A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bern vs. New York City for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Bern or New York City?

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

Should I visit Bern or New York City? 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 charming, beautiful, and cultural city. Bern is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Bern travel costs.

New York City

New York City is a cosmopolitan, one-of-a-kind, and vibrant city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. New York City is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food. See New York City travel costs.

Bern and New York City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or New York City?

Travelers will usually find more to do in New York City than Bern, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. New York City is more popular for its museums and attractions, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, shopping, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Bern is known for its historical sights and impressive beauty. New York City is more touristy than Bern and is popular for its high-reaching skyscrapers, iconic landmarks, world-class theater scene, and endless energy. It is also home to The Statue of Liberty. Bern is popular for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory.

How is Bern different from New York City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between New York City 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 New York City?

New York City is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in New York City that are not to be missed. The sights and museums around the city are too numerous to list, but some of the most famous include the Statue of Liberty, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, Central Park, and the Empire State Building. This is a city that is filled with iconic landmarks and you could spend weeks here and still not see it all.

Many visitors head to Bern specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Is Bern or New York City Better for Theater?

New York City is renowned for theatre. However, Bern is not a theatre destination.

The theater and performance venues in New York City draw crowds from around the world. Visiting Broadway is a quintessential NYC experience. Whether you enjoy the theater or simply want to experience something new, seeing a Broadway show is a true bucket list activity.

Bern is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Bern or New York City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

New York City is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, New York City is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The city has a diverse variety of restaurants, with everything from local dives to Michelin star options. There are many neighborhoods that are notable for their ethnic cuisine, particularly Little Italy and Chinatown. Quintessential NYC dishes include NYC pizza, NYC hot dogs, bagels, and Chinese dim sum.

Bern has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city has cozy cafes, high end fine dining, traditional eateries, and modern venues.

Is Bern or New York City Better for Nightlife?

New York City is renowned for nightlife. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

New York City is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. Known as the city that never sleeps, you can be assured that NYC has some of the best nightlife in the world. There are world class bars and clubs, but also local venues that have a more relaxed atmosphere. Several famous clubs include Paul's Cocktail Lounge, Le Bain, and Avant Gardner.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Bern. There are bars, Irish pubs, and clubs around town.

Is Bern or New York City Better for Music?

New York City is renowned for live music. However, Bern is not a live music destination.

New York City is a world class music destination. Popular music venues include Music Hall of Williamsburg, Radio City Music Hall, Beacon Theatre, and Forest Hills Stadium.

Bern is not a live music destination.

Is Bern or New York City Better for its Old Town?

Bern is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town. However, New York City does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Bern. 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.

New York City does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or New York City?

New York City is renowned for shopping. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

New York City is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The shopping is as diverse as the city itself. Head for Fifth Avenue for high end shopping or check out any of the many street markets for local items. New York is known for its many flea markets where you can find vintage items at a good price. And if you're looking to pick up a souvenir shirt or knick knack, there are plenty of souvenir shops around town as well.

Bern is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Is Bern or New York City More Beautiful?

Bern is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. Also, New York City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its scenery and beauty.

Bern is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. This beautifully preserved historic city has charm, personality, and a lot to do.

New York City is a beautiful place to visit, too. The beauty of the skyline at night or the views from the top of the Empire State Building will take your breath away.

Is Bern or New York City Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Bern or New York City.

Bern is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, New York City is very family-friendly. The city has many activities for kids of all ages including world class museums, beautifully designed playgrounds, and theater shows designed just for young ones. There are many kid-friendly restaurants as well and older kids will enjoy visiting the iconic landmarks in this world-class city.

Is Bern or New York City Better for Couples?

New York City is renowned for romance. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

New York City makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. From a beautiful carriage ride through Central Park, to a romantic river cruise at night, there is an endless list of unique activities that couples can enjoy in the city. Whether you're interested in theater, the arts, music, or nightlife, this city has it all.

Bern makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With charming restaurants, a beautiful rose garden, and nice hotels and spas, this town makes a beautiful romantic getaway.

Is Bern or New York City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Bern and New York City are superb destinations for backpackers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Bern. Like most of Switzerland, prices are a bit high, but there are some hostels and free activities that backpackers and budget travelers can enjoy.

Many backpackers visit New York City. It isn't a particularly budget-friendly destination, but it does get its share of backpackers, so you'll find a nice list of hostels and affordable hangouts that are perfect for the backpacker crowd. This is probably one of the most popular cities for backpackers in the entire United States.

Is Bern or New York City Better for Students?

New York City is renowned for students. However, Bern is not popular with students.

Many students frequent New York City. The city has a diverse population, and international students will feel right at home here exploring the city. There are also plenty of major universities including NYU, Columbia University, and Cornell University.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

New York City is renowned for its public transit. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

New York City has a great public transit system. The city has one of the largest subway systems in the world. There's also an elaborate bus system, ferry system, and yellow taxis all around town.

The public transit in Bern can get you around easily. There are trams and buses that run around town.

Is Bern or New York City a more walkable city?

New York City is renowned for its walkability. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around New York City on foot. The majority of the neighborhoods in Manhattan are very walkable and easy to explore on foot. Most people prefer not to drive here as it can be overwhelming and chaotic.

Bern is a very walkable city. 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.

For even more information, also check out Is Bern Worth Visiting? and Is New York City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in New York City or Bern?

How long in Bern or New York City?

Both Bern and New York City have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in New York City than in Bern. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bern, and 3-7 days is enough time in New York City.

Families should spend more time in New York City than Bern. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in New York City, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in New York City than Bern. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in New York City that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in New York City than Bern 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 New York City.

One day in Bern or New York City?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Bern. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

New York City is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Bern or New York City?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bern. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

New York City is a fun place to experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bern or New York City?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural destination of Bern. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.

New York City is a vibrant big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Bern or New York City?

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful city of Bern. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

New York City is a vibrant city where you can fill many days. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.

When comparing the travel costs between Bern and New York City, we can see that New York City is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Bern is in Europe and New York City is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or New York City?

New York City has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bern and New York City, 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 New York City?

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 New York City in the Summer?

Both New York City and Bern during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to New York City because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Bern is cooler than New York City in the summer. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and New York City fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

New York City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bern usually gets less rain in July than New York City. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while New York City receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or New York City in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and New York City. The autumn months attract visitors to Bern because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to New York City this time of year.

In the autumn, Bern is around the same temperature as New York City. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bern in October average around 13°C (55°F), and New York City averages at about 57°F (14°C).

In October, Bern usually receives less rain than New York City. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bern or New York City in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bern as well as New York City. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bern this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to New York City for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in New York City. It's quite cold in Bern in the winter. In January, Bern is generally much warmer than New York City. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 3°C (37°F), and New York City fluctuates around 31°F (-1°C).

Bern usually gets less rain in January than New York City. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or New York City in the Spring?

Both New York City and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bern for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to New York City in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Bern is around the same temperature as New York City in the spring. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and New York City fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

In April, Bern usually receives less rain than New York City. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.8 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for New York City and Bern