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

Should you visit Interlaken or Biarritz?

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 Biarritz can help you decide which place is right for you.

Interlaken

Interlaken is a adrenaline-filled, breathtaking, and world-class 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.

Biarritz

Biarritz is a quirky, dynamic, and cultural seaside town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and shopping.

Interlaken and Biarritz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Interlaken or Biarritz?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Biarritz. Although Interlaken and Biarritz are popular destinations, Biarritz has more sights and attractions for tourists. Biarritz is very popular for its museums, nightlife, resorts, beaches, shopping, and small town charm, while Interlaken attracts visitors for its skiing, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Interlaken is more touristy than Biarritz and is known for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. Biarritz is famous for its surfing culture, long beaches, and seaside atmosphere. It is also well known for Grande Plage.

How is Interlaken different from Biarritz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Interlaken or Biarritz Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is a popular place for skiing and snowboarding. However, Biarritz 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.

Biarritz is not a skiing destination.

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

Biarritz is a decent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

While most people don't head to Biarritz specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most people pass their time relaxing on the beach or taking a walk, but you can also visit the Biarritz Aquarium or the Biarritz Lighthouse.

Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both Interlaken and Biarritz both to be great 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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Biarritz. The food is a delicious mix of French, Spanish, and Basque flavors. Seafood is an obvious influence, but you'll also find meat and bread in many dishes. Local specialties include the oysters, pintxos (a snack of bread topped with ham, cheese, or vegetables), and marmitako (tuna stew).

Is Interlaken or Biarritz Better for Nightlife?

Biarritz is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. However, Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Biarritz has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city center has the most bars and clubs if you're looking for a party. Head to Port Vieux or Les Halles for some of the city's best nightlife. For a more relaxed night out, there are night markets as well as beach front terraces and rooftops where you can sip wine in a mellow atmosphere.

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Interlaken or Biarritz Better for Resorts?

Biarritz is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Interlaken is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Biarritz. You'll find a mix of holiday cottages, vacation rentals, and beachfront hotels. There are also hostels around town for those on a budget.

Interlaken is not a resort destination.

Is Interlaken or Biarritz Better for Beaches?

Biarritz is an excellent place to visit for its beaches. However, Interlaken is not a beach destination.

Biarritz is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are plenty of sandy beaches near the town that offer great surfing. For calmer water you can head to some of the smaller bays. Some of the most popular beaches in the area include Le Grande Plage, Plage du Miramar, and Plage Port Vieux.

Interlaken is not a beach destination.

Is Interlaken or Biarritz Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is renowned for its hiking trails. However, Biarritz is not a hiking destination.

People visit Interlaken specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. 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.

Biarritz is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Interlaken or Biarritz?

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Biarritz. The town has many market halls, boutiques, and department stores. Head to Avenue de Verdun for some quirky local stores or Place Georges Clemenceau for more high end shopping.

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Interlaken or Biarritz Better for Families?

Interlaken is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Biarritz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Interlaken is a very family-friendly destination. 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!

Biarritz is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The sandy beaches are great for surfing, but you'll also find some calm water where kids can play. There are plenty of surf schools in the area that will help kids learn if they're just beginning to surf. Kids who love the ocean will find tons of entertainment in this seaside town.

Is Interlaken or Biarritz Better for Couples?

Interlaken is renowned for its romantic activities. Also, Biarritz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Interlaken makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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 Biarritz frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are many coastal walks, sandy beaches, and surfing opportunities that couples can enjoy. Combine that with great French cuisine and a lively atmosphere, and you won't find a better couples getaway.

Is Interlaken or Biarritz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Biarritz is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Interlaken is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Biarritz is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The town attracts surfers and there are plenty of hostels and other accommodation options for budget travelers or backpackers.

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.

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

Interlaken is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Biarritz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

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

You'll find some public transit in Biarritz, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are regional bus lines to nearby towns operated by Chronoplus and PESA.

Is Interlaken or Biarritz a more walkable city?

Biarritz is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, Interlaken is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Biarritz is very walkable. The city center is very walkable and you can reach many of the beaches on foot as well.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Biarritz or Interlaken?

How long in Interlaken or Biarritz?

Both Interlaken and Biarritz have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Biarritz than in Interlaken. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Interlaken, and 3-7 days is enough time in Biarritz.

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

One day in Interlaken or Biarritz?

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.

With shopping and nightlife around the cultural seaside town of Biarritz, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Interlaken or Biarritz?

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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Biarritz, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Interlaken or Biarritz?

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.

Biarritz, a popular seaside town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this seaside town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Interlaken or Biarritz?

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.

Biarritz is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this seaside town makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this seaside town has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Geneva, The Best 10-Day Tours from Zurich, The Best Tours for Seniors to France, and The Best Contiki Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Interlaken or Biarritz?

Biarritz has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Interlaken and Biarritz, 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 Biarritz?

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 Interlaken or Biarritz in the Summer?

Both Biarritz and Interlaken are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Interlaken for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Biarritz because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Interlaken is around the same temperature as Biarritz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Interlaken in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Biarritz averages at about 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Biarritz. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Interlaken. Interlaken usually receives more sunshine than Biarritz during summer. Interlaken gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Biarritz receives 209 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Biarritz. Interlaken gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Interlaken or Biarritz in the Autumn?

Both Biarritz and Interlaken during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Biarritz this time of year.

In October, Interlaken is generally cooler than Biarritz. Daily temperatures in Interlaken average around 13°C (56°F), and Biarritz fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Interlaken often gets less sunshine than Biarritz. Interlaken gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Biarritz receives 144 hours of full sun.

Biarritz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Interlaken usually gets less rain in October than Biarritz. Interlaken gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Biarritz in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Interlaken and Biarritz. The skiing and the cuisine are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Biarritz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Interlaken in the winter. Interlaken is much colder than Biarritz in the winter. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Biarritz fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Interlaken usually receives less sunshine than Biarritz during winter. Interlaken gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Biarritz receives 85 hours of full sun in the winter.

Biarritz receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Interlaken usually receives less rain than Biarritz. Interlaken gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Interlaken or Biarritz in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Interlaken as well as Biarritz. Many travelers come to Interlaken for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Biarritz in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm.

In the spring, Interlaken is around the same temperature as Biarritz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Interlaken in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Biarritz averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Interlaken often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Biarritz. Interlaken gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Biarritz receives 141 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Biarritz. Interlaken usually gets less rain in April than Biarritz. Interlaken gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Biarritz and Interlaken