Which place is cheaper, David or Bern?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Bern or David?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Bern or David? 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 David?
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.
David
In the Pacific West of Panama, David is the capital city of Chiriqui province. The city's population of almost 150,000 is among the wealthiest in the country. There is a well established middle class and unemployment remains low in the area. The area has grown rapidly in recent years with growing commercial and banking sectors. The city is well connected to the rest of the country by the Pan American Highway.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Panama, and The Best Budget Tours to Panama.
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Bern Prices
Switzerland PricesDavid Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBern $343David $39
The average daily cost (per person) in Bern is $343, while the average daily cost in David is $39. 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 David in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBern $189David $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBern $378David $24
Compare Hotels in Bern and David
Looking for a hotel in Bern or David? 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 David Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bern $39David $12
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: $112
- Private transfer from Bern to Basel with a 2 hour stop in Olten: $230
- Private direct transfer from Bern to Lucerne: $259
Is it cheaper to fly into Bern or David?
Prices for flights to both David 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 $121David $17
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bern $39David $4.37
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: $6.24
- Bern Audio guided walking tour 1h50 and 23 audio commentary: $7.57
- Thun Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.99
- Fribourg Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.99
- Bern Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.99
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBern $31David -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bern and David, we can see that Bern is more expensive. And not only is David much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bern is in Europe and David is in Central 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 David would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in David 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 David.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bern Expensive? and Is David Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bern or David?
Bern has a larger population, and is about 47% larger than the population of David. When comparing the sizes of Bern and David, 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.
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.