A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bern vs. Houston for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Bern or Houston?

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

Should I visit Bern or Houston? 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 beautiful, cultural, and historic city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Houston

Houston is a sprawling, southern, and one-of-a-kind city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Bern and Houston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Houston?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Houston than Bern. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Houston is very popular for its nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Bern attracts visitors for its historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Bern is more touristy than Houston and is known for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory. Houston is famous for its sprawling size, its local Texas restaurants, and being the home to NASA. It is also well known for The Space Center Houston.

How is Bern different from Houston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Bern and Houston have superb landmarks and museums for visitors.

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.

Many visitors head to Houston specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Head to Houston's Museum District to explore 19 different museums in a walkable area. A highlight of a trip to the city is a visit to the Space Center, but other popular museums include the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Houston Children's Museum.

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

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

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

Houston has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city is famous for its Texas barbecue, Mexican food, and a wide diversity of other different ethnic foods. It's a surprisingly diverse city and this is reflected in the restaurant selection around town.

Is Bern or Houston Better for Nightlife?

Houston is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Houston offers plenty to do in the evening. The nightlife is at its best on weekends when bars, dance clubs, and concert halls come to life. There are a diversity of venues around town including dance clubs, Honky Tonks, and cocktail bars. Some of the most active nightlife areas are Downtown, Midtown, Montrose, Washington Avenue, and Rice Village.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Bern. There are bars, Irish pubs, and clubs around town.

Is Bern or Houston Better for Music?

Houston is a popular place for live music. However, Bern is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Houston is active and vibrant. Popular music venues include Fitzgerald's, Walter's Downtown, and The Continental Club.

Bern is not a live music destination.

Is Bern or Houston Better for its Old Town?

Bern is well known for its old town. However, Houston 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.

Houston does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Houston?

Bern is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Bern is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Houston has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a number of upscale malls and shopping centers that have brand names, chain stores, and the occasional local shop where you can pick up items.

Is Bern or Houston Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Bern or Houston.

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, Houston is very family-friendly. It is a large city with plenty of things that kids can enjoy including museums, theaters, a zoo, and even the Space Center. The Children's Museum of Houston is perfect for a rainy day. For science loving kids there's the Health Museum and the Museum of Natural Science. Houston also has a Six Flags nearby which the whole family can enjoy.

Is Bern or Houston Better for Couples?

Bern is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Bern frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With charming restaurants, a beautiful rose garden, and nice hotels and spas, this town makes a beautiful romantic getaway.

Houston is a good city for couples to visit. There's a surprising diversity of restaurants around the city. There are also performing arts productions and many outdoor parks and gardens.

Is Bern or Houston Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bern is well known for backpackers. However, Houston is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Houston is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Bern or Houston Better for Students?

Houston is a popular place for students. However, Bern is not popular with students.

Houston is a good city to visit for students. It's a large city with a number of universities and a large student population.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Bern is well known for its public transit. However, Houston is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Bern can get you to some places easily. There are trams and buses that run around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Houston. The system includes buses and a limited light rail. Houston is known as a car-centric city and you really need a car to fully experience it.

Is Bern or Houston a more walkable city?

Bern is well known for its high level of walkability. However, Houston is not particularly known for its ease of walking around.

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.

Houston is generally not a very walkable city. The most walkable neighborhood is the historic Houston Heights, but most parts of the city aren't very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Houston or Bern?

How long in Bern or Houston?

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

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

In Bern, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Houston is a big city destination where you can fill many days. 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 Houston?

In Bern, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bern has to offer.

Houston is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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 Houston?

Bern is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find food and shopping around the sprawling big city of Houston. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bern or Houston?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bern. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bern. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

The sprawling city of Houston offers shopping and museums. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

When comparing the travel costs between Bern and Houston, we can see that Houston 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. Even though Bern is in Europe and Houston is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Houston?

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

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bern or Houston in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Houston. Most visitors come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Houston because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bern is cooler than Houston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bern in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Houston averages at about 84°F (29°C).

Houston receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Bern usually receives less rain than Houston. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bern or Houston in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bern as well as Houston. The autumn months attract visitors to Bern because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Houston this time of year.

In October, Bern is generally much colder than Houston. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 13°C (55°F), and Houston fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

It's quite rainy in Houston. Bern usually gets less rain in October than Houston. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Houston in the Winter?

Both Houston and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bern this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Houston for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Bern in the winter. Bern is much colder than Houston in the winter. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Houston fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

In January, Bern usually receives less rain than Houston. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bern or Houston in the Spring?

Both Houston and Bern during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bern for the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Houston in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Bern is much colder than Houston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bern in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Houston averages at about 70°F (21°C).

Bern usually gets less rain in April than Houston. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Houston and Bern