A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Interlaken vs. Lima for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Interlaken or Lima?

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

Where Should I go: Interlaken or Lima?

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.

Lima

Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Geneva, The Best 10-Day Tours from Zurich, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Lima or Interlaken?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Interlaken is $324, while the average daily cost in Lima is $95. 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 Lima in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Interlaken $155
    Lima $52
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Interlaken $310
    Lima $104
Compare Hotels in Interlaken and Lima

Looking for a hotel in Interlaken or Lima? 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.

Hotels in Interlaken


Hotels in Lima


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 Lima Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Interlaken $15
    Lima $6.06
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Interlaken

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Interlaken are as follows:


  • Cable Cars (for 2)
    $76

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Interlaken

Also for Interlaken, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from interlaken City to Lucerne City: $168
  • Private direct transfer from Interlaken to Zurich: $263
  • Day Hike to Augstmatthorn with Transfer from Interlaken: $264
  • From Private One-Way Transfer to Lucerne: $327
  • Zurich City / Airport: Private Transfer to Davos/Klosters: $553
  • Private Group transfer Interlaken - Zurich Airport: $899

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $5.73
  • Taxi Ride
    $5.73
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $4.30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:

  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Lima APT-HTL (LIM) : $34
  • Transfer: Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima City Center: $16
  • Transfer from Hotel/Airbnb Miraflores/San Isidro/Barranco to Airport: $18
  • Transfer To Lima Airport: $20
  • Tour Magic Water Park in Lima with Small Group Transfer: $38
  • Round Trip Transfer from and to the Airport in Miraflores/Barranco/Sani : $33
  • QuickLlama: Transfer from Miraflores Kennedy Park to Lima Airport: $5.95
  • QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Miraflores to Lima Airport: $5.95
  • Private Transfers from/to Lima Airport (Price per Vehicle): $29
  • Private Transfer to Lima Airport (LIM): $13
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $201
  • Private Transfer from Lima hotels to Callao Cruise Port: $18

Is it cheaper to fly into Interlaken or Lima?

Prices for flights to both Lima 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 day
    Interlaken $129
    Lima $32
Typical Food Prices in Interlaken

For Interlaken, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Tea at Interlaken
    $38

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Interlaken

For Interlaken, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • From Night Sledding with Cheese Fondue Dinner: $162
  • Fondue Cooking Class and Cheese Workshop in Switzerland: $164
  • Cheese and Chocolate Full-Day Food Tour: $843

Typical Food Prices in Lima

Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:


  • Lunch for Two
    $4.59
  • Ice cream
    $3.73
  • Coffee
    $3.15
  • Donut
    $1.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.

  • Lima Food Tour with Ceviche, Pisco, and Grilled Chicken: $32
  • Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $40
  • Lima Food Tour - Prepare your Anticuchos and Pisco Sour : $48
  • #1 Reviewed Lima Cooking Class: $49
  • Dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant: $55
  • Private Guided Walking Street Food Tour in Lima: $55
  • Peru’s Most Beloved Recipes Cooking Class: $58
  • Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $59
  • Lima Night: Cooking Experience with locals: $65
  • Peruvian Cooking Class, Local Market Tour & Exotic Fruit Tasting: $65
  • Vegan Peruvian Food Cooking Class | Ceviche + Pisco Sour: $69
  • 4 iconic restaurants of Lima / 3-hour guided food tour: $69

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Interlaken $121
    Lima $9.15

Tours and Activities in Interlaken

For Interlaken, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Interlaken Walking WarpSpeed Tour with Local Expert Guide: $9.99
  • Admission Ticket to the Swiss Selfie Museum in Interlaken: $27
  • GoTo Bern Old Town Sightseeing One Way Private: $30
  • Private Lake Thun and Lake Brienz Express Tour from Interlaken: $33
  • Funicular Ticket to Harder Kulm: $48
  • Rope Park Climbing Adventure with Entry Ticket: $57
  • Harder Kulm - Top of Interlaken - Cable Car Ticket: $57
  • 2 Waterfall in Lauterbrunnen from Interlaken Early Express Tour: $65
  • Sunset Sightseeing Tour from Mountain with Lake View 2 Hours: $70
  • Schynige Platte - Top of Swiss Tradition ticket: $80
  • Schynige Platte Cogwheel Railway Return Ticket: $82
  • Blausee Express Sightseeing Tour from Interlaken Switzerland: $100

Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:


  • Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)
    $17
  • Movie Tickets
    $2.44

Tours and Activities in Lima

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:

  • Ballestas Islands + Huacachina Tour From Lima (Private Group): $190
  • Cycling Tour Miraflores - Barranco - Chorrillos: $30
  • Lima bike and 5 Step Food Tasting Experience: $92
  • Private Classic City Tour Experience of Lima: $65
  • Private Stopover Tour of Lima from the Airport: $150
  • Sunset in Huacachina and Tacama: Private Tour from Lima: $220
  • #1 Full Day Tour From Paracas and Huacachina Oasis: $59
  • 1 Day Tour to Huacachina from Lima (Dunebuggy + Vineyards): $225
  • 2 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $279
  • 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Ballestas Island and Huacachina: $149
  • 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Huacachina, and Pisco Vineyard: $149
  • 2 Days 1 Night Paracas Ica Tour from Lima: $150

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Interlaken $20
    Lima $5.95

Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:


  • Bottle of Wine
    $7.71
  • Beer
    $4.30
  • Cocktail
    $3.44

Sample the Local Flavors in Lima

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:

  • Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $19
  • Bar Crawl Night Tour in Miraflores: $30
  • Local Wine Tour : $55
  • From Paracas & Huacachina & Wine Tasting: $135
  • Full Day Paracas, Huacachina and Wine Tasting from Lima : $138


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Interlaken and Lima, we can see that Interlaken is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Interlaken is in Europe and Lima is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Lima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lima 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 Lima.

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


Which is Bigger, Interlaken or Lima?

Lima has a larger population, and is about 1530 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Interlaken and Lima, 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 Lima?

Interlaken has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Lima experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Lima in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Interlaken as well as Lima. Many visitors come to Interlaken in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.

Interlaken is a little warmer than Lima in the summer. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Lima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Interlaken this time of the year. In the summer, Interlaken often gets more sunshine than Lima. Interlaken gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets more rain in July than Lima. Interlaken gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Interlaken 21°C (70°F) 
    Lima 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Interlaken or Lima in the Autumn?

Both Lima and Interlaken are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Interlaken for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the autumn, Interlaken is cooler than Lima. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Interlaken in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Lima averages at about 19°C (66°F).

Interlaken usually receives more sunshine than Lima during autumn. Interlaken gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Lima. Interlaken gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Interlaken 13°C (56°F) 
    Lima 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Interlaken or Lima in the Winter?

Both Lima and Interlaken during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the skiing and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.

The weather in Interlaken can be very cold. In January, Interlaken is generally much colder than Lima. Daily temperatures in Interlaken average around 3°C (37°F), and Lima fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In the winter, Interlaken often gets less sunshine than Lima. Interlaken gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets more rain in January than Lima. Interlaken gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Interlaken 3°C (37°F) 
    Lima 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Interlaken or Lima in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Interlaken and Lima. The natural beauty are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Interlaken is much colder than Lima in the spring. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Lima fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

Interlaken usually receives less sunshine than Lima during spring. Interlaken gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Lima. Interlaken gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Interlaken 12°C (53°F) 
    Lima 22°C (72°F)

Typical Weather for Lima and Interlaken

Interlaken Lima
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 77 mm (3 in) 23°C (73°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Feb 5°C (40°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Mar 8°C (46°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 23°C (73°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Apr 12°C (53°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 22°C (72°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
May 16°C (60°F) 101 mm (4 in) 20°C (68°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 19°C (66°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Jul 21°C (70°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)
Aug 21°C (69°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)
Sep 18°C (64°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 13 mm (0.5 in)
Oct 13°C (56°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 19°C (66°F) 7 mm (0.3 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 20°C (68°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 22°C (72°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)