A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sydney vs. Interlaken for Nightlife, Hiking, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Sydney or Interlaken?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sydney or Interlaken, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Sydney

Sydney is a adventurous, glamorous , and diverse city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Sydney is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Sydney travel costs.

Interlaken

Interlaken is a world-class, stunning, and adventurous town. The famous beauty of Interlaken is one of the main draws. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and skiing. See Interlaken travel costs.

Sydney and Interlaken: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sydney or Interlaken?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Sydney than Interlaken, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Sydney is better known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Interlaken is more popular for its skiing, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Interlaken is more touristy than Sydney and is popular for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. Sydney is well known for its iconic buildings, world-renowned beaches, colorful nightlife, and cosmopolitan restaurants. Also, Sydney is famous for the Sydney Opera House.

How is Sydney different from Interlaken?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Sydney or Interlaken Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is a nice place to visit for winter skiing. However, Sydney 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.

Sydney is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sydney or Interlaken?

Sydney is a world-class destination for its museums and history. However, Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Sydney from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The city is filled with iconic and world famous landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There's also the famous Royal Botanic Garden and the Sydney Tower Eye.

Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Sydney and Interlaken can be an enjoyable experience.

Dining out in Sydney is an experience not to be missed. There are international restaurants offering impressive dishes from around the world. You'll also find some local Australian favorites around town. Seafood is abundant, as are a number of Asian cuisines. Barramundi is a local fish that you'll find on many menus. Oysters, prawns, and John Dory (a local fish) are also popular.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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 Sydney or Interlaken Better for Nightlife?

Sydney is a world-class destination for nightlife. Also, Interlaken is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

People head to Sydney just to party. The city is filled with nightclubs and DJ hosted dance parties. There's a huge young crowd that brings together residents, students, and backpackers in a vibrant nightlife scene. Some of the best areas for nightlife are Kings Cross, Oxford Street, Surry Hills or Darling Harbour.

The people in Interlaken know how to have a good time. There are tons of pubs and bars around town. This is the best way to meet locals and makes for a fun night out on the town. The atmosphere is generally laid back and relaxed, which matches the mellow vibe of the town.

Is Sydney or Interlaken Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sydney is very good for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Interlaken is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving in Sydney. There's some good snorkeling and diving nearby with a diversity of marine life and interesting ecosystems. Some of the best snorkeling spots are at Palm Beach, Shelly Beach, and Clifton Gardens.

Interlaken is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sydney or Interlaken Better for Beaches?

Sydney is a world-class destination for its beaches. However, Interlaken is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Sydney is a very popular vacation destination. There are more than 100 beaches near the city with everything from hidden coves to world famous destinations. Bondi Beach is the most famous beach in town and it has all of the tourist sights and activities that you could need. Surfers often head to Bronte Beach, which isn't too far away. Divers and snorkelers love Gordons Bay. Manly is also a nearby suburb with family-friendly beaches that can be reached by ferry.

Interlaken is not a beach destination.

Is Sydney or Interlaken Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. Also, Sydney is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

Known for its hiking, Interlaken draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. 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.

Many visitors go to Sydney for the hiking trails. The city offers a number of coastal and inland trails that are easily accessible from town. There are short paths as well as multi-day routes not far and pass by stunning landscapes and viewpoints.

Is the Shopping Better in Sydney or Interlaken?

Sydney is a world-class destination for shopping. However, Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Sydney. There's a wonderful mix of shopping streets, modern malls, and boutique vendors who sell local fashions. For souvenirs or local art, go to The Rocks, which is not far from Sydney Opera House. The Queen Victoria Building and Strand Arcade are also popular shopping areas.

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Sydney or Interlaken More Beautiful?

Interlaken is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. Also, Sydney is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The famous beauty of Interlaken is one of the main draws. While the city itself has a lot of charm and character, it's really about exploring the surrounding countryside. There are world class hikes, stunning vistas, and adrenaline-filled adventure sports that you shouldn't miss.

Sydney is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The waterfront setting and grand buildings make this a truly beautiful city. It also has a lot of natural beauty with impressive beaches and nice green spaces.

Is Sydney or Interlaken Better for Families?

Sydney and Interlaken are both terrific destinations for the whole family.

