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

Should you visit Interlaken or Rome?

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

Interlaken

Interlaken is a stunning, adventurous, and adrenaline-filled town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include hiking, skiing, and food.

Rome

Rome is a fun-filled, popular, and ancient city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Interlaken and Rome: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Interlaken or Rome?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Rome than Interlaken, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Rome is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Interlaken is more popular for its skiing, hiking, and quaint atmosphere. Interlaken is well known for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. Rome is well known for its iconic archaeological sites such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, as well as its gelato, Italian cuisine, and strong religious roots. Also, Rome is famous for The Colosseum.

The Colosseum

How is Interlaken different from Rome?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Interlaken or Rome Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is a town with good options for winter skiing. However, Rome 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.

Rome is not a skiing destination.

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

Rome is a world-class destination for its museums and history. However, Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Rome from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The historical sights around the city are among the most impressive in the world. Almost anywhere you look you'll find a notable landmark but some of the most famous include the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, and the Roman Forum.

Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Rome has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Homemade pasta, fresh sauces, and fine wine all make the food scene among the best. Also make sure you try the gelato.

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 Rome Better for Nightlife?

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

People head to Rome just to party. You'll find a huge concentration of bars and clubs in the Testaccio area. There are late night clubs with salsa dancing, merengue, and live DJ's spinning every type of music.

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Interlaken or Rome Better for Music?

Rome is a world-class destination for live music. However, Interlaken is not a live music destination.

Rome is known as a music capital around the world. Popular music venues include Live Alcazar, Atlantico Live, and Beba do Samba.

Interlaken is not a live music destination.

Is Interlaken or Rome Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. However, Rome 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.

Rome is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Interlaken or Rome?

Rome 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 Rome. For the biggest brand names, head to Via del Corso, which is near the Spanish Steps. Popular items to buy include Italian ceramics, shoes, leather goods, and jewelry.

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Interlaken or Rome Better for Families?

Interlaken is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Rome is still popular, but not quite as popular 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!

Rome is a very family-friendly destination. What kid wouldn't be thrilled to be surrounded by pizza and spaghetti restaurants? In addition to kid-friendly food options, there are also a number of great activities that the whole family can enjoy including exploring the Colosseum, taking a gladiator class, and eating gelato.

Is Interlaken or Rome Better for Couples?

Interlaken is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Rome is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Interlaken is a great town for couples, as it 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.

Rome is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. With many beautiful buildings, world class restaurants, and world renowned sights, this city makes a great romantic destination.

Is Interlaken or Rome Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rome is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Interlaken is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Rome. Backpackers will find no shortage of hostels where they can stay, particularly near the main train station where accommodation is particularly cheap (but not always the best quality).

It's common for backpackers to visit Interlaken. 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.

Is Interlaken or Rome Better for Students?

Rome is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Interlaken is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Rome. The city is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find plenty of international students here.

Interlaken is not popular with students.

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

Rome is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Interlaken is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

With a huge network, the transit system in Rome can get you around easily. There's a metro system, trams, and a comprehensive bus system that goes around the city.

Interlaken has some very good public transit options. Buses travel around town, but to get into the mountains there are trains, cog railways, funiculars, and gondolas.

Is Interlaken or Rome a more walkable city?

Rome 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 Rome. You'll find many of the most popular sights in a compact area that's easily explored on foot. Do watch out for traffic, which can be a bit chaotic at times.

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 Rome Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rome or Interlaken?

How long in Interlaken or Rome?

Both Interlaken and Rome have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Rome than in Interlaken. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Interlaken, and 3-7 days is enough time in Rome.

Families should spend more time in Interlaken than Rome. 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.

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

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

One day in Interlaken or Rome?

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.

When visiting Rome, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Interlaken or Rome?

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.

When visiting Rome, people usually allow for lots of time. 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 Rome?

Visitors enjoy the food and skiing when visiting the stunning 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.

Rome, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Interlaken or Rome?

The breathtaking 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.

Rome is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. 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 Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Interlaken or Rome?

Rome has a larger population, and is about 510 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Interlaken and Rome, 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 Rome?

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 Rome in the Summer?

Both Rome and Interlaken during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Interlaken for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Rome in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Interlaken is generally cooler than Rome. Daily temperatures in Interlaken average around 21°C (70°F), and Rome fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In Rome, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Interlaken. In the summer, Interlaken often gets less sunshine than Rome. Interlaken gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 338 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets more rain in July than Rome. Interlaken gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Rome receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Rome in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Interlaken and Rome. Many visitors come to Interlaken in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Rome for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Interlaken is cooler than Rome in the autumn. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Rome fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Interlaken usually receives less sunshine than Rome during autumn. Interlaken gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 198 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Interlaken usually receives less rain than Rome. Interlaken gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Rome receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Interlaken or Rome in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Interlaken as well as Rome. Most visitors come to Interlaken for the skiing and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Rome because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Interlaken can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Interlaken is much colder than Rome. Typically, the winter temperatures in Interlaken in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Rome averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Interlaken often gets less sunshine than Rome. Interlaken gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 127 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Rome. Interlaken gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Rome receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Rome in the Spring?

Both Rome and Interlaken are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Rome this time of year.

In April, Interlaken is generally cooler than Rome. Daily temperatures in Interlaken average around 12°C (53°F), and Rome fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

It's quite sunny in Rome. Interlaken usually receives less sunshine than Rome during spring. Interlaken gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Rome. Interlaken gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Rome receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rome and Interlaken