A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Interlaken vs. Gothenburg for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Interlaken or Gothenburg?

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

Where Should I go: Interlaken or Gothenburg?

Interlaken

Interlaken is a small city that is located in the Bernese Highlands Region of central Switzerland. It sits pleasantly between two Alpine Lakes, Brienzersee and Thunersee. This scenic setting and its easy accessibility make it a popular base camp for travel into the Bernese Oberland Alps. It has become a top tourist destination in Switzerland and it is also a hub for outdoor sports enthusiasts with plenty of hiking, skiing, paragliding, and other activities in the region.. Interlaken is a great hoping off point to explore many of the nearby mountains, lakes, and valleys, too. It offers easy transportation to most major Swiss cities by train or car.

Gothenburg

Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden with a population of about 500,000. It is located on the western coast at the edge of the Gota River. It's a very friendly and welcoming city with a great vibe. Part of its energy comes from the Gothenburg University, which, with over 60,000 students, is the largest university in the country. Historically, Gothenburg has working class roots which are still apparent today, particularly in the city's harbour area. Recently there has been a growing number of expensive restaurants and cafes, showing that the demographic continues to evolve.

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 10-Day Tours in Sweden, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Sweden.


Which place is cheaper, Gothenburg or Interlaken?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Interlaken is $231, while the average daily cost in Gothenburg is $97. 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 Gothenburg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Interlaken $133
    Gothenburg $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Interlaken $266
    Gothenburg $80
Compare Hotels in Interlaken and Gothenburg

Looking for a hotel in Interlaken or Gothenburg? 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.

Hotels in Interlaken


Hotels in Gothenburg


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.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Interlaken Hotel Prices and Gothenburg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Interlaken $13
    Gothenburg $18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Interlaken

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Interlaken are as follows:


  • Cable Cars (for 2)
    $66

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Interlaken

Also for Interlaken, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Interlaken to Zurich: $240
  • Private Group transfer Zurich Airport - Interlaken: $1,312
  • Transfer from/to Hotel - Airport: $160
  • From Private One-Way Transfer to Lucerne: $284

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gothenburg

Also for Gothenburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Umea Private Transfer from Umea city centre to Umea airport: $145
  • Umea Private Transfer from Umea (UME) Airport to City centre: $145
  • Transfer From Gothenburg Hotel To Gothenburg Museum of Art: $32
  • Private Transfer from Gothenburg city to Goteborg Cruise Port: $64
  • Private Transfer Gothenburg Airport GOT to Gothenburg by Sedan: $102
  • Private Transfer From Gothenburg To Stockholm: $505
  • Private Transfer From Gothenburg To Alingsås: $119
  • Private Transfer From Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg Hotels: $95
  • Ostersund Private Transfer from Ostersund (OSD) airport to central Ostersund: $174
  • Ostersund Private Transfer from Central Ostersund to Ostersund Airport: $174
  • Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Departure: $15
  • Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Arrival: $15

Is it cheaper to fly into Interlaken or Gothenburg?

Prices for flights to both Gothenburg 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Interlaken $64
    Gothenburg $38
Typical Food Prices in Interlaken

For Interlaken, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Tea at Interlaken
    $33

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Interlaken

For Interlaken, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Fondue Cooking Class and Cheese Workshop in Switzerland: $143
  • Cheese and Chocolate Full-Day Food Tour: $733

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Interlaken $104
    Gothenburg $15

Tours and Activities in Interlaken

For Interlaken, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Hidden gems e-bike tour with picnic at Lake Brienz : $212
  • Iseltwald, Aare Gorge and Lake Brienz Experience in Switzerland: $290
  • 007 Elegance: Private Tour to Schilthorn from Interlaken: $480
  • A Day at Lake Brienz and Lauterbrunnen Tour from Zurich: $1,260
  • Alpine Heights Jungfraujoch Small Group Tour from Interlaken: $529
  • Alpine Majesty: Bern to Jungfraujoch Exclusive Private Tour: $835
  • Bern: Grindelwald First & Bachalpsee Hiking Private Tour: $709
  • Bike Tour of the Interlaken Valley: Rivers, Lakes & Forests: $111
  • Bollywood Tour Gstaad - Express Tour: $90
  • Canyoning Experience Grimsel from Interlaken : $200
  • From Grimsel Gorge Canyoning Tour: $196
  • From Gruyères, Cheese Factory & Cailler Tour: $290