Sydney is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. The city has great beaches where kids can learn to surf, zoos and aquariums with local wildlife, and outdoor activities that take advantage of the city's waterfront location. There's everything from whale watching to visiting the Olympic Park, all of which will fascinate kids of all ages.

Interlaken is an extremely popular city to visit for families. 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!

Is Sydney or Interlaken Better for Couples?

Sydney and Interlaken are both terrific to visit as a couple.

Sydney has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It's a romantic city that's filled with iconic landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. There are also award winning restaurants and world class beaches. Wander around the botanical gardens or take a sailing cruise on the harbor. There is an endless supply of romantic activities to choose from.

Interlaken is a great city for couples, as it 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.

Is Sydney or Interlaken Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sydney is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Interlaken is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Sydney. It's popular for its adventure sports, active beaches, and vibrant nightlife. While it's not a particularly cheap city to visit, there are plenty of hostels around town and no shortage of backpackers to hang out with.

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 Sydney or Interlaken Better for Students?

Sydney is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Interlaken is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Sydney. Students love the energy and plethora of outdoor activities in this beautiful city. Many international students come not only for the excellent universities but also for the diverse environment and many things to do.

Interlaken is not popular with students.

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

Sydney is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Interlaken is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

With a huge network, the transit system in Sydney can get you around easily. There are a variety of types of public transit in town including buses, trains, ferries and light rail.

Interlaken has some very good public transit options. Buses travel around town, but to get into the mountains there are trains, cog railways, funiculars, and gondolas.

Is Sydney or Interlaken a more walkable city?

Sydney is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, Interlaken is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Sydney is very walkable. The city center and nearby suburbs are relatively easy to walk around. On the western side of the city, the suburbs are much less walkable.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Interlaken or Sydney?

How long in Sydney or Interlaken?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sydney 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 Sydney.

One day in Sydney or Interlaken?

When visiting Sydney, people usually allow for lots of time. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Interlaken. 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.

A weekend in Sydney or Interlaken?

When visiting Sydney, people usually allow for lots of time. 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. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Sydney or Interlaken?

Sydney, a popular city, 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 city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

A week in Sydney or Interlaken?

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the adventurous destination of Interlaken. This town 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 Contiki Tours to Australia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia, 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 Sydney and Interlaken, we can see that Interlaken is more expensive. And not only is Sydney much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sydney is in Pacific and Interlaken is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Sydney would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sydney 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 Sydney.

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

Which is Bigger, Sydney or Interlaken?

Sydney has a larger population, and is about 870 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Sydney and Interlaken, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Sydney or Interlaken?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Sydney is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Interlaken has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Sydney or Interlaken in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sydney as well as Interlaken. Most visitors come to Sydney for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Sydney is around the same temperature as Interlaken. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sydney in January average around 23°C (73°F), and Interlaken averages at about 21°C (70°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Interlaken. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sydney this time of the year. In the summer, Sydney often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Interlakenin July. Sydney gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 241 hours of full sun.

Sydney receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sydney usually gets more rain in January than Interlakenin July. Sydney gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sydney or Interlaken in the Autumn?

Both Interlaken and Sydney are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Sydney because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year.

In April, Sydney is generally a little warmer than Interlakenin October. Daily temperatures in Sydney average around 19°C (65°F), and Interlaken fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Sydney usually receives more sunshine than Interlaken during autumn. Sydney gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Sydney. In April, Sydney usually receives more rain than Interlakenin October. Sydney gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Sydney or Interlaken in the Winter?

Both Interlaken and Sydney during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sydney this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Interlaken for the skiing and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Interlaken. Sydney is much warmer than Interlaken in the winter. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 12°C (53°F) in July, and Interlaken fluctuates around 3°C (37°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Sydney. In the winter, Sydney often gets more sunshine than Interlakenin January. Sydney gets 208 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 55 hours of full sun.

Sydney usually gets less rain in July than Interlakenin January. Sydney gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sydney or Interlaken in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sydney and Interlaken. Many travelers come to Sydney for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Interlaken in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Sydney is much warmer than Interlaken. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sydney in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Interlaken averages at about 12°C (53°F)in April.

In Sydney, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sydney usually receives more sunshine than Interlaken during spring. Sydney gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Sydney usually receives around the same amount of rain as Interlakenin April. Sydney gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Interlaken and Sydney