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

Should you visit Bern or Paris?

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

Should I visit Bern or Paris? 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.

Paris

Paris is a bustling, energetic, and beautiful city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Bern and Paris: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Paris?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Paris than Bern, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Paris is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Bern is known for its historical sights. Paris is more touristy than Bern and is popular for its world-renowned cuisine, iconic landmarks, trendsetting fashion, and dynamic markets. It is also home to The Eiffel Tower. Bern is popular for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory.

The Eiffel Tower

How is Bern different from Paris?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Paris 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 Paris that are not to be missed. One of the most world famous landmarks is the Eiffel Tower. The city is also home to the world renowned Louvre, Notre-Dame, and Palais Garnier Opera House. In addition to the many iconic sights, there are beautiful buildings and hidden gems throughout the city.

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 Paris Better for Theater?

Paris is renowned for theatre. However, Bern is not a theatre destination.

The theater and performance venues in Paris draw crowds from around the world. There are world class theaters as well as smaller local venues where you can enjoy a show.

Bern is not a theatre destination.

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

Paris 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, Paris is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. There are countless local restaurants, markets, and patisseries to explore. Make sure you try the steak tartare, pate, and macarons.

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 Paris Better for Nightlife?

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

Paris is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. Head to Pigalle or the Latin Quarter for some of the city's best nightlife. There are all-night parties, cabarets, and exclusive night clubs that you can experience.

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 Paris Better for Music?

Paris is renowned for live music. However, Bern is not a live music destination.

Paris is a world class music destination. Some of the most famous music venues include Le Pop In, La Mécanique Ondulatoire, and Les Disquaires. You'll also find many small bars where you can enjoy live music in a quaint setting.

Bern is not a live music destination.

Is Bern or Paris Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting 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.

Paris does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Paris?

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

Paris is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Some of the best areas for shopping are Boulevard Haussmann and the Grands Boulevards, the Marais, and Avenue Montaigne and the Champs-Elysées. The city is iconic for its fashion scene and world class shopping venues.

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 Paris Better for Christmas?

Paris is renowned for its Christmas activities. However, Bern does not offer Christmas activities.

Paris is a world class destination during the Christmas season. The city of lights really proves itself around the holiday season. In addition to checking out the Christmas lights, it's fun to go window shopping or check out one of the city's Christmas markets.

Bern does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Bern or Paris Better for Families?

Paris is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Paris is a very family-friendly destination. Check out Jardin du Luxembourg, or one of the city's many playgrounds. Also grab a treat at one of the city's many patisseries. And of course, there's Disneyland Paris.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Bern is very family-friendly. 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.

Is Bern or Paris Better for Couples?

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

Paris makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. A city filled with romance, you really can't find a more ideal destination for a European honeymoon or a couple's getaway.

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 Paris Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Paris is renowned for backpackers. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Paris is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. It's a big city, so it's easy to get lost in the chaos, but there are many hostels and other backpacker hangouts around town.

Many backpackers 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.

Is Bern or Paris Better for Students?

Paris is renowned for students. However, Bern is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Paris. The city is one of the most popular destinations for international and study abroad students.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Paris 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.

Paris has a great public transit system. The city's metro system is very comprehensive. There's also a bus system that you can use to get around.

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

Is Bern or Paris a more walkable city?

Bern and Paris both are high quality when exploring on foot.

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.

Paris is a very walkable city. Some streets can feel a bit overwhelming, but there are many parts of the city that are easily explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Paris or Bern?

How long in Bern or Paris?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Paris 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 Paris.

One day in Bern or Paris?

In Bern, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this beautiful destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Paris 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 Paris?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bern. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Paris 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 Paris?

Bern is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Bern. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Paris is a energetic 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 Paris?

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful destination of Bern. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Paris is a bustling 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 Historical Tours in France, and The Best 10-Day Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Bern and Paris, we can see that Paris 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. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Paris?

Paris has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Paris, 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 Paris?

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 Paris in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bern as well as Paris. The summer months attract visitors to Bern because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Paris this time of year.

Bern is around the same temperature as Paris in the summer. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Paris fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Paris. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bern this time of the year. In the summer, Bern often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Paris. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Paris receives 241 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets more rain in July than Paris. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Paris receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Paris in the Autumn?

Both Paris and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bern this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Paris for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Bern is around the same temperature as Paris. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bern in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Paris averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Bern usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Paris during autumn. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies, while Paris receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bern usually receives less rain than Paris. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Paris receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bern or Paris in the Winter?

Both Paris and Bern during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Paris in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Paris can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Bern. In January, Bern is generally much colder than Paris. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 3°C (37°F), and Paris fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Bern often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Paris. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Paris receives 62 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Paris. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Paris receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Paris in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Paris. Many visitors come to Bern in the spring for the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Paris for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

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

Bern usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Paris during spring. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Paris receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bern usually receives more rain than Paris. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Paris receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Paris and Bern