A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Auckland vs. Bern for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Auckland or Bern?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Auckland and Bern can help you decide which place is right for you.

Auckland

Auckland is a adventurous, adrenaline-filled, and thrill-seeking city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Bern

Bern is a charming, beautiful, and cultural city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Auckland and Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Auckland or Bern?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Auckland than Bern. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Auckland is very popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, hiking, and big city activities, while Bern attracts visitors for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Auckland is more touristy than Bern and is popular for its waterfront setting, diverse beaches, and active and adrenaline-filled environment. It is also well known for the Sky Tower. Bern is famous for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory.

How is Auckland different from Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Auckland or Bern?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Auckland and Bern.

Many visitors head to Auckland specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The waterfront is filled with sights for tourists, and many of the city's attractions are geared towards thrill seekers. The Sky Tower is a popular landmark with its Sky Walk and Sky Jump. There are also many thrilling experiences that you can have along the Harbour Bridge. For museums, head to the New Zealand Maritime Museum, the Auckland Art Gallery, or the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Bern can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with architecture and charming character. While you're in town make sure you visit the Einstein Museum, the Clock Tower, and the Bern Cathedral.

Is the Food Better in Auckland or Bern? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Auckland is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Auckland makes for a great culinary experience. The city has a diverse selection of restaurants, but you'll also find many places that highlight local ingredients such as seafood and lamb. You'll often find the standard dishes such as fish and chips, oysters, and green-lipped mussels on the menus.

Bern has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city has cozy cafes, high end fine dining, traditional eateries, and modern venues.

Is Auckland or Bern Better for Nightlife?

Auckland is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Auckland offers plenty to do in the evening. The city has a cosmopolitan atmosphere and there are many bars and clubs that you can explore in the evening. Some of the best nightlife options are found in the vibrant Britomart precinct and around the trendy Ponsonby Road. Other popular areas include Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Bern. There are bars, Irish pubs, and clubs around town.

Is Auckland or Bern Better for Beaches?

Auckland is a well-known place for its beaches. However, Bern is not a beach destination.

Auckland is considered a top beach destination. You don't have to head too far from the city to find some impressive beaches that are diverse and beautiful. There are beaches that are secluded and private as well as more lively beaches with all of the amenities and activities that you might want.

Bern is not a beach destination.

Is Auckland or Bern Better for its Old Town?

Bern is an excellent place to visit for its old town. However, Auckland does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Bern. The charming old town is filled with quaint alleys and sandstone buildings. It's a compact area that flows down a hill to the River Aare.

Auckland does not have a historic old town.

Is Auckland or Bern Better for Hiking?

Auckland is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Bern is not a hiking destination.

Auckland is a good destination for hiking. Locals love to get outdoors, and you'll find many local hikes in the area. There are easy paths that are family-friendly and perfect for a stroll, as well as longer stretches that present more of a challenge.

Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Auckland or Bern?

Shoppers can find a variety of great stores in both Auckland and Bern.

Auckland is well-known for its shopping. The city centre is cosmopolitan and full of diverse shopping venues that sell international brands as well as local designers. Some of the most popular shopping areas are Britomart, High Street, and Queen Street.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Bern. The old town is filled with boutique shops and unique markets. The main shopping streets are Spitalgasse and Marktgasse and popular items to buy include jewelry, art, and watches.

Is Auckland or Bern Better for Families?

You'll find great kid-friendly activities in either Auckland or Bern.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Auckland is very family-friendly. There's a big focus on getting kids outside in the city, so you'll find many outdoor parks and play spaces. Popular activities for families include visiting the Huia Lodge Discovery Centre, going to the Museum of Transport and Technology, and wandering through the botanical garden.

Bern is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. This charming town has riverside parks and pools, a zoo, a waterpark, and kid-friendly museums that the whole family can enjoy. You can also visit nearby Gurten, a mountain with tobogganing, concerts, and a mini ski resort.

Is Auckland or Bern Better for Couples?

