Which place is cheaper, Karlovy Vary or Interlaken?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Interlaken or Karlovy Vary?
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 Karlovy Vary can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Interlaken or Karlovy Vary?
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.
Karlovy Vary
Founded in 1370, Karlovy Vary translates to "Charles' Bath" for its founder Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, as well as its famous hot springs. It is located in Bohemia in the western Czech Republic and is also known as Karlsbad (German) or Carlsbad (English). Another highlight is the International Film Festival in July with draws celebrities and other film enthusiasts worldwide.
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 Cultural Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Czech Republic.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayInterlaken $231Karlovy Vary $81
The average daily cost (per person) in Interlaken is $231, while the average daily cost in Karlovy Vary is $81. 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 Karlovy Vary in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personInterlaken $133Karlovy Vary $39
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomInterlaken $266Karlovy Vary $78
Compare Hotels in Interlaken and Karlovy Vary
Looking for a hotel in Interlaken or Karlovy Vary? 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.
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 Karlovy Vary Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Interlaken $13Karlovy Vary $26
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 Group transfer Zurich Airport - Interlaken: $1,312
- From Private One-Way Transfer to Lucerne: $284
- Private Transfer from Interlaken to Zurich: $240
- Transfer from/to Hotel - Airport: $160
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Karlovy Vary
Also for Karlovy Vary, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague: Private daytrip with 2h for sightseeing: $128
- Private Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague, English-speaking driver: $120
- Private Transfer Karlovy Vary to Prague Vaclav Havel Airport : $66
Is it cheaper to fly into Interlaken or Karlovy Vary?
Prices for flights to both Karlovy Vary 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 dayInterlaken $64Karlovy Vary $26
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 $104Karlovy Vary $12
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 Karlovy Vary
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Karlovy Vary.
- A day in the life of Karlovy Vary - Private tour with a local: $224
- Full-Day Private Karlovy Vary Tour from Prague: $298
- Karlovy Vary & Marianske Lazne Tour from Prague with Lunch: $112
- Karlovy Vary Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $209
- Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $35
- Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $32
- Private Walking Tour: $227
- LOCATION: Karlovy Vary City Tour: $255
- Prague: Karlovy Vary Tour with Lunch and Moser Museum Visit: $77
- Private Tour to Karlovy Vary: $353
- Private tour of best of Karlovy Vary - Sightseeing, Food & Culture with a local: $168
- Touristic highlights of Karlovy Vary on a Private half day tour with a local: $168
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayInterlaken $17Karlovy Vary $6.54
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Interlaken and Karlovy Vary, we can see that Interlaken is more expensive. And not only is Karlovy Vary much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Karlovy Vary would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Karlovy Vary 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 Karlovy Vary.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Interlaken Expensive? and Is Karlovy Vary Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Interlaken or Karlovy Vary?
Karlovy Vary has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Interlaken and Karlovy Vary, 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 Karlovy Vary?
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 Karlovy Vary in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Interlaken and Karlovy Vary. The summer months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
Interlaken is around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary in the summer. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Karlovy Vary this time of the year. In Interlaken, it's very sunny this time of the year. Interlaken usually receives more sunshine than Karlovy Vary during summer. Interlaken gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 217 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Karlovy Vary. Interlaken gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyInterlaken 21°C (70°F)Karlovy Vary 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Interlaken or Karlovy Vary in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Interlaken as well as Karlovy Vary. The hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year.
In the autumn, Interlaken is a little warmer than Karlovy Vary. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Interlaken in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 11°C (51°F).
In the autumn, Interlaken often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Karlovy Vary. Interlaken gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 127 hours of full sun.
Interlaken usually gets more rain in October than Karlovy Vary. Interlaken gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberInterlaken 13°C (56°F)Karlovy Vary 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Interlaken or Karlovy Vary in the Winter?
Both Karlovy Vary and Interlaken are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Interlaken for the skiing and the cuisine.
Karlovy Vary can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Interlaken. In January, Interlaken is generally much warmer than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Interlaken average around 3°C (37°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).
Interlaken usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Karlovy Vary during winter. Interlaken gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 58 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Karlovy Vary. Interlaken gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryInterlaken 3°C (37°F)Karlovy Vary 1°C (33°F)
Should I visit Interlaken or Karlovy Vary in the Spring?
Both Karlovy Vary and Interlaken during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Interlaken in the spring for the natural beauty.
Interlaken is a little warmer than Karlovy Vary in the spring. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In the spring, Interlaken often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Karlovy Vary. Interlaken gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 151 hours of full sun.
Interlaken usually gets more rain in April than Karlovy Vary. Interlaken gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilInterlaken 12°C (53°F)Karlovy Vary 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Karlovy Vary and Interlaken
| Interlaken | Karlovy Vary | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.