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

Should you visit Lausanne or Interlaken?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lausanne or Interlaken, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Lausanne

Lausanne is a international, diverse, and vibrant city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Interlaken

Interlaken is a world-class, stunning, and adventurous town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include hiking, skiing, and food.

Lausanne and Interlaken: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lausanne or Interlaken?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Lausanne than Interlaken, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Lausanne is better known for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Interlaken is more popular for its skiing, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Interlaken is more touristy than Lausanne and is popular for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. Lausanne is well known for being the home of the International Olympic Committee headquarters. Also, Lausanne is famous for The Olympic Museum.

How is Lausanne different from Interlaken?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Lausanne or Interlaken Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is a nice place to visit for winter skiing. However, Lausanne 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.

Lausanne is not a skiing destination.

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

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

Many visitors head to Lausanne specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. You'll find many great museums around town that cover a range of topics. The Olympic Museum is very interesting. You should also check out the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, and the Hermitage Foundation.

Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both Lausanne and Interlaken both to be excellent destinations.

Dining out in Lausanne is an experience not to be missed. The city is filled with delicious chocolate, cheese, and wine. Fondue is a favorite, but you'll also find cured meats on most menus. While food can be expensive, it's also high quality and usually locally produced.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Interlaken. 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 Lausanne or Interlaken Better for Nightlife?

Lausanne 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 Lausanne. There are a surprising number of clubs around town and it's not hard to find somewhere to party. The large student population and the international vibe make this a fascinating place for nightlife.

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Lausanne or Interlaken Better for its Old Town?

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

Lausanne is a good destination for visiting its old town. There's a relatively large historic section that has a Gothic cathedral and many quaint shops.

Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

Is Lausanne or Interlaken Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is a world-class destination for its hiking experiences. However, Lausanne is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Interlaken draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. 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.

Lausanne is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Lausanne or Interlaken?

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Lausanne. You'll find luxury Swiss watch brands, jewelry, chocolate, and many other interesting things to buy. Prices can be high, but so is the quality. It's fun to look, even if you're not planning to purchase.

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Lausanne or Interlaken Better for Families?

Interlaken is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Lausanne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Interlaken is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. 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!

Lausanne offers lots of family activities. There are kid-friendly museums, petting zoos, and other fun activities in town. You can also take a boat ride or let the kids run around one of the parks in town.

Is Lausanne or Interlaken Better for Couples?

Interlaken is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Lausanne is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Interlaken has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Lausanne is a nice destination for couples. The medieval old city is fun to explore. The lakefront setting also offers fun activities like boating. There are also a number of museums in town to explore.

Is Lausanne or Interlaken Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Interlaken is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Lausanne is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to 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.

Lausanne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not the most popular town for backpackers but there are some affordable hotels. It's also more reasonably priced than many Swiss cities.

Is Lausanne or Interlaken Better for Students?

Lausanne is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Interlaken is not popular with students.

Lausanne is very popular with students. There are 11 institutes for higher learning in town, so students make up a significant percentage of the population. The city is also full of culture, making it a very livable city.

Interlaken is not popular with students.

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

Interlaken is well known for its public transit. Also, Lausanne is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Interlaken can get you to most places easily. Buses travel around town, but to get into the mountains there are trains, cog railways, funiculars, and gondolas.

While Lausanne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a comprehensive network of transportation options available in town including buses and boats.

Is Lausanne or Interlaken a more walkable city?

Lausanne and Interlaken both are notable when exploring on foot.

Lausanne is a somewhat walkable city. Many parts of the city, including the historic sections, and relatively easy to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Interlaken or Lausanne?

How long in Lausanne or Interlaken?

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

Families should spend more time in Interlaken than Lausanne. 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 Lausanne. 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 Lausanne 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 Lausanne or Interlaken?

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

The beautiful town of Interlaken offers food and skiing. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Lausanne or Interlaken?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Lausanne, 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 popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Interlaken, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Lausanne or Interlaken?

Lausanne, 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.

Interlaken is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Interlaken, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Lausanne or Interlaken?

Lausanne 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 great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

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

When comparing the travel costs between Lausanne 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 Lausanne Expensive? and Is Interlaken Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lausanne or Interlaken?

Lausanne has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Lausanne 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.