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

Should you visit Interlaken or Vienna?

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 Vienna 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. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the food, hiking, and skiing.

Vienna

Vienna is a artistic, musical, and ritzy city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Interlaken and Vienna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Interlaken or Vienna?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Vienna. Although Interlaken and Vienna are popular destinations, Vienna has more sights and attractions for tourists. Vienna is very popular for its museums, nightlife, music, historical sights, and shopping, while Interlaken attracts visitors for its skiing, hiking, and quaint atmosphere. Interlaken is famous for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. Vienna is famous for its strong classical music roots including being home to both Mozart and Beethoven. It is also well known for The Imperial Schönbrunn Palace.

The Imperial Schönbrunn Palace

How is Interlaken different from Vienna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Interlaken or Vienna Better for Skiing?

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

Vienna is not a skiing destination.

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

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

Many visitors head to Vienna specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Filled with palaces, museums, and parks, there are many things to see around town. Make sure you check out the Schönbrunn Palace, Hofburg, and Kunsthistorisches Museum.

Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both Interlaken and Vienna 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 Vienna. The city's cuisine has been influenced by many different flavors. Pastries are ubiquitous so make sure you try the apfelstrudel and kaiserschmarrn. Other common dishes include wiener schnitzel and goulash.

Is Interlaken or Vienna Better for Nightlife?

Vienna 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 Vienna. The music and dance scene is diverse and fun. There are clubs that cater to different crowds and personalities.

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Interlaken or Vienna Better for Music?

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

Vienna is known as a music capital around the world. On the surface, the city seems locked in the past, with ballet dancing and classical concerts filling the evenings. But the city also has a famous jazz scene, as well as techno, hip-hop, and rock all having a strong presence.

Interlaken is not a live music destination.

Is Interlaken or Vienna Better for its Old Town?

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

The historic old town of Vienna is revered around the world. Innere Stadt, as it is known, is encircled by Ringstrasse and filled with many shops and cafes. Head to Kärntner Strasse and Graben for popular pedestrian streets.

Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

Is Interlaken or Vienna Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is an unbeatable place for its hiking trails. However, Vienna 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.

Vienna is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Interlaken or Vienna?

Vienna 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 Vienna. The city is filled with pedestrian streets that are lined with designer shops, jewelry stores, and art galleries.

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Interlaken or Vienna Better for Families?

Interlaken is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Vienna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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!

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Vienna. Families enjoy taking carriage rides or dressing up in costumes at Schönbrunn Palace. The city also has children's museums, parks, and playgrounds where you can let little legs run around.

Is Interlaken or Vienna Better for Couples?

Both Interlaken and Vienna 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.

Vienna has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. With it's Baroque architecture and classical concerts, this city is filled with romance. Explore the palaces, take a carriage ride, or enjoy a meal at a nice restaurant.

Is Interlaken or Vienna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Interlaken and Vienna 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 Vienna. The city flies under the radar for many backpackers, but those who visit will be rewarded with beautiful buildings, charming cafes, and fun hostels.

Is Interlaken or Vienna Better for Students?

Vienna 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 Vienna. The city is a popular destination for international students who are interested in art, architecture, and music.

Interlaken is not popular with students.

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

Vienna 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 Vienna can get you around easily. The system includes buses, trains, trams and underground lines.

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 Vienna a more walkable city?

Vienna 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 Vienna. The city center is particularly walkable with pedestrian areas and low traffic zones.

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 Vienna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Vienna or Interlaken?

How long in Interlaken or Vienna?

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

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

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

One day in Interlaken or Vienna?

Many travelers enjoy the food and skiing when visiting the destination of Interlaken. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With live music and food around the traditional city of Vienna, 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 Vienna?

Interlaken is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

With food and shopping around the destination of Vienna, 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 Vienna?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Interlaken. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Vienna, 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 Vienna?

Travelers enjoy the skiing and food when visiting the adventurous destination of Interlaken. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Vienna 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 2-Week Tours in Austria, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Interlaken or Vienna?

Vienna has a larger population, and is about 330 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Interlaken and Vienna, 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 Vienna?

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 Vienna in the Summer?

Both Vienna 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 Vienna for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

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

It's quite sunny in Vienna. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Interlaken. Interlaken usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Vienna during summer. Interlaken gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Vienna receives 255 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Vienna. Interlaken gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Interlaken or Vienna in the Autumn?

Both Vienna 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. Furthermore, many visitors come to Vienna in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Interlaken is generally around the same temperature as Vienna. Daily temperatures in Interlaken average around 13°C (56°F), and Vienna fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Interlaken often gets less sunshine than Vienna. Interlaken gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vienna receives 140 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets more rain in October than Vienna. Interlaken gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Vienna in the Winter?

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

Vienna can be very cold during winter. Interlaken can get quite cold in the winter. Interlaken is a little warmer than Vienna in the winter. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Vienna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

Interlaken usually receives less sunshine than Vienna during winter. Interlaken gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Vienna receives 65 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Vienna. Interlaken gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Interlaken or Vienna in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Interlaken is around the same temperature as Vienna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Interlaken in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Vienna averages at about 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vienna. In the spring, Interlaken often gets less sunshine than Vienna. Interlaken gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vienna receives 202 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets more rain in April than Vienna. Interlaken gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Vienna and Interlaken