Should you visit Bern or Monaco?
Should I visit Bern or Monaco? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
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.
Monaco
Monaco is a small city-state that is completely surrounded by France. The Italian Riviera is only a few kilometers to the east and the country enjoys a wonderful, Mediterranean climate. Monaco is also the second smallest independent state in the world, with the Vatican being the smallest. It is six times as large of the Vatican and also the world's most densely populated independent country. It is entirely urban and a fun place to spend a few days.
Which city is cheaper, Monaco or Bern?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Bern is $187, while the average daily cost in Monaco is $156. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Bern and Monaco in more detail.
Accommodation
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $121. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Bern the cost is $242 on average.
Monaco's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $198. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is $99.
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Bern is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $25 per person, per day, on local transportation in Bern.
The average price of local transportation around Monaco is $14 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bern
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bern:
-
Premium Private 1-Way Transfer to/from Interlaken:
$250
-
Geneva: Premium 1-Way Private Transfer to/from Bern:
$277
-
Low Cost Private Transfer From Bern Belp Airport to Basel City - One Way:
$586
-
Low Cost Private Transfer From Bern Belp Airport to Bern City - One Way:
$105
-
Low Cost Private Transfer From Bern Belp Airport to Zurich City - One Way:
$661
-
Private Transfer from Bern City Center to Zurich City Center:
$318
-
Private transfer from Bern City to Zurich Airport:
$416
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Monaco
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Monaco:
-
Private Departure Transfer from Monaco Hotels to Nice Airport:
$65
-
Monaco Transfer: Monaco Cruise Port to Nice Airport:
$80
-
Departure Private Transfers from Monaco City to Nice Airport NCE:
$98
-
Nice Airport Transfers : Monaco City to Nice Airport NCE in Business Car:
$108
-
Departure Private Transfers from Monaco City to Nice Airport NCE in Luxury Van:
$118
-
Nice Airport Transfers : Monaco City to Nice Airport NCE in Luxury Van:
$124
-
Nice Airport Transfers : Monaco City to Nice Airport NCE in Luxury Car:
$157
-
Monaco Private Transfer from Monaco-Ville to Nice Airport:
$174
-
Between Monaco and Nice: Single Helicopter Transfer:
$199
-
Private transfer: Monaco Airport (MCM) to Monaco:
$622
Is it cheaper to fly into Bern or Monaco?
Prices for flights to both Monaco 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
The price of a meal in Bern can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $45 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $18 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
On average, meal and food prices in Monaco cost around $45 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $18.
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Food
Meals for one day
Bern $45
Monaco $45
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Bern typically cost an average of $25 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Monaco's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $19 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Bern
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bern are as follows:
-
Tour with iPod Audio Guide:
$20
-
Bern Like a Local: Customized Private Tour:
$45
-
1-Hour Must-See Express Tour:
$72
-
Tirano to St. Moritz: Bernina Red Train Return Day-Ticket:
$79
-
Art and Culture Tour with a Local Guide:
$83
-
Instagram Highlights Tour:
$83
-
Bern Capital City Small Group Tour:
$90
-
Best Introduction Tour of Bern with a Local:
$91
-
2-Hour Historical Walking Tour:
$162
-
Schilthorn Piz Gloria (James Bond Location) Small Group Tour from Bern:
$179
-
GAILY TOUR in BERN - Gay & Lesbian Tour:
$187
-
Bern Capital City Private Tour:
$194
Typical Entertainment prices in Monaco
Here are a few typical costs in Monaco for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Tours and Activities in Monaco
Here are a few actual costs in Monaco for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
Oceanographic Museum of Monaco Ticket:
$20
-
Monaco Hop on Hop Off Sightseeing Bus Tour:
$29
-
Nice: Guided Monte-Carlo Tour:
$45
-
From Nice: Eze, Monaco & Monte Carlo Half-Day Tour:
$51
-
Monte-Carlo and Monaco sightseeing walking tour with an expert guide:
$56
-
Full-Day Small Group Tour to Monaco and Eze:
$90
-
From Cannes: Monaco Small Group Night Tour:
$96
-
From Nice: Full-Day Monaco, Monte-Carlo & Eze Tour:
$104
-
Group tour of French Riviera from the port of Monaco/Monte-Carlo:
$112
-
Helicopter Sightseeing Flight:
$164
-
Monaco 30/60-Minute Ferrari Driving Experience:
$172
-
Lamborghini Sports Car Experience from Monaco:
$211
Alcohol
The average person spends about $20 on alcoholic beverages in Bern per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Monaco may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $22 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Monaco
Also in Monaco, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Authentic Wine Tasting Experience:
$48
-
Monaco Shore Excursion: Private Tour of Nice and Eze with Wine Tasting:
$657
-
Private St-Jeannet, St-Paul-de-Vence, and Wine Tour from Monaco:
$843
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bern and Monaco, we can see that Bern is more expensive. And not only is Monaco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Monaco would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Monaco 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 Monaco.
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