Tours and Activities in Gothenburg

For Gothenburg, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2-Days Private Tour in Gothenburg: $300
  • 24h Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour: $32
  • After Dark in A Guided Nightlife Tour: $263
  • Archipelago Tour with guide Gothenburg: $40
  • Bike Tour Gothenburg, Guided Bicycle Tours: $113
  • City Sightseeing Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $32
  • Discover Gothenburg - Private Walking Tour: $224
  • Egypt Oasis Adventure Package: $918
  • Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $37
  • Entry Ticket To Universeum in Gothenburg with pickup: $64
  • Fatbike Experience in Sorsele: $113
  • Full Day Private Shore Tour in Gothenburg from Gothenburg Port: $283

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Interlaken $17
    Gothenburg $20


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

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


Which is Bigger, Interlaken or Gothenburg?

Gothenburg has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Interlaken and Gothenburg, 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 Gothenburg?

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 Gothenburg in the Summer?

Both Gothenburg and Interlaken are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Interlaken for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Interlaken is generally a little warmer than Gothenburg. Daily temperatures in Interlaken average around 21°C (70°F), and Gothenburg fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Gothenburg. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Interlaken. Interlaken usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Gothenburg during summer. Interlaken gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Gothenburg receives 243 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Gothenburg. Interlaken gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Interlaken 21°C (70°F) 
    Gothenburg 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Interlaken or Gothenburg in the Autumn?

Both Gothenburg and Interlaken during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

Interlaken is much warmer than Gothenburg in the autumn. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Gothenburg fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

In the autumn, Interlaken often gets more sunshine than Gothenburg. Interlaken gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gothenburg receives 94 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets less rain in October than Gothenburg. Interlaken gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Interlaken 13°C (56°F) 
    Gothenburg 9°C (47°F)

Should I visit Interlaken or Gothenburg in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Interlaken and Gothenburg. The skiing and the cuisine are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Gothenburg. It's quite cold in Interlaken in the winter. In the winter, Interlaken is much warmer than Gothenburg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Interlaken in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Gothenburg averages at about -2°C (29°F).

Interlaken usually receives more sunshine than Gothenburg during winter. Interlaken gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Gothenburg receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Gothenburg. Interlaken gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Interlaken 3°C (37°F) 
    Gothenburg -2°C (29°F)

Should I visit Interlaken or Gothenburg in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Interlaken as well as Gothenburg. Many travelers come to Interlaken for the natural beauty.

In April, Interlaken is generally much warmer than Gothenburg. Daily temperatures in Interlaken average around 12°C (53°F), and Gothenburg fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the spring, Interlaken often gets less sunshine than Gothenburg. Interlaken gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gothenburg receives 182 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets more rain in April than Gothenburg. Interlaken gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Interlaken 12°C (53°F) 
    Gothenburg 5°C (41°F)

Typical Weather for Gothenburg and Interlaken

Interlaken Gothenburg
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 77 mm (3 in) -2°C (29°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb 5°C (40°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) -2°C (29°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Mar 8°C (46°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 1°C (34°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Apr 12°C (53°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 5°C (41°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
May 16°C (60°F) 101 mm (4 in) 11°C (51°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 15°C (59°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 21°C (70°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 16°C (61°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Aug 21°C (69°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 16°C (60°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Sep 18°C (64°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 12°C (54°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Oct 13°C (56°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 9°C (47°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 4°C (38°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 0°C (32°F) 75 mm (3 in)