A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Inverness vs. Basel for Attractions, Food, Families, and Nightlife

Should you visit Inverness or Basel?

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 Inverness and Basel can help you decide which place is right for you.

Inverness

Inverness is a cultural, traditional, and local city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Basel

Basel is a museum-filled, easily accessible, and beautiful city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Inverness and Basel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Inverness or Basel?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Basel than Inverness, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Basel is better known for its historical sights and impressive beauty, while Inverness is more popular for its food and small town charm. Inverness is more touristy than Basel and is known for its surrounding countryside, but also its regional heritage, local festivals and proximity to the famous Loch Ness. Basel is well known for its many museums and its nice old town. Also, Basel is famous for The Kunstmuseum Basel.

How is Inverness different from Basel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Inverness or Basel?

Plenty of people visit the excellent sights and museums in both Inverness and Basel.

Many visitors head to Inverness specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. As a city rich in culture and heritage, you'll find a number of sights and museums in town. Check out the Highland House of Fraser, Culloden Moor, and Clava Cairns.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Basel can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with history. Head to Minster Hill to see the beautiful historic church and Münsterplatz. There are also several unique museums around town including Jean Tinguely Museum, the Paper Mill Museum, the Historical Museum, and the Museum of Art.

Is the Food Better in Inverness or Basel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Inverness is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Inverness. The city makes a great spot to fill your belly after a few days exploring the Scottish Highlands. You'll find local restaurants that serve up regional specialties, and when the weather's nice, there are some spots with outdoor seating.

Basel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Food around town can be expensive, but there are some outdoor markets where you can buy fruit and a bratwurst for a reasonable price. The city is known for its breads, soups, and pastries, which are all delicious.

Is Inverness or Basel Better for Nightlife?

Both Inverness and Basel are notable when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Inverness. Nightlife isn't the first thing that comes to mind with this town, but there are actually lots of distilleries in the area and there's a surprising number of high quality bars and pubs that make for a fun evening.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Basel. The city's nightlife comes alive as the sun sets. There are bars, pubs, and dance clubs that stay active until the early morning hours.

Is Inverness or Basel Better for its Old Town?

Basel is a well-known place for its old town. However, Inverness does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Basel. The charming old town is fun to explore on foot with its quaint streets and meandering alleys. The beautiful architecture and ornate fountains give the area a unique personality. On the hottest days you may even see locals swimming in some of the fountains.

Inverness does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Inverness or Basel?

Both Inverness and Basel are excellent shopping destinations.

Inverness is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The town is at the cultural heart of the Scottish Highlands you'll find plenty of local shops where you can pick up local products. Make sure you check out the Inverness Victorian Market.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Basel. The old town is filled with shops that you can wander through as you explore. Popular shopping streets include Freie Strasse and the area around Marktplatz, where you'll find boutique shops and interesting trinkets. You can also head to the city's oldest department store - Manor.

Is Inverness or Basel Better for Families?

Basel is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Basel is a very kid-friendly city. The city has an impressive zoo, a really unique toy museum, as well as Aquabasilea with its pools and slides. It's also compact enough that little legs can explore and enjoy everything that it has to offer. If the weather's warm, head for the river to cool off.

Inverness is a family-friendly city. The city has some parks and activities that are great for kids. Make sure you explore Inverness Castle and the Inverness Mystery Treasure Trail.

Is Inverness or Basel Better for Couples?

Both Inverness and Basel are notable destinations to visit as a couple.

Inverness makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Located in the Scottish Highlands, there ae many scenic spots and nice activities that couples can enjoy in the area.

Basel is a good city for couples to visit. Nice restaurants, interesting museums, and several great spas make this a nice place for a romantic trip.

Is Inverness or Basel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Basel is very good for backpackers. However, Inverness is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Basel is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few hostels and a really useful City Pass that make this city an option for backpackers and budget travelers. It's also a major transit center so accessibility is convenient. If you're traveling around Europe by train, you'll likely pass through Basel at some point.

Inverness is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There a some hostels and student hotels, but this isn't one of the major backpacker spots in the UK.

Is Inverness or Basel Better for Students?

Basel is a well-known place for students. However, Inverness is not popular with students.

Basel is very popular with students. The University of Basel brings in international students from around the world. The city makes a nice base for exploring Europe, but it's also a bit expensive which can be challenging on a student income.

Inverness is not popular with students.

Is Inverness or Basel Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Basel is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Inverness is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Inverness. There are local buses that pass through the town.

Is Inverness or Basel a more walkable city?

Basel is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Basel on foot. The old town and most of the major attractions are easily accessible on foot.

Inverness is a very walkable destination. It's compact enough that you can explore much of the town on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Inverness Worth Visiting? and Is Basel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Basel or Inverness?

How long in Inverness or Basel?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Inverness and Basel. In our opinion, Basel has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Basel than Inverness. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Basel than Inverness 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 Basel.

One day in Inverness or Basel?

In Inverness, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Basel. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Basel has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Inverness or Basel?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Inverness. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Basel. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Inverness or Basel?

Inverness is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Inverness. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the beautiful city of Basel. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Inverness or Basel?

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of Inverness. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Basel is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from London, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland.

When comparing the travel costs between Inverness and Basel, we can see that Basel is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Inverness or Basel?

Basel has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Inverness. When comparing the sizes of Inverness and Basel, 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 Inverness or Basel?

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 Inverness or Basel in the Summer?

Both Basel and Inverness are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Inverness this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Basel for the family-friendly experiences.

Inverness is much colder than Basel in the summer. The daily temperature in Inverness averages around 14°C (58°F) in July, and Basel fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Basel. Inverness usually receives less sunshine than Basel during summer. Inverness gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Inverness usually receives less rain than Basel. Inverness gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Basel receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Inverness or Basel in the Autumn?

Both Basel and Inverness during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Inverness for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Furthermore, many visitors come to Basel in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Inverness is cooler than Basel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Inverness in October average around 9°C (49°F), and Basel averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Inverness often gets less sunshine than Basel. Inverness gets 84 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 120 hours of full sun.

Inverness usually gets less rain in October than Basel. Inverness gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Basel receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Inverness or Basel in the Winter?

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

Basel can be very cold during winter. Inverness can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Inverness is generally around the same temperature as Basel. Daily temperatures in Inverness average around 3°C (38°F), and Basel fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Inverness usually receives less sunshine than Basel during winter. Inverness gets 42 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Inverness usually receives less rain than Basel. Inverness gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Basel receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Inverness or Basel in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Inverness as well as Basel. Most visitors come to Inverness for the small town charm during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Basel because of the natural beauty.

Inverness is much colder than Basel in the spring. The daily temperature in Inverness averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Basel fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the spring, Inverness often gets less sunshine than Basel. Inverness gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 150 hours of full sun.

Inverness usually gets less rain in April than Basel. Inverness gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Basel receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Basel and Inverness