A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bath vs. Murren for Couples, Families, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Bath or Murren?

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 Bath and Murren can help you decide which place is right for you.

Bath

Bath is a architectural, charming, and historical spa town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Murren

Murren is a serene, authentic, and breathtaking town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include skiing, food, and hiking.

Bath and Murren: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bath or Murren?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bath. Although Bath and Murren are both popular with visitors, Bath has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Bath is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Murren is known for its skiing, hiking, and small town charm. Bath is popular for its world-renowned Roman built baths as well as its historical architecture and many museums. It is also home to The Historic Roman Baths. Murren is popular for its spectacular mountain views, authentically local atmosphere, and world class hiking and skiing.

The Historic Roman Baths

How is Bath different from Murren?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Bath or Murren Better for Skiing?

Murren is an unbeatable place for skiing and snowboarding. However, Bath is not a skiing destination.

Murren is among the world's best ski destinations. If you're visiting in the winter, you're in luck because the scenery and the slopes are both amazing. The top of Schilthorn is quickly accessed from the gondola and ski lifts, and heading down you'll find some difficult runs along with easier slopes. Enjoy your apres-ski in the village with cozy drinks and a dinner of fondue. And with more time, you can easily get across the valley to the Grindelwald-Wengen ski area, too.

Bath is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bath or Murren?

Bath is an amazing spa town to visit for its museums and landmarks. However, Murren is not particularly known for its historical sights.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Bath that are not to be missed. The main draw to Bath is the rich history and most sights are focused on the area's spa city past. The Roman Baths are a highlight of a trip to the city, but other not to be missed places include Bath Abbey, the Royal Crescent, and Pulteney Bridge.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Murren. You don't visit this area for the museums, so if you're looking for an indoor activity on a rainy day, your options are limited.

Is the Food Better in Bath or Murren? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Bath and Murren can be an enjoyable experience.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Bath. Sample afternoon tea or try some local fish and chips. There are a diversity of restaurants to choose from so it's easy to find local favorites, vegetarian options, or international cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Murren. If you can afford the prices, you'll enjoy some great meals of fondue or local steak. There aren't many restaurants in town and some of the best are attached to the hotels. Those on a tight budget will be frustrated because cheap eats are hard to come by. You may as well pay a little more and enjoy a high quality, fine dining experience.

Is Bath or Murren Better for Nightlife?

Bath is a spa town with good options for nightlife. However, Murren is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

Bath has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Head to George Street, which is the liveliest part of the city at night. You'll find a mix of high end restaurants, pubs, and cocktail bars that keep the energy high. One of the most popular nightlife venues in Bath is Bath Komedia, which is a popular music and comedy club.

Murren doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a quiet and residential town that is more about the daytime activities than the nightlife scene.

Is Bath or Murren Better for its Old Town?

Bath is well known for its historic old town. However, Murren does not have a historic old town.

Bath is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The Roman old town has charming streets and a vibrant environment. On pleasant weekends you'll find tourists and locals alike filling the restaurants and town squares, giving the city an energy and lively atmosphere.

Murren does not have a historic old town.

Is Bath or Murren Better for Hiking?

Murren is an unbeatable place for its hiking trails. However, Bath is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Murren specifically for its hiking. Hiking trails pass right through the town, connecting the many alpine towns in the area. There are hikes for all levels, and each offers stunning views of the surrounding peaks, which include Eiger, Jungfrau, and Monch.

Bath is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bath or Murren?

Bath is well known for shopping. However, Murren is not particularly known for its shopping opportunities.

Bath is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Head to Stall Street and Union Street for the most popular shopping streets in town. Many visitors pick up jewelry, glass, and fudge or other sweets while exploring the area.

Shopping in Murren can be found for those interested. Aside from a food market or two, there aren't many shops in town and prices for everything are a bit high.

Is Bath or Murren Better for Families?

Murren is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Bath is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Murren is a very family-friendly destination. Kid-friendly activities are everywhere in this amazing town. Take the Allmendhubel Funicular Train and explore one of the coolest playgrounds ever! Family-friendly trails abound and outdoor adventures with spectacular views are fun for everyone.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Bath. The city is all about history and architecture, so at times it can be challenging for the kids to stay entertained. For a change of pace, take a boat on the canal or explore one of the beautiful gardens.

Is Bath or Murren Better for Couples?

Both Bath and Murren are amazing destinations to visit as a couple.

For those traveling as a couple, Bath has plenty to offer. With its beautiful architecture and fascinating history, this city is perfect for couples. Take a canal cruise or wander through the scenic areas to enjoy a romantic trip.

Murren has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. This small town offers charming hotels, hidden viewpoints, and romantic hikes through the Alps. If you want to experience an authentic side to the Alps, then stay in this town and explore the many hiking trails in the area.

Is Bath or Murren Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bath is a spa town with good options for backpackers. However, Murren is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Bath is a good spa town to visit for backpackers. You'll find a surprising number of hostels around town so it's not hard to meet other backpackers while you're in the area.

Murren is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't any hostels in town so it's a bit difficult to stay in Murren as a backpacker. There are a number of charming hostels in the surrounding area though and they each have a unique local character.

Is Bath or Murren Better for Students?

Bath is well known for students. However, Murren is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Bath. The University of Bath offers a number of different programs so this is a popular city for local and international students.

Murren is not popular with students.

Is Bath or Murren Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find good public transit in both Bath and Murren.

Bath has some public transit options. You likely won't need public transit because it's easy to walk most places, but there are buses around town.

You'll find some public transit in Murren, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Train, cable car, and funicular are the only ways to reach this car-free town.

Is Bath or Murren a more walkable city?

Bath and Murren are amazing when it comes to walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Bath. It is a very walkable city with most sights and activities packed into a very compact area. There are also many pedestrian areas that are easy to explore on foot.

Getting around Murren on foot is easy. It's a small town with a very limited number of vehicles so it's best explored on foot. There are also many walking trails in the area.

For even more information, also check out Is Bath Worth Visiting? and Is Murren Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Murren or Bath?

How long in Bath or Murren?

It's fun to spend time in either Bath or Murren. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Murren due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bath, and 2-4 days is enough time in Murren.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bath than Murren 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 Bath.

One day in Bath or Murren?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bath. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Murren is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and skiing. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Bath or Murren?

Bath is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, 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.

Murren is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

Five days in Bath or Murren?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bath. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Murren is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bath or Murren?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the architectural destination of Bath. This spa town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Because Murren is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Luxury Tours to Switzerland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Switzerland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bath or Murren?

Bath has a larger population, and is about 210 times larger than the population of Murren. When comparing the sizes of Bath and Murren, 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.