A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bern vs. Auxerre for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Bern or Auxerre?

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

Should I visit Bern or Auxerre? 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.

Auxerre

Auxerre is a authentic, under-rated, and undiscovered town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for food and museums.

Bern and Auxerre: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Auxerre?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Bern than Auxerre, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Bern is better known for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Auxerre is more popular for its small town charm. Bern is more touristy than Auxerre and is popular for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory. Also, Bern is famous for The Zytglogge Clock Tower. Auxerre is well known for its food, wine, and art history.

How is Bern different from Auxerre?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Auxerre 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 Auxerre?

Bern is great for its historical sights. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

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.

Auxerre is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Although the town is often overlooked by tourists, there are many nice cathedrals and churches around town.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at notable restaurants in both Bern and Auxerre.

Bern offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city has cozy cafes, high end fine dining, traditional eateries, and modern venues.

Auxerre has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The town is a the heart of the wine industry, so you'll find many great restaurants where you can enjoy local food and wine.

Is Bern or Auxerre Better for Nightlife?

Bern is very good for its evening party scene. However, Auxerre is not a good destination for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Bern has a few options to choose from. There are bars, Irish pubs, and clubs around town.

Most people don't head to Auxerre specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It has a quiet nightlife with some nice bars and pubs.

Is Bern or Auxerre Better for its Old Town?

Bern is great for its historic old town charm. However, Auxerre 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.

Auxerre does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Auxerre?

Bern is great for its shopping areas. However, Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Bern or Auxerre Better for Families?

Bern is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Bern. 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.

Auxerre is a family-friendly place to visit. There's the Zoo de La Fleche and the Aquarium de Touraine. You can also wander through Musee de l'Avallon or des Plantes.

Is Bern or Auxerre Better for Couples?

Bern is great for couples. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Auxerre is a nice destination for couples. There are many great eateries as well nice architecture and, of course, excellent wine.

Is Bern or Auxerre Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bern is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Auxerre is not a good destination 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.

Auxerre is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a popular stop off on the backpacker circuit, but you will find some affordable accommodation options.

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

Bern is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.

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

Auxerre has a few public transit options. There are buses around town.

Is Bern or Auxerre a more walkable city?

Bern is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Auxerre is somewhat walkable. The center is walkable but it is a bit more difficult to navigate than some nearby towns.

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

Should I spend more time in Auxerre or Bern?

How long in Bern or Auxerre?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bern or Auxerre to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bern than Auxerre because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bern, and 1-2 days is enough time in Auxerre.

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

Couples should spend more time in Bern than Auxerre. 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 Auxerre 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 Auxerre?

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.

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Auxerre. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Bern or Auxerre?

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.

Auxerre 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 Auxerre?

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 food around the under-rated destination of Auxerre. This town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bern or Auxerre?

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 authentic town of Auxerre offers food and museums. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Auxerre?

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

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 Auxerre in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bern as well as Auxerre. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bern this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Auxerre for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bern is generally around the same temperature as Auxerre. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 21°C (70°F), and Auxerre fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Auxerre. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bern this time of the year. In the summer, Bern often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Auxerre. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auxerre receives 255 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets more rain in July than Auxerre. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Auxerre in the Autumn?

Both Auxerre and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bern for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Auxerre in the autumn for the small town atmosphere.

Bern is around the same temperature as Auxerre in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Auxerre fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Bern usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Auxerre during autumn. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies, while Auxerre receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bern usually receives less rain than Auxerre. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bern or Auxerre in the Winter?

Both Auxerre and Bern during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bern in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Auxerre for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Auxerre can be very cold during winter. Bern can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Bern is cooler than Auxerre. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bern in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Auxerre averages at about 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Bern often gets more sunshine than Auxerre. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auxerre receives 53 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets less rain in January than Auxerre. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Auxerre in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Auxerre. Most visitors come to Bern for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Auxerre because of the small town charm.

In April, Bern is generally a little warmer than Auxerre. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 11°C (52°F), and Auxerre fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Bern usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Auxerre during spring. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Auxerre receives 167 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bern usually receives more rain than Auxerre. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Auxerre and Bern