A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bern vs. Boston for Attractions, Old Town, Families, and Food

Should you visit Bern or Boston?

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

Should I visit Bern or Boston? 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 historic, charming, and beautiful city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Boston

Boston is a classic, proud, and loyal city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Bern and Boston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Boston?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Boston than Bern, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Boston is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, beaches, historical sights, christmas markets, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Bern is known for its shopping and impressive beauty. Boston is more touristy than Bern and is known for its enthusiastic sports fans, influential history, beautiful parks, and world-class universities. It is also home to The Freedom Trail. Bern is popular for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory.

How is Bern different from Boston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Boston 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 Boston that are not to be missed. The city itself feels like a living museum. It is famous for Faneuil Hall, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum, the USS Constitution, as well as the many sites along the Freedom Trail. There are also many museums on the campuses of the world renowned universities in the city.

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 Bern or Boston Better for Theater?

Boston is a well-known place for theatre. However, Bern is not a theatre destination.

While in town, many visitors enjoy seeing a show in Boston. The city has many historic, beautifully restored theaters where you can enjoy a show. Head to the theater district for some of the most famous venues.

Bern is not a theatre destination.

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

Boston 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, Boston makes for a great culinary experience. There are many local dishes that utilize fresh caught seafood and comfort food flavors. The cuisine also takes advantage of the city's Italian and Irish populations. Famous local foods include New England Clam Chowder, lobster rolls, and baked beans. You'll find hearty sandwiches and filling meals that warm your soul.

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 Boston Better for Nightlife?

Boston 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.

Boston offers plenty to do in the evening. The city is known for its breweries, craft beer, and vibrant university neighborhoods. It also hosts regular outdoor movies and world class sporting events. The nightlife scene is varied, with some areas catering to the student population and other areas focused on the professional or sport-loving crowds.

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 Boston Better for Music?

Boston is a popular place for live music. However, Bern is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Boston is active and vibrant. Popular music venues include Lizard Lounge, Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, and The Middle East.

Bern is not a live music destination.

Is Bern or Boston Better for Beaches?

Boston is a moderate city for its beaches. However, Bern is not a beach destination.

Boston is a good spot to see the beach. There are a few urban beaches in the greater Boston area that you can explore on a nice day.

Bern is not a beach destination.

Is Bern or Boston Better for its Old Town?

Boston is renowned for its historic old town. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its old town.

The old town of Boston is one of the most recognized in the world. Boston is famous for its Freedom Trail, which takes visitors around the city's rich history. The oldest parts of the city are known as Boston Proper and include the neighborhoods of Beacon Hill, Historic Downtown, the North End, and the West End.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Boston?

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

Bern is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Boston. Head to Back Bay for some of the best high end shops. There are luxury brands and boutique venues that sell local art or crafts.

Is Bern or Boston Better for Christmas?

Boston is a well-known place for its Christmas activities. However, Bern does not offer Christmas activities.

Boston is an extremely popular place to visit during the Christmas season. Christmas comes to life in the city with its Christmas Trees, holiday shows, and festivals.

Bern does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Bern or Boston Better for Christmas Markets?

Boston is a well-known place for its Christmas markets. However, Bern does not offer Christmas markets.

Boston has a lively atmosphere around its Christmas markets. There are a number of European style Christmas markets that pop up during the holiday season around town.

Bern does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Bern or Boston Better for Families?

Boston is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Boston is a very family-friendly destination. It's filled with history, but there are also many activities for kids who need a break from all of the historical stuff. Popular activities for all ages include the Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, and exploring the waterfront, gardens, and parks around town.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Bern is very family-friendly. 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 Bern or Boston Better for Couples?

Bern is notable for romance. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Bern is a very popular place to visit for couples. With charming restaurants, a beautiful rose garden, and nice hotels and spas, this town makes a beautiful romantic getaway.

Boston makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy history will enjoy exploring the city. Take a swan boat ride in the Public Garden and wander the unique route along the Freedom Trail. There are also many sporting and entertainment options around town.

Is Bern or Boston Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bern is notable for backpackers. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Boston. Like most larger American cities, the city has a handful of hostels to choose from.

Is Bern or Boston Better for Students?

Boston is renowned for students. However, Bern is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Boston. It is a city of students, with a number of world renowned universities located here including Harvard University, Boston College, and MIT. Many neighborhoods are filled with students and there are many student-centered activities around town including festivals and an active nightlife scene.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Boston is renowned for its public transit. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Boston has a great public transit system. There's the T, which is the subway, as well as a trolley, bus, and water transportation system.

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

Is Bern or Boston a more walkable city?

Boston is renowned for its walkability. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Boston on foot. The many parks and compact neighborhoods are best explored on foot.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Boston or Bern?

How long in Bern or Boston?

In either Bern or Boston, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Boston than Bern because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bern, and 3-5 days is enough time in Boston.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Boston 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 Boston.

One day in Bern or Boston?

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

Boston is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Boston?

Bern is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Boston is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the museums. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bern or Boston?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bern. 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.

Boston is a loyal big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Bern or Boston?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Bern. This city 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.

The historic city of Boston offers food and shopping. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Bern and Boston, we can see that Boston is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Bern is in Europe and Boston is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Boston?

Boston has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Boston, 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 Boston?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bern or Boston in the Summer?

Both Boston and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Boston because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Bern is around the same temperature as Boston in the summer. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Boston fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Boston. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bern. Bern usually receives less sunshine than Boston during summer. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 304 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bern usually receives less rain than Boston. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Boston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bern or Boston in the Autumn?

Both Boston and Bern during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Bern because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Boston this time of year.

In the autumn, Bern is around the same temperature as Boston. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bern in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Boston averages at about 54°F (12°C).

In the autumn, Bern often gets less sunshine than Boston. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 194 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets less rain in October than Boston. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Boston in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Boston. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bern this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Boston for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Boston. It's quite cold in Bern in the winter. In January, Bern is generally much warmer than Boston. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 3°C (37°F), and Boston fluctuates around 29°F (-2°C).

Bern usually receives less sunshine than Boston during winter. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bern usually receives less rain than Boston. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bern or Boston in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bern as well as Boston. Many travelers come to Bern for the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Boston in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Bern is a little warmer than Boston in the spring. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Boston fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Boston. In the spring, Bern often gets less sunshine than Boston. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 225 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets less rain in April than Boston. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Boston and Bern