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

Should you visit Interlaken or Lille?

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

Interlaken

Interlaken is a world-class, stunning, and adventurous town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and skiing.

Lille

Lille is a cultural, culinary, and friendly city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Interlaken and Lille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Interlaken or Lille?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Lille. Although Interlaken and Lille are popular destinations, Lille has more sights and attractions for tourists. Lille is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Interlaken attracts visitors for its skiing, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Interlaken is more touristy than Lille and is popular for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. Lille is famous for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene. It is also well known for Grand Place (Place du Général de Gaulle).

Grand Place (Place du Général de Gaulle)

How is Interlaken different from Lille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Interlaken or Lille Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is a nice place to visit for snow skiing. However, Lille 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.

Lille is not a skiing destination.

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

Lille is a decent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

While most people don't head to Lille specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The city offers an amazing atmosphere, with many of the most beautiful buildings near Place du Général de Gaulle (the main square). Top rated attractions in town include Palais des Beaux-Arts, Musée du Louvre-Lens, and Eglise Saint-Maurice.

Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Lille has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city has a cuisine all its own. There are many local dishes that are recommended with some of the most popular being les moules (mussels), the Welsh (a beer and cheddar cheese dish), and la carbonade flamande (beef stew). Most dishes are served with a hearty side of fries. The mussels are a favorite and are served with various toppings including local cheese. You can expect your very own pot of mussels with each order. Many of the restaurants around the main square (General de Gaulle Square) offer these local specialties. Outside the old town you'll also find plenty of international restaurants including Asian street food.

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 Lille Better for Nightlife?

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

Lille has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. With its young population and countless places to hang out, there's rarely a dull night around town. The most popular nightlife areas are Rue Masséna and Rue Solférino. The city also offers plenty of theaters and shows that you can enjoy.

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Interlaken or Lille Better for its Old Town?

Lille is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town. However, Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Lille. The old town (Le Vieux Lille) is charming to explore. Many of the buildings are from the 16th or 17th centuries and feature very ornate architecture. The area is filled with shops and restaurants and it stays active throughout the day. This is an area where locals and tourists alike live and play.

Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

Is Interlaken or Lille Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is very popular for the nearby hiking options. However, Lille is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Interlaken draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. 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.

Lille is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Interlaken or Lille?

Lille is a world-class destination for shopping. However, Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Lille. The city is filled with shopping opportunities. Almost any store you could want is in or around the old town and the two main shopping centers in town are McArthur Glen and A l'Usine. Also by the train station is a shopping mall.

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Interlaken or Lille Better for Families?

Interlaken is very popular for its family-friendly activities. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Interlaken is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. 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!

Lille is not always a place people visit with their families. There are a handful of kid-focused activities like a small zoo, a small amusement park, several museums and even a puppet theater. Many of the restaurants also have kid's menus that are reasonably priced.

Is Interlaken or Lille Better for Couples?

Interlaken is very popular for its romantic activities. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Interlaken has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Lille is a good town for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy shopping, dining out, and exploring beautiful cities will enjoy a visit. There are many great restaurants worth experiencing, as well as beautiful architecture and fun shops.

Is Interlaken or Lille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Interlaken and Lille 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 Lille. This small city flies under the radar for most backpackers, but there are a handful of hostels and a great experience for those who venture here. It feels more off the beaten path than some French cities, but you'll find great food and a nice atmosphere.

Is Interlaken or Lille Better for Students?

Lille is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Interlaken is not popular with students.

Lille is very popular with students. The city is home to a number of students, both local and international. It has a lower cost of living than many places in France as well as a youthful vibe with fun activities and plenty of shopping.

Interlaken is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find excellent public transit in both Interlaken and Lille.

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.

Lille has some very good public transit options. There is a metro as well as trams and buses throughout the city.

Is Interlaken or Lille a more walkable city?

Lille is a world-class destination for its walkability. Also, Interlaken is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Lille. The old town in particular is compact and best explored on foot, but even outside of the old town, many areas are easily 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 Lille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lille or Interlaken?

How long in Interlaken or Lille?

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

Families should spend more time in Interlaken than Lille. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lille 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 Lille.

One day in Interlaken or Lille?

In Interlaken, many people enjoy the skiing and food that this breathtaking destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Lots of people come for the hiking. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

With shopping and nightlife around the culinary city of Lille, 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 Lille, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Interlaken or Lille?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Interlaken. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Lille, 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 city.

Five days in Interlaken or Lille?

Interlaken is a fun place to experience. In Interlaken, many people enjoy the skiing and food that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the hiking. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Lille, a popular city, 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 Lille?

You'll find food and skiing around the adrenaline-filled destination of Interlaken. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the hiking. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Lille 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 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Interlaken or Lille?

Lille has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Interlaken and Lille, 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 Lille?

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 Lille in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Interlaken as well as Lille. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Lille for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Interlaken is a little warmer than Lille. Typically, the summer temperatures in Interlaken in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Lille averages at about 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lille. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Interlaken this time of the year. In the summer, Interlaken often gets more sunshine than Lille. Interlaken gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 202 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets more rain in July than Lille. Interlaken gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Lille receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Lille in the Autumn?

Both Lille and Interlaken are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Interlaken for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Lille in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Interlaken is generally around the same temperature as Lille. Daily temperatures in Interlaken average around 13°C (56°F), and Lille fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Interlaken usually receives more sunshine than Lille during autumn. Interlaken gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Interlaken usually receives less rain than Lille. Interlaken gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Lille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Interlaken or Lille in the Winter?

Both Lille and Interlaken during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Interlaken in the winter for the skiing and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Lille for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Lille can be very cold during winter. Interlaken can get quite cold in the winter. Interlaken is around the same temperature as Lille in the winter. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Lille fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Interlaken often gets more sunshine than Lille. Interlaken gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 47 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets more rain in January than Lille. Interlaken gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Lille receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Lille in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Interlaken and Lille. Most visitors come to Interlaken for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Lille because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Interlaken is a little warmer than Lille. Typically, the spring temperatures in Interlaken in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Lille averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Interlaken usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lille during spring. Interlaken gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Lille. Interlaken gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lille receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lille and Interlaken