Comparison · Hallstatt vs Interlaken · Austria / Switzerland
Hallstatt 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: C.Stadler/Bwag, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Hallstatt for Lakeside village views, Salt mine, lower day-to-day costs and a short break; choose Interlaken for Jungfraujoch, Lauterbrunnen valley and nightlife. Hallstatt is generally less expensive, and the two are about 448 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 448 km
- Less expensive
- Hallstatt
- Best time for Hallstatt
- May–June and September
- Best time for Interlaken
- June–September
Side by side
| Hallstatt | Interlaken | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Austria | Switzerland |
| Known for | Lakeside village views, Salt mine and UNESCO World Heritage | Jungfraujoch, Lauterbrunnen valley and Paragliding |
| Best time to visit | May–June and September | June–September |
| Ideal stay | 2 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $180–$320 | $260–$450 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Very expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 23°C (73°F) | July, 23°C (73°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 2°C (36°F) | January, 2°C (36°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 6 | 4 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | SZG, LNZ, VIE | ZRH, GVA, BSL |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Hallstatt for…
Lakeside village views, Salt mine, lower day-to-day costs and a short break. Hallstatt is a village of about 750 people squeezed onto a ledge between the Hallstätter See and steep mountainsides in the Salzkammergut, about 75 km southeast of Salzburg. Salt has been mined in the mountain above for some 7,000 years, giving its name to…
Choose Interlaken for…
Jungfraujoch, Lauterbrunnen valley and nightlife. 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
| # | Hallstatt | Interlaken |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Salzwelten Hallstatt salt mine | Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe |
| 2 | Skywalk 'Welterbeblick' | Harder Kulm |
| 3 | Beinhaus (Charnel House) | Höhematte |
| 4 | Catholic Parish Church of the Assumption | Lauterbrunnen and Staubbach Falls |
| 5 | Protestant church and lakeshore | Trümmelbach Falls |
Food compared
| Hallstatt | Interlaken |
|---|---|
| Reinanke | Rösti |
| Saibling | Cheese fondue |
| Steckerlfisch | Cheese toast |
| Kasnocken | Bernese platter |
Which is cheaper?
Hallstatt is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $180–$320 per person there, against $260–$450 in Interlaken (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Hallstatt on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Hallstatt and Interlaken are about 448 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 2 days in Hallstatt and 4 in Interlaken.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Hallstatt or Interlaken cheaper?
Hallstatt is usually less expensive: about $180–$320 a day mid-range against $260–$450 (estimates).
+Is Hallstatt or Interlaken better for a first trip?
Pick Hallstatt for Lakeside village views, Salt mine, lower day-to-day costs and a short break, or Interlaken for Jungfraujoch, Lauterbrunnen valley and nightlife.
+How far is Hallstatt from Interlaken?
About 448 km in a straight line.