Which place is cheaper, Interlaken or Hofn?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hofn or Interlaken?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Hofn 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: Hofn or Interlaken?
Hofn
Hofn is a very small fishing town on the southeast of Iceland, measuring just over half a mile across. It is best known for being located in the beautiful Vatnajokull Region, where the largest glacier in Europe is located. Hofn, and the surrounding area, is full of breathtaking natural scenery including lagoons, icefalls, and mountains.
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 Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Luxury Tours to Iceland, 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 dayHofn $151Interlaken $231
The average daily cost (per person) in Hofn is $151, 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 Hofn and Interlaken in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHofn $97Interlaken $133
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHofn $194Interlaken $266
Compare Hotels in Hofn and Interlaken
Looking for a hotel in Hofn 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: Hofn Hotel Prices and Interlaken Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hofn $27Interlaken $13
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 Hofn or Interlaken?
Prices for flights to both Interlaken and Hofn 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 dayHofn $36Interlaken $64
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.Hofn $18Interlaken $104
Tours and Activities in Hofn
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hofn.
- Blue Ice Cave Adventure: $284
- Crystal Ice Cave Adventure : $185
- Ice Cave Tour in the National Park of Vatnajökull: $160
- Ice Exploration Tour from the Glacier Lagoon: $129
- Private Iceland Aurora Hunting and Photography Tour from Hofn: $291
- Sapphire Ice Cave Tour from Jökulsárlón - Extra Small Group: $170
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 dayHofn $12Interlaken $17
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hofn and Interlaken, we can see that Interlaken is more expensive. And not only is Hofn much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hofn would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hofn 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 Hofn.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hofn Expensive? and Is Interlaken Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hofn or Interlaken?
Interlaken has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Hofn. When comparing the sizes of Hofn 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 Hofn 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 Hofn or Interlaken in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hofn and Interlaken. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Hofn is generally much colder than Interlaken. Daily temperatures in Hofn average around 9°C (48°F), and Interlaken fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
In July, Hofn usually receives less rain than Interlaken. Hofn gets 77 mm (3 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 JulyHofn 9°C (48°F)Interlaken 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Hofn or Interlaken in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Hofn as well as Interlaken. Also, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year.
The weather in Hofn can be very cold. Hofn is much colder than Interlaken in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hofn averages around 4°C (40°F) in October, and Interlaken fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
Hofn receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hofn usually gets more rain in October than Interlaken. Hofn gets 153 mm (6 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 OctoberHofn 4°C (40°F)Interlaken 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Hofn or Interlaken in the Winter?
Both Interlaken and Hofn 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. It's quite cold in Hofn in the winter. In the winter, Hofn is much colder than Interlaken. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hofn in January average around -0°C (31°F), and Interlaken averages at about 3°C (37°F).
It's quite rainy in Hofn. In January, Hofn usually receives more rain than Interlaken. Hofn gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHofn -0°C (31°F)Interlaken 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Hofn or Interlaken in the Spring?
Both Interlaken and Hofn during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Interlaken in the spring for the natural beauty.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Hofn. In April, Hofn is generally much colder than Interlaken. Daily temperatures in Hofn average around 2°C (36°F), and Interlaken fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
Hofn usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Interlaken. Hofn gets 83 mm (3.3 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 AprilHofn 2°C (36°F)Interlaken 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Interlaken and Hofn
| Hofn | Interlaken | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (31°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | 0°C (32°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 0°C (32°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 5°C (40°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 8°C (46°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jul | 9°C (48°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Aug | 9°C (48°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 7°C (44°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 4°C (40°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (34°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | -0°C (32°F) | 124 mm (4.9 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.