Switzerland: $179
  • Night Sledding & Fondue Dinner with Guide: $186
  • Cheese and Chocolate Full-Day Food Tour: $836

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Aqaba $54
    Interlaken $122

Tours and Activities in Aqaba

Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • "Jordan: 3-Day Tour of Ancient Sites, Nature,&Local Culture": $317
  • 03 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $61
  • 04 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $73
  • 06 Hours Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum: $84
  • 1 Day & 1 Night | Stay & Jeep + Camel Tour in Wadi Rum | Magic Bedouin Star: $99
  • 1 Day Camel tour with lunch: $75
  • 2 Days 1 Night in Wadi Rum Jeep Tour: $204
  • 2 Days Guided Hiking Tour To Wadi Rum Jebal Al Hash: $103
  • 2 Days Tour | Petra, Wadi Rum, and Dead Sea From Amman.: $190
  • 2 Hour Jeep Tour - Wadi Rum Desert & Canyon: $35
  • 2 Hours Morning or Sunset Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
  • 2 To 5 Hours Glass Bottom Boat Private Tour At Read Sea: $90

Tours and Activities in Interlaken

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

  • Interlaken Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.96
  • Private Lake Thun and Lake Brienz Express Tour from Interlaken: $33
  • Admission ticket for the Ballenberg Open-Air Museum: $40
  • Funicular Ticket to Harder Kulm: $47
  • Rope Park Climbing Adventure with Entry Ticket: $56
  • Lenk High-altitude circuit Gryden with mountain railway ticket Betelberg: $74
  • Attraction Ticket: Interlaken to Harder Funicular: $100
  • Attraction Ticket: Interlaken to Harder Funicular: $101
  • Interlaken Golden Hour Social Bike Tour: $101
  • Interlaken Cruise Day Pass Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, 2nd class: $107
  • Relaxed Kayak Experience on Lake Brienz: $114
  • Interlaken Winter E-Bike Tour: Rivers, Lakes & Forests: $124

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Aqaba $9.07
    Interlaken $20


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

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


Which is Bigger, Aqaba or Interlaken?

Aqaba has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Aqaba 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 Aqaba or Interlaken?

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

Should I visit Aqaba or Interlaken in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Aqaba as well as Interlaken. Aqaba attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Aqaba can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Aqaba is generally much warmer than Interlaken. Daily temperatures in Aqaba average around 33°C (91°F), and Interlaken fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Interlaken. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aqaba this time of the year. In the summer, Aqaba often gets more sunshine than Interlaken. Aqaba gets 384 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 241 hours of full sun.

Aqaba usually gets less rain in July than Interlaken. Aqaba gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Aqaba 33°C (91°F) 
    Interlaken 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Aqaba or Interlaken in the Autumn?

Both Interlaken and Aqaba are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Aqaba throughout the year. Also, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year.

Aqaba is much warmer than Interlaken in the autumn. The daily temperature in Aqaba averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Interlaken fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Aqaba. Aqaba usually receives more sunshine than Interlaken during autumn. Aqaba gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Aqaba usually receives less rain than Interlaken. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Aqaba 26°C (79°F) 
    Interlaken 13°C (56°F)

Should I visit Aqaba or Interlaken in the Winter?

Both Interlaken and Aqaba during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Aqaba because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Interlaken for the skiing and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Interlaken. In the winter, Aqaba is much warmer than Interlaken. Typically, the winter temperatures in Aqaba in January average around 14°C (57°F), and Interlaken averages at about 3°C (37°F).

It's quite sunny in Aqaba. In the winter, Aqaba often gets more sunshine than Interlaken. Aqaba gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 55 hours of full sun.

Aqaba usually gets less rain in January than Interlaken. Aqaba gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Aqaba 14°C (57°F) 
    Interlaken 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Aqaba or Interlaken in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Aqaba and Interlaken. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Aqaba year-round. Also, many visitors come to Interlaken in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Aqaba is generally much warmer than Interlaken. Daily temperatures in Aqaba average around 24°C (75°F), and Interlaken fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In Aqaba, it's very sunny this time of the year. Aqaba usually receives more sunshine than Interlaken during spring. Aqaba gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Aqaba usually receives less rain than Interlaken. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Aqaba 24°C (75°F) 
    Interlaken 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Interlaken and Aqaba

Aqaba Interlaken
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 3°C (37°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Feb 16°C (61°F) 1 mm (0 in) 5°C (40°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Mar 19°C (66°F) 1 mm (0 in) 8°C (46°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 24°C (75°F) 1 mm (0 in) 12°C (53°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
May 27°C (81°F) 0 mm (0 in) 16°C (60°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Jun 31°C (88°F) 0 mm (0 in) 19°C (66°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Jul 33°C (91°F) 0 mm (0 in) 21°C (70°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Aug 33°C (91°F) 0 mm (0 in) 21°C (69°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Sep 31°C (88°F) 0 mm (0 in) 18°C (64°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 26°C (79°F) 1 mm (0 in) 13°C (56°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Nov 20°C (68°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 7°C (45°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 4°C (39°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)