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

Should you visit Interlaken or Marseille?

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

Interlaken

Interlaken is a world-class, stunning, and adventurous town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. 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.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and shopping.

Interlaken and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Interlaken or Marseille?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Marseille than Interlaken, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Marseille is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Interlaken is more popular for its skiing, hiking, and impressive beauty. Interlaken is more touristy than Marseille and is known for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. Marseille is well known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. Also, Marseille is famous for The Vieux Port.

How is Interlaken different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Interlaken or Marseille Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is a nice place to visit for skiing and snowboarding. However, Marseille 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.

Marseille is not a skiing destination.

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

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

Marseille has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

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 Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is a world-class destination for nightlife. However, Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

People head to Marseille just to party. Much of the city's nightlife is centered around being outdoors. Whether you're on the beach or hanging out at a rooftop bar, Marseille is a magical place.

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Interlaken or Marseille Better for Beaches?

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

Many people head to Marseille to enjoy the beach. The city has nice beaches that offer both culture and diversity, which may be lacking some other coastal parts of the French Riviera.

Interlaken is not a beach destination.

Is Interlaken or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

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

The historic old town of Marseille is revered around the world. The Old Port is filled with shops and boutiques, and is the most scenic part of the city. It dates back to the Middle Ages and is filled with history and character.

Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

Is Interlaken or Marseille Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is a world-class destination for its hiking trails. However, Marseille 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.

Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Interlaken or Marseille?

Marseille is an excellent place to visit for shopping. However, Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Marseille. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Interlaken or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is very good for visiting Christmas markets. However, Interlaken does not offer Christmas markets.

Marseille offers some nice Christmas markets. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Interlaken does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Interlaken or Marseille Better for Families?

Interlaken is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. However, Marseille is lacking in options for its family-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!

Marseille doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Nearby beaches and an outdoor climbing area make it a diverse city to visit with kids.

Is Interlaken or Marseille Better for Couples?

Interlaken is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Couples visit Marseille frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

Is Interlaken or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Interlaken and Marseille are both notable 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 Marseille. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.

Is Interlaken or Marseille Better for Students?

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

Marseille is very popular with students. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

Interlaken is not popular with students.

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

Interlaken is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

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

You'll find some public transit in Marseille, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has trams, a metro, and buses that you can use to explore.

Is Interlaken or Marseille a more walkable city?

Marseille 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.

Marseille is very walkable. The Old Port (Vieux Port) is particularly walkable and is one of the best areas to explore 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 Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Interlaken?

How long in Interlaken or Marseille?

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

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

One day in Interlaken or Marseille?

You'll find skiing and food around the town of Interlaken. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

With shopping and nightlife around the energetic city of Marseille, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 Marseille?

You'll find food and skiing around the breathtaking destination of Interlaken. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Marseille, 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 Marseille?

You'll find skiing and food around the adventurous town of Interlaken. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this town makes for a great vacation. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Most people head to the area for the hiking. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer.

Marseille, 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 Marseille?

Interlaken is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Marseille 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 Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Interlaken or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Interlaken and Marseille, 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 Marseille?

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 Marseille in the Summer?

Both Marseille and Interlaken are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Interlaken is generally cooler than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Interlaken average around 21°C (70°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Interlaken. Interlaken usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during summer. Interlaken gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Marseille. Interlaken gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Interlaken or Marseille in the Autumn?

Both Marseille and Interlaken during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Interlaken for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Marseille in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Interlaken is cooler than Marseille in the autumn. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Interlaken often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Interlaken gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets less rain in October than Marseille. Interlaken gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Marseille in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Interlaken and Marseille. Many visitors come to Interlaken in the winter for the skiing and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Interlaken can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Interlaken is much colder than Marseille. Typically, the winter temperatures in Interlaken in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Marseille averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Interlaken usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during winter. Interlaken gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Marseille. Interlaken gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Interlaken or Marseille in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Interlaken as well as Marseille. Most visitors come to Interlaken for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Marseille because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Interlaken is generally cooler than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Interlaken average around 12°C (53°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. In the spring, Interlaken often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Interlaken gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets more rain in April than Marseille. Interlaken gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Interlaken