Which place is cheaper, Interlaken or Ephesus?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ephesus or Interlaken?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ephesus 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: Ephesus or Interlaken?
Ephesus
The ancient city of Ephesus was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC). It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The temple was destroyed in 401 AD and rebuilt by Emperor Constantine I along with new public baths. The town was again partially destroyed by an earthquake in 614 AD. The city's importance as a commercial center declined as the harbor was slowly silted up by the Cayster River (Kucuk Menderes).
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 Cultural Tours in Turkey, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Geneva, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Zurich.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEphesus $143Interlaken $231
The average daily cost (per person) in Ephesus is $143, while the average daily cost in Interlaken is $231. 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 Ephesus and Interlaken in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEphesus $70Interlaken $133
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEphesus $140Interlaken $266
Compare Hotels in Ephesus and Interlaken
Looking for a hotel in Ephesus 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.
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: Ephesus Hotel Prices and Interlaken Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ephesus $51Interlaken $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ephesus
Also for Ephesus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- VIP Transfer Kusadasi From/To Bodrum Airport: $128
- Transfer izmir Adnan Menderes Airport to/from Kusadasi Davutlar: $98
- Scuba Diving Experience in Kusadasi with Instructor and Transfer: $60
- Private Transfers İzmir City or Adnan Menderes Airport to/from Kusadasi Town: $131
- Private Transfers İzmir City Adnan Menderes Apt to/from Selçuk, Ephesus, Şirince: $131
- Private Transfers From Kusadasi: $173
- Private Transfer | KUSADASI - IZMIR Airport: $120
- Private Transfer from Kusadasi hotels to Kusadasi Cruise Port: $22
- Private Transfer from Kusadasi hotels to Kusadasi Cruise Port: $24
- Private Transfer from Kusadasi Cruise Port to Kusadasi hotels: $24
- Private Transfer from Kusadasi Cruise Port to Kusadasi Hotels: $22
- Private Transfer from Kusadasi Cruise Port to Izmir Airport (ADB): $58
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Interlaken
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Interlaken are as follows:
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Cable Cars (for 2)$66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Interlaken
Also for Interlaken, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Group transfer Zurich Airport - Interlaken: $1,312
- From Private One-Way Transfer to Lucerne: $284
- Private Transfer from Interlaken to Zurich: $240
- Transfer from/to Hotel - Airport: $160
Is it cheaper to fly into Ephesus or Interlaken?
Prices for flights to both Interlaken and Ephesus 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
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Food Meals for one dayEphesus $33Interlaken $64
Typical Food Prices in Ephesus
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ephesus:
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Sandwiches$0.15
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Dessert$0.17
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Lunch at Beach (for 2)$0.59
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Snacks$0.25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ephesus
For Ephesus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class in Kusadasi Ephesus: $110
- Ephesus Tour with Cooking Class in the Village: $149
- Taste of Traditional Turkish Cuisine | Small Group Kusadasi Food Tour: $211
- Cooking Class in Ephesus Selcuk Town: $228
Typical Food Prices in Interlaken
For Interlaken, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Tea at Interlaken$33
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Interlaken
For Interlaken, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Fondue Cooking Class and Cheese Workshop in Switzerland: $143
- Cheese and Chocolate Full-Day Food Tour: $733
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ephesus $59Interlaken $104
Tours and Activities in Ephesus
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ephesus.
