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

Should you visit Inverness or Interlaken?

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

Inverness

Inverness is a traditional, local, and historic city. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Interlaken

Interlaken is a breathtaking, world-class, and stunning town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and skiing.

Inverness and Interlaken: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Inverness or Interlaken?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Inverness. Although Inverness and Interlaken are popular destinations, Inverness has more sights and attractions for tourists. Inverness is very popular for its museums, nightlife, shopping, and small town charm, while Interlaken attracts visitors for its skiing, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Interlaken is more touristy than Inverness and is popular for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. Inverness is famous for its surrounding countryside, but also its regional heritage, local festivals and proximity to the famous Loch Ness. It is also well known for Loch Ness.

How is Inverness different from Interlaken?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Inverness or Interlaken Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is very good for snow skiing. However, Inverness 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.

Inverness is not a skiing destination.

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

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

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.

Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Inverness and Interlaken.

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.

Interlaken has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Is Inverness or Interlaken Better for Nightlife?

Inverness 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 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.

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Inverness or Interlaken Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is terrific for the nearby hiking options. However, Inverness is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Interlaken specifically for its hiking. 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.

Inverness is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Inverness or Interlaken?

Inverness is an excellent place to visit for shopping. However, Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Inverness. 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.

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Inverness or Interlaken Better for Families?

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

Interlaken is one of the most popular family destinations. 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!

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 Interlaken Better for Couples?

Interlaken is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

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.

Inverness is a good city for couples to visit. Located in the Scottish Highlands, there ae many scenic spots and nice activities that couples can enjoy in the area.

Is Inverness or Interlaken Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

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.

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

Interlaken 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.

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.

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

Is Inverness or Interlaken a more walkable city?

Inverness 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.

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

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

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

Should I spend more time in Interlaken or Inverness?

How long in Inverness or Interlaken?

In either Inverness or Interlaken, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Interlaken than Inverness because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Inverness, and 2-5 days is enough time in Interlaken.

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

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

One day in Inverness or Interlaken?

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

You'll find skiing and food around the town of Interlaken. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Inverness or Interlaken?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Inverness, 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.

You'll find food and skiing around the stunning destination of Interlaken. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Inverness or Interlaken?

Inverness, 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.

You'll find skiing and food around the adrenaline-filled town of Interlaken. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this town makes for a great vacation. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Most people head to the area for the hiking. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer.

A week in Inverness or Interlaken?

Inverness 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.

Interlaken is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Geneva, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Zurich.

When comparing the travel costs between Inverness and Interlaken, we can see that Interlaken 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 Interlaken Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Inverness or Interlaken?

Inverness has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Inverness and Interlaken, 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 Interlaken?

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 Inverness or Interlaken in the Summer?

Both Interlaken and Inverness during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Inverness because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year.

In July, Inverness is generally much colder than Interlaken. Daily temperatures in Inverness average around 14°C (58°F), and Interlaken fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In Interlaken, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Inverness often gets less sunshine than Interlaken. Inverness gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 241 hours of full sun.

Inverness usually gets less rain in July than Interlaken. Inverness gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Inverness or Interlaken in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Inverness and Interlaken. The shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Inverness this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Interlaken for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

Inverness is cooler than Interlaken in the autumn. The daily temperature in Inverness averages around 9°C (49°F) in October, and Interlaken fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Inverness usually receives less sunshine than Interlaken during autumn. Inverness gets 84 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Inverness usually receives less rain than Interlaken. Inverness gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Inverness or Interlaken in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Inverness as well as Interlaken. Many travelers come to Inverness for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Interlaken in the winter for the skiing and the cuisine.

Interlaken can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Inverness. In the winter, Inverness is around the same temperature as Interlaken. Typically, the winter temperatures in Inverness in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Interlaken averages at about 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Inverness often gets less sunshine than Interlaken. Inverness gets 42 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 55 hours of full sun.

Inverness usually gets less rain in January than Interlaken. Inverness gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Inverness or Interlaken in the Spring?

Both Interlaken and Inverness are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Inverness in the spring for the small town charm. Also, most visitors come to Interlaken for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Inverness is generally much colder than Interlaken. Daily temperatures in Inverness average around 7°C (44°F), and Interlaken fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Inverness usually receives less sunshine than Interlaken during spring. Inverness gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Inverness usually receives less rain than Interlaken. Inverness gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Interlaken and Inverness