A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Murren vs. Plitvice Lakes National Park for Hiking, Couples, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Murren or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Murren and Plitvice Lakes National Park can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Murren

Murren is a breathtaking, stunning, and serene town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include skiing, food, and hiking.

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a spectacular, scenic, and world-famous national park. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for hiking.

Murren and Plitvice Lakes National Park: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular for skiing
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
  • Home to the terraced chain of lakes


Is there more to do in Murren or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Both Plitvice Lakes National Park and Murren have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Plitvice Lakes National Park is more touristy than Murren and is popular for its stunning natural scenery which includes 16 beautiful terraced lakes. Murren is popular for its spectacular mountain views, authentically local atmosphere, and world class hiking and skiing.

How is Murren different from Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Plitvice Lakes National Park and Murren. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Murren or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Skiing?

Murren
Plitvice Lakes National Park

Murren is an unbeatable place for skiing. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a skiing destination.

Murren is among the world's best ski destinations. If you're visiting in the winter, you're in luck because the scenery and the slopes are both amazing. The top of Schilthorn is quickly accessed from the gondola and ski lifts, and heading down you'll find some difficult runs along with easier slopes. Enjoy your apres-ski in the village with cozy drinks and a dinner of fondue. And with more time, you can easily get across the valley to the Grindelwald-Wengen ski area, too.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a skiing destination.


Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Murren or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Murren
Plitvice Lakes National Park

Murren is mediocre for its historical sights. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Murren. You don't visit this area for the museums, so if you're looking for an indoor activity on a rainy day, your options are limited.

Plitvice Lakes National Park does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Murren or Plitvice Lakes National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Murren
Plitvice Lakes National Park

Murren is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Murren. If you can afford the prices, you'll enjoy some great meals of fondue or local steak. There aren't many restaurants in town and some of the best are attached to the hotels. Those on a tight budget will be frustrated because cheap eats are hard to come by. You may as well pay a little more and enjoy a high quality, fine dining experience.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Plitvice Lakes National Park. You'll find a few tourist cafes near the lakes that serve grilled meats and other simple dishes. You can also grab a snack from the food stalls that are near the entrance to the park.

Is Murren or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Nightlife?

Murren
Plitvice Lakes National Park

Murren is adequate for nightlife. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Murren doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a quiet and residential town that is more about the daytime activities than the nightlife scene.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.


Is Murren or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Hiking?

Murren
Plitvice Lakes National Park

Murren is an unbeatable place for hiking. Also, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for the nearby hiking options.

Many people visit Murren specifically for its hiking. Hiking trails pass right through the town, connecting the many alpine towns in the area. There are hikes for all levels, and each offers stunning views of the surrounding peaks, which include Eiger, Jungfrau, and Monch.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a popular spot for hiking. There are eight different walking routes that range in length from 3 kilometers to 18 kilometers. They take between 3 and 8 hours and are well marked.

Is the Shopping Better in Murren or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Murren
Plitvice Lakes National Park

Murren is mediocre for shopping. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping in Murren can be found for those interested. Aside from a food market or two, there aren't many shops in town and prices for everything are a bit high.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Murren or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Families?

Murren
Plitvice Lakes National Park

Both Murren and Plitvice Lakes National Park are superb to visit with kids.

Murren is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kid-friendly activities are everywhere in this amazing town. Take the Allmendhubel Funicular Train and explore one of the coolest playgrounds ever! Family-friendly trails abound and outdoor adventures with spectacular views are fun for everyone.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Plitvice Lakes National Park is very family-friendly. It's a fun place to explore with kids, but if you're traveling with young ones, keep a close eye on them. Also take note that it's not stroller-friendly and make sure that you arrive early to avoid the crowds.


Is Murren or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Couples?

Murren
Plitvice Lakes National Park

Murren is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for its romantic activities.

For those traveling as a couple, Murren has plenty to offer. This small town offers charming hotels, hidden viewpoints, and romantic hikes through the Alps. If you want to experience an authentic side to the Alps, then stay in this town and explore the many hiking trails in the area.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's a natural wonder that is beautiful and romantic to explore as a couple. It can get crowded, as it's a top tourist destination is Croatia, so make sure you arrive early to avoid the peak times.

Is Murren or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Murren
Plitvice Lakes National Park

Plitvice Lakes National Park is well known for backpackers. However, Murren is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Plitvice Lakes National Park. There are three hotels within the park and a handful of hostels nearby. There's also some camping options in the area.

