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

Should you visit Kaunas or Interlaken?

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 Kaunas and Interlaken. 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.

Kaunas

Kaunas is a vibrant, cultural, and active city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife and food.

Interlaken

Interlaken is a adventurous, adrenaline-filled, and breathtaking 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.

Kaunas and Interlaken: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kaunas or Interlaken?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Kaunas than Interlaken, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Kaunas is better known for its nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Interlaken is more popular for its skiing, food, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Interlaken is more touristy than Kaunas and is popular for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. Kaunas is well known for its traditional Lithuanian culture and authentic old town. Also, Kaunas is famous for The Kaunas Old Town.

How is Kaunas different from Interlaken?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Kaunas or Interlaken Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is a good destination for snow skiing. However, Kaunas 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.

Kaunas is not a skiing destination.

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

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

Dining out in Interlaken is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Kaunas. It is a great place to try traditional Lithuanian dishes as there are a number of good restaurants and an active restaurant scene. Popular local dishes include cepelinai potato dumplings and cold beetroot soup.

Is Kaunas or Interlaken Better for Nightlife?

Kaunas 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 Kaunas. The nightlife scene continues to improve with a growing number of bars and clubs. During the warmer months you'll find many places opening outdoor areas. The old town is one of the more lively areas in town where it's nice to enjoy a drink on a terrace.

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Kaunas or Interlaken Better for its Old Town?

Kaunas is very good for its historic old town. However, Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

Kaunas is a good destination for visiting its old town. The old town has tree-lined streets with charming cafes and a number of museums. It's also where you'll find the Kaunas Castle.

Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

Is Kaunas or Interlaken Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is renowned for the nearby hiking options. However, Kaunas is not a hiking destination.

Interlaken is well-known for its hiking and trekking. 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.

Kaunas is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kaunas or Interlaken?

Kaunas is a decent place to visit for shopping. However, Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Kaunas is a good destination for shopping. The old town is the place to pick up souvenirs, but there are also shopping malls and outlets in the city.

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Kaunas or Interlaken Better for Families?

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

With a huge array of activities for kids, Interlaken is very family-friendly. 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!

Kaunas is a family-friendly city. The city has both outdoor and indoor areas that are fun for kids. Vienybės Square has fountains and splash areas that are fun for kids of all ages. Lampėdis Lake is a great place to swim or visit an adventure park. When the weather isn't great, you can head indoors to the the Kaunas Tadas Ivanauskas Zoological Museum or "CurioCity" in the Mega Mall.

Is Kaunas or Interlaken Better for Couples?

Interlaken is renowned for couples. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for romance.

Interlaken is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Kaunas is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The city has a number of historical sites as well as interesting restaurants that you can explore.

Is Kaunas or Interlaken Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Kaunas and Interlaken are notable destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Kaunas. It's not a popular destination, but there are enough concerts and festivals throughout the year that it does see a few tourists.

Plenty of budget travelers 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 Kaunas or Interlaken Better for Students?

Kaunas is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Interlaken is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Kaunas. The city has a vibrant and young student population. It also hosts festivals, concerts, and other events that make it a fun destination for international students.

Interlaken is not popular with students.

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

Interlaken is notable for its public transit. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Interlaken. Buses travel around town, but to get into the mountains there are trains, cog railways, funiculars, and gondolas.

Kaunas has some public transit options. There are both buses and trolleybuses around town.

Is Kaunas or Interlaken a more walkable city?

Kaunas and Interlaken both are notable when exploring on foot.

Kaunas is a somewhat walkable city. When the weather is nice, the city is a nice place to take a walk.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Interlaken or Kaunas?

How long in Kaunas or Interlaken?

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

Families should spend more time in Interlaken than Kaunas. 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 Kaunas. 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.

One day in Kaunas or Interlaken?

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

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.

A weekend in Kaunas or Interlaken?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Kaunas, 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.

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.

Five days in Kaunas or Interlaken?

Kaunas, 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.

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.

A week in Kaunas or Interlaken?

Kaunas 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.

Travelers enjoy the skiing and food when visiting the world-class 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Lithuania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilnius, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Geneva, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Zurich.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Kaunas or Interlaken?

Kaunas has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Kaunas 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 Kaunas 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 Kaunas or Interlaken in the Summer?

Both Interlaken and Kaunas during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Kaunas for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Interlaken in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kaunas is cooler than Interlaken. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kaunas in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Interlaken averages at about 21°C (70°F).

In Interlaken, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kaunas. In the summer, Kaunas often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Interlaken. Kaunas gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 241 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets less rain in July than Interlaken. Kaunas gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or Interlaken in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kaunas and Interlaken. Many visitors come to Kaunas in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Interlaken for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Kaunas is generally much colder than Interlaken. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around 8°C (46°F), and Interlaken fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Kaunas usually receives less sunshine than Interlaken during autumn. Kaunas gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Interlaken. Kaunas gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kaunas or Interlaken in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Kaunas as well as Interlaken. Most visitors come to Kaunas for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the skiing and the cuisine.

The weather in Interlaken can be very cold. Kaunas can be very cold during winter. Kaunas is much colder than Interlaken in the winter. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Interlaken fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Kaunas often gets less sunshine than Interlaken. Kaunas gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 55 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets less rain in January than Interlaken. Kaunas gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or Interlaken in the Spring?

Both Interlaken and Kaunas are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Kaunas because of the activities around the city. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year.

In the spring, Kaunas is much colder than Interlaken. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kaunas in April average around 7°C (44°F), and Interlaken averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Kaunas usually receives more sunshine than Interlaken during spring. Kaunas gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Interlaken. Kaunas gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Interlaken and Kaunas