A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Inner Hebrides vs. Zurich for Food, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Inner Hebrides or Zurich?

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

Should I visit Inner Hebrides or Zurich? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Inner Hebrides

Inner Hebrides is a stunning, natural, and peaceful islands. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the beaches, hiking, and food.

Zurich

Zurich is a liberal, beautiful, and historic city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Inner Hebrides and Zurich: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Public transit not as usable
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good music scene
  • Scenic old town
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Good public transit
  • Very walkable
  • Impressive beauty


Is there more to do in Inner Hebrides or Zurich?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Zurich. Although Inner Hebrides and Zurich are popular destinations, Zurich has more sights and attractions for tourists. Zurich is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, music, historical sights, and shopping, while Inner Hebrides attracts visitors for its beaches and hiking. Zurich is more touristy than Inner Hebrides and is popular for its beautiful setting on Lake Zurich as well as its cafes, restaurants, and high prices. It is also well known for The Grossmünster. Inner Hebrides is famous for its rugged landscape, beautiful coastline, and local whisky.

How is Inner Hebrides different from Zurich?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Inner Hebrides or Zurich?

Inner Hebrides
Zurich

Zurich is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Inner Hebrides does not have museums and landmarks.

Zurich offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Make sure you check out the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fraumünster, as well as the Swiss National Museum.

Inner Hebrides does not have museums and landmarks.


Is the Food Better in Inner Hebrides or Zurich? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Inner Hebrides
Zurich

Zurich is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Inner Hebrides is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Zurich. Many restaurants have a strong German influence, but you'll also find traditional Swiss dishes such as cheese and chocolate fondue. There are also several Michelin star restaurants in town.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Inner Hebrides. It wasn't long ago that there was a limited selection of restaurants on the islands, but these days you shouldn't have much trouble finding some Scottish classics. The area continues to grow its restaurant scene, which highlights regional ingredients and the local whisky distilleries.

Is Inner Hebrides or Zurich Better for Nightlife?

Inner Hebrides
Zurich

Zurich is a very popular place for nightlife. However, Inner Hebrides is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Zurich has a large number of nightlife venues. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland. There are a high concentration of bars and clubs around town, or you could check out one of the badis, which are pools that also act as bars during the summer months. They're usually located by the lake.

Inner Hebrides is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Inner Hebrides or Zurich Better for Music?

Inner Hebrides
Zurich

Zurich is a very popular place for live music. However, Inner Hebrides is not a live music destination.

It's worth checking out the music scene in Zurich while you're in town. There are many nightclubs that offer a variety of music types including electronic music, rock, and even reggae.

Inner Hebrides is not a live music destination.


Is Inner Hebrides or Zurich Better for Beaches?

Inner Hebrides
Zurich

Inner Hebrides is a well-known place for the beache. However, Zurich is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Inner Hebrides for it's beautiful beaches. The islands offer a truly unexpected sight, with white sand beaches and blue waters. Some of the best beaches to visit include Calgary Beach on the Isle of Mull, Machir Bay on the Isle of Islay, and Coral Beach on the Isle of Skye.

Zurich is not a beach destination.

Is Inner Hebrides or Zurich Better for its Old Town?

Inner Hebrides
Zurich

Zurich is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. However, Inner Hebrides does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Zurich offers plenty to see. The city has an old town that is split into two parts on each side of the Limmat River. The historic districts are filled with churches, squares, and charming areas that are fun to explore. Walking tours are the best way to explore the old town.

Inner Hebrides does not have a historic old town.

Is Inner Hebrides or Zurich Better for Hiking?

Inner Hebrides
Zurich

Inner Hebrides is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Zurich is not a hiking destination.

Inner Hebrides is a popular spot for hiking. To fully experience the area's natural beauty, you really should go on a few hikes. The hikes are varied in landscape, length, and skill level. Some of the favorites include Beinn an Òir, Coire Dubh, and Ben More.

Zurich is not a hiking destination.


Is the Shopping Better in Inner Hebrides or Zurich?

Inner Hebrides
Zurich

Zurich is an unbeatable place for shopping. However, Inner Hebrides is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Zurich. Visitors often buy chocolate, watches, and jewelry in this city. You'll find brand names and luxury items that are of high quality. Each neighborhood has its own character with stores ranging from traditional to international.

Inner Hebrides is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Inner Hebrides or Zurich Better for Families?

Inner Hebrides
Zurich

Zurich is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Inner Hebrides is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Zurich is a very family-friendly destination. It's a surprisingly mellow city with a relaxing vibe that makes it easy to explore with kids. Popular family-friendly activities include swimming in the Limmat River, sailing on Lake Zurich, and visiting Josefwiese park, which has a large playground.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Inner Hebrides. Beaches, wildlife spotting, and boat tours all make for a fun adventure for the whole family. These islands offer a unique and truly rewarding experience that is fun for everyone.

Is Inner Hebrides or Zurich Better for Couples?

Inner Hebrides
Zurich

With fun activities for couples, both Inner Hebrides and Zurich make for a superb place to visit.

Inner Hebrides makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who want to move at a slower pace and soak up natural beauty will appreciate these islands. There are sandy beaches, welcoming communities, and spectacular views that offer both romance and a little adventure.

