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

Should you visit Bern or Pittsburgh?

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

Should I visit Bern or Pittsburgh? 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. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is a industrial, authentic, and under-rated city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bern and Pittsburgh: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Pittsburgh?

You'll generally find more things to do in Pittsburgh than Bern. Pittsburgh is bigger than Bern, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Pittsburgh is better known for its nightlife and big city activities, while Bern is more popular for its historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Bern is more touristy than Pittsburgh and is popular for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory. Pittsburgh is well known for its many bridges, its steel industry, and being the home of "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood". Also, Pittsburgh is famous for Mount Washington.

How is Bern different from Pittsburgh?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Bern and Pittsburgh have very good landmarks and museums for visitors.

Bern offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Many visitors head to Pittsburgh specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The museums range from science and nature focused, like the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden, to quirky and artsy, like the Mattress Factory. The Warhol Museum is dedicated to the works of Andy Warhol and it's not to be missed. Also worth a visit is the Heinz History Center, Randyland, and the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at notable restaurants in both Bern and Pittsburgh.

Bern offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city has cozy cafes, high end fine dining, traditional eateries, and modern venues.

Pittsburgh has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city is known for its working class roots, and the food is hearty and filling, which is great for those on a budget. Popular local dishes include pierogis, deli sandwiches, Pittsburgh salads (complete with French fries), and hotcakes.

Is Bern or Pittsburgh Better for Nightlife?

Pittsburgh 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.

Pittsburgh offers plenty to do in the evening. There's an active music and dance scene in town. For the best bars and clubs, head to the Strip and South Side and for live entertainment and casinos check out the North Shore.

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 Pittsburgh Better for its Old Town?

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

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.

Pittsburgh does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Pittsburgh?

Bern is great for its shopping areas. Also, Pittsburgh is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bern. 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.

Pittsburgh is a great destination for shopping. You'll find local fashion boutiques and shopping centers in the city's downtown. Other great shopping neighborhoods include Shadyside, Station Square, and Fifth Avenue Place.

Is Bern or Pittsburgh Better for Families?

Bern is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Pittsburgh is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Bern. 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.

Pittsburgh is a family-friendly place to visit. There's a surprising number of kid-friendly activities packed into this city. Check out the National Aviary or visit the popular Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium. There are also kid-focused museums and science centers as well as parks and playgrounds. Also make sure you take the cable car up Duquesne Incline or enjoy a boat ride on one of the rivers as well.

Is Bern or Pittsburgh Better for Couples?

Bern is great for couples. However, Pittsburgh is not a good destination for romance.

Bern is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. With charming restaurants, a beautiful rose garden, and nice hotels and spas, this town makes a beautiful romantic getaway.

Pittsburgh is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are a few good date night activities like taking river cruises, enjoying dinner and show, or going to a Pirate's game.

Is Bern or Pittsburgh Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bern is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Pittsburgh is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and 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.

Pittsburgh is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's usually overlooked by backpackers, but there is some cheap accommodation in town.

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

Bern is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Pittsburgh is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Bern. There are trams and buses that run around town.

Pittsburgh has a few public transit options. There are bus and lightrail options through the city's downtown. There's also the unique incline, which is an experience worth doing.

Is Bern or Pittsburgh a more walkable city?

Bern is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Pittsburgh is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Bern is a very walkable destination. 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.

Pittsburgh is somewhat walkable. Some of the attractions are spread out, but if you're willing to do a bit of walking, it's possible to get around on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Pittsburgh or Bern?

How long in Bern or Pittsburgh?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bern than Pittsburgh 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 Bern.

One day in Bern or Pittsburgh?

With museums and nightlife around the cultural city of Bern, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bern, one day is sufficent for most.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Pittsburgh. 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 Pittsburgh?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Bern, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Pittsburgh is a fun place to experience. 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 Pittsburgh?

Bern, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the industrial destination of Pittsburgh. 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 Pittsburgh?

Bern is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The authentic city of Pittsburgh offers nightlife and food. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Pittsburgh, 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.