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

Should you visit Interlaken or Hamburg?

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

Interlaken

Interlaken is a breathtaking, world-class, and stunning 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.

Hamburg

Hamburg is a cultural, vibrant, and historic port city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Interlaken and Hamburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Interlaken or Hamburg?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Hamburg than Interlaken, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Hamburg is better known for its museums, nightlife, music, and shopping, while Interlaken is more popular for its skiing, food, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Interlaken is more touristy than Hamburg and is popular for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. Hamburg is well known for its music clubs, beautiful architecture, relaxing natural areas, and green space. Also, Hamburg is famous for St. Michael's Church.

How is Interlaken different from Hamburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Interlaken or Hamburg Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is very good for winter skiing. However, Hamburg 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.

Hamburg is not a skiing destination.

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

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

Many visitors head to Hamburg specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city's most famous district is the port area, which has a number of cultural sights and a pedestrian trail. There are also many museums and architectural landmarks around town.

Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Interlaken is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Hamburg 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 Hamburg. The city has a mix of cosmopolitan restaurants and traditional places where you can enjoy a classic German dish like currywurst or labskaus (a type of stew).

Is Interlaken or Hamburg Better for Nightlife?

Hamburg is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. However, Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Hamburg has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city is often overlooked, but it's nightlife scene is actually among the best. There are techno concerts, music festivals, and nightclubs that appeal to all personalities.

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Interlaken or Hamburg Better for Music?

Hamburg is a world-class destination for live music. However, Interlaken is not a live music destination.

Hamburg is known as a music capital around the world. The city is an influential power in the music scene around Europe. You'll find many clubs concentrated in the St. Pauli district.

Interlaken is not a live music destination.

Is Interlaken or Hamburg Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is renowned for its hiking experiences. However, Hamburg is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Interlaken specifically for its hiking. 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.

Hamburg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Interlaken or Hamburg?

Hamburg is an excellent place to visit for shopping. However, Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Hamburg. The diversity of shopping venues includes flea markets and luxury shopping malls. One of the main shopping streets in town is the Mönkebergstrasse.

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Interlaken or Hamburg Better for Families?

Interlaken is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Hamburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Interlaken is one of the most popular family destinations. 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!

Hamburg is a very family-friendly destination. The city has a surprising number of opportunities to see wildlife nearby including a zoo and a wildlife park just outside of town. The city also has great playgrounds that are fun for kids who need a break from sightseeing.

Is Interlaken or Hamburg Better for Couples?

Interlaken is renowned for couples. Also, Hamburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, Interlaken 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.

Hamburg is a nice destination for couples. Romantic activities in town include taking a boat ride or harbor cruise or grabbing a cocktail at one of the city's many bars.

Is Interlaken or Hamburg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Interlaken and Hamburg are both notable 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 Hamburg. Many backpackers overlook the city, but there are a number of good hostels and a relaxing vibe that makes for a nice visit.

Is Interlaken or Hamburg Better for Students?

Hamburg is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Interlaken is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Hamburg. The city has a few great universities and a number of opportunities for international students.

Interlaken is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find very good public transit in both Interlaken and Hamburg.

Public transit in Interlaken is fairly effecient and thorough. Buses travel around town, but to get into the mountains there are trains, cog railways, funiculars, and gondolas.

Hamburg has some very good public transit options. There are trains and buses that make their way around town.

Is Interlaken or Hamburg a more walkable city?

Hamburg 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.

Hamburg is very walkable. Most tourist areas can easily be 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 Hamburg Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hamburg or Interlaken?

How long in Interlaken or Hamburg?

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

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

One day in Interlaken or Hamburg?

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 live music and food around the historic port city of Hamburg, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the live music. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Hamburg, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Interlaken or Hamburg?

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 and shopping around the destination of Hamburg, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the live music. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this port city.

Five days in Interlaken or Hamburg?

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.

Hamburg, a popular port 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 Hamburg?

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.

Hamburg is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the live music. 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 10-Day Tours from Berlin, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Berlin.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Interlaken or Hamburg?

Hamburg has a larger population, and is about 340 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Interlaken and Hamburg, 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 Hamburg?

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 Hamburg in the Summer?

Both Hamburg and Interlaken during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Hamburg this time of year.

In July, Interlaken is generally a little warmer than Hamburg. Daily temperatures in Interlaken average around 21°C (70°F), and Hamburg fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

In Hamburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Interlaken. In the summer, Interlaken often gets more sunshine than Hamburg. Interlaken gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hamburg receives 207 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets more rain in July than Hamburg. Interlaken gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Hamburg in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Interlaken and Hamburg. The hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Hamburg for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Interlaken is a little warmer than Hamburg in the autumn. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Hamburg fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Interlaken usually receives more sunshine than Hamburg during autumn. Interlaken gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Hamburg receives 101 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Hamburg. Interlaken gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Interlaken or Hamburg in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Interlaken as well as Hamburg. Many travelers come to Interlaken for the skiing and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Hamburg in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Hamburg can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Interlaken. In the winter, Interlaken is much warmer than Hamburg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Interlaken in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Hamburg averages at about 0°C (33°F).

In the winter, Interlaken often gets more sunshine than Hamburg. Interlaken gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hamburg receives 42 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets more rain in January than Hamburg. Interlaken gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Hamburg in the Spring?

Both Hamburg and Interlaken are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Interlaken in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Hamburg for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Interlaken is generally much warmer than Hamburg. Daily temperatures in Interlaken average around 12°C (53°F), and Hamburg fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Interlaken usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hamburg during spring. Interlaken gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Hamburg receives 161 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Hamburg. Interlaken gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hamburg and Interlaken