A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Interlaken vs. Saint-Etienne for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Interlaken or Saint-Etienne?

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 Saint-Etienne can help you decide which place is right for you.

Interlaken

Interlaken is a adventurous, adrenaline-filled, and breathtaking town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the food, hiking, and skiing.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a park-filled, industrial, and undiscovered city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, hiking, and museums.

Interlaken and Saint-Etienne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Interlaken or Saint-Etienne?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Interlaken. Although Interlaken and Saint-Etienne are popular destinations, Interlaken has more sights and attractions for tourists. Interlaken is very popular for its skiing, food, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Saint-Etienne attracts visitors for its museums, nightlife, and shopping. Interlaken is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is known for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. It is also well known for its many mountain views.. Saint-Etienne is famous for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Interlaken different from Saint-Etienne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Interlaken or Saint-Etienne Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is a good destination for skiing. However, Saint-Etienne 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.

Saint-Etienne is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Interlaken or Saint-Etienne?

Saint-Etienne is very good for its museums and history. However, Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

Saint-Etienne is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Interlaken or Saint-Etienne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Interlaken is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Interlaken has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Interlaken or Saint-Etienne Better for Nightlife?

Saint-Etienne is very good for nightlife. However, Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Saint-Etienne. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Interlaken or Saint-Etienne Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is an amazing town to visit for hiking. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the nearby hiking options.

Interlaken is well-known for its hiking and trekking. 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.

Saint-Etienne is a good destination for hiking. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Is the Shopping Better in Interlaken or Saint-Etienne?

Saint-Etienne is a decent place to visit for shopping. However, Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Saint-Etienne is a good destination for shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Interlaken or Saint-Etienne Better for Families?

Interlaken is an amazing town to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Interlaken is very family-friendly. 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!

Saint-Etienne is a family-friendly place to visit. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

Is Interlaken or Saint-Etienne Better for Couples?

Interlaken is an amazing town to visit for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

Interlaken is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Interlaken or Saint-Etienne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Interlaken is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

Saint-Etienne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the backpacker trail, but there are hostels and plenty of activities to enjoy.

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

Interlaken is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

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

Saint-Etienne has a few public transit options. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Is Interlaken or Saint-Etienne a more walkable city?

Interlaken and Saint-Etienne are nice when it comes to walkability.

Interlaken is somewhat walkable. The old town is relatively walkable.

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable place. There are several walkable areas in the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Interlaken Worth Visiting? and Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint-Etienne or Interlaken?

How long in Interlaken or Saint-Etienne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Interlaken or Saint-Etienne to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Interlaken than Saint-Etienne because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Interlaken, and 1-2 days is enough time in Saint-Etienne.

Families should spend more time in Interlaken than Saint-Etienne. 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 Interlaken than Saint-Etienne. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Interlaken that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Interlaken than Saint-Etienne 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 Interlaken.

One day in Interlaken or Saint-Etienne?

Many travelers enjoy the skiing and food when visiting the adventurous destination of Interlaken. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

With museums and nightlife around the park-filled city of Saint-Etienne, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Saint-Etienne, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Interlaken or Saint-Etienne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Interlaken. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

With nightlife and museums around the destination of Saint-Etienne, there's plenty to do. 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 Saint-Etienne?

Many travelers enjoy the skiing and food when visiting the adventurous destination of Interlaken. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Saint-Etienne, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. 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 Saint-Etienne?

You'll find food and skiing around the beautiful town of Interlaken. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Saint-Etienne 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Interlaken or Saint-Etienne?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Interlaken and Saint-Etienne, 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 Saint-Etienne?

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 Saint-Etienne in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Interlaken and Saint-Etienne. Many visitors come to Interlaken in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Interlaken is around the same temperature as Saint-Etienne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Interlaken in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint-Etienne this time of the year. In Interlaken, it's very sunny this time of the year. Interlaken usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during summer. Interlaken gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Saint-Etienne. Interlaken gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Interlaken or Saint-Etienne in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Interlaken as well as Saint-Etienne. Most visitors come to Interlaken for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Interlaken is generally around the same temperature as Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Interlaken average around 13°C (56°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Interlaken often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint-Etienne. Interlaken gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 127 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Interlaken or Saint-Etienne in the Winter?

Both Saint-Etienne and Interlaken are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the skiing and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year.

It's quite cold in Saint-Etienne in the winter. The weather in Interlaken can be very cold. Interlaken is cooler than Saint-Etienne in the winter. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Interlaken usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during winter. Interlaken gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Saint-Etienne. Interlaken gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Interlaken or Saint-Etienne in the Spring?

Both Saint-Etienne and Interlaken during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Interlaken is around the same temperature as Saint-Etienne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Interlaken in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Interlaken often gets less sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Interlaken gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 174 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets more rain in April than Saint-Etienne. Interlaken gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Saint-Etienne and Interlaken