Both Auckland and Bern are great destinations to visit as a couple.

Auckland makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many romantic restaurants in the city, as well as spas, cocktail bars, and evening venues. Couples will also enjoy one of the many thrill-seeking activities that New Zealand is famous for.

Couples visit Bern frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With charming restaurants, a beautiful rose garden, and nice hotels and spas, this town makes a beautiful romantic getaway.

Is Auckland or Bern Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Auckland and Bern are both great destinations for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Auckland. Auckland is high on many backpackers' wish list, and usually they pass through the city at some point during their trip. You'll find a number of hostels in the city that are perfect for socializing and saving money.

Bern is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. Like most of Switzerland, prices are a bit high, but there are some hostels and free activities that backpackers and budget travelers can enjoy.

Is Auckland or Bern Better for Students?

Auckland is a well-known place for students. However, Bern is not popular with students.

Auckland is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. Some of the country's best universities are found in the city, many of which are popular with international students.

Bern is not popular with students.

Is Auckland or Bern Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bern is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Auckland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Bern can get you around easily. There are trams and buses that run around town.

You'll find some public transit in Auckland, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a mishmash of different public transit options, and trips often include a variety of modes of transport. In the city you'll find ferries, trains, and buses to help you get around.

Is Auckland or Bern a more walkable city?

Bern is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Auckland is lacking in options for its ease of walking around.

Bern is a very walkable city. It's fun to explore the old town on foot. It is compact enough to that you can see all of the highlights in a few hours.

Auckland is generally not very walkable. It is a very car-centric city and it can be challenging to explore on foot alone.

For even more information, also check out Is Auckland Worth Visiting? and Is Bern Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bern or Auckland?

How long in Auckland or Bern?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Auckland and Bern. In our opinion, Auckland has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Auckland than Bern. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Auckland, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bern.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Auckland than Bern 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 Auckland.

One day in Auckland or Bern?

Auckland is a big city destination where you can fill many days. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

The beautiful city of Bern offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Auckland or Bern?

Auckland is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Bern is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bern, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Auckland or Bern?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the adrenaline-filled big city of Auckland. This city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Bern is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Auckland or Bern?

The adventurous city of Auckland offers nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Bern is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Auckland and Bern, we can see that Bern is more expensive. And not only is Auckland much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Auckland is in Pacific and Bern 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 Auckland would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Auckland 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 Bern would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bern than you might in Auckland.

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

Which is Bigger, Auckland or Bern?

Auckland has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Auckland and Bern, 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 Auckland or Bern?

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

Should I visit Auckland or Bern in the Summer?

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

In January, Auckland is generally around the same temperature as Bernin July. Daily temperatures in Auckland average around 20°C (68°F), and Bern fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bern. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Auckland this time of the year. In the summer, Auckland often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bernin July. Auckland gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 250 hours of full sun.

Auckland usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Bernin July. Auckland gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bern receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Auckland or Bern in the Autumn?

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

Auckland is a little warmer than Bern in the autumn. The daily temperature in Auckland averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Bern fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in October.

Auckland usually receives more sunshine than Bern during autumn. Auckland gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In April, Auckland usually receives more rain than Bernin October. Auckland gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Bern receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Auckland or Bern in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bern. In the winter, Auckland is much warmer than Bern. Typically, the winter temperatures in Auckland in July average around 11°C (52°F), and Bern averages at about 3°C (37°F)in January.

In the winter, Auckland often gets more sunshine than Bernin January. Auckland gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 65 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Auckland. Auckland usually gets more rain in July than Bernin January. Auckland gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Bern receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Auckland or Bern in the Spring?

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

In October, Auckland is generally a little warmer than Bernin April. Daily temperatures in Auckland average around 14°C (58°F), and Bern fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Auckland usually receives more sunshine than Bern during spring. Auckland gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 164 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Auckland usually receives more rain than Bernin April. Auckland gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Bern receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bern and Auckland