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

Should you visit Interlaken or Heidelberg?

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 Heidelberg 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. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the hiking, skiing, and food.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a scenic, character-filled, and historic town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Interlaken and Heidelberg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Interlaken or Heidelberg?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Heidelberg than Interlaken, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Heidelberg is better known for its nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Interlaken is more popular for its skiing and hiking. Interlaken is more touristy than Heidelberg and is known for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. Heidelberg is well known for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town. Also, Heidelberg is famous for The Heidelberg Castle.

How is Interlaken different from Heidelberg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Interlaken or Heidelberg Better for Skiing?

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

Heidelberg is not a skiing destination.

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

Foodies will find both Interlaken and Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg. The old town is filled with local restaurants that offer an assortment of traditional dishes. The restaurants offer a mix of outdoor and indoor seating and classic dishes include saumagen, lewwerkneedl, and dampfnudeln.

Is Interlaken or Heidelberg Better for Nightlife?

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

Heidelberg has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Interlaken or Heidelberg Better for its Old Town?

Heidelberg is a world-class destination for its historic old town. However, Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Heidelberg is revered around the world. The charming old town, or Altstadt, is lined with cafes that spill out onto the street and churches with bells that chime hourly. The area is filled with activity and there are many shops, ice cream vendors, and restaurants to choose from.

Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

Is Interlaken or Heidelberg Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is an amazing town to visit for hiking. However, Heidelberg 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.

Heidelberg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Interlaken or Heidelberg?

Heidelberg is very good for shopping. However, Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Heidelberg. The pedestrian area is the best place to pass your time shopping. There are name brand stores mixed in with local independent shops which you'll mostly find on the side streets. Popular items to buy include wooden toys, Christmas decorations, and candy.

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Interlaken or Heidelberg Better for Families?

Interlaken is an amazing town to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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!

Heidelberg is a family-friendly place to visit. With its many ice cream shops, playgrounds, and impressive castle, this city makes a nice stop for families with kids. The restaurants usually have a kid's menu and there are a number of kid-friendly museums and activities.

Is Interlaken or Heidelberg Better for Couples?

Interlaken is an amazing town to visit for couples. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for romance.

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.

Heidelberg is a very popular place to visit for couples. This beautiful city offers an impressive backdrop for a couple's getaway. The view from the castle looks out beautifully over the city and the old town has many excellent restaurants and activities that are great for couples.

Is Interlaken or Heidelberg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heidelberg is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Interlaken is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Heidelberg is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Prices are reasonable and there are a handful of hostels around town. As a university town, you can be assured there are plenty of fun activities and cheap places to eat.

It's common for backpackers to 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.

Is Interlaken or Heidelberg Better for Students?

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

Plenty of students visit Heidelberg. It is a beautiful student town with a lot of activities for young visitors. This is not the most popular study abroad destination, but it does have a lot to offer for those who visit.

Interlaken is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find high quality public transit in both Interlaken and Heidelberg.

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.

Heidelberg has some very good public transit options. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.

Is Interlaken or Heidelberg a more walkable city?

Heidelberg 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.

Heidelberg is very walkable. The old town is particularly walkable.

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 Heidelberg Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Heidelberg or Interlaken?

How long in Interlaken or Heidelberg?

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

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

One day in Interlaken or Heidelberg?

With food and skiing around the adrenaline-filled town of Interlaken, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With shopping and nightlife around the charming town of Heidelberg, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Heidelberg, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Interlaken or Heidelberg?

With skiing and food around the destination of Interlaken, 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. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Heidelberg, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 town.

Five days in Interlaken or Heidelberg?

Interlaken, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Heidelberg, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Heidelberg?

Interlaken is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. 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.

Heidelberg 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Interlaken or Heidelberg?

Heidelberg has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Interlaken and Heidelberg, 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 Heidelberg?

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 Heidelberg in the Summer?

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

In July, Interlaken is generally around the same temperature as Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in Interlaken average around 21°C (70°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Heidelberg this time of the year. In Interlaken, it's very sunny this time of the year. Interlaken usually receives more sunshine than Heidelberg during summer. Interlaken gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 224 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Heidelberg. Interlaken gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Interlaken or Heidelberg in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Interlaken as well as Heidelberg. 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 Heidelberg because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Interlaken is around the same temperature as Heidelberg in the autumn. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Interlaken often gets more sunshine than Heidelberg. Interlaken gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 102 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets more rain in October than Heidelberg. Interlaken gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Heidelberg in the Winter?

Both Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg this time of year.

It's quite cold in Heidelberg in the winter. The weather in Interlaken can be very cold. In the winter, Interlaken is a little warmer than Heidelberg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Interlaken in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Interlaken usually receives more sunshine than Heidelberg during winter. Interlaken gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 38 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Heidelberg. Interlaken gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Interlaken or Heidelberg in the Spring?

Both Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg for the natural beauty.

In April, Interlaken is generally around the same temperature as Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in Interlaken average around 12°C (53°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Interlaken often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Heidelberg. Interlaken gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 155 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets more rain in April than Heidelberg. Interlaken gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Heidelberg and Interlaken