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

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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.

How is Bern different from Paris?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Is Bern or Paris better for Museums and Historical Sights?

Both Bern and Paris have interesting landmarks and museums for visitors.

Bern offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Visit the Einstein Museum, the Clock Tower, and Bern Cathedral.

Travelers visit Paris from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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.


Is Bern or Paris better for Food?

Most foodies will appreciate the options in Paris a bit more than Bern.

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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Bern area. The city has cozy cafes, high end fine dining, traditional eateries, and modern venues.

Is Bern or Paris better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will usually choose Paris over Bern.

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.

If you're looking for night time activities Bern has a few options to choose from. There are bars, Irish pubs, and clubs around town.

Is Bern or Paris better for Shopping?

Both Bern and Paris are 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.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Paris. Some of the best areas for shopping are Boulevard Haussmann and the Grands Boulevards, the Marais, and Avenue Montaigne and the Champs-Elysées.

Is Bern or Paris better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Bern or Paris.

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.

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.


Is Bern or Paris better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Bern and Paris make for a good place to visit.

Bern is a very popular place to visit for couples. With charming restaurants, a beautiful rose garden, and nice hotels and spas, this town makes a beautiful romantic getaway.

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.

Is Bern or Paris better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Bern and Paris are popular destinations for backpackers.

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

Paris is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Is Bern or Paris better for Public Transit?

Both Bern and Paris offer public transit options.

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

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Paris can take you anywhere. The city's metro system is very comprehensive. There's also a bus system that you can use to get around.

Is Bern or Paris a more walkable city?

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


Bern and Paris: Pros and Cons

Bern
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
Cons
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular for nightlife
Paris
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Good nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Big city activities
  • Impressive beauty


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 Bern.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Bern is 1-3 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Paris is 3-7 days.


  • How many days in Bern or Paris? Ideal Length of Stay
    Bern 1-3 
    Paris 3-7

One day in Bern or Paris?

In Bern, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this charming 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 around the area. 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 area has lots to do.

Five days in Bern or Paris?

Bern is a fun place to experience. 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 iconic big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend five days here when traveling. Five days is often enough time to spend here.

A week in Bern or Paris?

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

Paris is a energetic 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.

Which city is cheaper, Paris or Bern?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bern is $185, while the average daily cost in Paris is $193. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Bern and Paris in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bern $119
    Paris $127
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bern $238
    Paris $254

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bern $25
    Paris $18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bern

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bern:

  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Bern Belp Airport to Zurich City - One Way: $661
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Bern Belp Airport to Basel City - One Way: $586
  • Private transfer from Bern City to Zurich Airport: $416
  • Private Transfer from Bern City Center to Zurich City Center: $318
  • Geneva: Premium 1-Way Private Transfer to/from Bern: $277
  • Premium Private 1-Way Transfer to/from Interlaken: $250
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Bern Belp Airport to Bern City - One Way: $105

Typical Local Transportation prices in Paris

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Paris are as follows:


  • Metro
    $6.73
  • Train from Airport
    $9.47
  • Metro tickets
    $7.15
  • Train
    $21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paris

Also for Paris, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Ultra - Private Transfer from Paris to Giverny to visit Claude Monet's Garden: $9.57
  • Shared Arrival Transfer from Orly Airport (ORY) to Paris: $23
  • Shared Departure Transfer from Paris to Orly airport: $23
  • Paris Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Railway Station: $33
  • Semi Private Arrival Transfer: Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG): $33
  • Semi Private Departure Transfer: Paris to ORLY Airport: $33
  • Semi Private Departure Transfer: Paris to Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG): $33
  • Private Transfer: Gare du Nord Train Station (Eurostar Terminal): $34
  • Private One-Way Transfer: City of Paris: $36
  • Paris Private Arrival Transfer: Railway Station to Hotel: $36
  • Paris to Versailles Round-Trip Coach Transfer: $37
  • Paris to Versailles Round-Trip Shuttle Transfer by Luxury Bus: $39

Is it cheaper to fly into Bern or Paris?

