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

Should you visit Belfast or Interlaken?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Belfast 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.

Belfast

Belfast is a affordable, under-rated, and authentic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife and shopping.

Interlaken

Interlaken is a world-class, stunning, and adventurous 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.

Belfast and Interlaken: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Belfast or Interlaken?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Belfast. Although Belfast and Interlaken are both popular with visitors, Belfast has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Belfast is more popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Interlaken is known for its skiing, food, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Interlaken is more touristy than Belfast and is popular for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. Belfast is popular for being the birthplace of the Titanic and the location of the era of the "Troubles". It is also home to Belfast Castle.

How is Belfast different from Interlaken?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Belfast or Interlaken Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is a nice place to visit for snow skiing. However, Belfast 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.

Belfast is not a skiing destination.

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

Interlaken is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Belfast is not a good city 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Belfast. While many restaurants have moved towards more modern cuisines, there are still places that hold tight to the traditions of the area. Traditional dishes include pasties, full Irish breakfasts, and oysters.

Is Belfast or Interlaken Better for Nightlife?

Belfast 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 Belfast. The city has a number of bars and clubs with local DJs or musicians.

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Belfast or Interlaken Better for Hiking?

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

Known for its hiking, Interlaken draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. 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.

Belfast is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Belfast or Interlaken?

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Belfast. The main shopping areas in the city are Victoria Square Shopping Centre and CastleCourt.

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Belfast or Interlaken Better for Families?

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

Interlaken is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. 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!

Belfast is a family-friendly city. The city has several great kid-friendly museums, a zoo, and a few indoor or outdoor activity centers where you can let kids play and explore.

Is Belfast or Interlaken Better for Couples?

Interlaken is an unbeatable place for romance. However, Belfast is not a good city for its romantic activities.

Interlaken has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Most people don't think of Belfast as a couple's destination. There are gardens and parks to explore, several nice hotels with spas, and an Observatory on the 23rd floor of the Grand Central Hotel.

Is Belfast or Interlaken Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Interlaken is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Belfast is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to 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.

Belfast is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's a reasonably affordable destination with a few hostels to choose from, but most backpackers don't make their way to this city.

Is Belfast or Interlaken Better for Students?

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

Plenty of students visit Belfast. The city's affordability has made it a popular option for international students headed to the area.

Interlaken is not popular with students.

Is Belfast 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. However, Belfast is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Interlaken. Buses travel around town, but to get into the mountains there are trains, cog railways, funiculars, and gondolas.

Public transit is mostly limited in Belfast. There is a bus service in the city.

Is Belfast or Interlaken a more walkable city?

Belfast and Interlaken both are good when exploring on foot.

Belfast is somewhat walkable.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Interlaken or Belfast?

How long in Belfast or Interlaken?

In either Belfast or Interlaken, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Interlaken than Belfast because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Belfast, and 2-5 days is enough time in Interlaken.

Families should spend more time in Interlaken than Belfast. 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 Belfast. 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 Belfast 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 Belfast or Interlaken?

With shopping and nightlife around the under-rated city of Belfast, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Belfast, one day is sufficent for most.

In Interlaken, you'll find skiing and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Belfast or Interlaken?

With nightlife and shopping around the destination of Belfast, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

In Interlaken, you'll find food and skiing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Interlaken has to offer.

Five days in Belfast or Interlaken?

Belfast, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. 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 great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Interlaken has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Belfast or Interlaken?

Belfast 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Interlaken. Many people enjoy the food and skiing when visiting Interlaken. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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 Belfast and Interlaken, we can see that Interlaken is more expensive. And not only is Belfast much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Belfast would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Belfast 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 Belfast.

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

Which is Bigger, Belfast or Interlaken?

Belfast has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Belfast 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 Belfast 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 Belfast or Interlaken in the Summer?

Both Interlaken and Belfast during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Belfast for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Belfast is cooler than Interlaken in the summer. The daily temperature in Belfast averages around 15°C (59°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, Belfast often gets less sunshine than Interlaken. Belfast gets 151 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 241 hours of full sun.

Belfast usually gets less rain in July than Interlaken. Belfast gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Belfast or Interlaken in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Belfast and Interlaken. The autumn months attract visitors to Belfast because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year.

In the autumn, Belfast is cooler than Interlaken. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Belfast in October average around 9°C (48°F), and Interlaken averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Belfast usually receives less sunshine than Interlaken during autumn. Belfast gets 92 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Belfast usually receives more rain than Interlaken. Belfast gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Belfast or Interlaken in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Belfast as well as Interlaken. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Belfast this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Interlaken for the skiing and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Interlaken. It's quite cold in Belfast in the winter. In January, Belfast is generally a little warmer than Interlaken. Daily temperatures in Belfast average around 4°C (39°F), and Interlaken fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Belfast often gets less sunshine than Interlaken. Belfast gets 50 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 55 hours of full sun.

Belfast usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Interlaken. Belfast gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Belfast or Interlaken in the Spring?

Both Interlaken and Belfast are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Belfast for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Interlaken in the spring for the natural beauty.

Belfast is cooler than Interlaken in the spring. The daily temperature in Belfast averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Interlaken fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

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

In April, Belfast usually receives less rain than Interlaken. Belfast gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Interlaken and Belfast