A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Isle of Skye vs. Geneva for Food, Couples, Backpackers, and Families

Should you visit Isle of Skye or Geneva?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Isle of Skye and Geneva. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Isle of Skye

Isle of Skye is a diverse, dramatic, and scenic island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for food, beaches, and hiking.

Geneva

Geneva is a international, professional, and classy city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Isle of Skye and Geneva: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Isle of Skye or Geneva?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Geneva. Although Isle of Skye and Geneva are both popular with visitors, Geneva has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Geneva is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Isle of Skye is known for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Isle of Skye is more touristy than Geneva and is popular for its quaint fishing villages, scenic landscapes, and historic castles. Geneva is popular for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization. It is also home to The Geneva Water Fountain (The Jet d'Eau).

How is Isle of Skye different from Geneva?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Isle of Skye or Geneva?

Geneva is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Isle of Skye does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Geneva. Famous sights and landmarks include the spectacular Water Jet, St Pierre Cathedral, and the Palais des Nations. There are also impressive art and history museums in the city.

Isle of Skye does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Isle of Skye or Geneva? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Isle of Skye and Geneva.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Isle of Skye. Foodies will appreciate the seasonal local ingredients that many restaurants use. Both the land and sea offer ingredients that inspire delicious dishes. You can choose from Michelin star restaurants, local cafes, and cozy inns. The food is fresh and well made.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Geneva. The city has an amazing mix of traditional Swiss restaurants as well as diverse ethnic options. Traditional dishes include fondue and raclette, both of which involve the decadent Swiss cheese.

Is Isle of Skye or Geneva Better for Nightlife?

Geneva is a good destination for nightlife. However, Isle of Skye is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Geneva. During the day the city is all business, but at night the professionals, interns, students, and NGO workers all come together to enjoy a drink at a bar or dance at one of the city's diverse clubs.

Isle of Skye is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Isle of Skye or Geneva Better for Beaches?

Isle of Skye is a great destination for its beaches. However, Geneva is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Isle of Skye for it's beautiful beaches. Some of the best beaches in Scotland are found on the Isle of Skye. The rugged coastline feels pristine and undiscovered. Some of the best beaches include Coral Beach, Talisker Bay Beach, Rubha Shlèite Beach, and Camasunary Bay.

Geneva is not a beach destination.

Is Isle of Skye or Geneva Better for its Old Town?

Geneva is a good destination for its historic old town. However, Isle of Skye does not have a historic old town.

Geneva is a good destination for visiting its old town. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.

Isle of Skye does not have a historic old town.

Is Isle of Skye or Geneva Better for Hiking?

Isle of Skye is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. However, Geneva is not a hiking destination.

Isle of Skye is well-known for its hiking and trekking. Hikes on the island range from family-friendly to some of the most challenging in Scotland. The setting is dramatic and beautiful and the hikes are a varied as the landscape. Some of the most popular hikes include the Fairy Pools, the Old Man of Storr, Neist Point Lighthouse, and the Quiraing.

Geneva is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Isle of Skye or Geneva?

Geneva is terrific for shopping. However, Isle of Skye is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Geneva. Famous for its posh shops and luxury brands, this city is a popular shopping destination. From chic boutiques to deluxe toy stores, you'll find something for everyone. In particular, the city is known for its Swiss watches, Swiss Army knives, chocolate, and wine.

Isle of Skye is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Isle of Skye or Geneva Better for Families?

Both Isle of Skye and Geneva are good family-friendly destinations.

Isle of Skye is a family-friendly island. Kids who love the outdoors will enjoy many of the kid-friendly hikes in the area. Favorites include the Old Man of Storr Hike and the Brother’s Point Hike. Other fun family-friendly places to visit include the Isle of Skye Fairy Glen, the Fairy Pools, and Slipway Beach.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Geneva. This diverse city has a number of chocolate shops, toy stores, and parks where kids can play. They'll be impressed by the Water Jet and there are few places where you can swim in the lake when the weather is warm.

Is Isle of Skye or Geneva Better for Couples?

Isle of Skye is a great destination for romance. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Isle of Skye frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With beautiful hikes and impressive castles, this island makes a stunning romantic getaway. There are beautiful viewpoints and coastal backdrops that make for a perfect couples getaway.

Geneva makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Wandering Old Town, sampling Swiss chocolate, and enjoying one of the many ethnic restaurants around town all make for great date activities. Fondue in a traditional restaurant is also a not to be missed experience.

