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

Should you visit Belfast or Murren?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Belfast or Murren, 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. It's also known for nightlife and shopping.

Murren

Murren is a stunning, serene, and authentic town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for skiing, food, and hiking.

Belfast and Murren: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Belfast or Murren?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Murren. Although Belfast and Murren are both popular with visitors, Murren has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Murren is more popular for its skiing, museums, food, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Belfast is known for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities. Murren is more touristy than Belfast and is known for its spectacular mountain views, authentically local atmosphere, and world class hiking and skiing. It is also home to Lauterbrunnen Valley. Belfast is popular for being the birthplace of the Titanic and the location of the era of the "Troubles".

How is Belfast different from Murren?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Belfast or Murren Better for Skiing?

Murren is an unbeatable place for snow skiing. However, Belfast is not a skiing destination.

The snow ski experience you'll have in Murren is among the best in the world. If you're visiting in the winter, you're in luck because the scenery and the slopes are both amazing. The top of Schilthorn is quickly accessed from the gondola and ski lifts, and heading down you'll find some difficult runs along with easier slopes. Enjoy your apres-ski in the village with cozy drinks and a dinner of fondue. And with more time, you can easily get across the valley to the Grindelwald-Wengen ski area, too.

Belfast is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Belfast or Murren?

Murren is not a good place to visit for its sights and museums. However, Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

Murren offers a few options for museum-goers. You don't visit this area for the museums, so if you're looking for an indoor activity on a rainy day, your options are limited.

Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Murren is a nice place to visit for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Belfast is not a good city for its restaurants.

Murren offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. If you can afford the prices, you'll enjoy some great meals of fondue or local steak. There aren't many restaurants in town and some of the best are attached to the hotels. Those on a tight budget will be frustrated because cheap eats are hard to come by. You may as well pay a little more and enjoy a high quality, fine dining experience.

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 Murren Better for Nightlife?

Belfast is a city with good options for nightlife. However, Murren is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

Belfast has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city has a number of bars and clubs with local DJs or musicians.

Murren doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a quiet and residential town that is more about the daytime activities than the nightlife scene.

Is Belfast or Murren Better for Hiking?

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

Known for its hiking, Murren draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. Hiking trails pass right through the town, connecting the many alpine towns in the area. There are hikes for all levels, and each offers stunning views of the surrounding peaks, which include Eiger, Jungfrau, and Monch.

Belfast is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Belfast or Murren?

Belfast is a city with good options for shopping. However, Murren is not particularly known for its shopping opportunities.

Belfast is a great destination for shopping. The main shopping areas in the city are Victoria Square Shopping Centre and CastleCourt.

Shopping in Murren can be found for those interested. Aside from a food market or two, there aren't many shops in town and prices for everything are a bit high.

Is Belfast or Murren Better for Families?

Murren is a well-known 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.

Murren is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kid-friendly activities are everywhere in this amazing town. Take the Allmendhubel Funicular Train and explore one of the coolest playgrounds ever! Family-friendly trails abound and outdoor adventures with spectacular views are fun for everyone.

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 Murren Better for Couples?

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

Murren has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. This small town offers charming hotels, hidden viewpoints, and romantic hikes through the Alps. If you want to experience an authentic side to the Alps, then stay in this town and explore the many hiking trails in the area.

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 Murren Better for Students?

Belfast is a city with good options for students. However, Murren is not popular with students.

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

Murren is not popular with students.

Is Belfast or Murren Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Murren is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Belfast is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Murren has a few public transit options. Train, cable car, and funicular are the only ways to reach this car-free town.

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

Is Belfast or Murren a more walkable city?

Murren is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Murren on foot. It's a small town with a very limited number of vehicles so it's best explored on foot. There are also many walking trails in the area.

Belfast is a somewhat walkable place.

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

Should I spend more time in Murren or Belfast?

How long in Belfast or Murren?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Murren 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 Murren.

One day in Belfast or Murren?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Belfast. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Murren is a small town with plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Murren?

Belfast is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Murren might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Murren has to offer.

Five days in Belfast or Murren?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Belfast. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Murren is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Belfast or Murren?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the affordable destination of Belfast. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Murren. Since Murren is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. 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 Luxury Tours to Switzerland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Switzerland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Belfast and Murren, we can see that Murren 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 Murren would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Murren 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 Murren Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Belfast or Murren?

Belfast has a larger population, and is about 610 times larger than the population of Murren. When comparing the sizes of Belfast and Murren, 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.