A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Orkney Islands vs. Geneva for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Orkney Islands or Geneva?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Orkney Islands and Geneva can help you decide which place is right for you.

Orkney Islands

Orkney Islands is a tranquil, natural, and pristine archipelago. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for hiking, museums, and food.

Geneva

Geneva is a classy, diverse, and international city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Orkney Islands and Geneva: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Orkney Islands or Geneva?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Geneva than Orkney Islands, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Geneva is better known for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Orkney Islands is more popular for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Geneva is more touristy than Orkney Islands and is popular for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization. Also, Geneva is famous for The Geneva Water Fountain (The Jet d'Eau). Orkney Islands is well known for its sandy beaches, serene landscape, and well-preserved Neolithic sights.

How is Orkney Islands different from Geneva?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Orkney Islands or Geneva?

Geneva is great for its historical sights. Also, Orkney Islands is not as popular, but is still a nice archipelago for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Geneva specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Famous sights and landmarks include the spectacular Water Jet, St Pierre Cathedral, and the Palais des Nations. There are also impressive art and history museums in the city.

Orkney Islands is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The islands is home to a number of archaeological ruins including the stone age village of Skara Brae and the neolithic chambered cairn of Maes Howee. Also check out impressive Ring of Brodgar stone circle as well as the oldest dwelling in the UK, the Knap of Howar on Papa Westray.

Is the Food Better in Orkney Islands or Geneva? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at high quality restaurants in both Orkney Islands and Geneva.

Orkney Islands has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find so many local products on the islands. It's famous for its local beef, lamb, salmon, and seafood, but you'll also find cheeses and produce. There are two breweries on the island as well. Many people pick up some items that they take home with them.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Geneva makes for a great culinary experience. The city has an amazing mix of traditional Swiss restaurants as well as diverse ethnic options. Traditional dishes include fondue and raclette, both of which involve the decadent Swiss cheese.

Is Orkney Islands or Geneva Better for Nightlife?

Geneva is very good for its evening party scene. However, Orkney Islands is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Geneva has a few options to choose from. During the day the city is all business, but at night the professionals, interns, students, and NGO workers all come together to enjoy a drink at a bar or dance at one of the city's diverse clubs.

Orkney Islands is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Orkney Islands or Geneva Better for Beaches?

Orkney Islands is a great destination for its beaches. However, Geneva is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Orkney Islands for it's beautiful beaches. The archipelago has hundreds of miles of beaches that feel serene and remote. If you're looking for a tranquil setting that is natural and untouched, you'll have many to choose from. Some of the best beaches on the islands include Tresness Beach, Grobust Beach, and Sands of Evie Beach.

Geneva is not a beach destination.

Is Orkney Islands or Geneva Better for its Old Town?

Geneva is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Orkney Islands does not have a historic old town.

Geneva has an old town worth visiting. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.

Orkney Islands does not have a historic old town.

Is Orkney Islands or Geneva Better for Hiking?

Orkney Islands is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Geneva is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Orkney Islands. Rolling hills and rugged landscapes make for relaxing and beautiful walks. There are also many archaeological ruins that you can explore. Favorite hikes in the area include Balfour Village and Mill Dam, Birsay Whalebone, and Birwick to Barth Head.

Geneva is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Orkney Islands or Geneva?

Geneva is renowned for its shopping areas. However, Orkney Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many people travel to Geneva specifically to go shopping. Famous for its posh shops and luxury brands, this city is a popular shopping destination. From chic boutiques to deluxe toy stores, you'll find something for everyone. In particular, the city is known for its Swiss watches, Swiss Army knives, chocolate, and wine.

Orkney Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Orkney Islands or Geneva Better for Families?

You'll find notable kid-friendly activities in either Orkney Islands or Geneva.

Orkney Islands offers lots of family activities. Exploring the beaches is one of the best way to spend your days with kids. There are also several places you can take the kids like Barony Mill, Skate Rumple Alpaca Farm, Corrigall Farm Museum, and Kirbuster Farm Museum.

Geneva is a family-friendly place to visit. This diverse city has a number of chocolate shops, toy stores, and parks where kids can play. They'll be impressed by the Water Jet and there are few places where you can swim in the lake when the weather is warm.

Is Orkney Islands or Geneva Better for Couples?