Couples visit Zurich frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. One of the most romantic experiences you can have in town is visiting the Zurich Thermal Baths and Spa. There's an outdoor rooftop thermal pool as well as many ways that you can pamper yourselves.


Is Inner Hebrides or Zurich Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Inner Hebrides
Zurich

Inner Hebrides and Zurich are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Inner Hebrides. The islands have some campsites that let you fully enjoy the area's stunning natural beauty.

Zurich is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. The city has a number of hostels to choose from, but, like most of Switzerland, the city is expensive in general.

Is Inner Hebrides or Zurich Better for Students?

Inner Hebrides
Zurich

Zurich is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. However, Inner Hebrides is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Zurich. The city offers a number of unique experiences for international students. The academics are good and the university campuses are nice.

Inner Hebrides is not popular with students.

Is Inner Hebrides or Zurich Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Inner Hebrides
Zurich

Zurich is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Inner Hebrides is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Public transit in Zurich is fairly effecient and thorough. The system is made up of streetcars and buses.

Public transit is generally limited in Inner Hebrides. Ferries and some local buses are available. It's also possible to find there-and-back day cruises to the islands.


Is Inner Hebrides or Zurich a more walkable city?

Inner Hebrides
Zurich

Zurich is a very popular place for its walkability. However, Inner Hebrides is not a walkable destination.

Zurich is very walkable. There are paths that lead along the rivers and the lake connecting the old town areas to other parts of the city.

Inner Hebrides is not a walkable destination.

For even more information, also check out Is Inner Hebrides Worth Visiting? and Is Zurich Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Zurich or Inner Hebrides?

How long in Inner Hebrides or Zurich?

In either Inner Hebrides or Zurich, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Zurich has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Zurich than Inner Hebrides. In general, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Inner Hebrides, and 2-5 days is enough time in Zurich.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Zurich than Inner Hebrides 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 Zurich.


  • How many days in Inner Hebrides or Zurich? Ideal Length of Stay
    Inner Hebrides 3-5 
    Zurich 2-5

One day in Inner Hebrides or Zurich?

Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Inner Hebrides. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Zurich, you'll find nightlife and live music. Visiting the old town is also a must. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Inner Hebrides or Zurich?

Inner Hebrides is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Zurich is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.


Five days in Inner Hebrides or Zurich?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Inner Hebrides. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Zurich. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

A week in Inner Hebrides or Zurich?

Travelers enjoy the food when visiting the peaceful destination of Inner Hebrides. This islands offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Zurich. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland.


Which place is cheaper, Zurich or Inner Hebrides?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Inner Hebrides is £142, while the average daily cost in Zurich is £216. 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 Inner Hebrides and Zurich in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Inner Hebrides £67
    Zurich £137
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Inner Hebrides £134
    Zurich £274
Compare Hotels in Inner Hebrides and Zurich

Looking for a hotel in Inner Hebrides or Zurich? 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.

Hotels in Inner Hebrides


Hotels in Zurich


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: Zurich Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Inner Hebrides £76
    Zurich £29

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Zurich

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:


  • City Pass (2)
    £23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:

  • Zurich:Transfer and Ticket to Lindt Home of Chocolate Museum: $109
  • Transfer from/to Hotel - Airport: $160
  • Private Transfer to/from Zurich Airport: $108
  • One-Way Private Airport Transfer: $131
  • 1-Way Private Transfer from the airport to Zurich: $188
  • Zurich to Basel Private Direct Transfer: $205
  • Zurich Private Airport and Hotels Transfer with Round-Trip: $149
  • Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to/from Zurich City: $109
  • Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to/from Lucerne: $251
  • Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to Greater Zurich Area: $109
  • Zurich Airport: Private Transfer from Greater Zurich Area: $109
  • Zurich Airport: Private Transfer Zurich Airport to Lucerne: $328

Is it cheaper to fly into Inner Hebrides or Zurich?

Prices for flights to both Zurich and Inner Hebrides 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Inner Hebrides £31
    Zurich £50

Typical Food Prices in Zurich

Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:


  • Breakfast for 2
    £11

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Inner Hebrides £22
    Zurich £29

Tours and Activities in Zurich

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:

  • 007-Elegance: Exclusive Private Tour Schilthorn from Zürich: $627
  • 3 Hours Private Tour Around Zurich: $224
  • 3 in 1: Zurich Walking Tour - Cruise on the Lake - Cable Car Ride to Felsenegg: $101
  • Adventure to Mount Pilatus Gold and Silver tour: $157
  • Alpine Majesty: Private Tour to Mount Titlis from Zürich: $650
  • Alpine Majesty:Zürich to Jungfraujoch Exclusive Private Tour: $799
  • Beer Tasting Tour in Zurich: $129
  • Best Intro Tour of Zurich with a Local: $124
  • Best of Zürich: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in English: $7.87
  • Best of Zurich Tour with Felsenegg Cable Car and Ferry Ride : $73
  • Best of Zurich and Surroundings - Extended City Sightseeing Tour: $87
  • Bike Private Tour with Pickup and Drop off From Zurich: $114

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Inner Hebrides £7.71
    Zurich £24

Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich

Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour with Shots and Snacks: $31
  • eTukTuk Hot Stone BBQ and Wine Tour Zürich: $129


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Inner Hebrides and Zurich, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Inner Hebrides much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Inner Hebrides would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Inner Hebrides 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich than you might in Inner Hebrides.

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