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

Should you visit Interlaken or Nice?

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

Interlaken

Interlaken is a stunning, adventurous, and adrenaline-filled 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.

Nice

Nice is a opulent, trendy, and chic seaside destination. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Interlaken and Nice: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Interlaken or Nice?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nice. Although Interlaken and Nice are popular destinations, Nice has more sights and attractions for tourists. Nice is very popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Interlaken attracts visitors for its skiing and hiking. Interlaken is famous for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. Nice is famous for its beachfront setting in the French Riviera as well as its popularity with A-list celebrities. It is also well known for The Promenade des Anglais.

How is Interlaken different from Nice?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Interlaken or Nice Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is a town with good options for snow skiing. However, Nice 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.

Nice is not a skiing destination.

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

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

Nice has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The cuisine brings together fresh regional ingredients and mixes Provençal and Niçoise flavors. You'll find a lot of Italian influence as well. Fresh seafood is the thing to try while you're in town, but other local favorites include socca, Ratatouille, and Salade niçoise.

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 Nice Better for Nightlife?

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

People head to Nice just to party. The city has some of the best nightlife on the Cote d'Azur. You'll find a number of nightclubs along the seaside as well a bars and pubs in the Old Town. Some of the best clubs are along Promenade des Anglais.

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Interlaken or Nice Better for Resorts?

Nice is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Interlaken is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Nice is a perfect choice. The city has boutique hotels as well high end luxury resorts. Popular options include Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée, Hôtel Suisse, and AC Hotel by Marriott.

Interlaken is not a resort destination.

Is Interlaken or Nice Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Nice is very good for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Interlaken is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving in Nice. There are some places where you can arrange a snorkeling or dive trip to explore the underwater setting.

Interlaken is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Interlaken or Nice Better for Beaches?

Nice is an excellent place to visit for its beaches. However, Interlaken is not a beach destination.

Nice is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. The city has about 4 miles of beach along its coastline and there are both public and private beaches available. La Réserve is a public beach with a laid back and fun vibe. Plage Beau Rivage is a private beach with many amenities, making it a favorite for visitors. Blue Beach is another private beach that is very family-friendly.

Interlaken is not a beach destination.

Is Interlaken or Nice Better for its Old Town?

Nice 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 Nice. Wandering around the charming old town is a quintessential part of visiting this city. There are many historic churches and squares, as well as great restaurants and shops that you can pop in.

Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

Is Interlaken or Nice Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is renowned for the nearby hiking options. However, Nice is not a hiking destination.

Around Interlaken visitors will find world-class hiking 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.

Nice is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Interlaken or Nice?

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Nice. The city has long been a favorite for the rich and famous, so you'll find plenty of shopping opportunities around town. The boutique shops are chic, trendy, and fashionable, but for those on a budget, you can sometimes find a unique local purchase in your budget.

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Interlaken or Nice Better for Families?

Interlaken is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Interlaken is an extremely popular town to visit for families. 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!

Nice is a family-friendly town. The town has many fun playgrounds, kid-friendly beaches, and unique cultural opportunities that kids can enjoy. It also makes a great base for exploring the French Riviera and everything that it has to offer.

Is Interlaken or Nice Better for Couples?

Both Interlaken and Nice are amazing 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.

Nice has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The old town is filled with romance and charm. You can also take a walk along the Promenade Des Anglais or soak up the romantic countryside that surrounds the town.

Is Interlaken or Nice Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Interlaken and Nice 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 Nice. Because it's one of the most popular tourist destinations in France, many backpackers make their way here. Nice is known for its high end vibe, so it can be challenging to find affordable options, but if you know where to look, they are around.

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

Visitors will find superb public transit in both Interlaken and Nice.

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.

Nice has some very good public transit options. There are both buses and trams.

Is Interlaken or Nice a more walkable city?

Nice 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 Nice. You should definitely spend some time exploring the 7 kilometer long Promenade des Anglais.

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 Nice Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nice or Interlaken?

How long in Interlaken or Nice?

In either Interlaken or Nice, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Nice has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Nice than Interlaken. In general, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Interlaken, and 3-5 days is enough time in Nice.

Families should spend more time in Nice than Interlaken. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Nice, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

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

One day in Interlaken or Nice?

Visitors enjoy the food and skiing when visiting the destination of Interlaken. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

With shopping and nightlife around the glamourous seaside destination of Nice, 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 Nice?

Interlaken is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the hiking. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Nice, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Interlaken or Nice?

Visitors enjoy the food and skiing when visiting the breathtaking destination of Interlaken. This town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Nice, a popular seaside destination, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this seaside destination. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Interlaken or Nice?

The adventurous town of Interlaken offers skiing and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Nice 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 in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Interlaken or Nice?

Nice has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Interlaken and Nice, 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 Nice?

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 Nice in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Interlaken as well as Nice. Many travelers come to Interlaken for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Nice in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Interlaken is around the same temperature as Nice. Typically, the summer temperatures in Interlaken in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Nice averages at about 23°C (73°F).

Interlaken usually gets more rain in July than Nice. Interlaken gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Nice receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Nice in the Autumn?

Both Nice and Interlaken are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Interlaken in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Nice for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Interlaken is generally cooler than Nice. Daily temperatures in Interlaken average around 13°C (56°F), and Nice fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nice. In October, Interlaken usually receives less rain than Nice. Interlaken gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Nice receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Interlaken or Nice in the Winter?

Both Nice and Interlaken during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Interlaken for the skiing and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Nice because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Interlaken can be very cold during winter. Interlaken is much colder than Nice in the winter. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Nice fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Interlaken usually gets less rain in January than Nice. Interlaken gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Nice receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Nice in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Interlaken and Nice. The spring months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the natural beauty. Furthermore, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Nice this time of year.

In the spring, Interlaken is cooler than Nice. Typically, the spring temperatures in Interlaken in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Nice averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In April, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Nice. Interlaken gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Nice receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Nice and Interlaken