Which place is cheaper, Interlaken or Minsk?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Minsk or Interlaken?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Minsk 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.
Where Should I go: Minsk or Interlaken?
Minsk
Minsk is the capital city of Belarus, centrally located. Situated on the Svislac and Niamiha rivers, it is also capital of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and was the capital of the former Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1919-1991. It is a modern city dominated by monumental Stalinist architecture with many of its museums, theaters, and other cultural attractions.
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 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 dayMinsk $64Interlaken $231
The average daily cost (per person) in Minsk is $64, while the average daily cost in Interlaken is $231. 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 Minsk and Interlaken in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMinsk $32Interlaken $133
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMinsk $64Interlaken $266
Compare Hotels in Minsk and Interlaken
Looking for a hotel in Minsk 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.Minsk $12Interlaken $13
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)$66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Interlaken
Also for Interlaken, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from/to Hotel - Airport: $160
- Private Transfer from Interlaken to Zurich: $239
- From Private One-Way Transfer to Lucerne: $285
- Private Group transfer Zurich Airport - Interlaken: $1,317
Is it cheaper to fly into Minsk or Interlaken?
Prices for flights to both Interlaken and Minsk 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 dayMinsk $21Interlaken $64
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$33
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: $736
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Minsk $20Interlaken $104
Tours and Activities in Interlaken
For Interlaken, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Interlaken Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $15
- Interlaken Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
- Hofstetten bei Brienz: Trauffer Erlebniswelt Ticket: $16
- Private Lake Thun and Lake Brienz Express Tour from Interlaken: $29
- Experience Switzerland in the Ballenberg open-air museum: $36
- Funicular Ticket to Harder Kulm: $42
- Rope Park Climbing Adventure with Entry Ticket: $46
- Funicular Ticket from Interlaken to Harder: $87
- Bollywood Tour Gstaad - Express Tour: $90
- Funicular Ticket from Interlaken to Harder (Top of Interlaken): $102
- Interlaken Valley Bike Tour: Rivers, Lakes & Forests: $109
- Bike Tour of the Interlaken Valley: Rivers, Lakes & Forests: $111
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMinsk $14Interlaken $17
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Minsk and Interlaken, we can see that Interlaken is more expensive. And not only is Minsk much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Minsk would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Minsk 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 Minsk.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Minsk Expensive? and Is Interlaken Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Minsk or Interlaken?
Minsk has a larger population, and is about 340 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Minsk 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 Minsk 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 Minsk or Interlaken in the Summer?
Both Interlaken and Minsk during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Minsk is generally cooler than Interlaken. Daily temperatures in Minsk average around 19°C (66°F), and Interlaken fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
In Interlaken, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Minsk. In the summer, Minsk often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Interlaken. Minsk gets 258 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 241 hours of full sun.
Minsk usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Interlaken. Minsk gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMinsk 19°C (66°F)Interlaken 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Minsk or Interlaken in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Minsk and Interlaken. Furthermore, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year.
Minsk is much colder than Interlaken in the autumn. The daily temperature in Minsk averages around 8°C (47°F) in October, and Interlaken fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
Minsk usually receives less sunshine than Interlaken during autumn. Minsk gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Minsk usually receives less rain than Interlaken. Minsk gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMinsk 8°C (47°F)Interlaken 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Minsk or Interlaken in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Minsk as well as Interlaken. Additionally, many travelers come to Interlaken for the skiing and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Interlaken. It's quite cold in Minsk in the winter. In the winter, Minsk is much colder than Interlaken. Typically, the winter temperatures in Minsk in January average around -5°C (22°F), and Interlaken averages at about 3°C (37°F).
In the winter, Minsk often gets less sunshine than Interlaken. Minsk gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 55 hours of full sun.
Minsk usually gets less rain in January than Interlaken. Minsk gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMinsk -5°C (22°F)Interlaken 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Minsk or Interlaken in the Spring?
Both Interlaken and Minsk are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Interlaken in the spring for the natural beauty.
In April, Minsk is generally cooler than Interlaken. Daily temperatures in Minsk average around 8°C (46°F), and Interlaken fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
Minsk usually receives more sunshine than Interlaken during spring. Minsk gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Minsk usually receives less rain than Interlaken. Minsk gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMinsk 8°C (46°F)Interlaken 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Interlaken and Minsk
| Minsk | Interlaken | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (22°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (25°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 0°C (33°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 15°C (58°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (65°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 8°C (47°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 3°C (37°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 53 mm (2.1 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.