Which place is cheaper, Lima or Bern?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bern or Lima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Bern or Lima? 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 Lima?
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.
Lima
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBern $252Lima $76
The average daily cost (per person) in Bern is $252, while the average daily cost in Lima is $76. 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 Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBern $163Lima $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBern $326Lima $98
Compare Hotels in Bern and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Bern or Lima? 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 Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bern $34Lima $5.67
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 Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.37
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Taxi Ride$5.37
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Short Taxi Ride$4.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- QuickLlama: Transfer from Miraflores Kennedy Park to Lima Airport: $5.00
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Lima Airport to Miraflores: $5.00
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Miraflores to Lima Airport: $5.00
- Lima Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Miraflores: $5.63
- Lima Airport: BUS Transfer to/from Lima city center: $6.00
- Private Transfer from Jorge Chavez Airport to Hotels in Lima: $13
- LIMA AIRPORT SHUTTLE - Shared Transfer: $13
- Private transfers from Lima Airport or to Lima Airport: $17
- Transfer from Hotel/Airbnb Miraflores/San Isidro/Barranco to Airport: $18
- Transfer from Lima city to the airport: $18
- Taxi transfers from and to the Lima Airport and Paracas Ica: $20
- Private Transfer from Lima Airport to Hotel by Aludy Travel: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Bern or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima 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 $60Lima $17
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 Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.30
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Ice cream$3.49
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Coffee$2.95
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Donut$0.94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Lima Market Food Tour: $33
- Lima Market Food Tour: $34
- Peruvian Food Tour Through Local Markets: $40
- Ceviche Cooking Class Including Pisco Sour Lesson: $40
- Lima Street Food Tour: $40
- Lima Street Food Tour: $45
- Lima Food Tour: $45
- Street Food Tour in Miraflores District: $45
- Cooking Workshop and Water Circuit Tour: $45
- Barranco Tour with Dinner: $47
- Bohemian tour of Barranco with Dinner: $47
- Private Cooking Class With a Local Family in Lima: $48
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bern $34Lima $8.57
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
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Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$16
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Movie Tickets$2.28
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Free Walking Tour of Lima: $2.00
- Peru's Best Bike Experience since 2014 - 4 Hours Hire: $9.90
- Customize your trip to Peru with Lima Experience: $12
- bike tour: $12
- Skip the Line: Larco Museum Admission Ticket: $13
- Beach tour and surfboards for rent in Lima, Peru: $14
- Barranco Street Art Tour: $17
- Party tour Fridays Barranco / Saturdays Miraflores: $18
- Private Beach Guided Bike Tour in Lima : $19
- Private Tour with guide in Museo de Arte de Lima - MALI: $20
- Guided Walking Tour in Barranco: $20
- Lima Downtown Tour from Miraflores in 3 hrs: $21
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBern $27Lima $5.57
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$7.23
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Beer$4.03
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Cocktail$3.22
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Gin and Rum Distillery Tour: $12
- Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $18
- Exclusive Pub Crawl with 10+ benefits: $18
- Party Tour in Miraflores with Bar Crawl and Drinks: $18
- Pub Crawl in Lima: $25
- Local Wine Tour : $39
- Local Wine Tour: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bern and Lima, we can see that Bern is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bern is in Europe and Lima is in South America, 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 Lima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lima 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 Lima.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bern Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bern or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Lima, 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 Lima?
Bern has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Lima experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Bern or Lima in the Summer?
Both Lima and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Bern is a little warmer than Lima in the summer. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Lima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bern. Bern usually receives more sunshine than Lima during summer. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Bern usually receives more rain than Lima. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBern 21°C (70°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Bern or Lima in the Autumn?
Both Lima and Bern during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Bern because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
In the autumn, Bern is cooler than Lima. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bern in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Lima averages at about 19°C (66°F).
In the autumn, Bern often gets more sunshine than Lima. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun.
Bern usually gets more rain in October than Lima. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBern 13°C (55°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Bern or Lima in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Lima. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bern this time of year. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
It's quite cold in Bern in the winter. In January, Bern is generally much colder than Lima. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 3°C (37°F), and Lima fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Bern usually receives less sunshine than Lima during winter. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Bern usually receives more rain than Lima. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBern 3°C (37°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Bern or Lima in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Bern as well as Lima. Many travelers come to Bern for the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
Bern is much colder than Lima in the spring. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Lima fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
In the spring, Bern often gets less sunshine than Lima. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun.
Bern usually gets more rain in April than Lima. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBern 11°C (52°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and Bern
| Bern | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (52°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 15°C (60°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (69°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (38°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.