Which place is cheaper, Bratislava or Interlaken?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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 Bratislava can help you decide which place is right for you.
Interlaken is a adrenaline-filled, breathtaking, and world-class town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for skiing, food, and hiking.
Bratislava is a laid-back, relaxed, and historical city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.
Tourists will generally find more to do in Bratislava. Although Interlaken and Bratislava are both popular with visitors, Bratislava has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Bratislava is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Interlaken is known for its skiing, food, hiking, and impressive beauty. Interlaken is more touristy than Bratislava and is popular for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. Bratislava is popular for its local beer, charming old town, and scenic mountain setting. It is also home to The Bratislava Castle.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bratislava and Interlaken. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Interlaken is a popular place for snow skiing. However, Bratislava 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.
Bratislava is not a skiing destination.
Bratislava is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.
Many visitors head to Bratislava specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Despite its small size, the city is packed with interesting sights and attractions. A highlight of a visit is exploring the Bratislava Castle. Other notable sights include Michael's Gate, the Slovak National Theatre, Grassalkovich Palace, and Primate's Palace & Hall of Mirrors.
Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.
Interlaken is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bratislava is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.
With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Interlaken makes for a great culinary experience. 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.
Bratislava has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Slovakian food is hearty and uses a few staple ingredients like cheese and dumplings. The dishes are warm and filling on a cool day, so it's nice to step into a cozy restaurant and rest after a day of exploring. Popular local dishes include bryndzové halušky (sheep's cheese gnocchi), kapustnica (cabbage soup), and goulash.
Bratislava is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. However, Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.
Bratislava has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city has grown in popularity as a center for nightlife with many people visiting from nearby Vienna. There are a growing number of stag and hen parties around town, but you'll also find sophisticated wine bars and a refined social scene. Many of the city's clubs are found in old town around Michalská, Obchodná and Ventúrska streets as well as Hviezdoslavovo and SNP squares.
Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.
Bratislava 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 Bratislava. The old town is filled with diverse architecture as well as traditional and upscale restaurants.
Interlaken does not have a historic old town.
Interlaken is renowned for the nearby hiking options. However, Bratislava 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.
Bratislava is not a hiking destination.
Bratislava is very good for shopping. However, Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Bratislava. Shopping has come to life here, with three large shopping malls and many shopping streets where you'll find local boutiques. The city has both global brands as well as more traditional shops where you can buy local items. Popular things to purchase while you're in town include traditional clothing, wooden crosses, corn husk dolls, and local alcohol such as slivovica.
Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Interlaken is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bratislava is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-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!
Bratislava is a family-friendly town. Kids and adults alike will appreciate the lack of tourist crowds when compared to other European cities, even during school holidays. You can explore the city and enjoy a laid back vibe without the chaos of navigating through tour groups and large crowds. There's also a nice old town as well as gardens, playgrounds, palaces, and the Bratislava Castle.
Interlaken is renowned for romance. Also, Bratislava is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.
Bratislava makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples that enjoy stepping away from tourist crowds will appreciate this relaxed city. There is the beautiful Janko Kráľ Park as well as the Bratislava Castle that you can explore. It's enjoyable to simply walk around the old town and soak up the atmosphere as well. There are also many great restaurants and wine bars where you can enjoy a night out.
Bratislava is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Interlaken is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.
Bratislava is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The city offers an affordable and unique alternative to some of the larger and well known cities that are nearby. There are a couple of hostels and some affordable hotels that will help you keep your expenses down.
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.
Visitors will find great public transit in both Interlaken and Bratislava.
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.
Bratislava has some very good public transit options. There are trams, buses, and trolleybuses.
Bratislava is a world-class destination for its walkability. Also, Interlaken is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.
It's very easy to get around on foot in Bratislava. One of the best ways to experience the city is to walk around. The old town is also a large pedestrian zone.
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 Bratislava Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Interlaken and Bratislava. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Interlaken than in Bratislava. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Interlaken, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bratislava.
Families should spend more time in Interlaken than Bratislava. 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 Bratislava. 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 Bratislava 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 Bratislava.
With food and skiing around the adventurous town of Interlaken, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
With museums and nightlife around the cultural city of Bratislava, 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 Bratislava, one day is sufficent for most.
With skiing and food around the destination of Interlaken, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.
With nightlife and food around the destination of Bratislava, 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.
Interlaken, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
Bratislava, 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.
Interlaken is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. 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.
Bratislava 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 in Slovakia, and The Best River Cruises in Slovakia.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Interlaken is $236, while the average daily cost in Bratislava is $133. 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 Interlaken and Bratislava in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Interlaken or Bratislava? 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.
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.
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Interlaken are as follows:
Also for Interlaken, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bratislava:
Prices for flights to both Bratislava and Interlaken 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.
For Interlaken, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Interlaken, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bratislava.
For Interlaken, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bratislava are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bratislava:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Interlaken and Bratislava, we can see that Interlaken is more expensive. And not only is Bratislava much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bratislava would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bratislava 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 Bratislava.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Interlaken Expensive? and Is Bratislava Expensive?.
Bratislava has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Interlaken and Bratislava, 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.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Interlaken as well as Bratislava. Most visitors come to Interlaken for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Bratislava because of the family-friendly experiences.
Interlaken is around the same temperature as Bratislava in the summer. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Bratislava fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bratislava. 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 Bratislava. Interlaken gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bratislava receives 255 hours of full sun.
Interlaken usually gets more rain in July than Bratislava. Interlaken gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Bratislava receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Bratislava and Interlaken are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bratislava this time of year.
In the autumn, Interlaken is around the same temperature as Bratislava. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Interlaken in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Bratislava averages at about 12°C (54°F).
Interlaken usually receives less sunshine than Bratislava during autumn. Interlaken gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Bratislava receives 140 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Bratislava. Interlaken gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bratislava receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Bratislava and Interlaken during the winter are popular places to visit. The skiing and the cuisine are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bratislava for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Bratislava. It's quite cold in Interlaken in the winter. In January, Interlaken is generally a little warmer than Bratislava. Daily temperatures in Interlaken average around 3°C (37°F), and Bratislava fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).
In the winter, Interlaken often gets less sunshine than Bratislava. Interlaken gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bratislava receives 65 hours of full sun.
Interlaken usually gets more rain in January than Bratislava. Interlaken gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Bratislava receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Interlaken and Bratislava. Many travelers come to Interlaken for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Bratislava in the spring for the natural beauty.
Interlaken is around the same temperature as Bratislava in the spring. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Bratislava fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bratislava this time of the year. Interlaken usually receives less sunshine than Bratislava during spring. Interlaken gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Bratislava receives 202 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Bratislava. Interlaken gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bratislava receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Interlaken | Bratislava | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
May | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
Aug | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |