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

Should you visit Interlaken or Flam?

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

Interlaken

Interlaken is a adventurous, adrenaline-filled, and breathtaking 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.

Flam

Flam is a beautiful, natural, and breathtaking village. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food and hiking.

Interlaken and Flam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Interlaken or Flam?

Both Flam and Interlaken have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Interlaken is more popular for its skiing, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Flam is known for its museums, nightlife, shopping, and small town charm. Interlaken is more touristy than Flam and is known for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. Flam is popular for its beautiful fjords and natural beauty as well as its popularity as a cruise ship port.

How is Interlaken different from Flam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Interlaken or Flam Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is a good destination for skiing. However, Flam 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.

Flam is not a skiing destination.

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

Flam is not a good area for its museums and history. However, Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Flam. Hiking and natural beauty is why you visit this area, but there is the Flam Railway Museum that you can visit as well.

Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both Interlaken and Flam both to be high quality 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 Flam. Local restaurants make use of seasonal ingredients and local fish and meat. You'll also find many berries and a local goat cheese at many restaurants as well.

Is Interlaken or Flam Better for Nightlife?

Flam is a decent place to visit for nightlife. However, Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Flam. Most people visit as a day trip, so you won't find a huge nightlife scene in this small town. There are some local bars and breweries around town though.

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Interlaken or Flam Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is an unbeatable place for hiking. Also, Flam is not as popular, but is still a nice village for the nearby hiking options.

Interlaken is well-known for its hiking and trekking. 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.

Flam is a popular spot for hiking. There are many great hikes just outside of town that are varied in length and challenge level. Both tourists and locals enjoy hiking in the area, so you'll get some of the best advice on where to go from any locals that you meet. Popular trails include the Flåmsdalen hike from Myrdal to Flam and the hike to Brekkefossen Waterfall.

Is the Shopping Better in Interlaken or Flam?

Flam is a decent place to visit for shopping. However, Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Flam is a good destination for shopping. There are some shopping centers and malls near town where you can grab anything you may have forgotten.

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Interlaken or Flam Better for Families?

Interlaken is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Flam is not as popular, but is still a nice village for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Interlaken is very family-friendly. 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!

Flam is a very kid-friendly town. The fjords and mountain beauty make this a great place for a family adventure. Myrkdalen is also just 45 minutes away by car and it's filled with many mountain activities.

Is Interlaken or Flam Better for Couples?

Interlaken is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Flam is not as popular, but is still a nice village for its romantic activities.

Interlaken is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Flam is a very popular place to visit for couples. Stunning natural beauty and dramatic fjords make this a great romantic destination. Couples who enjoy hiking and explore nature will enjoy days in this special place.

Is Interlaken or Flam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Interlaken and Flam 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 Flam. There are a few hostels in the area that help keeps prices more affordable for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Interlaken is a great town for times when you don't have a car. Also, Flam is not as popular, but is still a nice village for its public transit.

Visitors to Interlaken can move around easily with public transportation. Buses travel around town, but to get into the mountains there are trains, cog railways, funiculars, and gondolas.

Flam has a few public transit options. There is a local bus service through the area.

Is Interlaken or Flam a more walkable city?

Flam 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.

Flam is very walkable. There are many great walks in the area.

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 Flam Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Flam or Interlaken?

How long in Interlaken or Flam?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Interlaken or Flam to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Interlaken than Flam because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Interlaken, and 1-2 days is enough time in Flam.

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

One day in Interlaken or Flam?

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.

Flam might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Flam, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Interlaken or Flam?

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.

Even though Flam is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 village.

Five days in Interlaken or Flam?

Visitors enjoy the food and skiing when visiting the stunning 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.

Flam, a popular village, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Flam?

The world-class 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.

Flam 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 Adventure Tours to Norway, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Norway.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Interlaken or Flam?

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

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 Flam in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Interlaken and Flam. Many visitors come to Interlaken in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Flam for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Interlaken is a little warmer than Flam in the summer. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Flam fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Flam receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Interlaken usually receives less rain than Flam. Interlaken gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Flam receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Interlaken or Flam in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Interlaken as well as Flam. Most visitors come to Interlaken for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Flam because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Interlaken is a little warmer than Flam. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Interlaken in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Flam averages at about 9°C (48°F).

It's quite rainy in Flam. Interlaken usually gets less rain in October than Flam. Interlaken gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Flam receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Flam in the Winter?

Both Flam and Interlaken are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the skiing and the cuisine. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Flam this time of year.

It's quite cold in Flam in the winter. The weather in Interlaken can be very cold. In January, Interlaken is generally much warmer than Flam. Daily temperatures in Interlaken average around 3°C (37°F), and Flam fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Flam. In January, Interlaken usually receives less rain than Flam. Interlaken gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Flam receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Interlaken or Flam in the Spring?

Both Flam and Interlaken during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Flam for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Interlaken is much warmer than Flam in the spring. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Flam fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

Flam gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Interlaken usually gets less rain in April than Flam. Interlaken gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Flam receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Flam and Interlaken