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

Should you visit Interlaken or Bonn?

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

Interlaken

Interlaken is a adrenaline-filled, breathtaking, and world-class town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include skiing, food, and hiking.

Bonn

Bonn is a cultural, beautiful, and outdoorsy city. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Interlaken and Bonn: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Interlaken or Bonn?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bonn. Although Interlaken and Bonn are both popular with visitors, Bonn has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Bonn is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Interlaken is known for its skiing, food, hiking, and impressive beauty. Interlaken is more touristy than Bonn and is known for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. Bonn is popular for its many museums, cultural venues, and university atmosphere, as well as being the birthplace of Beethoven. It is also home to The Bonn Minster.

How is Interlaken different from Bonn?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Interlaken or Bonn Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is a popular place for skiing. However, Bonn is not a skiing destination.

Interlaken is a great destination for skiing with plenty areas to explore. 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.

Bonn is not a skiing destination.

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

Bonn is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Bonn specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Some of the most popular museums include Haus der Geschichte (history), Beethoven's House, and Kunstmuseum Bonn (art). For architecture check out the Old Town Hall and Bonn Minster. Other landmarks include Poppelsdorf Palace and Schloss Drachenburg.

Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Interlaken is a great town for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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 Bonn. Like much of the food in Germany, you'll find local dishes are hearty and filling. Potatoes and meats are popular ingredients, as are milk, butter, and vegetables. For local flavors try the Rhenish Sauerbraten (veal stew), Reibekuchen (German pancakes), or Christmas Sausages.

Is Interlaken or Bonn Better for Nightlife?

Bonn 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 Bonn. There are bars and nightclubs around town but even more popular are the cultural events that the city hosts. If nightlife is important to you, try to visit during one of the festivals around town.

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Interlaken or Bonn Better for its Old Town?

Bonn is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town. However, Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Bonn. The old town is filled with cobblestone streets and charming shops. There are also cafes and restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat.

Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

Is Interlaken or Bonn Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is very popular for hiking. However, Bonn 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.

Bonn is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Interlaken or Bonn?

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Bonn. A mix of local shops and major chains make shopping fun and easy. Whether you're interested in souvenir gifts or a new outfit, there are countless stores around town.

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Interlaken or Bonn Better for Families?

You'll find world-class kid-friendly activities in either Interlaken or Bonn.

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!

Bonn is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. Just outside of the town is the Haribo factory outlet store where you can pick up a number of sweet treats and spend some time exploring with the kids. Another favorite activity for the whole family is a trip to nearby Phantasialand. This is one of the best amusement parks in Germany and it has many rides for teens and younger kids alike. In town, you'll find playgrounds and kid-friendly museums. Kids will also love a visit to Schloss Drachenburg Castle.

Is Interlaken or Bonn Better for Couples?

Interlaken is very popular for romance. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

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.

Bonn makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Churches, architecture, and botanical gardens all make this a great couples destination. You can take a cruise down the Rhein or enjoy a meal at one of the best restaurants.

Is Interlaken or Bonn Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Interlaken and Bonn are both good destinations for backpackers.

Interlaken is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Bonn. Many backpackers skip this town, so its a good option for travelers who want to get off the beaten backpacker trail. There are affordable hotels and hostels around town as well as restaurants where you can pick up something cheap to eat.

Is Interlaken or Bonn Better for Students?

Bonn is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Interlaken is not popular with students.

Bonn is very popular with students. The city has a very international vibe and you'll likely run into people speaking English around town. Job opportunities in the area are good and there are schools that attract students from around the globe.

Interlaken is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find great public transit in both Interlaken and Bonn.

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.

Bonn has some very good public transit options. There is a light rail system that includes 9 lines and 64 stations. There are also buses around town. Bonn is connected to the region by convenient commuter trains so it's possible to visit as a day trip.

Is Interlaken or Bonn a more walkable city?

Bonn 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.

Bonn is very walkable. The compact old town is easy to explore on foot.

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 Bonn Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bonn or Interlaken?

How long in Interlaken or Bonn?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Interlaken than Bonn. 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 Bonn 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 Bonn.

One day in Interlaken or Bonn?

Visitors enjoy the food and skiing when visiting the destination of Interlaken. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

With museums and nightlife around the cultural city of Bonn, 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 Bonn, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Interlaken or Bonn?

Interlaken is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the hiking. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Bonn, 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 Bonn?

Visitors enjoy the food and skiing when visiting the adventurous destination of Interlaken. This town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Bonn, 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 Bonn?

The adventurous town of Interlaken offers skiing and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Bonn 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.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Interlaken or Bonn?

Bonn has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Interlaken and Bonn, 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 Bonn?

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 Bonn in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Interlaken and Bonn. Most visitors come to Interlaken for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bonn because of the family-friendly experiences.

Interlaken is a little warmer than Bonn in the summer. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Bonn fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In Interlaken, it's very sunny this time of the year. Interlaken usually receives more sunshine than Bonn during summer. Interlaken gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 191 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Bonn. Interlaken gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Interlaken or Bonn in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Interlaken as well as Bonn. The autumn months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Bonn this time of year.

In the autumn, Interlaken is a little warmer than Bonn. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Interlaken in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Bonn averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Interlaken often gets more sunshine than Bonn. Interlaken gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 109 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets more rain in October than Bonn. Interlaken gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Bonn in the Winter?

Both Bonn and Interlaken are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The skiing and the cuisine are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bonn for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bonn. It's quite cold in Interlaken in the winter. In January, Interlaken is generally around the same temperature as Bonn. Daily temperatures in Interlaken average around 3°C (37°F), and Bonn fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Interlaken usually receives more sunshine than Bonn during winter. Interlaken gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 45 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Bonn. Interlaken gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Interlaken or Bonn in the Spring?

Both Bonn and Interlaken during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Interlaken for the natural beauty.

Interlaken is a little warmer than Bonn in the spring. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Bonn fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Interlaken often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bonn. Interlaken gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 145 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets more rain in April than Bonn. Interlaken gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bonn and Interlaken