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

Should you visit Bern or Philadelphia?

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

Should I visit Bern or Philadelphia? 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. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia is a diverse, historic, and cultural city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Bern and Philadelphia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Philadelphia?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Philadelphia than Bern. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Philadelphia is very popular for its museums, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Bern attracts visitors for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Bern is famous for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory. Philadelphia is famous for its diverse population, large number of universities, great restaurant and market scene, and its role in American history. It is also well known for The Liberty Bell.

How is Bern different from Philadelphia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia that are not to be missed. The city has a rich history with a number of museums and monuments. Popular sites around the city include the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the National Museum of Jewish American History.

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 Philadelphia Better for Theater?

Philadelphia is a well-known place for theatre. However, Bern is not a theatre destination.

While in town, many visitors enjoy seeing a show in Philadelphia. There are major Broadway shows as well as smaller venues. Head to The Avenue of the Arts along Broad Street for a popular stretch of theaters.

Bern is not a theatre destination.

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

Philadelphia is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Philadelphia makes for a great culinary experience. It has grown into a well-recognized food destination. It's diversity of cultures and residents have influenced the restaurant scene and you'll find many great places to dine covering a number of international flavors. The city is famous for its Philly cheesesteak and roast pork sandwich. You can also grab some local favorites at Reading Terminal Market.

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 Philadelphia Better for Nightlife?

Philadelphia is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Philadelphia offers plenty to do in the evening. The city's nightlife scene carries late into the evening with many rooftop and outdoor beer gardens. Most of the clubs and bars are found in the downtown area and you'll find places to dance, listen to live music, or sip a trendy cocktails.

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 Philadelphia Better for Music?

Philadelphia is a well-known place for live music. However, Bern is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Philadelphia is very popular with diverse venues. The city's diverse music scene includes jazz, rock, and hip hop.

Bern is not a live music destination.

Is Bern or Philadelphia Better for its Old Town?

Bern is an excellent place to visit for its old town. Also, Philadelphia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town charm.

Many visitors go to Bern to see the historical old town. 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.

Philadelphia offers a nice historic old town area. The Old City has a number of Colonial-era sites including Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Philadelphia?

Both Bern and Philadelphia are very 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.

Philadelphia is well-known for its shopping. With all items tax-free, this city is a great place to shop. It has many boutique shops as well as name brand stores and shopping areas. For a local vibe, head to Reading Terminal Market.

Is Bern or Philadelphia Better for Christmas?

Philadelphia is a well-known place for its Christmas activities. However, Bern does not offer Christmas activities.

Philadelphia is an extremely popular place to visit during the Christmas season. There are a number of holiday events, light shows, and festivals during the holiday season.

Bern does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Bern or Philadelphia Better for Christmas Markets?

Philadelphia is a popular place for its Christmas markets. However, Bern does not offer Christmas markets.

Many visitors go to the Christmas markets in Philadelphia. The city has its own German style Christmas market at Love Park and City Hall. It hosts over 80 vendors.

Bern does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Bern or Philadelphia Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Bern or Philadelphia.

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, Philadelphia is very family-friendly. The city has many museums and a fascinating history that is interesting to kids and adults alike. Popular activities include a zoo and Sesame Place. Kids also love the hands-on Please Touch Museum.

Is Bern or Philadelphia Better for Couples?

Bern is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Philadelphia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

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.

Philadelphia is a good city for couples to visit. Like many large cities, it is a fun place to explore in the evening as a couple. This is also a great foodie destination with great markets, food trucks, and diverse restaurants that reflect the city's diverse population.

Is Bern or Philadelphia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bern is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Philadelphia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

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.

Philadelphia is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a few good hostels for backpackers and budget travelers to choose from.

Is Bern or Philadelphia Better for Students?

Philadelphia is a well-known place for students. However, Bern is not popular with students.

Philadelphia is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. With its many universities and diverse population, this city is a great place for international students.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Both Bern and Philadelphia offer very good public transit options.

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

The public transit in Philadelphia can get you around easily. The system includes a subway, trolleys, buses, and a commuter rail.

Is Bern or Philadelphia a more walkable city?

Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia on foot. The Old City is particularly walkable, as is Avenue of the Arts, and Rittenhouse Square.

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 Philadelphia Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Philadelphia or Bern?

How long in Bern or Philadelphia?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bern and Philadelphia. In our opinion, Philadelphia has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Philadelphia than Bern. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bern, and 2-3 days is enough time in Philadelphia.

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

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

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

One day in Bern or Philadelphia?

In Bern, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this beautiful city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia?

Bern is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Philadelphia is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the museums. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bern or Philadelphia?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Bern. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

You'll find live music and food around the historic big city of Philadelphia. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bern or Philadelphia?

Bern is a popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The historic city of Philadelphia offers food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

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 Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bern and Philadelphia, we can see that Bern is more expensive. And not only is Philadelphia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bern is in Europe and Philadelphia is in North 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 Philadelphia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia.

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Philadelphia?

Philadelphia has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia?

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 Philadelphia in the Summer?

Both Philadelphia and Bern during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Philadelphia in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bern is cooler than Philadelphia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bern in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Philadelphia averages at about 77°F (25°C).

In Philadelphia, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Bern. In the summer, Bern often gets less sunshine than Philadelphia. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 273 hours of full sun.

Philadelphia gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bern usually gets less rain in July than Philadelphia. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Philadelphia in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Philadelphia. Many visitors come to Bern in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Philadelphia for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Bern is generally around the same temperature as Philadelphia. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 13°C (55°F), and Philadelphia fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Philadelphia this time of the year. Bern usually receives less sunshine than Philadelphia during autumn. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 202 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bern usually receives around the same amount of rain as Philadelphia. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bern or Philadelphia in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bern as well as Philadelphia. Most visitors come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Philadelphia because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

The weather in Philadelphia can be very cold. Bern can be very cold during winter. Bern is much warmer than Philadelphia in the winter. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Philadelphia fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

In the winter, Bern often gets less sunshine than Philadelphia. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 152 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Philadelphia. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Philadelphia in the Spring?

Both Philadelphia and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Bern because of the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Philadelphia this time of year.

In the spring, Bern is around the same temperature as Philadelphia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bern in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Philadelphia averages at about 52°F (11°C).

It's quite sunny in Philadelphia. Bern usually receives less sunshine than Philadelphia during spring. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 216 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bern usually receives less rain than Philadelphia. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Philadelphia and Bern