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

Should you visit Interlaken or Salzburg?

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

Interlaken

Interlaken is a world-class, stunning, and adventurous town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include hiking, skiing, and food.

Salzburg

Salzburg is a cultural, recognizable, and historic city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Interlaken and Salzburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Interlaken or Salzburg?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Salzburg than Interlaken, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Salzburg is better known for its museums, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Interlaken is more popular for its skiing and hiking. Interlaken is well known for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. Salzburg is well known for its elegant breakfasts, its classical music scene, and its role in the Sound of Music. Also, Salzburg is famous for The Salzburg Old Town.

The Salzburg Old Town

How is Interlaken different from Salzburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Interlaken or Salzburg Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is a nice place to visit for snow skiing. However, Salzburg 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.

Salzburg is not a skiing destination.

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

Salzburg is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Salzburg specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There are many historic sights to explore including Mozart's birthplace, the Mozart Residence, the Salzburg Museum, and the many stunning churches and concert halls.

Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both Interlaken and Salzburg both to be excellent destinations.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Salzburg. The old town is filled with charming restaurants that serve local specialties including schnitzel, tafelspitz, and strudel. The city is also known for it's impressive breakfast spread that is often served on a three tiered cake stand and includes cheeses, salami, fresh fruit, pastries, olives, jams and more.

Is Interlaken or Salzburg Better for Nightlife?

Salzburg 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 Salzburg. The city has a number of trendy bars, pubs, and clubs where you can enjoy music and a lively atmosphere.

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Interlaken or Salzburg Better for Music?

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

Salzburg is known as a music capital around the world. Although most people think of Mozart and the Sound of Music when they think of this city, there are also many music festivals, including the famous Salzburg Music Festival, as well as concert venues and an independent music scene that is excellent.

Interlaken is not a live music destination.

Is Interlaken or Salzburg Better for its Old Town?

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

The historic old town of Salzburg is revered around the world. This beautiful old town is filled with cafes, restaurants, and churches. You can enjoy local music performed by street performers as you soak in the atmosphere and the regular chime of the church bells really gives the city personality. There are also frequent markets and shops to explore.

Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

Is Interlaken or Salzburg Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is terrific for the nearby hiking options. However, Salzburg 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.

Salzburg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Interlaken or Salzburg?

Salzburg 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 Salzburg. The city's historic heart is filled with boutique shops, chocolate markets, and charming local vendors. It's fun to peruse the many shops that line the streets while you shop for local souvenirs.

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Interlaken or Salzburg Better for Families?

Interlaken is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Salzburg is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-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!

Salzburg is a very family-friendly destination. Kids who know the Sound of Music will enjoy visiting the setting of a number of scenes from the movie. There are even popular Sound of Music tours that take you to the gardens where they sang "Do Re Mi" and out of town to the church where Maria married the Captain. The city also offers Marionette Puppet shows, cooking classes, castles and more around town that everyone can enjoy.

Is Interlaken or Salzburg Better for Couples?

Both Interlaken and Salzburg are terrific 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.

Salzburg has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The town offers a romantic setting with elaborate breakfasts, beautiful architecture, live shows, and plenty that couples can enjoy. You can simply wander around old town or explore the many gardens around town. Couples will also enjoy the concerts and music that the city is so famous for.

Is Interlaken or Salzburg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Salzburg is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Interlaken is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Salzburg is very popular with the backpacker crowd. This is a popular city to visit, so there are plenty of amenities for backpackers. If you want to save a little money, you can stay and eat outside of old town where the prices are a little less.

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 Salzburg Better for Students?

Salzburg 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 Salzburg. International students appreciate the high quality of life, excellent educational opportunities and unique European setting that makes this city special. There are also a number of beautiful places just outside of town that you can explore, as well as many travel connections to other popular cities in Europe.

Interlaken is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find excellent public transit in both Interlaken and Salzburg.

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.

Salzburg has some very good public transit options. Trolleys and buses make it easy to get around town.

Is Interlaken or Salzburg a more walkable city?

Salzburg 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.

Salzburg is very walkable. The old town is very walkable, but if you stay outside of the main tourist areas, you'll likely want to take a bus.

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 Salzburg Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Salzburg or Interlaken?

How long in Interlaken or Salzburg?

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

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

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

One day in Interlaken or Salzburg?

The beautiful town of Interlaken offers food and skiing. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

With live music and food around the musical city of Salzburg, 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 Salzburg?

Interlaken is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Interlaken, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

With food and shopping around the destination of Salzburg, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Salzburg?

Interlaken is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Interlaken, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Salzburg, a popular city, 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 city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Interlaken or Salzburg?

Interlaken is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. 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. This town offers something for everyone.

Salzburg 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 in Austria, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Interlaken or Salzburg?

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

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 Salzburg in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Interlaken as well as Salzburg. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Salzburg for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Interlaken is generally around the same temperature as Salzburg. Daily temperatures in Interlaken average around 21°C (70°F), and Salzburg fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Salzburg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Interlaken this time of the year. In the summer, Interlaken often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Salzburg. Interlaken gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 227 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Salzburg. Interlaken gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Salzburg in the Autumn?

Both Salzburg and Interlaken are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Interlaken for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Salzburg in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Interlaken is a little warmer than Salzburg in the autumn. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Salzburg fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Interlaken usually receives more sunshine than Salzburg during autumn. Interlaken gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 108 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Salzburg. Interlaken gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Interlaken or Salzburg in the Winter?

Both Salzburg and Interlaken during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Interlaken in the winter for the skiing and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Salzburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Salzburg can be very cold during winter. Interlaken can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Interlaken is much warmer than Salzburg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Interlaken in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Salzburg averages at about -0°C (31°F).

In the winter, Interlaken often gets more sunshine than Salzburg. Interlaken gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 44 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets more rain in January than Salzburg. Interlaken gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Salzburg in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Interlaken and Salzburg. Most visitors come to Interlaken for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the natural beauty.

In April, Interlaken is generally around the same temperature as Salzburg. Daily temperatures in Interlaken average around 12°C (53°F), and Salzburg fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Interlaken usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Salzburg during spring. Interlaken gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Salzburg. Interlaken gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Salzburg and Interlaken