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

Should you visit Interlaken or La Rochelle?

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 La Rochelle can help you decide which place is right for you.

Interlaken

Interlaken is a adrenaline-filled, breathtaking, and world-class town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the food, hiking, and skiing.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a quaint, charming, and peaceful coastal town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Interlaken and La Rochelle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Interlaken or La Rochelle?

Travelers will usually find more to do in La Rochelle. Although Interlaken and La Rochelle are popular destinations, La Rochelle has more sights and attractions for tourists. La Rochelle is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and small town charm, while Interlaken attracts visitors for its skiing, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Interlaken is more touristy than La Rochelle and is known for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. La Rochelle is famous for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. It is also well known for The Old Port.

How is Interlaken different from La Rochelle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Interlaken or La Rochelle Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is a popular place for skiing. However, La Rochelle is not a skiing destination.

For winter sports and skiing, Interlaken is a great destination to visit. 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.

La Rochelle is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Interlaken or La Rochelle?

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

Many visitors head to La Rochelle specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Filled with history, the town itself is like a living museum. Within town there are many sights such as the Vieux Port, La Rochelle Aquarium, Musée d'Histoire Naturelle, and Musée du Nouveau Monde de La Rochelle.

Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

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

La Rochelle is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Interlaken is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

La Rochelle has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. It may be small, but its filled with delicious cafes, bistros, and local restaurants. Seafood is the obvious choice in this coastal town and many visitors head to Vieux Port to eat, as many restaurants there offer waterfront views. If you want something a little less touristy, head to the St. Nicolas District, which was the town's former fishing district. Rue de la Fourche is also a charming road with many places to grab a bite or a drink. Or head to Rue St Jean-du-Perot, which is just off the old port.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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.

Is Interlaken or La Rochelle Better for Nightlife?

La Rochelle is very good for nightlife. However, Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in La Rochelle. While it's known as a peaceful, seaside town, you'll still find wine bars, pubs, and even a club or two around town.

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Interlaken or La Rochelle Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is very good for its beaches. However, Interlaken is not a beach destination.

Many people head to La Rochelle to enjoy the beach. There are three main beaches in town that each attract a crowd on warm summer days. Plage de la Concurrence, Plage Chef de Baie, and Plage des Minimes are the closest beaches to La Rochelle, and they are popular for sunbathing and water sports. They have a mix of sand, pebbles, and cliffside views that attract locals and tourists alike.

Interlaken is not a beach destination.

Is Interlaken or La Rochelle Better for its Old Town?

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

The historic old town of La Rochelle is revered around the world. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

Is Interlaken or La Rochelle Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is very popular for hiking. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for the nearby hiking options.

People visit Interlaken specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. 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 people include a hike when visiting La Rochelle. There are many coastal walks just outside of town that take you along the scenic coastline. It's beautiful to stroll through the countryside and pass through many quaint villages.

Is the Shopping Better in Interlaken or La Rochelle?

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in La Rochelle. The old town is filled with boutique shops as well as some name brands. Another fun place to visit is Les Halles, which is an indoor market with fresh produce, seafood, and many local cheeses.

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Interlaken or La Rochelle Better for Families?

Interlaken is very popular for its kid-friendly activities. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Interlaken is a very family-friendly destination. 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!

La Rochelle is a family-friendly place to visit. It's a coastal town with a port that you can explore. There's also an aquarium and many great seafood restaurants. A nice day trip is to go to l'Ile de Ré, which has nice beaches, some with playgrounds.

Is Interlaken or La Rochelle Better for Couples?

Both Interlaken and La Rochelle are world-class destinations to visit as a couple.

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.

La Rochelle has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. This beautiful coastal town is seeped in history. There are beautiful squares, romantic parks, and cobblestone streets that you can wander down. It's also nice to take a coastal walk before grabbing dinner at a local seafood restaurant.

Is Interlaken or La Rochelle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Interlaken and La Rochelle are both nice 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 La Rochelle. There aren't a ton of hostels in the area, but there are just enough that you should be able to find a place to stay.

Is Interlaken or La Rochelle Better for Students?

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

Plenty of students visit La Rochelle. It's a touristy city with a lot for students to see and do, but the atmosphere is generally quiet and peaceful.

Interlaken is not popular with students.

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

Interlaken is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its public transit.

Public transit in Interlaken can get you to some places easily. Buses travel around town, but to get into the mountains there are trains, cog railways, funiculars, and gondolas.

La Rochelle has a few public transit options. Public transit around town is operated by Yeló, and mostly consists of buses.

Is Interlaken or La Rochelle a more walkable city?

La Rochelle 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.

La Rochelle is very walkable. It's filled with meandering cobblestone streets that are best explored on foot. Most places around town can 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 La Rochelle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in La Rochelle or Interlaken?

How long in Interlaken or La Rochelle?

It's fun to spend time in either Interlaken or La Rochelle. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Interlaken due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Interlaken, and 2-4 days is enough time in La Rochelle.

Couples should spend more time in La Rochelle than Interlaken. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in La Rochelle that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in La Rochelle 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 La Rochelle.

One day in Interlaken or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the skiing and food when visiting the breathtaking town of Interlaken. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Most people visit for the hiking. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

La Rochelle might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Interlaken or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the food and skiing when visiting the adventurous destination of Interlaken. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Even though La Rochelle is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 food. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this coastal town.

Five days in Interlaken or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the skiing and food when visiting the world-class town of Interlaken. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

La Rochelle, a popular coastal 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 La Rochelle?

Many people enjoy the food and skiing when visiting Interlaken. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people visit for the hiking. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

La Rochelle is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the food. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Interlaken or La Rochelle?

La Rochelle has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Interlaken and La Rochelle, 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 La Rochelle?

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 La Rochelle in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Interlaken and La Rochelle. Most visitors come to Interlaken for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Interlaken is around the same temperature as La Rochelle. Typically, the summer temperatures in Interlaken in July average around 21°C (70°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 20°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Rochelle this time of the year. In Interlaken, it's very sunny this time of the year. Interlaken usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during summer. Interlaken gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Interlaken usually receives more rain than La Rochelle. Interlaken gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Interlaken or La Rochelle in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Interlaken as well as La Rochelle. The autumn months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year.

In October, Interlaken is generally cooler than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Interlaken average around 13°C (56°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In the autumn, Interlaken often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. Interlaken gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as La Rochelle. Interlaken gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or La Rochelle in the Winter?

Both La Rochelle and Interlaken are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The skiing and the cuisine are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year. Also, many travelers come to La Rochelle for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Interlaken in the winter. Interlaken is much colder than La Rochelle in the winter. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Interlaken usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during winter. Interlaken gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Interlaken usually receives around the same amount of rain as La Rochelle. Interlaken gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Interlaken or La Rochelle in the Spring?

Both La Rochelle and Interlaken during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Interlaken for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to La Rochelle in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm.

In the spring, Interlaken is around the same temperature as La Rochelle. Typically, the spring temperatures in Interlaken in April average around 12°C (53°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Interlaken often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. Interlaken gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 187 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets more rain in April than La Rochelle. Interlaken gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for La Rochelle and Interlaken