Prices for flights to both Paris 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Bern $44
    Paris $33

Typical Food prices in Paris

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Paris:


  • Ice Cream
    $8.41
  • Breakfast
    $7.36
  • Breakfast for 2
    $31
  • Dinner on River Cruise
    $90
  • Dinner
    $60
  • Cheese
    $14

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paris

For Paris, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Paris en Scene Boat 3-Course Dinner Cruise: $49
  • Paris River Seine Lunch or Dinner Cruise: $60
  • Italian dinner on the river Seine: $61
  • Seine River Cruise with French Dinner on Champs-Elysees Avenue: $61
  • Seine River Cruise & Dinner on Champs Elysées Avenue: $62
  • Choux cooking class for kids in Paris: $62
  • Capitaine Fracasse Boat 3-Course Dinner Cruise: $67
  • Paris Small-Group Gourmet Food Tour With Optional Lunch and Wine Tasting: $75
  • Bistro Parisien Dinner and Seine River Sightseeing Cruise Combination: $75
  • NO DIET CLUB - Unique Bike and Food tour in Paris !: $75
  • Romantic Cruise with 3-course Dinner on Seine River: $76
  • Fondue Cooking Party - Winter is Coming: $78

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bern $25
    Paris $65

Tours and Activities in Bern

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bern are as follows:

  • Adventure: Diamond Skull Virtual Reality: $230
  • Bern - Walking Tour with Licensed Guide: $446
  • Bern Capital City Private Tour: $194
  • Bern Capital City Small Group Tour: $90
  • Bern Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $45
  • Bern Old City Walking Tour: $491
  • Bern Old Town- Private Tour: $435
  • Bern Private Walking Tour: $366
  • Bern Private Walking Tour with Professional Guide: $497
  • 1-Hour Must-See Express Tour: $72
  • 2-Hour Historical Walking Tour: $162
  • 4-Hour City Tour with Private Guide: $231

Typical Entertainment prices in Paris

For Paris, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Louvre Entry for Two
    $19
  • Admission to Pantheon
    $5.26
  • Catacombs (2)
    $24

Tours and Activities in Paris

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Paris.

  • Secret Montmartre, smartphone audioguided tour: $0.98
  • Trendy Marais, smartphone audioguided walking tour: $0.98
  • Marais HiddenTreasures, audioguided walking tour: $0.98
  • Paris Criminal Past, audioguided walking tour: $0.98
  • Test Day tour: $1.00
  • BEST OF ROYAL DAYS & LIFE : 3 audioguided tours: $1.85
  • BEST OF PARIS : 3 smartphone audioguided tours: $1.85
  • Legends of Paris Night Free Walking Tour in Spanish: $3.72
  • Visit the Eiffel Tower at your own pace Self-guided audio tour: $4.96
  • Flâneurs of Belleville: Explore the art of city walking on an audio walking tour: $5.00
  • One Hour Père Lachaise Cemetery Self-guided Audio Tour by VoiceMap: $5.43
  • Marais: Explore this historic neighbourhood on a kid-friendly audio walking tour: $5.49

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bern $20
    Paris $20

Typical Alcohol prices in Paris

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Paris are as follows:


  • Wine
    $15

Sample the Local Flavors in Paris

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Paris:

  • Pub Crawl in Latin Quarter: $37
  • Guided Visit and Wine Tasting in a Royal Wine Cellar in Paris: $40
  • Guided tour and wine tasting in a historic cellar in the center of Paris: $41
  • Cheese and Wine Tasting in the Latin Quarter with Chef Alex: $47
  • Organic wine tasting in Paris: $56
  • Wine Tasting In Paris: $83
  • Paris Art of Pairing Cheese and Wine Tasting in a Cheese Cellar: $87
  • Paris Wine Tasting Session with Expert Sommelier: $89
  • Walk & Wine Tour in the Latin Quarter: $97
  • Paris Wine Tasting plus Cheese & Cured Meat Lunch with an Expert Sommelier Guide: $97
  • Paris Evening Wine Tour and Tasting: $112
  • Montmartre Hill Sweet & Savory French Gourmet Food & Wine Tasting Tour: $112

About these numbers

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.

Budget Your Trip

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Bern vs. Paris Travel Comparison

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