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

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.


Which place is cheaper, Cartagena 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 $294, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $51. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bern $162
    Cartagena $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bern $324
    Cartagena $50
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.

Hotels in Bern


Hotels in Cartagena


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bern $33
    Cartagena $7.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bern

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bern:

  • CO2-Offset | Sedan Arrival Transfer from Bern Airport BRN to Bern: $79
  • Private Direct Transfer From Bern to Basel: $182
  • Private Transfer From Bern to Zurich, English Speaking Driver: $217
  • Private Transfer Service from Bern to Bern Airport: $120
  • Transfer from Bern Airport to Lucerne, Basel or Interlaken by Van: $295

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:

  • Shared Transfer from the Airport to Cartagena City or Vice Versa: $7.00
  • Airport Air Conditioning Bus transfer: $7.00
  • Airport transfer to any hotel in Getsemani: $8.50
  • Transfer from the Airport - Hotels in Marbella: $8.50
  • Transfer airport - old city (walled city /center): $8.73
  • Transfer from the Airport to Hotels in Laguito: $9.58
  • Airport Transfer to Cartagena Hotels: $9.58
  • Transfer from Cartagena hotels to the airport: $9.58
  • Cartagena Private Airport Transfer (CTG) to City Center: $10
  • Cartagena Private Transfer from City Center to Airport (CTG): $10
  • Airport transfer to any hotel in Manga: $11
  • transfer Airport to any Hotels in Bocagrande: $12

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Bern $104
    Cartagena $16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena

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

  • Street food tour Cartagena: $30
  • The best food tour of the old city: $38
  • Street food tour Cartagena: $40
  • Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $42
  • Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $44
  • Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $44
  • Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
  • Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $56
  • Dinner Cruise Along Cartagena's Bay: $60
  • Cartagena Gourmet: Cooking Class with a View, Elegance & Flavor: $60
  • Cartagena Island Dinner (Island of Tierra Bomba): $60
  • Street food tour: $61

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bern $34
    Cartagena $20

Tours and Activities in Bern

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

  • Self-Guided Reading City Tour in Bern: $5.50
  • Self-Guided Reading City Tour in Bern: $5.59
  • Bern Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $7.28
  • Self-Guided Audio City Tour in Bern: $11
  • Self-Guided Audio City Tour in Bern: $11
  • Self-Guided Tour of Bern's Fountains, Clocktowers, and Legends: $12
  • Fribourg Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
  • Bern Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
  • Thun Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
  • Zytglogge - Tour through the Clock Tower: $22
  • The best Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $33
  • Guided Walking Tour in Bern: $36

Tours and Activities in Cartagena

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

  • Trendy Cartagena photo/ Video Tour Free: $0.03
  • Cartagena de Indias: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Into the Walls of The City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Shared walking tour in the historic center: $8.00
  • Old Town Highlights Self-guided Tour: $8.16
  • Old Town & Getsemani Quarter Self-guided Tour: $8.16
  • Artists' Quarter Getsemani Self-guided Tour: $8.16
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: Pirate Tales in Cartagena: $10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part II: $10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part I: $10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour of Getsemaní Neighborhood: $10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: Ghost of Downtown: Fear in the streets. : $10

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bern $27
    Cartagena $8.60

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: $18
  • Thursday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $20
  • Pub Crawl Getsemaní: $22
  • Group Night Experience: Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
  • Friday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $25
  • Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
  • Pub Crawl Nightlife in Cartagena : $44
  • Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $63
  • Pub Crawl: $70


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.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Bern 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.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Bern 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.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Bern 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.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Bern 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)