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

Should you visit Interlaken or Geneva?

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

Interlaken

Interlaken is a adventurous, adrenaline-filled, and breathtaking town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for skiing, food, and hiking.

Geneva

Geneva is a international, professional, and classy city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Interlaken and Geneva: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Interlaken or Geneva?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Geneva. Although Interlaken and Geneva are both popular with visitors, Geneva has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Geneva is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Interlaken is known for its skiing, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Interlaken is more touristy than Geneva and is popular for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. Geneva is popular for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization. It is also home to The Geneva Water Fountain (The Jet d'Eau).

How is Interlaken different from Geneva?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Interlaken or Geneva Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is a good destination for winter skiing. However, Geneva 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.

Geneva is not a skiing destination.

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

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

Many visitors head to Geneva specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Famous sights and landmarks include the spectacular Water Jet, St Pierre Cathedral, and the Palais des Nations. There are also impressive art and history museums in the city.

Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both Interlaken and Geneva 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 Geneva. The city has an amazing mix of traditional Swiss restaurants as well as diverse ethnic options. Traditional dishes include fondue and raclette, both of which involve the decadent Swiss cheese.

Is Interlaken or Geneva Better for Nightlife?

Geneva 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 Geneva. During the day the city is all business, but at night the professionals, interns, students, and NGO workers all come together to enjoy a drink at a bar or dance at one of the city's diverse clubs.

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Interlaken or Geneva Better for its Old Town?

Geneva is very good for its historic old town. However, Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

Geneva is a good destination for visiting its old town. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.

Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

Is Interlaken or Geneva Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. However, Geneva is not a hiking destination.

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.

Geneva is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Interlaken or Geneva?

Geneva is a world-class destination for shopping. However, Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Geneva. Famous for its posh shops and luxury brands, this city is a popular shopping destination. From chic boutiques to deluxe toy stores, you'll find something for everyone. In particular, the city is known for its Swiss watches, Swiss Army knives, chocolate, and wine.

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Interlaken or Geneva Better for Families?

Interlaken is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-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!

Geneva offers lots of family activities. This diverse city has a number of chocolate shops, toy stores, and parks where kids can play. They'll be impressed by the Water Jet and there are few places where you can swim in the lake when the weather is warm.

Is Interlaken or Geneva Better for Couples?

Interlaken is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Geneva makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Wandering Old Town, sampling Swiss chocolate, and enjoying one of the many ethnic restaurants around town all make for great date activities. Fondue in a traditional restaurant is also a not to be missed experience.

Is Interlaken or Geneva Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Interlaken is a good destination for backpackers. However, Geneva is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

Geneva is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city is often overlooked by backpackers as it is pretty expensive. Many hotels cater to the business traveler crowd, but there are a few hostels to choose from.

Is Interlaken or Geneva Better for Students?

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

Geneva is very popular with students. The University of Geneva attracts many international students and the city is quite diverse. It feels like a mixing bowl of cultures, so students will feel very welcomed and comfortable here.

Interlaken is not popular with students.

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

Geneva is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Interlaken is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

With a huge network, the transit system in Geneva can get you around easily. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

Interlaken has some very good public transit options. Buses travel around town, but to get into the mountains there are trains, cog railways, funiculars, and gondolas.

Is Interlaken or Geneva a more walkable city?

Geneva 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.

Geneva is very walkable. Most areas where visitors spend their time can be easily explored 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 Geneva Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Geneva or Interlaken?

How long in Interlaken or Geneva?

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

Families should spend more time in Interlaken than Geneva. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Geneva 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 Geneva.

One day in Interlaken or Geneva?

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.

When visiting Geneva, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Geneva, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Interlaken or Geneva?

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.

When visiting Geneva, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Interlaken or Geneva?

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.

Geneva, 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 Geneva?

Travelers enjoy the skiing and food when visiting the adventurous 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.

Geneva is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. 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 2-Week Tours from Zurich, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland.

When comparing the travel costs between Interlaken and Geneva, we can see that Interlaken is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Interlaken or Geneva?

Geneva has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Interlaken and Geneva, 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 Geneva?

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 Geneva in the Summer?

Both Geneva and Interlaken during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Interlaken in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Geneva for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Interlaken is around the same temperature as Geneva in the summer. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Geneva fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

In Geneva, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Interlaken. In the summer, Interlaken often gets less sunshine than Geneva. Interlaken gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Geneva receives 285 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets more rain in July than Geneva. Interlaken gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Geneva in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Interlaken and Geneva. 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 Geneva because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Interlaken is around the same temperature as Geneva. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Interlaken in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Geneva averages at about 14°C (56°F).

Interlaken usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Geneva during autumn. Interlaken gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Geneva receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Interlaken usually receives less rain than Geneva. Interlaken gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Interlaken or Geneva in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Interlaken as well as Geneva. The winter months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the skiing and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Geneva this time of year.

It's quite cold in Geneva in the winter. The weather in Interlaken can be very cold. In January, Interlaken is generally cooler than Geneva. Daily temperatures in Interlaken average around 3°C (37°F), and Geneva fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Interlaken often gets less sunshine than Geneva. Interlaken gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Geneva receives 62 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets more rain in January than Geneva. Interlaken gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Geneva in the Spring?

Both Geneva and Interlaken are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Geneva for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Interlaken is around the same temperature as Geneva in the spring. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Geneva fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Interlaken usually receives less sunshine than Geneva during spring. Interlaken gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Geneva receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Geneva. Interlaken gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Geneva and Interlaken