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 $341, while the average daily cost in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $56. 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 $187
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bern $374
    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 $39
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $2.10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bern

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bern:

  • Private Direct Transfer From Bern to Basel: $251
  • Private direct transfer from Bern to Lucerne: $262

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: $17
  • Madero Tango Buenos Aires Show Without Transfers: $24
  • Private Transfer to Buenos Aires Airport (EZE): $27
  • Private Transfer Buenos Aires Airport (EZE) to City: $27
  • Buenos Aires Local Airport One - way Private Transfer from 30 USD: $30
  • Jorge Newbery Airport One-way Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City Center: $30
  • Buenos Aires Center One-way Private Transfer to Local Airport: $30
  • Buenos Aires Airport (EZE) Transfer with English Speaking Driver: $34
  • Private Transfer from Jorge Newbery Airport to Downtown Area: $35
  • Port Transfers with English Speaking Driver: $35
  • Private transfer from Buenos Aires to Jorge Newbery Airport: $35
  • Madero Tango Show with Transfer: $35

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 $120
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $7.60

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: $154

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: $25
  • Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner and Tango Lesson: $31
  • Madero Tango Dance Show with Dinner on Demand: $32
  • Tango Porteño with Optional Dinner: $35
  • Chacarita Walking Tour - Spooky Cemetery, History & Pizza: $38
  • Tango Show and Dinner at: Tango Porteño: $40
  • Tango Porteño Show in Buenos Aires (with optional dinner): $43
  • Tango Show at Tango Porteño with Optional Dinner: $44
  • Dinner at Arte de Mafia, Mafioso Theme Restaurant in Palermo: $44
  • Early Tango Dinner Show with Optional Traditional Bus Transfer: $46
  • El Aljibe Tango Show in Buenos Aires with Optional Dinner: $47
  • Exclusive Italian Lunch or Dinner at Puny Pasta and Grill: $50

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bern $39
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $30

Tours and Activities in Bern

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

  • Self-Guided Audio City Tour in Bern: $6.29
  • Self-Guided Reading City Tour in Bern: $6.29
  • Self-Guided Audio City Tour in Bern: $6.40
  • Bern Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $8.34
  • Thun Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.96
  • Bern Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.96
  • Bern Self-Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
  • Bern Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $11
  • Zytglogge - Tour through the Clock Tower: $25
  • Guided Walking Tour in Bern: $39
  • Must-See 2-Hour Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $42
  • Bern Food Market: Tour w/o Brunch: $44

Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina

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

  • Heart of Colonial Buenos Aires Walking Audio Tour: $5.34
  • Literature Self-Guided Audio Tour in Buenos Aires: $10
  • Recoleta Cemetery Walking Tour: $10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour Evita Peron: Don't cry for me Argentina : $10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - Discover Caminito and Tango: $10
  • B.A Hidden Wonders Tour Parque Chas and Agronomía Park: $12
  • Private Tour of La Boca and Caminito: $12
  • Private Tour of San Telmo, Old Town: $12
  • La Boca Walking Tour: $13
  • 2 hrs. Walking Tour in San Telmo & Market : $13
  • Walking Tour Knowing Rodrigo Bueno in Buenos Aires: $15
  • Graffiti Tour: $15

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bern $31
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $9.27

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: $37
  • Boutique Wine Tasting: A Unique Experience in Buenos Aires: $45
  • BA: Wine Tasting and Blending Experience in Palermo : $51
  • BA: Small Group Wine Tasting and Blending in Palermo: $54
  • Wine tasting in OASIS Palermo: $55
  • Buenos Aires Small-Group Wine Tasting: $55
  • Buenos Aires Premium Wine Tasting: $58
  • Malbec Wine Tasting at Boutique Hotel in Palermo: $59
  • Private argentinian wine tasting in downtown : $61
  • Wine Tasting at Encuentro Nativo a Historic Tenement in Caminito: $63
  • Wine Tasting in Palermo, City of Buenos Aires.: $65
  • Premium Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $85


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)