Which place is cheaper, Karlovy Vary or Bern?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bern or Karlovy Vary?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Bern or Karlovy Vary? 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 Karlovy Vary?
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.
Karlovy Vary
Founded in 1370, Karlovy Vary translates to "Charles' Bath" for its founder Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, as well as its famous hot springs. It is located in Bohemia in the western Czech Republic and is also known as Karlsbad (German) or Carlsbad (English). Another highlight is the International Film Festival in July with draws celebrities and other film enthusiasts worldwide.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland, The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Czech Republic.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBern $249Karlovy Vary $81
The average daily cost (per person) in Bern is $249, while the average daily cost in Karlovy Vary is $81. 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 Karlovy Vary in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBern $161Karlovy Vary $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBern $322Karlovy Vary $78
Compare Hotels in Bern and Karlovy Vary
Looking for a hotel in Bern or Karlovy Vary? 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 Karlovy Vary Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bern $33Karlovy Vary $26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bern
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bern:
- Private Transfer from Bern to Zurich with 2h of Sightseeing: $300
- Private Transfer From Bern to Zurich, English Speaking Driver: $227
- Private Transfer From Bern To Basel With a 2 Hour Stop in Olten: $213
- Private Direct Transfer From Bern to Basel: $191
- Private Car Departure Transfer from Bern to Bern Airport BRN: $73
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Karlovy Vary
Also for Karlovy Vary, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Karlovy Vary to Prague Vaclav Havel Airport : $65
- Private Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague, English-speaking driver: $120
- Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague: Private daytrip with 2h for sightseeing: $128
Is it cheaper to fly into Bern or Karlovy Vary?
Prices for flights to both Karlovy Vary 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 $60Karlovy Vary $26
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.: $57
- Bern Food Market: Brunch & Local Food Tour: $62
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bern $34Karlovy Vary $12
Tours and Activities in Bern
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bern are as follows:
- 007 Elegance:Exclusive Private Tour to Schilthorn from Bern: $627
- Alpine Heights: Small Group Tour to Jungfraujoch from Bern: $592
- Beautiful Bern's Old Town: Self Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Bern : Highlights & Hidden Gems Walking Tour: $80
- Bern : Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide (Private tour): $59
- Bern Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour: $6.95
- Bern Historical UNESCO Old Town Private Tour: $161
- Bern Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $60
- Bern Old City Walking Tour: $459
- Bern Old Town - Private Historic Walking Tour: $534
- Bern Private Walking Tour: $334
- Bern Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $4.36
Tours and Activities in Karlovy Vary
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Karlovy Vary.
- Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $32
- Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $35
- Prague: Karlovy Vary Tour with Lunch and Moser Museum Visit: $77
- Karlovy Vary & Marianske Lazne Tour from Prague with Lunch: $112
- Private tour of best of Karlovy Vary - Sightseeing, Food & Culture with a local: $167
- Touristic highlights of Karlovy Vary on a Private half day tour with a local: $168
- Karlovy Vary Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $209
- A day in the life of Karlovy Vary - Private tour with a local: $223
- Private Walking Tour: $227
- LOCATION: Karlovy Vary City Tour: $255
- Full-Day Private Karlovy Vary Tour from Prague: $298
- Private Tour to Karlovy Vary: $353
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBern $27Karlovy Vary $6.54
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bern and Karlovy Vary, we can see that Bern is more expensive. And not only is Karlovy Vary much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Karlovy Vary would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Karlovy Vary 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 Karlovy Vary.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bern Expensive? and Is Karlovy Vary Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bern or Karlovy Vary?
Bern has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Karlovy Vary. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Karlovy Vary, 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 Karlovy Vary?
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 Karlovy Vary in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Bern as well as Karlovy Vary. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bern this time of year.
Bern is around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary in the summer. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Karlovy Vary. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bern this time of the year. In the summer, Bern often gets more sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 217 hours of full sun.
Bern usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Karlovy Vary. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBern 21°C (70°F)Karlovy Vary 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Bern or Karlovy Vary in the Autumn?
Both Karlovy Vary and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bern for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Bern is a little warmer than Karlovy Vary. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bern in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 11°C (51°F).
Bern usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Karlovy Vary during autumn. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Bern usually receives around the same amount of rain as Karlovy Vary. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBern 13°C (55°F)Karlovy Vary 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Bern or Karlovy Vary in the Winter?
Both Karlovy Vary and Bern during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bern in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Karlovy Vary can be very cold during winter. Bern can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Bern is generally much warmer than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 3°C (37°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).
In the winter, Bern often gets more sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 58 hours of full sun.
Bern usually gets more rain in January than Karlovy Vary. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBern 3°C (37°F)Karlovy Vary 1°C (33°F)
Should I visit Bern or Karlovy Vary in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Karlovy Vary. Most visitors come to Bern for the natural beauty during these months.
Bern is a little warmer than Karlovy Vary in the spring. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
Bern usually receives more sunshine than Karlovy Vary during spring. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Bern usually receives more rain than Karlovy Vary. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBern 11°C (52°F)Karlovy Vary 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Karlovy Vary and Bern
| Bern | Karlovy Vary | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (52°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 15°C (60°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (69°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (38°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
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.