A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bern vs. Podgorica for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bern or Podgorica?

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

Should I visit Bern or Podgorica? 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.

Where Should I go: Bern or Podgorica?

Bern

The capital city of Switzerland, Bern, is a surprisingly small city with a population of only about 130,000. It's located on a peninsula that is created by the turns of the River Aare. The city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it has a wonderfully preserved old town area. There are about four miles worth of quaint walkways that are lined with clock towers and fountains.

Podgorica

Podgorica is Montenegro's capital city, and also its largest. Dating back to the Ottoman Empire, World War II destroyed much of this history, but there are a few Turkish remnants worth visiting. Podgorica's central location often makes the city a good starting point for day trips to coastal cities or mountain resorts.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland, The Best Budget Tours to Montenegro, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Montenegro.


Which place is cheaper, Podgorica or Bern?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Bern is $252, while the average daily cost in Podgorica is $112. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Bern and Podgorica in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bern $163
    Podgorica $49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bern $326
    Podgorica $98
Compare Hotels in Bern and Podgorica

Looking for a hotel in Bern or Podgorica? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Bern


Hotels in Podgorica


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Bern Hotel Prices and Podgorica Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bern $34
    Podgorica $21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bern

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bern:

  • Private Car Departure Transfer from Bern to Bern Airport BRN: $73
  • Private Direct Transfer From Bern to Basel: $192
  • Private Transfer From Bern To Basel With a 2 Hour Stop in Olten: $214
  • Private Transfer From Bern to Zurich, English Speaking Driver: $228

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Podgorica

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Podgorica:

  • Transfer Podgorica city center- Podgorica Airport: $22
  • Private transfer from Podgorica airport to Podgorica city: $26
  • Private Transfer: Podgorica Airport TGD to Podgorica in Sedan Car: $34
  • Private Transfer to Budva: $39
  • Private Transfer: Podgorica to TGD Airport in Business Car: $41
  • Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Kotor Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $47
  • Private Transfer from Podgorica hotels to Kotor Cruise Port: $47
  • Podgorica hotels to Kotor Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $47
  • Private transfer to Tivat: $54
  • Private transfer to Kotor: $54
  • From One-Way Private Transfer to/from Virpazar: $57
  • Podgorica airport: Private Transfer to/from Budva: $75

Is it cheaper to fly into Bern or Podgorica?

Prices for flights to both Podgorica 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 $60
    Podgorica $43

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bern

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bern.

  • Cooking delicious Spanish paella in Switzerland.: $66

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bern $34
    Podgorica $22

Tours and Activities in Bern

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

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
  • Bern Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $4.39
  • Bern Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour: $7.00
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $7.48
  • Escape Game and Tour: $8.61
  • Self-Guided Tour of Bern's Fountains, Clocktowers, and Legends: $9.99
  • Beautiful Bern's Old Town: Self Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • City Sightseeing Self-Guided Walking Tour Game: $15
  • Thun Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
  • Fribourg Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
  • Bern Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16

Tours and Activities in Podgorica

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

  • Skip The Line: National Park Skadar Lake - Tickets: $8.23
  • Skadar lake - Falcon kayak tour: $13
  • Boat Cruise Viktor Skadar LakeVirpazar Kom MonasteryVirpazar: $14
  • Lake Skadar Grmozur Fortress and Monastery Cruise: $16
  • Lake Skadar: Guided Sightseeing Boat Tour with Refreshments: $16
  • Two Hours Sightseeing Lake Cruise at Montenegro National Park: $16
  • Lake Skadar: Guided Panoramic Boat Tour to Kom Monastery : $22
  • Podgorica City Walking Tour: $22
  • From Virpazar: Guided Lake Skadar cruise and Crnojevića River: $33
  • Book Your Tour Podgorica by walk: $36
  • Book Your Tour Ostrog Monastery: $66
  • Walking tour, all the secrets of Podgorica: $75

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bern $27
    Podgorica $21

Sample the Local Flavors in Podgorica

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Podgorica:

  • Private Wine Tasting Activity at Lipovac Winery: $27
  • Book Your Wine Tour: $78
  • Podgorica Car Trip - Architecture, History, Wine tasting, Churches, Doclea city: $98
  • Wine tasting in the family winery, feel the spirit: $121
  • Montenegro: Nature, Locals & Wine Tour: $129
  • Full Day Private Podgorica Wine Tour Experience: $159
  • Skadar lake boat ride through "Montenegrin Amazon", wine tasting & Niagara falls: $197


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

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


Which is Bigger, Bern or Podgorica?

Podgorica has a larger population, and is about 12% larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Podgorica, 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 Podgorica?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bern or Podgorica in the Summer?

Both Podgorica and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences.

Bern is cooler than Podgorica in the summer. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Podgorica fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

It's quite sunny in Podgorica. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bern. Bern usually receives less sunshine than Podgorica during summer. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Podgorica receives 341 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bern usually receives more rain than Podgorica. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Bern 21°C (70°F) 
    Podgorica 26°C (80°F)

Should I visit Bern or Podgorica in the Autumn?

Both Podgorica and Bern during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bern in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Bern is cooler than Podgorica. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bern in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Podgorica averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In Podgorica, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Bern often gets less sunshine than Podgorica. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Podgorica receives 203 hours of full sun.

Podgorica gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bern usually gets less rain in October than Podgorica. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Bern 13°C (55°F) 
    Podgorica 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Bern or Podgorica in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Podgorica. Most visitors come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bern can be very cold during winter. In January, Bern is generally much colder than Podgorica. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 3°C (37°F), and Podgorica fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Bern usually receives less sunshine than Podgorica during winter. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while Podgorica receives 121 hours of full sun in the winter.

Podgorica receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Bern usually receives less rain than Podgorica. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 192 mm (7.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Bern 3°C (37°F) 
    Podgorica 6°C (42°F)

Should I visit Bern or Podgorica in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bern as well as Podgorica. The spring months attract visitors to Bern because of the natural beauty.

Bern is cooler than Podgorica in the spring. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Podgorica fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In the spring, Bern often gets less sunshine than Podgorica. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Podgorica receives 194 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Podgorica. Bern usually gets less rain in April than Podgorica. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Bern 11°C (52°F) 
    Podgorica 14°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Podgorica and Bern

Bern Podgorica
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 6°C (42°F) 192 mm (7.6 in)
Feb 4°C (40°F) 51 mm (2 in) 8°C (46°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Mar 8°C (46°F) 50 mm (2 in) 11°C (51°F) 159 mm (6.3 in)
Apr 11°C (52°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 14°C (58°F) 144 mm (5.7 in)
May 15°C (60°F) 76 mm (3 in) 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Jun 19°C (65°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 23°C (73°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 21°C (70°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 26°C (80°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Aug 20°C (69°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 26°C (79°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Sep 18°C (64°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 22°C (72°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
Oct 13°C (55°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 17°C (63°F) 166 mm (6.5 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 11°C (53°F) 239 mm (9.4 in)
Dec 4°C (38°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 7°C (45°F) 217 mm (8.5 in)