Orkney Islands is a great destination for romance. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Orkney Islands frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Nature lovers will enjoy the stunning beaches and beautiful natural setting. There are also some great restaurants and even live music performances that make for a fun date night.

Geneva makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Wandering Old Town, sampling Swiss chocolate, and enjoying one of the many ethnic restaurants around town all make for great date activities. Fondue in a traditional restaurant is also a not to be missed experience.

Is Orkney Islands or Geneva Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Orkney Islands is a great destination for backpackers. However, Geneva is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Orkney Islands. If camping is your style, you'll find some great campgrounds and campsites that make the most of this beautiful natural setting.

Geneva is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city is often overlooked by backpackers as it is pretty expensive. Many hotels cater to the business traveler crowd, but there are a few hostels to choose from.

Is Orkney Islands or Geneva Better for Students?

Geneva is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Orkney Islands is not popular with students.

Geneva is very popular with students. The University of Geneva attracts many international students and the city is quite diverse. It feels like a mixing bowl of cultures, so students will feel very welcomed and comfortable here.

Orkney Islands is not popular with students.

Is Orkney Islands or Geneva Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Geneva is renowned for times when you don't have a car. Also, Orkney Islands is not as popular, but is still a nice archipelago for its public transit.

Geneva has a great public transit system. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

Orkney Islands has a few public transit options. Buses travel to many parts of the islands and many islands are connected by ferries.

Is Orkney Islands or Geneva a more walkable city?

Geneva is great for its ease of walking around. However, Orkney Islands is not a walkable destination.

Geneva is a very walkable destination. Most areas where visitors spend their time can be easily explored on foot.

Orkney Islands is not a walkable destination.

For even more information, also check out Is Orkney Islands Worth Visiting? and Is Geneva Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Geneva or Orkney Islands?

How long in Orkney Islands or Geneva?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Orkney Islands and Geneva. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Orkney Islands than in Geneva. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Orkney Islands, and 1-3 days is enough time in Geneva.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Geneva than Orkney Islands 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 Geneva.

One day in Orkney Islands or Geneva?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Orkney Islands. 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.

Because Geneva is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Orkney Islands or Geneva?

Orkney Islands is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Geneva is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Orkney Islands or Geneva?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Orkney Islands. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Geneva. It offers something for everyone. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Orkney Islands or Geneva?

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the tranquil destination of Orkney Islands. This archipelago offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Geneva. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. One week 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland, and The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Orkney Islands or Geneva?

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 Orkney Islands or Geneva in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Orkney Islands as well as Geneva. Many visitors come to Orkney Islands in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Geneva for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Orkney Islands is much colder than Geneva. Typically, the summer temperatures in Orkney Islands in July average around 12°C (54°F), and Geneva averages at about 22°C (71°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Geneva. In the summer, Orkney Islands often gets less sunshine than Geneva. Orkney Islands gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Geneva receives 285 hours of full sun.

Orkney Islands usually gets less rain in July than Geneva. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Geneva in the Autumn?

Both Geneva and Orkney Islands are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Orkney Islands for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Geneva because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Orkney Islands is generally much colder than Geneva. Daily temperatures in Orkney Islands average around 9°C (48°F), and Geneva fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

Orkney Islands usually receives less sunshine than Geneva during autumn. Orkney Islands gets 73 hours of sunny skies, while Geneva receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Orkney Islands. In October, Orkney Islands usually receives more rain than Geneva. Orkney Islands gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Geneva in the Winter?

Both Geneva and Orkney Islands during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Orkney Islands because of the museums and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Geneva this time of year.

It's quite cold in Geneva in the winter. The weather in Orkney Islands can be very cold. Orkney Islands is around the same temperature as Geneva in the winter. The daily temperature in Orkney Islands averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Geneva fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Orkney Islands often gets less sunshine than Geneva. Orkney Islands gets 29 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Geneva receives 62 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Orkney Islands. Orkney Islands usually gets more rain in January than Geneva. Orkney Islands gets 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Geneva in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Orkney Islands and Geneva. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Orkney Islands this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Geneva for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Orkney Islands is much colder than Geneva. Typically, the spring temperatures in Orkney Islands in April average around 6°C (43°F), and Geneva averages at about 11°C (53°F).

Orkney Islands usually receives less sunshine than Geneva during spring. Orkney Islands gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Geneva receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Orkney Islands usually receives less rain than Geneva. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Geneva and Orkney Islands