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

Should you visit Interlaken or Glencoe?

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

Interlaken

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

Glencoe

Glencoe is a serene, beautiful, and picturesque village. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include food and hiking.

Interlaken and Glencoe: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Interlaken or Glencoe?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Interlaken than Glencoe, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Interlaken is better known for its skiing, food, hiking, and quaint atmosphere, while Glencoe is more popular for its nightlife. Interlaken is more touristy than Glencoe and is popular for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. Also, Interlaken is famous for its many mountain views.. Glencoe is well known for its mountaineering, hiking, and beautiful natural setting.

How is Interlaken different from Glencoe?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Interlaken or Glencoe Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is a town with good options for winter skiing. However, Glencoe 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.

Glencoe is not a skiing destination.

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

Interlaken is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Glencoe 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 Glencoe. Local specialties include seafood and pub food. You'll also find plenty of whisky and local beer. There are a variety of dining options with local pubs alongside fine dining restaurants.

Is Interlaken or Glencoe Better for Nightlife?

Glencoe 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 Glencoe. There are a handful of bars where you can relax with local whisky or beer.

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Interlaken or Glencoe Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. Also, Glencoe is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

Around Interlaken visitors will find world-class hiking trails. 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.

Many visitors go to Glencoe for the hiking trails. The area has dramatic hikes and stunning landscapes. Some of the best walks through the countryside include Inchree Falls, Grey Mare's Tail & Mamore Lodge, and The Two Lairigs.

Is Interlaken or Glencoe Better for Families?

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

Interlaken is an extremely popular town to visit for families. 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!

Glencoe is a very family-friendly destination. Take a steam train along the Harry Potter Line. You'll feel like you're aboard the Hogwarts Express. You can also visit the Natural History Center, hike around the Glencoe National Nature Center, or visit the Glencoe Folk Museum.

Is Interlaken or Glencoe Better for Couples?

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

Interlaken is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

Glencoe is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy nature, hiking, and stunning scenery will enjoy a visit to this beautiful area.

Is Interlaken or Glencoe Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Interlaken is a town with good options for backpackers. However, Glencoe is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Interlaken is a good town to visit for backpackers. 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.

Glencoe is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It can be challenging to reach without a car and the surrounding countryside also requires a vehicle. There is some great camping available in the area.

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

Interlaken is well known for its public transit. However, Glencoe is not particularly known 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Glencoe. There are local buses, but it's much easier to make the most of your visit if you have a vehicle.

Is Interlaken or Glencoe a more walkable city?

Interlaken is a town with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Glencoe is not particularly known for its walkability.

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

Glencoe is generally not a very walkable town. It's easier to fully experience the area if you have your own vehicle.

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

Should I spend more time in Glencoe or Interlaken?

How long in Interlaken or Glencoe?

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

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

In Interlaken, you'll find skiing and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

With food around the serene village of Glencoe, there's plenty to do. 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 Glencoe, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Interlaken or Glencoe?

In Interlaken, you'll find food and skiing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Interlaken has to offer.

With food around the destination of Glencoe, 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. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this village.

Five days in Interlaken or Glencoe?

Interlaken is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Interlaken has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Glencoe, 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 Glencoe?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Interlaken. Many people enjoy the food and skiing when visiting Interlaken. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Glencoe 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 Historical Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom.

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

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