A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bern vs. Flam for Food, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Bern or Flam?

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

Should I visit Bern or Flam? 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.

Bern

Bern is a cultural, historic, and charming city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Flam

Flam is a beautiful, natural, and breathtaking village. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food and hiking.

Bern and Flam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Flam?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bern. Although Bern and Flam are both popular with visitors, Bern has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Bern is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Flam is known for its food, hiking, and small town charm. Flam is more touristy than Bern and is popular for its beautiful fjords and natural beauty as well as its popularity as a cruise ship port. Bern is popular for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory. It is also home to The Zytglogge Clock Tower.

How is Bern different from Flam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Flam and Bern. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bern or Flam?

Bern is a great city for its historical sights. However, Flam is not known for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Bern. The city is filled with architecture and charming character. While you're in town make sure you visit the Einstein Museum, the Clock Tower, and the Bern Cathedral.

Flam offers a few options for museum-goers. Hiking and natural beauty is why you visit this area, but there is the Flam Railway Museum that you can visit as well.

Is the Food Better in Bern or Flam? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Flam is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Flam makes for a great culinary experience. Local restaurants make use of seasonal ingredients and local fish and meat. You'll also find many berries and a local goat cheese at many restaurants as well.

Bern has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city has cozy cafes, high end fine dining, traditional eateries, and modern venues.

Is Bern or Flam Better for Nightlife?

Bern is a good destination for nightlife. However, Flam is not known for nightlife and partying.

If you're looking for night time activities Bern has a few options to choose from. There are bars, Irish pubs, and clubs around town.

Most people don't head to Flam specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. Most people visit as a day trip, so you won't find a huge nightlife scene in this small town. There are some local bars and breweries around town though.

Is Bern or Flam Better for its Old Town?

Bern is a great city for its historic old town. However, Flam does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Bern. The charming old town is filled with quaint alleys and sandstone buildings. It's a compact area that flows down a hill to the River Aare.

Flam does not have a historic old town.

Is Bern or Flam Better for Hiking?

Flam is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Bern is not a hiking destination.

Flam is a popular spot for hiking. There are many great hikes just outside of town that are varied in length and challenge level. Both tourists and locals enjoy hiking in the area, so you'll get some of the best advice on where to go from any locals that you meet. Popular trails include the Flåmsdalen hike from Myrdal to Flam and the hike to Brekkefossen Waterfall.

Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Flam?

Bern is a great city for shopping. However, Flam is not known for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Bern. The old town is filled with boutique shops and unique markets. The main shopping streets are Spitalgasse and Marktgasse and popular items to buy include jewelry, art, and watches.

If you're looking to go shopping, Flam has some nice offerings. There are some shopping centers and malls near town where you can grab anything you may have forgotten.

Is Bern or Flam Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Bern or Flam.

Bern is a very family-friendly place to visit. This charming town has riverside parks and pools, a zoo, a waterpark, and kid-friendly museums that the whole family can enjoy. You can also visit nearby Gurten, a mountain with tobogganing, concerts, and a mini ski resort.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Flam is very family-friendly. The fjords and mountain beauty make this a great place for a family adventure. Myrkdalen is also just 45 minutes away by car and it's filled with many mountain activities.

Is Bern or Flam Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Bern and Flam make for a superb place to visit.

Bern is a very popular place to visit for couples. With charming restaurants, a beautiful rose garden, and nice hotels and spas, this town makes a beautiful romantic getaway.

Flam makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Stunning natural beauty and dramatic fjords make this a great romantic destination. Couples who enjoy hiking and explore nature will enjoy days in this special place.

Is Bern or Flam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bern is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Flam is not as popular, but is still a nice village for backpackers.

Bern is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Like most of Switzerland, prices are a bit high, but there are some hostels and free activities that backpackers and budget travelers can enjoy.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Flam. There are a few hostels in the area that help keeps prices more affordable for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Bern or Flam Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bern is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Flam is not as popular, but is still a nice village for its public transit.

Visitors to Bern can move around easily with public transportation. There are trams and buses that run around town.

Flam has a few public transit options. There is a local bus service through the area.

Is Bern or Flam a more walkable city?

Bern and Flam both are superb when exploring on foot.

Bern is very walkable. It's fun to explore the old town on foot. It is compact enough to that you can see all of the highlights in a few hours.

Flam is a very walkable city. There are many great walks in the area.

For even more information, also check out Is Bern Worth Visiting? and Is Flam Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Flam or Bern?

How long in Bern or Flam?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bern or Flam to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bern than Flam because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bern, and 1-2 days is enough time in Flam.

Families should spend more time in Bern than Flam. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Bern, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Bern than Flam. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Bern that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bern than Flam if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Bern.

One day in Bern or Flam?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Bern. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Flam is a small town where visitors enjoy the food. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Bern or Flam?

Bern is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Flam is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bern or Flam?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Bern. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Flam is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This village offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bern or Flam?

The charming city of Bern offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Because Flam is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

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 Norway, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Norway.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Flam?

Bern has a larger population, and is about 240 times larger than the population of Flam. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Flam, 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 Flam?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bern or Flam in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bern as well as Flam. Most visitors come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Flam because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Bern is a little warmer than Flam in the summer. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Flam fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

It's quite rainy in Flam. Bern usually gets less rain in July than Flam. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Flam receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Flam in the Autumn?

Both Flam and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Bern because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Flam this time of year.

In the autumn, Bern is a little warmer than Flam. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bern in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Flam averages at about 9°C (48°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Flam. In October, Bern usually receives less rain than Flam. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Flam receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bern or Flam in the Winter?

Both Flam and Bern during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bern this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Flam for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Flam. It's quite cold in Bern in the winter. In January, Bern is generally much warmer than Flam. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 3°C (37°F), and Flam fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

Flam gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bern usually gets less rain in January than Flam. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Flam receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Flam in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Flam. Many travelers come to Bern for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Flam in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Bern is much warmer than Flam in the spring. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Flam fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

Flam receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Bern usually receives less rain than Flam. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Flam receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Flam and Bern