Is Isle of Skye or Geneva Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Isle of Skye is a great destination for backpackers. However, Geneva is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Isle of Skye. There are many beautiful places to camp, so backpackers will enjoy hiking during the day and sleeping under the stars at night.

Geneva is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city is often overlooked by backpackers as it is pretty expensive. Many hotels cater to the business traveler crowd, but there are a few hostels to choose from.

Is Isle of Skye or Geneva Better for Students?

Geneva is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Isle of Skye is not popular with students.

Many students visit Geneva. The University of Geneva attracts many international students and the city is quite diverse. It feels like a mixing bowl of cultures, so students will feel very welcomed and comfortable here.

Isle of Skye is not popular with students.

Is Isle of Skye or Geneva Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Geneva is terrific for times when you don't have a car. However, Isle of Skye is lacking in good options for its public transit.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Geneva can take you anywhere. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Isle of Skye. There are local bus routes on the island that are operated by Stagecoach.

Is Isle of Skye or Geneva a more walkable city?

Geneva is a very popular place for its walkability. However, Isle of Skye is not a walkable destination.

Geneva is very walkable. Most areas where visitors spend their time can be easily explored on foot.

Isle of Skye is not a walkable destination.

For even more information, also check out Is Isle of Skye Worth Visiting? and Is Geneva Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Geneva or Isle of Skye?

How long in Isle of Skye or Geneva?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Isle of Skye and Geneva. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Isle of Skye than in Geneva. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Isle of Skye, and 1-3 days is enough time in Geneva.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Geneva than Isle of Skye 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 Geneva.

One day in Isle of Skye or Geneva?

Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Isle of Skye. 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.

Each neighborhood in Geneva has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

A weekend in Isle of Skye or Geneva?

Isle of Skye 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.

Geneva is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the shopping. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Isle of Skye or Geneva?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Isle of Skye. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the diverse big city of Geneva. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the shopping. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Isle of Skye or Geneva?

Travelers enjoy the food when visiting the picturesque destination of Isle of Skye. This island 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.

Geneva is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours from Edinburgh, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland, and The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Isle of Skye and Geneva, we can see that Geneva is more expensive. And not only is Isle of Skye much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Isle of Skye would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Isle of Skye 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 Geneva would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Geneva than you might in Isle of Skye.

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

Which is Bigger, Isle of Skye or Geneva?

Geneva has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Isle of Skye. When comparing the sizes of Isle of Skye and Geneva, 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 Isle of Skye or Geneva?

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 Isle of Skye or Geneva in the Summer?

Both Geneva and Isle of Skye during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Isle of Skye because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Geneva this time of year.

Isle of Skye is much colder than Geneva in the summer. The daily temperature in Isle of Skye averages around 13°C (55°F) in July, and Geneva fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

In Geneva, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Isle of Skye often gets less sunshine than Geneva. Isle of Skye gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Geneva receives 285 hours of full sun.

Isle of Skye usually gets more rain in July than Geneva. Isle of Skye gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Isle of Skye or Geneva in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Isle of Skye and Geneva. The hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Isle of Skye this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Geneva for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Isle of Skye is cooler than Geneva. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Isle of Skye in October average around 9°C (49°F), and Geneva averages at about 14°C (56°F).

Isle of Skye usually receives less sunshine than Geneva during autumn. Isle of Skye gets 82 hours of sunny skies, while Geneva receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Isle of Skye gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Isle of Skye usually receives more rain than Geneva. Isle of Skye gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Isle of Skye or Geneva in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Isle of Skye as well as Geneva. Many travelers come to Isle of Skye for the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Geneva in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Geneva can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Isle of Skye. In January, Isle of Skye is generally a little warmer than Geneva. Daily temperatures in Isle of Skye average around 4°C (40°F), and Geneva fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Isle of Skye often gets less sunshine than Geneva. Isle of Skye gets 41 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Geneva receives 62 hours of full sun.

Isle of Skye receives a lot of rain in the winter. Isle of Skye usually gets more rain in January than Geneva. Isle of Skye gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Isle of Skye or Geneva in the Spring?

Both Geneva and Isle of Skye are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Isle of Skye in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Geneva for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

Isle of Skye is much colder than Geneva in the spring. The daily temperature in Isle of Skye averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Geneva fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Isle of Skye usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Geneva during spring. Isle of Skye gets 168 hours of sunny skies, while Geneva receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Isle of Skye usually receives less rain than Geneva. Isle of Skye gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Geneva and Isle of Skye