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

Should you visit Interlaken or Basel?

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 Basel 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.

Basel

Basel is a cultural, museum-filled, and easily accessible city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Interlaken and Basel: Pros and Cons

How is Interlaken different from Basel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Interlaken or Basel Better for Food?

Foodies will find both Interlaken and Basel both to be unique destinations.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Basel. Food around town can be expensive, but there are some outdoor markets where you can buy fruit and a bratwurst for a reasonable price. The city is known for its breads, soups, and pastries, which are all delicious.

Is Interlaken or Basel Better for Families?

You'll find kid-friendly activities in either Interlaken or Basel.

Interlaken is one of the most popular family destinations. 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!

Basel is a very kid-friendly town. The city has an impressive zoo, a really unique toy museum, as well as Aquabasilea with its pools and slides. It's also compact enough that little legs can explore and enjoy everything that it has to offer.

Is Interlaken or Basel Better for Couples?

There's generally more to do as a couple in Interlaken than Basel.

For those traveling as a couple, Interlaken 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.

Basel makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Nice restaurants, interesting museums, and several great spas make this a nice place for a romantic trip.

Is Interlaken or Basel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Interlaken and Basel are both good destinations for backpackers.

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.

Basel is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few hostels and a really useful City Pass that make this city an option for backpackers and budget travelers. It's also a major transit center so accessibility is convenient.

Is Interlaken or Basel Better for Public Transit?

Visitors will find public transit in both Interlaken and Basel.

Public transit in Interlaken is fairly effecient and thorough. Buses travel around town, but to get into the mountains there are trains, cog railways, funiculars, and gondolas.

Basel has some very good public transit options. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

Is Interlaken or Basel a more walkable city?

Basel is generally more walkable than Interlaken.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Basel. The old town and most of the major attractions are easily accessible on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Basel or Interlaken?

How long in Interlaken or Basel?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Interlaken and Basel. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Interlaken than Basel.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Interlaken is 2-5 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Basel is 1-3 days.

One day in Interlaken or Basel?

In Interlaken, many people enjoy the skiing and food that this breathtaking destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Lots of people come for the hiking. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

With museums and nightlife around the easily accessible city of Basel, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Basel, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Interlaken or Basel?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Interlaken. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Basel, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Interlaken or Basel?

Interlaken is a fun place to experience. In Interlaken, many people enjoy the skiing and food that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the hiking. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Basel, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Basel?

You'll find food and skiing around the adventurous destination of Interlaken. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the hiking. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Basel 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.

When is the best time to visit Interlaken or Basel?

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 Basel in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Interlaken is around the same temperature as Basel. Typically, the summer temperatures in Interlaken in July are around 21°C (70°F), and Basel is about 21°C (70°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Basel. 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 Basel. Interlaken gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 241 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Basel. Interlaken gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Basel receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Basel in the Autumn?

Both Basel 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 Basel in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Interlaken is generally around the same temperature as Basel. Temperatures in Interlaken average around 13°C (56°F), and Basel stays around 13°C (56°F).

Interlaken usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Basel during autumn. Interlaken gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

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

Should I visit Interlaken or Basel in the Winter?

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

Basel can be very cold during winter. Interlaken can get quite cold in the winter. Interlaken is around the same temperature as Basel in the winter. The temperature in Interlaken is usually 3°C (37°F) in January, and Basel stays around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Interlaken often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Basel. Interlaken gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 55 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Basel. Interlaken gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Basel receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Basel in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Interlaken is around the same temperature as Basel. Typically, the spring temperatures in Interlaken in April are around 12°C (53°F), and Basel is about 12°C (53°F).

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

In April, Interlaken usually receives around the same amount of rain as Basel. Interlaken gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Basel receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Basel and Interlaken