A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Interlaken vs. Baden-Baden for Food, Hiking, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Interlaken or Baden-Baden?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Interlaken and Baden-Baden can help you decide which place is right for you.

Interlaken

Interlaken is a world-class, stunning, and adventurous town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and skiing.

Baden-Baden

Baden-Baden is a peaceful, historic, and relaxing spa town. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Interlaken and Baden-Baden: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Interlaken or Baden-Baden?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Baden-Baden. Although Interlaken and Baden-Baden are popular destinations, Baden-Baden has more sights and attractions for tourists. Baden-Baden is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Interlaken attracts visitors for its skiing, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Interlaken is more touristy than Baden-Baden and is popular for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. Baden-Baden is famous for its many thermal baths, spas and wellness centers, as well as its cultural venues and festivals. It is also well known for The Thermal Baths.

How is Interlaken different from Baden-Baden?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Interlaken or Baden-Baden Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is a nice place to visit for snow skiing. However, Baden-Baden 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.

Baden-Baden is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Interlaken or Baden-Baden?

Baden-Baden is very good for its museums and history. However, Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

Baden-Baden is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The spa town has many places worth visiting including the Friedrichsbad and Caracalla Baths, the Museum Frieder Burda, and Altes Schloss Hohenbaden.

Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Baden-Baden is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Interlaken is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Baden-Baden has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. There are Michelin starred restaurants and many opportunities to sip wine and sample local cuisine. Many consider the Baden cuisine to be among the best in Germany. You'll find wine, sausages, game meat, poultry, and more. Make sure you try the Rehrücken Baden-Baden (Roe Deer), Käsespätzle (cheese spatzle), and Schäufele (pig's shoulder).

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Interlaken. 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.

Is Interlaken or Baden-Baden Better for Nightlife?

Baden-Baden 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 Baden-Baden. There are trendy, upscale bars and many fine dining opportunities. There's also a casino and a club in town.

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Interlaken or Baden-Baden Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is a world-class destination for the nearby hiking options. Also, Baden-Baden is not as famous, but is still a good spa town to visit for its hiking trails.

Known for its hiking, Interlaken draws a crowd to experience the nature and the 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.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Baden-Baden. Located near the Black Forest, you'll find a number of great hikes and walking trails just outside of town.

Is the Shopping Better in Interlaken or Baden-Baden?

Baden-Baden is very good for shopping. However, Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Baden-Baden. The city is filled with boutiques that sell jewelry, chocolate, designer fashion, and fine wine. There are several pedestrian shopping streets including the popular Lange-Strasse.

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Interlaken or Baden-Baden Better for Families?

Interlaken is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Baden-Baden is not as famous, but is still a good spa town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Interlaken is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. 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!

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Baden-Baden. There are plenty of opportunities to get into nature with hikes and wildlife reserves. There's also a funicular and castles to explore as well as several kid-friendly museums.

Is Interlaken or Baden-Baden Better for Couples?

Interlaken is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Baden-Baden is not as famous, but is still a good spa town to visit for couples.

Interlaken has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Baden-Baden makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a spa town, so there are thermal baths that couples can enjoy. There are also many gardens and walks through the countryside. The old town is picturesque and the castles are fun to explore.

Is Interlaken or Baden-Baden Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Interlaken is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Baden-Baden is not a good spa town for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to 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.

Baden-Baden is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. You'll find a hostel or two in town, but most of the tourists aren't backpackers so you may have trouble meeting other like-minded travelers.

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

Interlaken is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Baden-Baden is not a good spa town for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Interlaken can get you around easily. Buses travel around town, but to get into the mountains there are trains, cog railways, funiculars, and gondolas.

Public transit is mostly limited in Baden-Baden. There are a number of bus lines that run around town.

Is Interlaken or Baden-Baden a more walkable city?

Interlaken and Baden-Baden are nice when it comes to walkability.

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

Baden-Baden is a somewhat walkable place. It's possible to walk around parts of town, but it's easier to explore with a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Baden-Baden or Interlaken?

How long in Interlaken or Baden-Baden?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Interlaken and Baden-Baden. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Interlaken than in Baden-Baden. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Interlaken, and 1-3 days is enough time in Baden-Baden.

Families should spend more time in Interlaken than Baden-Baden. 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 Baden-Baden. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Interlaken that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Interlaken than Baden-Baden 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 Interlaken.

One day in Interlaken or Baden-Baden?

Visitors enjoy the skiing and food when visiting the world-class town of Interlaken. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Most people visit for the hiking. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

With museums and nightlife around the peaceful spa town of Baden-Baden, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Baden-Baden, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Interlaken or Baden-Baden?

Visitors enjoy the food and skiing when visiting the adventurous destination of Interlaken. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Baden-Baden, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this spa town.

Five days in Interlaken or Baden-Baden?

Visitors enjoy the skiing and food when visiting the world-class town of Interlaken. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Baden-Baden, a popular spa town, 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.

A week in Interlaken or Baden-Baden?

Many people enjoy the food and skiing when visiting Interlaken. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people visit for the hiking. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Baden-Baden is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the food. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland, The Best 10-Day Tours in Switzerland, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Germany, and The Best Luxury Tours to Germany.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Interlaken and Baden-Baden, we can see that Interlaken is more expensive. And not only is Baden-Baden much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Baden-Baden would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Baden-Baden 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 Baden-Baden.

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

Which is Bigger, Interlaken or Baden-Baden?

Baden-Baden has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Interlaken and Baden-Baden, 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 Interlaken or Baden-Baden?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Interlaken or Baden-Baden in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Interlaken as well as Baden-Baden. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Baden-Baden for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Interlaken is around the same temperature as Baden-Baden. Typically, the summer temperatures in Interlaken in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Baden-Baden averages at about 20°C (67°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Baden-Baden. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Interlaken this time of the year. In the summer, Interlaken often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Baden-Baden. Interlaken gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Baden-Baden receives 231 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets more rain in July than Baden-Baden. Interlaken gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Baden-Baden receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Baden-Baden in the Autumn?

Both Baden-Baden and Interlaken are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Interlaken for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Baden-Baden in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Interlaken is generally a little warmer than Baden-Baden. Daily temperatures in Interlaken average around 13°C (56°F), and Baden-Baden fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Interlaken usually receives more sunshine than Baden-Baden during autumn. Interlaken gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Baden-Baden receives 91 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Interlaken usually receives around the same amount of rain as Baden-Baden. Interlaken gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Baden-Baden receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Interlaken or Baden-Baden in the Winter?

Both Baden-Baden and Interlaken during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Interlaken in the winter for the skiing and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Baden-Baden for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Baden-Baden can be very cold during winter. Interlaken can get quite cold in the winter. Interlaken is much warmer than Baden-Baden in the winter. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Baden-Baden fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

In the winter, Interlaken often gets more sunshine than Baden-Baden. Interlaken gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Baden-Baden receives 35 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets more rain in January than Baden-Baden. Interlaken gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Baden-Baden receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Baden-Baden in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Interlaken and Baden-Baden. Most visitors come to Interlaken for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Baden-Baden because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Interlaken is a little warmer than Baden-Baden. Typically, the spring temperatures in Interlaken in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Baden-Baden averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Interlaken usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Baden-Baden during spring. Interlaken gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Baden-Baden receives 154 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Baden-Baden. Interlaken gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Baden-Baden receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Baden-Baden and Interlaken