Which place is cheaper, Interlaken or Kemi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kemi 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 Kemi 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.
Where Should I go: Kemi or Interlaken?
Kemi
Kemi is a town on Bothnian Bay in Lapland, Finland. It's known for the massive Sampo icebreaker, a giant ship built to ply the Arctic waters. The main economic activity in Kemi is centered on two large paper and wood pulp mills and on the only chromium mine in Europe. Kemi also has a claim to fame as the home of the world's largest snow castle (reconstructed every year with a different design). The SnowCastle is usually located at the inner harbor of Kemi.
Interlaken
Interlaken is a small city that is located in the Bernese Highlands Region of central Switzerland. It sits pleasantly between two Alpine Lakes, Brienzersee and Thunersee. This scenic setting and its easy accessibility make it a popular base camp for travel into the Bernese Oberland Alps. It has become a top tourist destination in Switzerland and it is also a hub for outdoor sports enthusiasts with plenty of hiking, skiing, paragliding, and other activities in the region.. Interlaken is a great hoping off point to explore many of the nearby mountains, lakes, and valleys, too. It offers easy transportation to most major Swiss cities by train or car.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Finland, The Best Adventure Tours to Finland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Geneva, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Zurich.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKemi €134Interlaken €217
The average daily cost (per person) in Kemi is €134, while the average daily cost in Interlaken is €217. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Kemi and Interlaken in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKemi €74Interlaken €125
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKemi €148Interlaken €250
Compare Hotels in Kemi and Interlaken
Looking for a hotel in Kemi or Interlaken? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Interlaken Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kemi €39Interlaken €12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Interlaken
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Interlaken are as follows:
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Cable Cars (for 2)€62
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Interlaken
Also for Interlaken, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Interlaken to Zurich: $240
- Private Group transfer Zurich Airport - Interlaken: $1,312
- Transfer from/to Hotel - Airport: $160
- From Private One-Way Transfer to Lucerne: $284
Is it cheaper to fly into Kemi or Interlaken?
Prices for flights to both Interlaken and Kemi change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayKemi €34Interlaken €60
Typical Food Prices in Interlaken
For Interlaken, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Tea at Interlaken€31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Interlaken
For Interlaken, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Fondue Cooking Class and Cheese Workshop in Switzerland: $143
- Cheese and Chocolate Full-Day Food Tour: $733
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kemi €29Interlaken €97
Tours and Activities in Kemi
For Kemi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- SnowExperience365 Kemi entrance: $19
Tours and Activities in Interlaken
For Interlaken, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Hidden gems e-bike tour with picnic at Lake Brienz : $212
- Iseltwald, Aare Gorge and Lake Brienz Experience in Switzerland: $290
- 007 Elegance: Private Tour to Schilthorn from Interlaken: $480
- A Day at Lake Brienz and Lauterbrunnen Tour from Zurich: $1,260
- Alpine Heights Jungfraujoch Small Group Tour from Interlaken: $529
- Alpine Majesty: Bern to Jungfraujoch Exclusive Private Tour: $835
- Bern: Grindelwald First & Bachalpsee Hiking Private Tour: $709
- Bike Tour of the Interlaken Valley: Rivers, Lakes & Forests: $111
- Bollywood Tour Gstaad - Express Tour: $90
- Canyoning Experience Grimsel from Interlaken : $200
- From Grimsel Gorge Canyoning Tour: $196
- From Gruyères, Cheese Factory & Cailler Tour: $290
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKemi €12Interlaken €16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kemi and Interlaken, we can see that Interlaken is more expensive. And not only is Kemi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kemi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kemi 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 Kemi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kemi Expensive? and Is Interlaken Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kemi or Interlaken?
Kemi has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Kemi 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 Kemi or Interlaken?
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 Kemi or Interlaken in the Summer?
Both Interlaken and Kemi are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Interlaken in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Kemi is generally cooler than Interlaken. Daily temperatures in Kemi average around 15°C (60°F), and Interlaken fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
It's quite sunny in Interlaken. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kemi. Kemi usually receives more sunshine than Interlaken during summer. Kemi gets 304 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Kemi usually receives less rain than Interlaken. Kemi gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKemi 15°C (60°F)Interlaken 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Kemi or Interlaken in the Autumn?
Both Interlaken and Kemi during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Interlaken for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Kemi can get quite cold in the autumn. Kemi is much colder than Interlaken in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kemi averages around 2°C (36°F) in October, and Interlaken fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
In the autumn, Kemi often gets less sunshine than Interlaken. Kemi gets 82 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 120 hours of full sun.
Kemi usually gets less rain in October than Interlaken. Kemi gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKemi 2°C (36°F)Interlaken 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Kemi or Interlaken in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kemi and Interlaken. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the skiing and the cuisine.
The weather in Interlaken can be very cold. Kemi can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Kemi is much colder than Interlaken. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kemi in January average around -12°C (10°F), and Interlaken averages at about 3°C (37°F).
Kemi usually receives less sunshine than Interlaken during winter. Kemi gets 19 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Kemi usually receives less rain than Interlaken. Kemi gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKemi -12°C (10°F)Interlaken 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Kemi or Interlaken in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kemi as well as Interlaken. Additionally, the natural beauty are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year.
The weather in Kemi can be very cold. In April, Kemi is generally much colder than Interlaken. Daily temperatures in Kemi average around -1°C (31°F), and Interlaken fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
In the spring, Kemi often gets more sunshine than Interlaken. Kemi gets 194 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 150 hours of full sun.
Kemi usually gets less rain in April than Interlaken. Kemi gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKemi -1°C (31°F)Interlaken 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Interlaken and Kemi
| Kemi | Interlaken | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -12°C (10°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | -12°C (11°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | -7°C (19°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | -1°C (31°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 8°C (46°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 2°C (36°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | -4°C (24°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | -10°C (15°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.