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

Should you visit Outer Hebrides or Interlaken?

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 Interlaken. 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 stunning, spectacular, and natural archipelago. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and hiking.

Interlaken

Interlaken is a adventurous, adrenaline-filled, and breathtaking town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include skiing, food, and hiking.

Outer Hebrides and Interlaken: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Outer Hebrides or Interlaken?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Interlaken. Although Outer Hebrides and Interlaken are both popular with visitors, Interlaken has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Interlaken is more popular for its skiing, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Outer Hebrides is known for its beaches. Interlaken is more touristy than Outer Hebrides and is known for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. It is also home to its many mountain views.. Outer Hebrides is popular for its scenic beauty, fresh seafood, and distilleries.

How is Outer Hebrides different from Interlaken?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Outer Hebrides or Interlaken Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is a good destination for skiing and snowboarding. However, Outer Hebrides is not a skiing destination.

Interlaken is a great destination for skiing with plenty areas to explore. 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.

Outer Hebrides is not a skiing destination.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Outer Hebrides and Interlaken 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 Interlaken. 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 Outer Hebrides or Interlaken Better for Beaches?

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

Outer Hebrides is a very popular place to visit for its 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.

Interlaken is not a beach destination.

Is Outer Hebrides or Interlaken Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Outer Hebrides and Interlaken, and they are first-rate.

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.

People visit Interlaken specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. 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.

Is Outer Hebrides or Interlaken Better for Families?

Interlaken is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Outer Hebrides is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Interlaken is very family-friendly. 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!

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Outer Hebrides. 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.

Is Outer Hebrides or Interlaken Better for Couples?

Interlaken is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Outer Hebrides is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Interlaken is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

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.

Is Outer Hebrides or Interlaken Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Outer Hebrides and Interlaken are both good destinations for backpackers.

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.

Plenty of budget travelers 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 Outer Hebrides or Interlaken Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Interlaken. Buses travel around town, but to get into the mountains there are trains, cog railways, funiculars, and gondolas.

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 Interlaken a more walkable city?

Interlaken is a good destination for its walkability. However, Outer Hebrides is not a walkable destination.

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

Outer Hebrides is not a walkable destination.

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

Should I spend more time in Interlaken or Outer Hebrides?

How long in Outer Hebrides or Interlaken?

In either Outer Hebrides or Interlaken, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Outer Hebrides than Interlaken because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 4-10 days is a good amount of time for Outer Hebrides, and 2-5 days is enough time in Interlaken.

Families should spend more time in Interlaken than Outer Hebrides. 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 Outer Hebrides. 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 Interlaken 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 Interlaken.

One day in Outer Hebrides or Interlaken?

With food around the stunning archipelago of Outer Hebrides, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. 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 Outer Hebrides or Interlaken?

With food around the destination of Outer Hebrides, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. 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 Outer Hebrides or Interlaken?

Outer Hebrides, 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 Outer Hebrides or Interlaken?

Outer Hebrides 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 of the main draws to the area is the hiking. 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 Sightseeing Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in 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 Outer Hebrides and Interlaken, we can see that Interlaken 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 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 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 Interlaken Expensive?.

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

Both Interlaken and Outer Hebrides are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Outer Hebrides for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Interlaken in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Outer Hebrides is much colder than Interlaken in the summer. The daily temperature in Outer Hebrides averages around 13°C (55°F) in July, and Interlaken fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Interlaken. Outer Hebrides usually receives less sunshine than Interlaken during summer. Outer Hebrides gets 117 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Outer Hebrides usually receives less rain than Interlaken. Outer Hebrides gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Outer Hebrides or Interlaken in the Autumn?

Both Interlaken and Outer Hebrides during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Outer Hebrides in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Interlaken for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Outer Hebrides is cooler than Interlaken. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Outer Hebrides in October average around 9°C (49°F), and Interlaken averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Outer Hebrides often gets less sunshine than Interlaken. Outer Hebrides gets 83 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 120 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Outer Hebrides. Outer Hebrides usually gets more rain in October than Interlaken. Outer Hebrides gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Outer Hebrides or Interlaken in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Outer Hebrides and Interlaken. Most visitors come to Outer Hebrides for the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the skiing and the cuisine.

The weather in Interlaken can be very cold. Outer Hebrides can be very cold during winter. In January, Outer Hebrides is generally a little warmer than Interlaken. Daily temperatures in Outer Hebrides average around 4°C (40°F), and Interlaken fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Outer Hebrides usually receives less sunshine than Interlaken during winter. Outer Hebrides gets 33 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.

Outer Hebrides gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Outer Hebrides usually receives more rain than Interlaken. Outer Hebrides gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Outer Hebrides or Interlaken in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Outer Hebrides as well as Interlaken. The spring months attract visitors to Outer Hebrides because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Additionally, the natural beauty are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year.

Outer Hebrides is much colder than Interlaken in the spring. The daily temperature in Outer Hebrides averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Interlaken fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the spring, Outer Hebrides often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Interlaken. Outer Hebrides gets 149 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 150 hours of full sun.

Outer Hebrides usually gets less rain in April than Interlaken. Outer Hebrides gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Interlaken and Outer Hebrides