A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Outer Hebrides vs. Geneva for Food, Couples, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Outer Hebrides or Geneva?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Outer Hebrides and Geneva. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Outer Hebrides

Outer Hebrides is a tranquil, serene, and remote archipelago. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, beaches, and hiking.

Geneva

Geneva is a international, professional, and classy city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Outer Hebrides and Geneva: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Outer Hebrides or Geneva?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Geneva. Although Outer Hebrides and Geneva are both popular with visitors, Geneva has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Geneva is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Outer Hebrides is known for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Geneva is more touristy than Outer Hebrides and is popular for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization. It is also home to The Geneva Water Fountain (The Jet d'Eau). Outer Hebrides is popular for its scenic beauty, fresh seafood, and distilleries.

How is Outer Hebrides different from Geneva?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Outer Hebrides or Geneva?

Geneva is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Outer Hebrides does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Geneva. 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.

Outer Hebrides does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Outer Hebrides or Geneva? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Outer Hebrides and Geneva can be an enjoyable experience.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Outer Hebrides. You'll find plenty of seafood, smokehouses, distilleries and crofting produce in the area. Most islands have independent restaurants as well as pubs and other local eateries to choose from.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Geneva. 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 Outer Hebrides or Geneva Better for Nightlife?

Geneva is a good destination for nightlife. However, Outer Hebrides is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Geneva. 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.

Outer Hebrides is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Outer Hebrides or Geneva Better for Beaches?

Outer Hebrides is a great destination for its beaches. However, Geneva is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Outer Hebrides for it's beautiful beaches. From white sand beaches to hidden coves, you'll enjoy a completely serene beach experience on these islands. You can get lost in the nature and soak up the surprisingly blue waters at any of the remote beaches. Favorite beaches in the area include Vatersay Bay, Coilleag a’Phrionnsa, West Coast Beach, and Crabhadail.

Geneva is not a beach destination.

Is Outer Hebrides or Geneva Better for its Old Town?

Geneva is a good destination for its historic old town. However, Outer Hebrides does not have a historic old town.

Geneva is a good destination for visiting its old town. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.

Outer Hebrides does not have a historic old town.

Is Outer Hebrides or Geneva Better for Hiking?

Outer Hebrides is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. However, Geneva is not a hiking destination.

Outer Hebrides is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The islands offer some of the area's best hiking. You'll pass by stunning beaches, see unique wildlife, and enjoy a remote and tranquil setting. Follow the Hebridean Way, which covers the full length of the archipelago. It spans 156 miles and goes through 10 islands with 2 ferry trips.

Geneva is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Outer Hebrides or Geneva?

Geneva is an unbeatable place for shopping. However, Outer Hebrides is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Geneva. 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.

Outer Hebrides is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Outer Hebrides or Geneva Better for Families?

Both Outer Hebrides and Geneva are good family-friendly destinations.

Outer Hebrides is a family-friendly archipelago. The beautiful outdoor setting is great for kids and adults alike. There are beaches to explore as well as kid-friendly museums. You can also try your hand at digging for cockles or head out on the water to watch for dolphins.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Geneva. 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 Outer Hebrides or Geneva Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Outer Hebrides frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Go island hopping and discover the countless beautiful beaches. You can take a boat trip or simply soak up the peaceful coastal setting.

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 Outer Hebrides or Geneva Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Outer Hebrides is a good destination for backpackers. However, Geneva is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Outer Hebrides. You'll need to take either a plane of ferry to reach the islands but once you're there you can camp and hike and soak up the tranquil 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 Outer Hebrides or Geneva Better for Students?

Geneva is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Outer Hebrides is not popular with students.

Many students visit Geneva. 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.

Outer Hebrides is not popular with students.

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

Geneva is an unbeatable place for times when you don't have a car. However, Outer Hebrides is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Visitors in Geneva can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

Public transit is generally limited in Outer Hebrides. There are buses that run doing the day between Monday and Saturday. In Stornoway you may be able to find some evening buses as well.

Is Outer Hebrides or Geneva a more walkable city?

Geneva is a very popular place for its walkability. However, Outer Hebrides is not a walkable destination.

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

Outer Hebrides is not a walkable destination.

For even more information, also check out Is Outer Hebrides Worth Visiting? and Is Geneva Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Geneva or Outer Hebrides?

How long in Outer Hebrides or Geneva?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Outer Hebrides and Geneva. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Outer Hebrides than in Geneva. Usually, 4-10 days is a good amount of time for Outer Hebrides, and 1-3 days is enough time in Geneva.

Families should spend more time in Geneva than Outer Hebrides. 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 Outer Hebrides 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 Outer Hebrides or Geneva?

Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Outer Hebrides. 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 Outer Hebrides or Geneva?

Outer Hebrides is a great place to explore. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. 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 Outer Hebrides or Geneva?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Outer Hebrides. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. 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 Outer Hebrides or Geneva?

Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the remote destination of Outer Hebrides. 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 Sightseeing Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in 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 Outer Hebrides and Geneva, we can see that Geneva is more expensive. And not only is Outer Hebrides much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Outer Hebrides would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Outer Hebrides 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 Outer Hebrides.

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

When is the best time to visit Outer Hebrides 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 Outer Hebrides or Geneva in the Summer?

Both Geneva and Outer Hebrides during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Outer Hebrides because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Geneva this time of year.

Outer Hebrides is much colder than Geneva in the summer. The daily temperature in Outer Hebrides averages around 13°C (55°F) in July, and Geneva fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

In Geneva, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Outer Hebrides often gets less sunshine than Geneva. Outer Hebrides gets 117 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Geneva receives 285 hours of full sun.

Outer Hebrides usually gets more rain in July than Geneva. Outer Hebrides gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Outer Hebrides or Geneva in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Outer Hebrides and Geneva. The hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Outer Hebrides this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Geneva for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Outer Hebrides is cooler than Geneva. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Outer Hebrides in October average around 9°C (49°F), and Geneva averages at about 14°C (56°F).

Outer Hebrides usually receives less sunshine than Geneva during autumn. Outer Hebrides gets 83 hours of sunny skies, while Geneva receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Outer Hebrides gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Outer Hebrides usually receives more rain than Geneva. Outer Hebrides gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Outer Hebrides or Geneva in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Outer Hebrides as well as Geneva. Many travelers come to Outer Hebrides for the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Geneva in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Geneva can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Outer Hebrides. In January, Outer Hebrides is generally a little warmer than Geneva. Daily temperatures in Outer Hebrides average around 4°C (40°F), and Geneva fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Outer Hebrides often gets less sunshine than Geneva. Outer Hebrides gets 33 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Geneva receives 62 hours of full sun.

Outer Hebrides receives a lot of rain in the winter. Outer Hebrides usually gets more rain in January than Geneva. Outer Hebrides gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Outer Hebrides or Geneva in the Spring?

Both Geneva and Outer Hebrides are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Outer Hebrides in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Geneva for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

Outer Hebrides is much colder than Geneva in the spring. The daily temperature in Outer Hebrides averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Geneva fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Outer Hebrides usually receives less sunshine than Geneva during spring. Outer Hebrides gets 149 hours of sunny skies, while Geneva receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Outer Hebrides usually receives around the same amount of rain as Geneva. Outer Hebrides gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Geneva and Outer Hebrides