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

Should you visit Bern or Leipzig?

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

Should I visit Bern or Leipzig? 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. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Leipzig

Leipzig is a historic, growing, and dynamic city. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bern and Leipzig: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Leipzig?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Bern than Leipzig. While Leipzig is larger than Bern, Bern has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bern is more popular for its historical sights and impressive beauty, while Leipzig is known for its quaint atmosphere. Bern is popular for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory. It is also home to The Zytglogge Clock Tower. Leipzig is popular for being the home of several great musicians such as Bach and Richard Wagner.

How is Bern different from Leipzig?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Bern and Leipzig have very good 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 Leipzig specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There are many historic landmarks like Old City Hall, St. Thomas Church, St. Nicholas Church, and the Battle of the Nations Monument.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at good restaurants in both Bern and Leipzig.

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

Leipzig has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Coffee houses and cellar restaurants offer an unique atmosphere where you can enjoy local specialties. Sample beef roulade or Saxon dumplings while you soak up the cozy ambiance.

Is Bern or Leipzig Better for Nightlife?

Both Bern and Leipzig are good when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Bern. There are bars, Irish pubs, and clubs around town.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Leipzig. Nightlife in town centers around live theater, cultural centers, and live entertainment.

Is Bern or Leipzig Better for its Old Town?

Bern is great for its historic old town. However, Leipzig does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Bern to see the historical old town. 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.

Leipzig does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Leipzig?

Both Bern and Leipzig are very good shopping destinations.

Bern is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Leipzig is well-known for its shopping. The city center has most of the best shopping areas. There are pedestrian streets and squares like Petersstraße and Marktplatz, as well as large shopping malls like Promenaden Hauptbahnhof Leipzig and Petersbogen.

Is Bern or Leipzig Better for Families?

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

Bern is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Leipzig is a family-friendly place to visit. Head to Belantis, which is an amusement park with rides, or take the kids to one of the many parks like Clara-Zetkin Park where they can unwind. The Leipzig Zoo makes a nice outing as well or Maya Mare is a fun waterpark. There are also several good museums like the Leipzig Panometer.

Is Bern or Leipzig Better for Couples?

Bern is great for romance. Also, Leipzig is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Bern is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. With charming restaurants, a beautiful rose garden, and nice hotels and spas, this town makes a beautiful romantic getaway.

Leipzig makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many beautiful outdoor parks and natural areas where couples can enjoy this beautiful city.

Is Bern or Leipzig Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Bern is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Like most of Switzerland, prices are a bit high, but there are some hostels and free activities that backpackers and budget travelers can enjoy.

Leipzig is a good city to visit for backpackers. Many backpackers overlook this city, but there are a few hostels and some nice areas to explore for those who make their way here.

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

Both Bern and Leipzig offer very good public transit options.

Visitors to Bern can move around easily with public transportation. There are trams and buses that run around town.

The public transit in Leipzig can get you around easily. The city has 61 bus lines and 13 tram lines that connect Leizpig to elsewhere in the region.

Is Bern or Leipzig a more walkable city?

Bern is great for its walkability. Also, Leipzig is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

Bern is very walkable. 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.

Leipzig is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of Leizpig are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Leipzig or Bern?

How long in Bern or Leipzig?

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

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

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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Leipzig. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Bern or Leipzig?

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.

Leipzig 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 Leipzig?

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 museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Leipzig. 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 Leipzig?

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 dynamic city of Leipzig offers nightlife and food. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, and The Best Walking Tours in Germany.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Leipzig?

Leipzig has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Leipzig, 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 Leipzig?

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 Leipzig in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bern as well as Leipzig. Many travelers come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Leipzig in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Bern is around the same temperature as Leipzig in the summer. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Leipzig fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Leipzig. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bern this time of the year. In the summer, Bern often gets more sunshine than Leipzig. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leipzig receives 206 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets more rain in July than Leipzig. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Leipzig receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Leipzig in the Autumn?

Both Leipzig and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Bern in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Leipzig for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Bern is a little warmer than Leipzig. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bern in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Leipzig averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Bern usually receives more sunshine than Leipzig during autumn. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies, while Leipzig receives 107 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bern usually receives more rain than Leipzig. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Leipzig receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bern or Leipzig in the Winter?

Both Leipzig and Bern during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Leipzig because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Leipzig can be very cold. Bern can be very cold during winter. In January, Bern is generally much warmer than Leipzig. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 3°C (37°F), and Leipzig fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

In the winter, Bern often gets more sunshine than Leipzig. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leipzig receives 45 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets more rain in January than Leipzig. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Leipzig receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Leipzig in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Leipzig. The spring months attract visitors to Bern because of the natural beauty.

Bern is a little warmer than Leipzig in the spring. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Leipzig fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Bern usually receives more sunshine than Leipzig during spring. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Leipzig receives 143 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bern usually receives more rain than Leipzig. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Leipzig receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Leipzig and Bern