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

Should you visit Bern or Havana?

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

Should I visit Bern or Havana? 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 Havana?

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.

Havana

The city of Havana is at the top of most peoples' bucket list - mostly because of the allure of a forbidden land. Before the Communist revolution, Cuba was a popular tourist destination. Since it has reopened in the 1990s, it has drawn tourists from all over the world (except the US).

This capital city is a land trapped in the past. With 50 years of neglect, when you step off the plane, prepare to step back in time. A trip to Havana is meant for those with truly open minds - and when they arrive they'll be swept away.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland.


Which place is cheaper, Havana or Bern?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bern is $252, while the average daily cost in Havana is $65. 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 Havana in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bern $163
    Havana $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bern $326
    Havana $80
Compare Hotels in Bern and Havana

Looking for a hotel in Bern or Havana? 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 Havana


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bern $34
    Havana $19

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

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.68

Is it cheaper to fly into Bern or Havana?

Prices for flights to both Havana 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 $60
    Havana $10

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

Typical Food Prices in Havana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:


  • Pizza
    $0.03

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bern $34
    Havana $11

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bern $27
    Havana $5.76

Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:


  • Mojito
    $0.15


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

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


Which is Bigger, Bern or Havana?

Havana has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Havana, 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 Havana?

Bern has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Havana experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Havana in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Havana. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bern this time of year. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Bern is generally cooler than Havana. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 21°C (70°F), and Havana fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In July, Bern usually receives more rain than Havana. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Havana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Bern 21°C (70°F) 
    Havana 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Bern or Havana in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bern as well as Havana. Many travelers come to Bern for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year.

Bern is much colder than Havana in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Havana fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Bern usually gets less rain in October than Havana. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Havana receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Bern 13°C (55°F) 
    Havana 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Bern or Havana in the Winter?

Both Havana 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 Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Bern can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Bern is much colder than Havana. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bern in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Havana averages at about 21°C (70°F).

In January, Bern usually receives more rain than Havana. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Havana receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Bern 3°C (37°F) 
    Havana 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Bern or Havana in the Spring?

Both Havana 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 Havana year-round.

In April, Bern is generally much colder than Havana. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 11°C (52°F), and Havana fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

Bern usually gets more rain in April than Havana. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Havana receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Bern 11°C (52°F) 
    Havana 24°C (75°F)

Typical Weather for Havana and Bern

Bern Havana
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 21°C (70°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Feb 4°C (40°F) 51 mm (2 in) 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 8°C (46°F) 50 mm (2 in) 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Apr 11°C (52°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
May 15°C (60°F) 76 mm (3 in) 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jun 19°C (65°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 21°C (70°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 20°C (69°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 18°C (64°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Oct 13°C (55°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 25°C (77°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Dec 4°C (38°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 22°C (72°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)