A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Basel vs. Innsbruck for Old Town, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Basel or Innsbruck?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Basel or Innsbruck, 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.

Basel

Basel is a museum-filled, easily accessible, and beautiful city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Innsbruck

Innsbruck is a scenic, youthful , and adventurous city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. And you can't forget about the skiing, nightlife, and food.

Basel and Innsbruck: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or Innsbruck?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Innsbruck than Basel. While Basel is larger than Innsbruck, Innsbruck has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Innsbruck is better known for its skiing, food, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Basel is more popular for its museums and shopping. Innsbruck is more touristy than Basel and is known for its mountain hiking, skiing, and winter sports. Also, Innsbruck is famous for The Golden Roof in the old town. Basel is well known for its many museums and its nice old town.

The Golden Roof in the old town

How is Basel different from Innsbruck?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Basel or Innsbruck Better for Skiing?

Innsbruck is notable for snow skiing. However, Basel is not a skiing destination.

People head to Innsbruck specifically to take advantage of the area's skiing and winter sports. This city offers easy access to excellent skiing without having to travel too far. There are 9 ski resorts around town that make up the Olympia SkiWorld Innsbruck. Each resort has its own personality and style. You can reach the Seegrube mountain in about 20 minutes using the funicular and cable car.

Basel is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Basel or Innsbruck?

Basel is notable for its sights and museums. However, Innsbruck does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Basel. The city is filled with history. Head to Minster Hill to see the beautiful historic church and Münsterplatz. There are also several unique museums around town including Jean Tinguely Museum, the Paper Mill Museum, the Historical Museum, and the Museum of Art.

Innsbruck does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Basel or Innsbruck? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Innsbruck is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Innsbruck. The city is known for the hearty and filling food that is perfect for a cold winter day. There are cafes and restaurants around old town that offer traditional dishes including käsespätzle, wiener schnitzel, and apfelstrudel. If you're ready for something a little less heavy, there are a number of ethnic restaurants to choose from outside of the old town.

Basel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Food around town can be expensive, but there are some outdoor markets where you can buy fruit and a bratwurst for a reasonable price. The city is known for its breads, soups, and pastries, which are all delicious.

Is Basel or Innsbruck Better for Nightlife?

Innsbruck is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Innsbruck has plenty to do after the sun goes down. With its large student population and wide range of young visitors who enjoy high energy activities, there's plenty to do here when the sunsets. There are bars and dance clubs that stay active late into the night.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Basel. The city's nightlife comes alive as the sun sets. There are bars, pubs, and dance clubs that stay active until the early morning hours.

Is Basel or Innsbruck Better for its Old Town?

Innsbruck is a world-class destination for its old town. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

The historic old town of Innsbruck is revered around the world. The old town is filled with charming restaurants and cafes as well as comfortable outdoor places to relax when the weather is nice. One of the most notable landmarks is the The Goldenes Dachl, or the "little golden roof", but the atmosphere around old town is what makes this place really special.

Basel is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The charming old town is fun to explore on foot with its quaint streets and meandering alleys. The beautiful architecture and ornate fountains give the area a unique personality. On the hottest days you may even see locals swimming in some of the fountains.

Is Basel or Innsbruck Better for Hiking?

Innsbruck is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Basel is not a hiking destination.

Innsbruck is a popular spot for hiking. The city is nestled in the Austrian mountains with many beautiful hikes just outside of town. There are hikes for all skill levels that offer spectacular views of some of the best scenery in Austria.

Basel is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Basel or Innsbruck?

Basel is notable for its shopping opportunities. However, Innsbruck is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Basel is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The old town is filled with shops that you can wander through as you explore. Popular shopping streets include Freie Strasse and the area around Marktplatz, where you'll find boutique shops and interesting trinkets. You can also head to the city's oldest department store - Manor.

Innsbruck is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Basel or Innsbruck Better for Families?

Basel and Innsbruck are both high quality destinations for the whole family.

Basel is a very kid-friendly city. The city has an impressive zoo, a really unique toy museum, as well as Aquabasilea with its pools and slides. It's also compact enough that little legs can explore and enjoy everything that it has to offer. If the weather's warm, head for the river to cool off.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Innsbruck. The city has a pleasant atmosphere with a charming old town and plenty of outdoor activities that the whole family can enjoy. There's also the popular Swarovski Crystal Worlds, which is fun for kids and adults alike. The Alpine Zoo and the city's many parks and playgrounds all make it a great stop if you're traveling with kids.

Is Basel or Innsbruck Better for Couples?

Innsbruck is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Innsbruck is a very popular place to visit for couples. The city's old town is filled with restaurants that make for great date nights. There are also many hikes, viewpoints, and activities that are perfect for a couple's getaway.

Basel is a good city for couples to visit. Nice restaurants, interesting museums, and several great spas make this a nice place for a romantic trip.

Is Basel or Innsbruck Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Innsbruck is notable for backpackers. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Innsbruck is a great city to visit for backpackers. The city has a number of hostels and affordable restaurants that make it a reasonable option for backpackers and budget travelers. Outdoor activities like nearby hiking are affordable ways to spend the day as well.

Basel is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a few hostels and a really useful City Pass that make this city an option for backpackers and budget travelers. It's also a major transit center so accessibility is convenient. If you're traveling around Europe by train, you'll likely pass through Basel at some point.

Is Basel or Innsbruck Better for Students?

Basel and Innsbruck are both high quality destinations for students and younger travelers.

Basel is a great city to visit as a student. The University of Basel brings in international students from around the world. The city makes a nice base for exploring Europe, but it's also a bit expensive which can be challenging on a student income.

Students come from all over to stay in Innsbruck. The city's laid back vibe and wide range of universities make it a great place for students. There are cafes, bars, and many outdoor activities that students enjoy while they're in the area.

Is Basel or Innsbruck Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Basel and Innsbruck offer high quality public transit options.

Basel has some very good public transit options. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

The public transit in Innsbruck can get you to most places easily. The system includes trams and buses that will take you to outlying areas around town.

Is Basel or Innsbruck a more walkable city?

Basel is very popular for its high level of walkability. Also, Innsbruck is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Basel on foot. The old town and most of the major attractions are easily accessible on foot.

Innsbruck is a very walkable destination. The old town is particularly walkable, and if you stay anywhere nearby, it's easy to reach it on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Basel Worth Visiting? and Is Innsbruck Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Innsbruck or Basel?

How long in Basel or Innsbruck?

It's fun to spend time in either Basel or Innsbruck. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Innsbruck due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Basel, and 2-4 days is enough time in Innsbruck.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Innsbruck than Basel 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 Innsbruck.

One day in Basel or Innsbruck?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Basel. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Basel has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Innsbruck, many people enjoy the skiing and nightlife that this mountainous destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Basel or Innsbruck?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Basel. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Innsbruck. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Basel or Innsbruck?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the easily accessible city of Basel. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Innsbruck is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the food and skiing when visiting the quaint destination of Innsbruck. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Basel or Innsbruck?

Basel is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find skiing and nightlife around the outdoorsy destination of Innsbruck. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vienna, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Salzburg.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Basel or Innsbruck?

Basel has a larger population, and is about 46% larger than the population of Innsbruck. When comparing the sizes of Basel and Innsbruck, 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.