Comparison · Banff vs Interlaken · Canada / Switzerland
Banff vs Interlaken
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Ethan Sahagun, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Banff for Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and free sights; choose Interlaken for Jungfraujoch, Lauterbrunnen valley and a milder winter. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 7,865 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 7,865 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Banff
- June–September
- Best time for Interlaken
- June–September
Side by side
| Banff | Interlaken | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Canada | Switzerland |
| Known for | Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Banff Gondola | Jungfraujoch, Lauterbrunnen valley and Paragliding |
| Best time to visit | June–September | June–September |
| Ideal stay | 5 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $250–$450 | $260–$450 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Very expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 22°C (72°F) | July, 23°C (73°F) |
| Coldest month | January, -5°C (23°F) | January, 2°C (36°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 7 | 4 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | YYC | ZRH, GVA, BSL |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Banff for…
Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and free sights. Banff is a small town inside Banff National Park, Canada's first national park, about 130 km west of Calgary in the Rocky Mountains. Banff Avenue's hotels, restaurants and outfitters sit beneath Cascade Mountain, with the Banff Gondola, Upper Hot Springs and…
Choose Interlaken for…
Jungfraujoch, Lauterbrunnen valley and a milder winter. Interlaken is a small resort town on the flat strip of land between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, with the Jungfrau, Mönch and Eiger rising directly to the south. Most visitors use it as a base: mountain railways from Interlaken Ost reach Grindelwald and…
Top sights compared
| # | Banff | Interlaken |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Louise | Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe |
| 2 | Moraine Lake | Harder Kulm |
| 3 | Banff Gondola | Höhematte |
| 4 | Banff Upper Hot Springs | Lauterbrunnen and Staubbach Falls |
| 5 | Johnston Canyon | Trümmelbach Falls |
Food compared
| Banff | Interlaken |
|---|---|
| Alberta beef | Rösti |
| Bison and elk | Cheese fondue |
| Cheese fondue | Cheese toast |
| Poutine | Bernese platter |
Which is cheaper?
Banff and Interlaken cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $250–$450 in Banff and $260–$450 in Interlaken (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Banff on a budget.
Can you visit both?
They are about 7,865 km apart, so combining them means a flight. With 10 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Banff or Interlaken cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $250–$450 in Banff and $260–$450 in Interlaken (estimates).
+Is Banff or Interlaken better for a first trip?
Pick Banff for Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and free sights, or Interlaken for Jungfraujoch, Lauterbrunnen valley and a milder winter.
+How far is Banff from Interlaken?
About 7,865 km in a straight line.