Murren is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't any hostels in town so it's a bit difficult to stay in Murren as a backpacker. There are a number of charming hostels in the surrounding area though and they each have a unique local character.

Is Murren or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Murren
Plitvice Lakes National Park

Murren is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Murren offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Train, cable car, and funicular are the only ways to reach this car-free town.

Public transit is generally limited in Plitvice Lakes National Park. There are several bus stops near the park but the bus service is infrequent and can involve long trips.


Is Murren or Plitvice Lakes National Park a more walkable city?

Murren
Plitvice Lakes National Park

Murren and Plitvice Lakes National Park both are amazing when exploring on foot.

Getting around Murren on foot is easy. It's a small town with a very limited number of vehicles so it's best explored on foot. There are also many walking trails in the area.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a very easy town to get around on foot. The park is well organized into several walking routes that can be explored in a few hours.

For even more information, also check out Is Murren Worth Visiting? and Is Plitvice Lakes National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Plitvice Lakes National Park or Murren?

How long in Murren or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Murren or Plitvice Lakes National Park to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Murren than Plitvice Lakes National Park because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Murren, and 1-2 days is enough time in Plitvice Lakes National Park.

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

Couples should spend more time in Murren than Plitvice Lakes National Park. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Murren that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Murren than Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 Murren.


  • How many days in Murren or Plitvice Lakes National Park? Ideal Length of Stay
    Murren 2-4 
    Plitvice Lakes National Park 1-2

One day in Murren or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Murren is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and skiing. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the when visiting the destination of Plitvice Lakes National Park. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Murren or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Murren is a fun place to experience. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.


Five days in Murren or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Murren is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Plitvice Lakes National Park. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Murren or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Because Murren is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. 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 a variety of activities to choose from.

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the world-famous destination of Plitvice Lakes National Park. This national park 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 Luxury Tours to Switzerland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Switzerland, The Best 10-Day Tours in Croatia, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Croatia.


Which place is cheaper, Plitvice Lakes National Park or Murren?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Murren is $407, while the average daily cost in Plitvice Lakes National Park is $133. 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 Murren and Plitvice Lakes National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Murren $217
    Plitvice Lakes National Park $64
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Murren $434
    Plitvice Lakes National Park $128
Compare Hotels in Murren and Plitvice Lakes National Park

Looking for a hotel in Murren or Plitvice Lakes National Park? 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.

Hotels in Murren


Hotels in Plitvice Lakes National Park


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: Murren Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Murren $50
    Plitvice Lakes National Park $28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Plitvice Lakes National Park

Also for Plitvice Lakes National Park, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • From Plitvice Lakes to Zagreb private one-way transfer: $150
  • From Zadar: Round-Trip Transfer to Plitvice Lakes: $42
  • Plitvice lakes Guiding with Transfer: $182
  • Private Transfer from Plitvička Jezera to Zadar Airport (ZAD): $271
  • Private Transfer from Plitvička Jezera to Zagreb Airport (ZAG): $232

Is it cheaper to fly into Murren or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Prices for flights to both Plitvice Lakes National Park and Murren 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Murren $150
    Plitvice Lakes National Park $43

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Murren

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Murren.

  • Sunset hike with outdoor Cheese Fondue dinner: $167

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Murren $59
    Plitvice Lakes National Park $36

Tours and Activities in Murren

Here are a few actual costs in Murren for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Private Speedriding Tandem Experience in Switzerland: $279
  • Sledding adventure with Chocolate degustation: $129
  • Swiss countryside tour in free-cars town: $123

Tours and Activities in Plitvice Lakes National Park

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Plitvice Lakes National Park.

  • Plitvice Lakes: National Park Official Entry Ticket: $11
  • Plitvice Lakes National Park Admission Ticket: $14
  • Half day tour around Plitvice Lakes: $29
  • Plitvice Lakes Guided Tour: $36
  • Plitvice Lakes: Guided Walking Tour and Boat Ride: $36
  • Plitvice lakes: Guided walking tour with a boat ride: $37
  • Private Guided Fairy Tale Tour in Ogulin: $38
  • Plitvice Guided Tour- Tickets only RESERVED: $44
  • From Split and Trogir: Plitvice Lakes Economy Group Tour: $48
  • Abandoned military airbase Zeljava -2h guided tour: $55
  • From Split: Plitvice Lakes Guided tour: $70
  • Plitvice Lakes National Park - Inspiration Buggy Tour: $75

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Murren $19
    Plitvice Lakes National Park $15


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Murren Expensive? and Is Plitvice Lakes National Park Expensive?.