A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bern vs. Fussen for Old Town, Attractions, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Bern or Fussen?

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

Should I visit Bern or Fussen? 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. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Fussen

Fussen is a picturesque, quintesential, and storybook town. This is also a fantastic small town with plenty of charm and local activities. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, hiking, and museums.

Bern and Fussen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Fussen?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bern. Although Bern and Fussen are popular destinations, Bern has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bern is very popular for its museums, nightlife, and shopping, while Fussen attracts visitors for its historical sights, hiking, and small town charm. Fussen is more touristy than Bern and is popular for its romantic atmosphere and its proximity to the Neuschwanstein Castle. Bern is famous for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory. It is also well known for The Zytglogge Clock Tower.

How is Bern different from Fussen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Fussen 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 Fussen?

Bern is great for its historical sights. Also, Fussen is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

Bern offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Fussen. Most people stopping in town are on their way to or from the Neuschwanstein Castle. It is one of the most famous castles in Germany as many people say it was the inspiration for the Disney Castle.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at nice restaurants in both Bern and Fussen.

Bern offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city has cozy cafes, high end fine dining, traditional eateries, and modern venues.

Fussen has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Many restaurants embrace the fairytale setting and offer their own storybook atmosphere. This is a well worn tourist path, so you'll find a number of restaurants serving traditional dishes specifically for the tourists.

Is Bern or Fussen Better for Nightlife?

Bern is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Fussen is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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.

Fussen is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Bern or Fussen Better for its Old Town?

Fussen is renowned for its historic old town. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its old town.

The old town of Fussen is one of the most recognized in the world. The small old town is filled with classic German charm.

There is a nice variety of sights 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.

Is Bern or Fussen Better for Hiking?

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

Fussen is a popular spot for hiking. The countryside offers a number of beautiful trails that pass through forests and meadows. You'll also find waterfalls and nice viewpoints. The hikes are very well marked with excellent signage.

Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Fussen?

Bern is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Fussen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Bern is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Fussen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Bern or Fussen Better for Families?

Bern is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Fussen is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Bern is very family-friendly. 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.

Fussen is a family-friendly place to visit. Neuschwanstein Castle is not far away, and it's a big part of why some families may stay in this small town. Kids will also enjoy wandering around the old town and grabbing ice cream. Just outside of town is Lechfall, which is a manmade waterfall and a little further is the Treetop Walkway. The surrounding area also has a lot of natural beauty as well as giant alpine slides.

Is Bern or Fussen Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Bern and Fussen make for a high quality 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.

Fussen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It sits at the end of Germany's Romantic Road and the small town does not disappoint. For many, it's a stopover while visiting the famous Neuschwanstein Castle, but the surrounding countryside is also beautiful and worth exploring.

Is Bern or Fussen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bern is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Fussen is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Bern. Like most of Switzerland, prices are a bit high, but there are some hostels and free activities that backpackers and budget travelers can enjoy.

Fussen is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. For its small size, the town has a number of hostels to choose from. Prices are reasonable, so this is a nice option for backpackers passing through the area.

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

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

The public transit in Bern can get you around easily. There are trams and buses that run around town.

Fussen has a few public transit options. There are buses through the region including buses to Neuschwanstein Castle.

Is Bern or Fussen a more walkable city?

Fussen is renowned for its walkability. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Fussen on foot. It's easy to walk from one side of the old town to the other in half an hour.

Bern is a very walkable city. 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.

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

Should I spend more time in Fussen or Bern?

How long in Bern or Fussen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bern and Fussen. In our opinion, Bern has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Bern than Fussen. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bern, and 2-3 days is enough time in Fussen.

Families should spend more time in Bern than Fussen. 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 Fussen. 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 Fussen 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 Fussen?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bern. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Fussen is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and food. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Bern or Fussen?

Bern is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Fussen 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.

Five days in Bern or Fussen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bern. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Fussen is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This town 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 Fussen?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Bern. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Because Fussen 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 Oktoberfest Tours in Germany, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Germany.

When comparing the travel costs between Bern and Fussen, we can see that Bern is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Fussen?

Bern has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Fussen. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Fussen, 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.