Which place is cheaper, Katowice or Bern?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bern or Katowice?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Bern or Katowice? 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 Katowice?
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.
Katowice
Katowice is a city east of Krakow, in the Silesian province of southern Poland. A large dome crowns the Cathedral of Christ the King, built between 1927 and 1955. The adjacent Archdiocesan Museum exhibits Silesian sacred art. The ultramodern Silesian Museum features several glass structures on the site of a former coal mine. It exhibits Polish art and chronicles the history of Upper Silesia. Historically, Katowice is a product of the 19th-century industrial boom, but it only became a city in the interwar period. After WWII, at the height of the Stalinist cult craze, the city was renamed Stalinogrod, but reverted to its old name soon after Comrade Joe died in 1953. Katowice has few significant historical monuments, but it's a major commercial and cultural center and holds sufficient attractions to make it worth a stop.
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 Krakow, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Warsaw.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBern $249Katowice $46
The average daily cost (per person) in Bern is $249, while the average daily cost in Katowice is $46. 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 Katowice in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBern $161Katowice $19
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBern $322Katowice $38
Compare Hotels in Bern and Katowice
Looking for a hotel in Bern or Katowice? 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 Katowice Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bern $33Katowice $12
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: $191
- Private Transfer From Bern To Basel With a 2 Hour Stop in Olten: $213
- Private Transfer From Bern to Zurich, English Speaking Driver: $227
- Private Transfer from Bern to Zurich with 2h of Sightseeing: $300
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Katowice
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Katowice:
- Auschwitz-Birkenau: Fast-Track Ticket & Guided Tour No Transfers: $32
- Katowice Pyrzowice KTW to Krakow City Private Transfer: $129
- Katowice Airport: Private Transfer to or from Krakow: $186
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Tour from Katowice with Private Transfers: $199
Is it cheaper to fly into Bern or Katowice?
Prices for flights to both Katowice 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 $60Katowice $19
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Katowice
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Katowice.
- Private Traditional Polish Food Tour: $179
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bern $34Katowice $6.40
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: $3.21
- Bern Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $4.36
- Bern Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour: $6.95
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $7.43
- Escape Game and Tour: $8.56
- 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
- Bern Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
- Thun Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
- Fribourg Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
Tours and Activities in Katowice
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Katowice are as follows:
- Ticket Pass and Guided Tour in Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum: $28
- Auschwitz-Birkenau: Entry Ticket with Guided Tour: $32
- Entrance Ticket to Auschwitz Birkenau with Guide and FREE ebook: $32
- Auschwitz-Birkenau - Skip the Line Tickets : $32
- Katowice and Nikiszowiec: bicycle tour with guide: $42
- Auschwitz & Birkenau Live Guide Tour Entrance Ticket: $54
- From Auschwitz-Birkenau Skip-the-Line Guided Tour: $95
- Katowice Old Town Highlights Private Walking Tour: $99
- Private City Tour with Stories & Viewing Points: $154
- Private Tour to Auschwitz Birkenau: $156
- Katowice Private Vodka Tasting Tour: $159
- Katowice Private Polish Beer Tasting Tour: $160
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBern $27Katowice $5.69
Sample the Local Flavors in Katowice
Also in Katowice, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Tyskie Brewery Tour: $111
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bern and Katowice, we can see that Bern is more expensive. And not only is Katowice much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Katowice would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Katowice 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 Katowice.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bern Expensive? and Is Katowice Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bern or Katowice?
Katowice has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Katowice, 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 Katowice?
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 Katowice in the Summer?
Both Katowice and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Bern because of the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Bern is a little warmer than Katowice. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bern in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Katowice averages at about 18°C (64°F).
It's quite sunny in Katowice. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bern. Bern usually receives more sunshine than Katowice during summer. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Katowice receives 219 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Bern usually receives less rain than Katowice. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Katowice receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBern 21°C (70°F)Katowice 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Bern or Katowice in the Autumn?
Both Katowice and Bern during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bern this time of year.
In October, Bern is generally a little warmer than Katowice. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 13°C (55°F), and Katowice fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In the autumn, Bern often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Katowice. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katowice receives 128 hours of full sun.
Bern usually gets more rain in October than Katowice. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Katowice receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBern 13°C (55°F)Katowice 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Bern or Katowice in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Katowice. Many travelers come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Katowice can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Bern. Bern is much warmer than Katowice in the winter. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Katowice fluctuates around -2°C (28°F).
Bern usually receives more sunshine than Katowice during winter. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while Katowice receives 51 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Bern usually receives more rain than Katowice. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Katowice receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBern 3°C (37°F)Katowice -2°C (28°F)
Should I visit Bern or Katowice in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Bern as well as Katowice. Many visitors come to Bern in the spring for the natural beauty.
In the spring, Bern is a little warmer than Katowice. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bern in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Katowice averages at about 8°C (46°F).
In the spring, Bern often gets more sunshine than Katowice. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katowice receives 152 hours of full sun.
Bern usually gets more rain in April than Katowice. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Katowice receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBern 11°C (52°F)Katowice 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Katowice and Bern
| Bern | Katowice | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (52°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 15°C (60°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (69°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (38°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 50 mm (2 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.