Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Bern?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bern or Cartagena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Bern or Cartagena? 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 Cartagena?
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.
Cartagena
The capital of the Bolivar Department of Colombia, Cartagena is one of the most visited cities in the country. It sits on Colombia's northern coast by the Caribbean Sea. It's a port city with a population of almost 900,000, making it the fifth largest city in Colombia. The city has a rich history and was the first Spanish colony on the American continent. It was also one of the first sanctuaries for freed African slaves in the Americas.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBern $252Cartagena $48
The average daily cost (per person) in Bern is $252, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $48. 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 Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBern $163Cartagena $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBern $326Cartagena $54
Compare Hotels in Bern and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Bern or Cartagena? 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.
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 Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bern $34Cartagena $7.49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bern
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bern:
- Private Car Departure Transfer from Bern to Bern Airport BRN: $73
- Private Direct Transfer From Bern to Basel: $192
- Private Transfer From Bern To Basel With a 2 Hour Stop in Olten: $214
- Private Transfer From Bern to Zurich, English Speaking Driver: $228
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Transfer from the Airport - Hotels in Marbella: $7.97
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Cartagena: $7.97
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Morros: $7.97
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Getsemani: $7.97
- Transfer aeropuerto-centro: $8.19
- Air Conditioning Bus transfer: $10
- Shared Transfer from the Airport to Cartagena City or Vice Versa: $10
- Cartagena Airport: Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: $10
- Cartagena:Transfer from the Airport - Hotels in the Bosque: $11
- Transfer from the Airport to Hotels in Laguito: $11
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Castillogrande: $11
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Manga: $11
Is it cheaper to fly into Bern or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena 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
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Food Meals for one dayBern $60Cartagena $9.82
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bern
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bern.
- Cooking delicious Spanish paella in Switzerland.: $66
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Featured in NYTimes > Arepas and Dancing: Danceable Cooking Class in Cartagena: $32
- Cooking class of typical food at the beach and sunset view: $39
- Taste Cartagena Food tour: $40
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $42
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $44
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $50
- Cooking Class: Street food & Mojito making: $50
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $58
- Cartagena Gourmet: Cooking Class with a View, Elegance & Flavor: $59
- Street food tour: $61
- 2 hours Sibarita Express Dinner: $63
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bern $34Cartagena $21
Tours and Activities in Bern
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bern are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Bern Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $4.39
- Bern Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour: $7.00
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $7.48
- Escape Game and Tour: $8.61
- Self-Guided Tour of Bern's Fountains, Clocktowers, and Legends: $9.99
- Beautiful Bern's Old Town: Self Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- City Sightseeing Self-Guided Walking Tour Game: $15
- Thun Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
- Fribourg Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
- Bern Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Emeralds Tour: $0.03
- Into the Walls of The City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Cartagena de Indias: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Artists' Quarter Getsemani Self-guided Tour: $6.35
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Great Battle: Fort of San Felipe: $6.99
- Old Town Highlights Self-guided Tour: $8.50
- Tour the city on a rumba in a typical bus: $9.42
- Old Town & Getsemani Quarter Self-guided Tour: $9.58
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Pirate Tales in Cartagena: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Legends of the Streets of Downtown : $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Getsemaní Neighborhood: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part II: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBern $27Cartagena $9.21
Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $19
- Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $72
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bern and Cartagena, we can see that Bern is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bern is in Europe and Cartagena 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 Cartagena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cartagena 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 Cartagena.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bern Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bern or Cartagena?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Cartagena, 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 Cartagena?
Bern has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cartagena experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Bern or Cartagena in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Cartagena. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bern this time of year. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Bern is cooler than Cartagena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bern in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Cartagena averages at about 29°C (84°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. In Bern, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bern usually receives more sunshine than Cartagena during summer. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Bern usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cartagena. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBern 21°C (70°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Bern or Cartagena in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Bern as well as Cartagena. Many travelers come to Bern for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
In October, Bern is generally much colder than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 13°C (55°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In the autumn, Bern often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Cartagena. Bern usually gets less rain in October than Cartagena. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBern 13°C (55°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Bern or Cartagena in the Winter?
Both Cartagena and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Bern in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Bern can get quite cold in the winter. Bern is much colder than Cartagena in the winter. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in Cartagena. Bern usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during winter. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Bern usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBern 3°C (37°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Bern or Cartagena in the Spring?
Both Cartagena and Bern during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Bern for the natural beauty during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
In the spring, Bern is much colder than Cartagena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bern in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Cartagena averages at about 28°C (82°F).
In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Bern often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun.
Bern usually gets more rain in April than Cartagena. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBern 11°C (52°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and Bern
| Bern | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (52°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 15°C (60°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (69°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (38°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.