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

Should you visit Interlaken or Calais?

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

Interlaken

Interlaken is a adrenaline-filled, breathtaking, and world-class town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include hiking, skiing, and food.

Calais

Calais is a authentic, undiscovered, and coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Interlaken and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Interlaken or Calais?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Calais than Interlaken, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Calais is better known for its museums, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Interlaken is more popular for its skiing, food, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Interlaken is more touristy than Calais and is popular for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. Calais is well known for being a gateway for travelers to France. Also, Calais is famous for The Town Hall.

How is Interlaken different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Interlaken or Calais Better for Skiing?

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

Head to Interlaken for some great skiing and other winter activities. 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.

Calais is not a skiing destination.

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

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

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Interlaken is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Interlaken is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Interlaken or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Calais 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 Calais. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Interlaken or Calais Better for Beaches?

Calais is very good for its beaches. However, Interlaken is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Calais to enjoy the beach. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Interlaken is not a beach destination.

Is Interlaken or Calais Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is a must-visit destination for its hiking experiences. However, Calais 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.

Calais is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Interlaken or Calais?

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Calais. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Interlaken or Calais Better for Families?

Interlaken is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular 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!

Calais offers lots of family activities. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Interlaken or Calais Better for Couples?

Interlaken is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

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.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Interlaken or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Interlaken is a popular place for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers 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.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

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

Interlaken is well known for its public transit. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Interlaken. Buses travel around town, but to get into the mountains there are trains, cog railways, funiculars, and gondolas.

While Calais offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Interlaken or Calais a more walkable city?

Interlaken and Calais are notable when it comes to walkability.

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

Calais is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Calais or Interlaken?

How long in Interlaken or Calais?

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

Families should spend more time in Interlaken than Calais. 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 Calais. 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 Calais 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 Calais?

Many travelers enjoy the food and skiing when visiting the destination of Interlaken. Hikers are also drawn to this 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 coastal city of Calais, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Calais, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Interlaken or Calais?

Interlaken is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Calais, there's plenty to do. 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 Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Interlaken. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Calais, a popular city, 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 Calais?

Travelers enjoy the skiing and food when visiting the breathtaking destination of Interlaken. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Calais 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 Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Interlaken or Calais?

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

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 Calais in the Summer?

Both Calais and Interlaken during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Interlaken for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Calais because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Interlaken is generally a little warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in Interlaken average around 21°C (70°F), and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Calais, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Interlaken. In the summer, Interlaken often gets more sunshine than Calais. Interlaken gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets more rain in July than Calais. Interlaken gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Calais in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Interlaken and Calais. The autumn months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

Interlaken is around the same temperature as Calais in the autumn. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Calais fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Interlaken usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Calais during autumn. Interlaken gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Calais. Interlaken gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Interlaken or Calais in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Interlaken as well as Calais. The skiing and the cuisine are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Calais for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Calais. It's quite cold in Interlaken in the winter. In the winter, Interlaken is cooler than Calais. Typically, the winter temperatures in Interlaken in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Calais averages at about 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Interlaken often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Calais. Interlaken gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets more rain in January than Calais. Interlaken gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Calais in the Spring?

Both Calais and Interlaken are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Interlaken for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Calais in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Interlaken is generally a little warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in Interlaken average around 12°C (53°F), and Calais fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

Interlaken usually receives less sunshine than Calais during spring. Interlaken gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Calais. Interlaken gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Calais and Interlaken