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

Should you visit Bern or Atlanta?

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

Should I visit Bern or Atlanta? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Bern

Bern is a cultural, historic, and charming city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Atlanta

Atlanta is a sprawling, suburban, and cultural city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bern and Atlanta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Atlanta?

You'll generally find more things to do in Atlanta than Bern. Atlanta is bigger than Bern, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Atlanta is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Bern is more popular for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Bern is well known for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory. Atlanta is well known for its world class aquarium, its role as host of the 1996 Olympic Games, and its influence during the Civil Rights Movement. Also, Atlanta is famous for the Georgia Aquarium.

How is Bern different from Atlanta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Atlanta is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Atlanta that are not to be missed. The museums range in topic from history to science and art. The country's largest aquarium, the Georgia Aquarium, is in Atlanta as well. It's home to whale sharks, stingrays, and a diversity of marine life. Other museums around town include the Atlanta History Center, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, the High Museum of Art, the World of Coca Cola, the David J. Sencer CDC Museum, and the Delta Flight Museum. There are also many monuments and sites including the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site.

Many visitors head to Bern specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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 Bern or Atlanta? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Atlanta 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, Atlanta makes for a great culinary experience. It's a huge city with a wide selection of restaurants including international, local, and classic southern styles. Fried chicken, biscuits, diner food, and barbecue are all popular. For a classic southern breakfast check out The OK Cafe and for a quintessential Atlanta experience go to The Varsity.

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 Bern or Atlanta Better for Nightlife?

Atlanta 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.

Atlanta offers plenty to do in the evening. The nightlife scene is diverse with trendy bars, dance clubs, and huge music halls. There are a number of neighborhoods that each have their own atmosphere. For some of the best nightlife check out the upscale bars in Buckhead, the music venues in Midtown, the hipster vibe in Edgewood, or the laid-back atmosphere in Virginia Highland.

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

Is Bern or Atlanta Better for its Old Town?

Bern is a great city for its historic old town charm. However, Atlanta does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Bern to see the historical old town. 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.

Atlanta does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Atlanta?

Atlanta is renowned for shopping. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Atlanta is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are a number of great shopping districts around town. Atlantic Station is popular with a movie theater and ice skating. Buckhead has boutique and local vendors and Lenox Square has a large shopping mall.

Bern is well-known for its shopping. 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 Bern or Atlanta Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Bern or Atlanta.

Bern is 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.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Atlanta is very family-friendly. There is no shortage of playgrounds around town, but a highlight of any trip is a visit to the Georgia Aquarium. It's the largest aquarium in the United States and its home to whale sharks, hammerheads, dolphin shows, and more. It is so much more than just an aquarium, and it truly is a not to be missed experience. Also worth a visit are Zoo Atlanta, the Center of Puppetry Arts, Stone Mountain, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, and the Lego Discovery Center. If you have the chance to see the Atlanta Braves play, that's also a rewarding experience.

Is Bern or Atlanta Better for Couples?

Bern is a great city for couples. Also, Atlanta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Bern is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. With charming restaurants, a beautiful rose garden, and nice hotels and spas, this town makes a beautiful romantic getaway.

Atlanta is a nice destination for couples. It's a big city, so there are a number of date night activities available such as orchestra concerts, theater shows, and fine dining. The city also has many outdoor areas like Lake Lanier and Piedmont Park. The Georgia Aquarium is world class, and there are other amazing museums around town as well.

Is Bern or Atlanta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bern is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Atlanta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Bern. Like most of Switzerland, prices are a bit high, but there are some hostels and free activities that backpackers and budget travelers can enjoy.

Atlanta is a good city to visit for backpackers. While it's usually overlooked by backpackers, there are actually a couple of hostels around town and a surprising number of activities worth experiencing. The city's large airport make it a convenient entry point for international travelers.

Is Bern or Atlanta Better for Students?

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

Atlanta is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There are a number of universities in town such as Emory, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, and Morehouse College. The city is sprawling, but it's also full of entertainment and activities that students will enjoy.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Bern is a great city for times when you don't have a car. However, Atlanta is not known for its public transit.

Bern offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are trams and buses that run around town.

Public transit is generally limited in Atlanta. For such a large city, the public transportation system is very limited. MARTA is the main transit authority and there are a few subway lines that cross the city as well as bus routes running around town.

Is Bern or Atlanta a more walkable city?

Bern is a great city for its ease of walking around. Also, Atlanta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Bern is a very walkable destination. 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.

Atlanta is somewhat walkable. Parts of the city are walkable, but most of the sights are spread out and require a car to access. Within neighborhoods, there are a few places that are more pedestrian-friendly such as Downtown, Midtown, Virginia Highlands, and Buckhead.

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

Should I spend more time in Atlanta or Bern?

How long in Bern or Atlanta?

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

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

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

One day in Bern or Atlanta?

In Bern, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Atlanta is a big city destination where you can fill many days. 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 Bern or Atlanta?

In Bern, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bern has to offer.

Atlanta is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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 Bern or Atlanta?

Bern is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural big city of Atlanta. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bern or Atlanta?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bern. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bern. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

The sprawling city of Atlanta offers nightlife and food. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bern and Atlanta, we can see that Bern is more expensive. And not only is Atlanta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bern is in Europe and Atlanta is in North America, 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 Atlanta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Atlanta 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 Atlanta.

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Atlanta?

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

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bern or Atlanta in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bern as well as Atlanta. Many travelers come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Atlanta in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bern is generally cooler than Atlanta. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 21°C (70°F), and Atlanta fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Atlanta. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bern this time of the year. In the summer, Bern often gets less sunshine than Atlanta. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlanta receives 271 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Atlanta. Bern usually gets less rain in July than Atlanta. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Atlanta in the Autumn?

Both Atlanta and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Bern in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Atlanta for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Bern is cooler than Atlanta in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Atlanta fluctuates around 66°F (19°C).

It's quite sunny in Atlanta. Bern usually receives less sunshine than Atlanta during autumn. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies, while Atlanta receives 222 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bern usually receives less rain than Atlanta. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bern or Atlanta in the Winter?

Both Atlanta and Bern during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Atlanta because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bern can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Bern is much colder than Atlanta. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bern in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Atlanta averages at about 45°F (7°C).

In the winter, Bern often gets less sunshine than Atlanta. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlanta receives 164 hours of full sun.

Atlanta gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bern usually gets less rain in January than Atlanta. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Atlanta in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Atlanta. The spring months attract visitors to Bern because of the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Atlanta this time of year.

In April, Bern is generally much colder than Atlanta. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 11°C (52°F), and Atlanta fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Atlanta this time of the year. Bern usually receives less sunshine than Atlanta during spring. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Atlanta receives 262 hours of full sun in the spring.

Atlanta receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Bern usually receives less rain than Atlanta. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 4.1 inches (104 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Atlanta and Bern