A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Orkney Islands vs. Interlaken for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Orkney Islands or Interlaken?

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 Interlaken can help you decide which place is right for you.

Orkney Islands

Orkney Islands is a pristine, remote, and serene archipelago. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and museums.

Interlaken

Interlaken is a breathtaking, world-class, and stunning town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the hiking, skiing, and food.

Orkney Islands and Interlaken: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Orkney Islands or Interlaken?

Both Interlaken and Orkney Islands have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Orkney Islands is better known for its museums and beaches, while Interlaken is more popular for its skiing, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Interlaken is more touristy than Orkney Islands and is known for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. Orkney Islands is well known for its sandy beaches, serene landscape, and well-preserved Neolithic sights.

How is Orkney Islands different from Interlaken?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Orkney Islands or Interlaken Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is very good for skiing. However, Orkney Islands 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.

Orkney Islands is not a skiing destination.

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

Orkney Islands is very good for its museums and history. However, Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at very good restaurants in both Orkney Islands and Interlaken.

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, Interlaken makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Orkney Islands or Interlaken Better for Beaches?

Orkney Islands is an excellent place to visit for its beaches. However, Interlaken is not a beach destination.

Orkney Islands is a very popular place to visit for its 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.

Interlaken is not a beach destination.

Is Orkney Islands or Interlaken Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is renowned for hiking. Also, Orkney Islands is not as popular, but is still a nice archipelago for the nearby hiking options.

Many people visit Interlaken specifically for its hiking. 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.

Orkney Islands is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Is Orkney Islands or Interlaken Better for Families?

Interlaken is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Orkney Islands is not as popular, but is still a nice archipelago for its family-friendly activities.

Interlaken is one of the most popular family destinations. 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!

Orkney Islands is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Orkney Islands or Interlaken Better for Couples?

Interlaken is renowned for couples. Also, Orkney Islands is not as popular, but is still a nice archipelago for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, Interlaken has plenty to offer. 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.

Orkney Islands is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

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

Orkney Islands is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Interlaken is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Orkney Islands is very popular with the backpacker crowd. If camping is your style, you'll find some great campgrounds and campsites that make the most of this beautiful natural setting.

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.

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

Interlaken is great 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.

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.

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 Interlaken a more walkable city?

Interlaken is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Orkney Islands is not a walkable destination.

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

Orkney Islands is not a walkable destination.

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

Should I spend more time in Interlaken or Orkney Islands?

How long in Orkney Islands or Interlaken?

In either Orkney Islands or Interlaken, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Orkney Islands than Interlaken because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Orkney Islands, and 2-5 days is enough time in Interlaken.

Families should spend more time in Interlaken than Orkney Islands. 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 Orkney Islands. 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 Orkney Islands than Interlaken 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 Orkney Islands.

One day in Orkney Islands or Interlaken?

With museums and food around the tranquil archipelago of Orkney Islands, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Interlaken, you'll find food and skiing. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Orkney Islands or Interlaken?

With food and museums around the destination of Orkney Islands, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Interlaken is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Interlaken?

Orkney Islands, a popular archipelago, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this archipelago. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Interlaken. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

A week in Orkney Islands or Interlaken?

Orkney Islands is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this archipelago makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this archipelago has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the skiing and food when visiting the town of Interlaken. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. 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, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Geneva, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Zurich.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Orkney Islands and Interlaken, we can see that Interlaken 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 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 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 Interlaken Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands or Interlaken in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Orkney Islands and Interlaken. The summer months attract visitors to Orkney Islands because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year.

In the summer, Orkney Islands is much colder than Interlaken. Typically, the summer temperatures in Orkney Islands in July average around 12°C (54°F), and Interlaken averages at about 21°C (70°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Interlaken this time of the year. Orkney Islands usually receives less sunshine than Interlaken during summer. Orkney Islands gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Orkney Islands usually receives less rain than Interlaken. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Interlaken in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Orkney Islands as well as Interlaken. The hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Orkney Islands this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Interlaken for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Orkney Islands is generally cooler than Interlaken. Daily temperatures in Orkney Islands average around 9°C (48°F), and Interlaken fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Orkney Islands often gets less sunshine than Interlaken. Orkney Islands gets 73 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 120 hours of full sun.

Orkney Islands receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Orkney Islands usually gets more rain in October than Interlaken. Orkney Islands gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Interlaken in the Winter?

Both Interlaken and Orkney Islands are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Orkney Islands for the museums and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Interlaken in the winter for the skiing and the cuisine.

Interlaken can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Orkney Islands. Orkney Islands is a little warmer than Interlaken in the winter. The daily temperature in Orkney Islands averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Interlaken fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Orkney Islands usually receives less sunshine than Interlaken during winter. Orkney Islands gets 29 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Orkney Islands. In January, Orkney Islands usually receives more rain than Interlaken. Orkney Islands gets 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Interlaken in the Spring?

Both Interlaken and Orkney Islands during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Orkney Islands in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Interlaken for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Orkney Islands is much colder than Interlaken. Typically, the spring temperatures in Orkney Islands in April average around 6°C (43°F), and Interlaken averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In the spring, Orkney Islands often gets less sunshine than Interlaken. Orkney Islands gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 150 hours of full sun.

Orkney Islands usually gets less rain in April than Interlaken. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Interlaken and Orkney Islands