- Ephesus Half Day Small Group Tour: $40
- Ephesus Shared Tour from Kuşadası Port: $130
- Ephesus Tour With Small Group From Kusadasi: $76
- Ephesus Tour from Kusadası Port: $44
- Ephesus small groups Tour For Cruisers (skip the line): $100
- Ephesus tours Sirince Village from Kusadasi Port with lunch: $63
- Ephesus tours and Virgin Mary's House Temple Artemis tours : $67
- Private Tour Ephesus for Cruise Guests : $250
- Private Tour to Ephesus, Virgin Mary, and Artemis Temple From Cruise Ship/Hotel: $120
- Small Group Pamukkale Day Tour from Selcuk or Kusadası : $93
- "Ephesus Tours" Port Kusadasi lunch guide bus shopping Caravanserai artemis : $58
- "No Better Way to Explore History - Affordable Ephesus Tour": $30
Tours and Activities in Interlaken
For Interlaken, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Hidden gems e-bike tour with picnic at Lake Brienz : $212
- Iseltwald, Aare Gorge and Lake Brienz Experience in Switzerland: $290
- 007 Elegance: Private Tour to Schilthorn from Interlaken: $480
- A Day at Lake Brienz and Lauterbrunnen Tour from Zurich: $1,260
- Alpine Heights Jungfraujoch Small Group Tour from Interlaken: $529
- Alpine Majesty: Bern to Jungfraujoch Exclusive Private Tour: $835
- Bern: Grindelwald First & Bachalpsee Hiking Private Tour: $709
- Bike Tour of the Interlaken Valley: Rivers, Lakes & Forests: $111
- Bollywood Tour Gstaad - Express Tour: $90
- Canyoning Experience Grimsel from Interlaken : $200
- From Grimsel Gorge Canyoning Tour: $196
- From Gruyères, Cheese Factory & Cailler Tour: $290
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEphesus $15Interlaken $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ephesus
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Ephesus from other travelers:
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Beer$0.12
Sample the Local Flavors in Ephesus
Also in Ephesus, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Skip-the-line Ephesus & Wine Tasting Tour From Kusadasi Port: $53
- Ephesus port tours and Wine Tasting Tours : $70
- Ephesus&Sirince Village with Wine Tasting Shore Ex: $100
- Ephesus and Sirince with Wine tasting Private Half Day Shore Excursion: $100
- Ancient Ephesus tour with Wine Tasting in the village and visit to Mother's Mary House: $130
- Private Ephesus Tour with Wine Tasting: $134
- Virgin Mary Bread and Wine Tour included Lunch: $300
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ephesus and Interlaken, we can see that Interlaken is more expensive. And not only is Ephesus much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ephesus would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ephesus 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 Ephesus.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ephesus Expensive? and Is Interlaken Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ephesus or Interlaken?
Ephesus has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Ephesus 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 Ephesus or Interlaken?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Ephesus or Interlaken in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ephesus and Interlaken. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Ephesus is generally a little warmer than Interlaken. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 27°C (81°F), and Interlaken fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Interlaken this time of the year. In Ephesus, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Interlaken during summer. Ephesus gets 378 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Interlaken. Ephesus gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyEphesus 27°C (81°F)Interlaken 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Interlaken in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Ephesus as well as Interlaken. Additionally, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year.
Ephesus is a little warmer than Interlaken in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Interlaken fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ephesus this time of the year. In the autumn, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Interlaken. Ephesus gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 120 hours of full sun.
Ephesus usually gets less rain in October than Interlaken. Ephesus gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberEphesus 19°C (66°F)Interlaken 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Interlaken in the Winter?
Both Interlaken and Ephesus are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Interlaken for the skiing and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Interlaken. In the winter, Ephesus is much warmer than Interlaken. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ephesus in January average around 10°C (50°F), and Interlaken averages at about 3°C (37°F).
Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Interlaken during winter. Ephesus gets 131 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Ephesus. In January, Ephesus usually receives more rain than Interlaken. Ephesus gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryEphesus 10°C (50°F)Interlaken 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Interlaken in the Spring?
Both Interlaken and Ephesus during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Interlaken in the spring for the natural beauty.
In April, Ephesus is generally a little warmer than Interlaken. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 15°C (59°F), and Interlaken fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
It's quite sunny in Ephesus. In the spring, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Interlaken. Ephesus gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 150 hours of full sun.
Ephesus usually gets less rain in April than Interlaken. Ephesus gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilEphesus 15°C (59°F)Interlaken 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Interlaken and Ephesus
| Ephesus | Interlaken | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (50°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (53°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (58°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.