A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bern vs. Buenos Aires, Argentina for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bern or Buenos Aires, Argentina?

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

Should I visit Bern or Buenos Aires, Argentina? 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.

Where Should I go: Bern or Buenos Aires, Argentina?

Bern

The capital city of Switzerland, Bern, is a surprisingly small city with a population of only about 130,000. It's located on a peninsula that is created by the turns of the River Aare. The city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it has a wonderfully preserved old town area. There are about four miles worth of quaint walkways that are lined with clock towers and fountains.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires, federal capital of Argentina, also known as "The City of Tango", is best known for its energetic and unpredictable character. Like a restless child, Buenos Aires is a dynamic and modern city full of surprises. While its French-style palaces, rooftop restaurants, wide avenues and green plazas resemble European-style architecture, Buenos Aires preserves its musical, literary and culinary traditions. You can't miss dining in front of a Tango show, walking around the colourful streets of La Boca and visiting the renowned Recoleta Cemetery, designed by Argentina's most important architects and home to hundreds of illustrious corpses.

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 from Buenos Aires, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires.


Which place is cheaper, Buenos Aires, Argentina or Bern?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bern is $332, while the average daily cost in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $57. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Bern and Buenos Aires, Argentina in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bern $183
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bern $366
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $80
Compare Hotels in Bern and Buenos Aires, Argentina

Looking for a hotel in Bern or Buenos Aires, Argentina? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Bern


Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Bern Hotel Prices and Buenos Aires, Argentina Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bern $38
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $2.12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bern

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bern:

  • Private direct transfer from Bern to Lucerne: $257
  • Private transfer from Bern to Basel with a 2 hour stop in Olten: $228

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina:

  • Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP) Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City: $20
  • Private Transfer to Buenos Aires Airport (EZE): $29
  • Buenos Aires Center One-way Private Transfer to Local Airport: $30
  • Local Airport One-way Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City Center: $30
  • Jorge Newbery Airport One-way Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City Center: $30
  • Buenos Aires Local Airport One - way Private Transfer from 30 USD: $30
  • Private Transfer from Buenos Aires Cruise Port to Ezeiza: $35
  • Private Ezeiza (EZE) Airport Transfer to Buenos Aires City: $35
  • Private Transfer Jorge Newbery Airport to Hotel in Buenos Aires: $36
  • Madero Tango Show in Buenos Aires Without Transfers: $36
  • Premium Buenos Aires City Tour with Transfer: $38
  • Roundtrip Private Transfer from Buenos Aires Airport (AEP): $39

Is it cheaper to fly into Bern or Buenos Aires, Argentina?

Prices for flights to both Buenos Aires, Argentina and Bern change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Bern $117
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $7.65

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bern

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bern.

  • Bern Bites Food Tour Culinary Exploration of Bern's Old Town: $152

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

  • Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show with Optional Transfer and Dinner: $28
  • Piazzolla Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $35
  • Tango Show at Tango Porteño with Optional Dinner: $37
  • Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show Ticket Including Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $39
  • BA: Premium Empanadas Cooking Class in Palermo: $39
  • Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $40
  • BA: Premium Empanadas & Alfajores Cooking Experience in Palermo: $43
  • Señor Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $45
  • Early Tango Dinner Show with Optional Traditional Bus Transfer: $46
  • BA: Small-Group Empanadas Cooking Class in Palermo: $46
  • El Viejo Almacen Tango Show with Optional Dinner: $47
  • Tango Dinner-Show at El Aljibe with Optional Classic Bus Transfer: $48

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bern $38
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $31

Tours and Activities in Bern

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bern are as follows:

  • Bern Self-Guided Audio Experience: $6.00
  • Self-Guided Reading City Tour in Bern: $6.24
  • Bern Audio guided walking tour 1h50 and 23 audio commentary: $7.48
  • Thun Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.87
  • Bern Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.87
  • Beautiful Bern's Legends: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Bern Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $12
  • Self-Guided Audio City Tour in Bern: $12
  • Self-Guided Audio City Tour in Bern: $13
  • Zytglogge - Tour through the Clock Tower: $31
  • Discover Bern, Understand Switzerland Walking Tour: $32
  • Bern Walking Tour: Explore Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $42

Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Here are a few actual costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Buenos Aires Audio Guided Walking Tour 2h30 and 18 reviews: $6.96
  • The Women Behind Puerto Madero’s Streets: A Self Guided Tour: $9.99
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - Discover Caminito and Tango: $11
  • Private Tour of San Telmo, Old Town: $12
  • Guided tour of the Mate Museum: $13
  • Palermo Graffiti Tour: $13
  • 2 hrs. Walking Tour in San Telmo & Market: $13
  • Graffiti Tour: $14
  • Walking Tour Knowing Rodrigo Bueno in Buenos Aires: $15
  • Recoleta Cemetery Tour in English: $16
  • Evita Immortal Walking Tour: $20
  • La Boca walking tour Tango neighborhood Football and Art: $20

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bern $30
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $9.34

Sample the Local Flavors in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Also in Buenos Aires, Argentina, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Buenos Aires Full City Tour with Wine Tasting and Stops: $35
  • Exclusive Malbec Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $42
  • BA: Small Group Wine Tasting and Blending in Palermo: $54
  • Wine tasting in OASIS Palermo: $55
  • Tango Lesson and Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires, Argentina: $65
  • Wine Tasting in Palermo, City of Buenos Aires.: $65
  • BA: Wine tour with 5 tasting stops in the heart of Palermo: $78
  • Premium Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $85
  • Private Walking Tour & Argentine wine Tasting: $103
  • Argentinian Private Premium Wine Tasting Live+Guided Walking tour: $106
  • Wine Tour to Colonia Del Sacramento in Finca del Sacramento: $119
  • Buenos Aires Wine Tasting Tour: $129


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

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


Which is Bigger, Bern or Buenos Aires, Argentina?

Buenos Aires, Argentina has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Buenos Aires, Argentina, 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Buenos Aires, Argentina 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 Bern or Buenos Aires, Argentina in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Many visitors come to Bern in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bern is cooler than Buenos Aires, Argentina. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bern in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Buenos Aires, Argentina averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Buenos Aires, Argentina this time of the year. In Bern, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bern usually receives less sunshine than Buenos Aires, Argentina during summer. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

Buenos Aires, Argentina receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Bern usually receives less rain than Buenos Aires, Argentinain January. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Bern 21°C (70°F) 
    Buenos Aires, Argentina 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Bern or Buenos Aires, Argentina in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bern as well as Buenos Aires, Argentina. Most visitors come to Bern for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Bern is generally cooler than Buenos Aires, Argentinain April. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 13°C (55°F), and Buenos Aires, Argentina fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In the autumn, Bern often gets less sunshine than Buenos Aires, Argentinain April. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 220 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Bern usually gets less rain in October than Buenos Aires, Argentinain April. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Bern 13°C (55°F) 
    Buenos Aires, Argentina 18°C (65°F)

Should I visit Bern or Buenos Aires, Argentina in the Winter?

Both Buenos Aires, Argentina and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Bern because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Bern can be very cold. Bern is much colder than Buenos Aires, Argentina in the winter. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Buenos Aires, Argentina fluctuates around 12°C (53°F)in July.

Bern usually receives less sunshine than Buenos Aires, Argentina during winter. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 143 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bern usually receives less rain than Buenos Aires, Argentinain July. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Bern 3°C (37°F) 
    Buenos Aires, Argentina 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Bern or Buenos Aires, Argentina in the Spring?

Both Buenos Aires, Argentina and Bern during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Bern this time of year.

In the spring, Bern is much colder than Buenos Aires, Argentina. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bern in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Buenos Aires, Argentina averages at about 18°C (64°F)in October.

In Buenos Aires, Argentina, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Bern often gets less sunshine than Buenos Aires, Argentinain October. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 227 hours of full sun.

Buenos Aires, Argentina gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bern usually gets less rain in April than Buenos Aires, Argentinain October. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Bern 11°C (52°F) 
    Buenos Aires, Argentina 18°C (64°F)

Typical Weather for Buenos Aires, Argentina and Bern

Bern Buenos Aires, Argentina
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Feb 4°C (40°F) 51 mm (2 in) 24°C (75°F) 117 mm (4.6 in)
Mar 8°C (46°F) 50 mm (2 in) 22°C (71°F) 142 mm (5.6 in)
Apr 11°C (52°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 18°C (65°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
May 15°C (60°F) 76 mm (3 in) 15°C (59°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 19°C (65°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 12°C (53°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 21°C (70°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 12°C (53°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Aug 20°C (69°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Sep 18°C (64°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 15°C (59°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Oct 13°C (55°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 18°C (64°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 21°C (69°F) 117 mm (4.6 in)
Dec 4°C (38°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 23°C (74°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)