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

Should you visit Helsinki or Interlaken?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Helsinki and Interlaken can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Helsinki

Helsinki is a waterfront, active, and nature-focused city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Interlaken

Interlaken is a stunning, adventurous, and adrenaline-filled town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the food, hiking, and skiing.

Helsinki and Interlaken: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Helsinki or Interlaken?

Both Interlaken and Helsinki have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Helsinki is very popular for its museums, nightlife, and shopping, while Interlaken attracts visitors for its skiing, food, hiking, and quaint atmosphere. Interlaken is more touristy than Helsinki and is known for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. Helsinki is famous for its rich culture that includes traditional elements as well as an active subculture scene.

How is Helsinki different from Interlaken?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Helsinki or Interlaken Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is a town with good options for skiing and snowboarding. However, Helsinki is not a skiing destination.

For winter sports and skiing, Interlaken is a great destination to visit. 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.

Helsinki is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Helsinki or Interlaken?

Helsinki is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Helsinki specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Many of the city's sights and attractions center around nature and the water. Major hightlights of the city include the Fortress of Sveaborg, Seurasaari open-Air Museum, and Temppeliaukio Rock Church. The city is also home to The National Museum of Finland.

Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Interlaken is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Interlaken has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Helsinki area. Food in town is all about local flavors and simple ingredients. The dishes let the flavor speak for itself without fancy cooking techniques or complex flavor combinations. Many of the restaurants are locally sourced with traditional ingredients. You'll find a lot of seafood, herring, grilled sausages, pancakes, and desserts.

Is Helsinki or Interlaken Better for Nightlife?

Helsinki 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 Helsinki. The nightlife scene is at its best on weekends when the city center comes to life with parties, dance clubs, and student activities. Many of the best clubs and bars are concentrated in the city center. Weekends are a bit calmer and things quiet down a lot.

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Helsinki or Interlaken Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is a world-class destination for its hiking trails. However, Helsinki is not a hiking destination.

Around Interlaken visitors will find world-class hiking 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.

Helsinki is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Helsinki or Interlaken?

Helsinki is an excellent place to visit for shopping. However, Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Helsinki. The city is great for shopping, with many brands focused on sustainability. There are local boutiques as well as name brands. Flea markets and vintage shops are also popular.

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Helsinki or Interlaken Better for Families?

Interlaken is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Interlaken is an extremely popular town to visit for families. 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!

Helsinki is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The coastal setting offers many activities that kids and adults alike will enjoy. This capital city has a calm atmosphere with plenty of parkland to explore. The shoreline is dotted by islands where you'll also find a zoo and a fort. Kids will also enjoy exploring the islands by boat.

Is Helsinki or Interlaken Better for Couples?

Interlaken is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Interlaken is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

Couples visit Helsinki frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The city's many parks offer the perfect setting for a picnic or a walk. There are also botanical gardens, evening boat rides, and saunas that will help you enjoy a romantic trip away.

Is Helsinki or Interlaken Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Helsinki and Interlaken are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Helsinki is a good city to visit for backpackers. With its active nightlife scene, vibrant atmosphere, and inclusive personality, this city is a fun place for backpackers, but you should expect to pay a premium for the experience. Many backpackers avoid the city because they have heard how expensive it is. There are a few hostels around that will help you keep costs a bit more manageable.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

Is Helsinki or Interlaken Better for Students?

Helsinki is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Interlaken is not popular with students.

Helsinki is very popular with students. The city has an active student life with plenty of culture and nature. It's active nightlife scene and beautiful natural areas make it a wonderful place to study.

Interlaken is not popular with students.

Is Helsinki or Interlaken Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find superb public transit in both Helsinki and Interlaken.

The public transit in Helsinki can get you around easily. Transit options include bus, tram, metro, commuter train and ferry services.

Interlaken offers a very effecient public transportation network. Buses travel around town, but to get into the mountains there are trains, cog railways, funiculars, and gondolas.

Is Helsinki or Interlaken a more walkable city?

Helsinki and Interlaken are nice when it comes to walkability.

Helsinki is a somewhat walkable place. Many neighborhoods are easy to explore on foot. The air is also clean and the setting is refreshing.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Interlaken or Helsinki?

How long in Helsinki or Interlaken?

In either Helsinki or Interlaken, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Interlaken than Helsinki because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Helsinki, and 2-5 days is enough time in Interlaken.

Families should spend more time in Interlaken than Helsinki. 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 Helsinki. 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 Helsinki than Interlaken 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 Helsinki.

One day in Helsinki or Interlaken?

With museums and nightlife around the active city of Helsinki, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The beautiful town of Interlaken offers food and skiing. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Helsinki or Interlaken?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Helsinki, 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.

Interlaken is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Interlaken, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Helsinki or Interlaken?

Helsinki, 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 popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Interlaken, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Helsinki or Interlaken?

Helsinki 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.

Interlaken is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, 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 Helsinki and Interlaken, we can see that Interlaken is more expensive. And not only is Helsinki much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Helsinki would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Helsinki 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 Helsinki.

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

Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Interlaken?

Helsinki has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki 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 Helsinki 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 Helsinki or Interlaken in the Summer?

Both Interlaken and Helsinki are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Helsinki in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Interlaken for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Helsinki is generally cooler than Interlaken. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 17°C (62°F), and Interlaken fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Interlaken. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Helsinki. Helsinki usually receives more sunshine than Interlaken during summer. Helsinki gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Interlaken. Helsinki gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Helsinki or Interlaken in the Autumn?

Both Interlaken and Helsinki during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Helsinki for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

Helsinki is much colder than Interlaken in the autumn. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Interlaken fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Interlaken. Helsinki gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 120 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Interlaken. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Helsinki or Interlaken in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Helsinki and Interlaken. The winter months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the skiing and the cuisine are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year.

It's quite cold in Interlaken in the winter. The weather in Helsinki can be very cold. In the winter, Helsinki is much colder than Interlaken. Typically, the winter temperatures in Helsinki in January average around -6°C (21°F), and Interlaken averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Interlaken during winter. Helsinki gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Interlaken. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Helsinki or Interlaken in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as Interlaken. The natural beauty are the main draw to Helsinki this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Interlaken for the natural beauty.

It's quite cold in Helsinki in the spring. In April, Helsinki is generally much colder than Interlaken. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 3°C (37°F), and Interlaken fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the spring, Helsinki often gets more sunshine than Interlaken. Helsinki gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 150 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets less rain in April than Interlaken. Helsinki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Interlaken and Helsinki