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

Should you visit Bern or Portland?

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

Should I visit Bern or Portland? 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. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Portland

Portland is a laid-back, progressive, and quirky city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and hiking.

Bern and Portland: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Portland?

Both Portland and Bern have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Bern is more popular for its museums & sights, food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Portland is known for its music, hiking, and small town charm. Portland is more touristy than Bern and is popular for its independent and vintage shops, thriving art scene, lush parks and gardens, progressive and quirky personality, and easy access to amazing natural beauty. Bern is popular for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory.

How is Bern different from Portland?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bern is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Portland is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Bern. 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.

Portland offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Visitors usually come for the city's outdoor recreation and eclectic personality more than the landmarks and museums. There are a few places to visit on a rainy day though including Pittock Mansion, the Portland Art Museum, and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.

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

Bern is a city with good options for its restaurants. However, Portland is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Bern. The city has cozy cafes, high end fine dining, traditional eateries, and modern venues.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Portland. The town is more famous for it's craft beer than it's food, but there are still a number of local restaurants that offer unique Oregon dishes. You'll find no shortage of vegetarian and vegan options on most menus. There is also a big farm-to-table scene with many farmers markets around town as well.

Is Bern or Portland Better for Nightlife?

Both Bern and Portland are good when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Bern. There are bars, Irish pubs, and clubs around town.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Portland. Famously, this town's nightlife is all about the craft beer and local breweries. Make sure you check out Bailey's Taproom, The Big Legrowlski, and The Commons Brewery.

Is Bern or Portland Better for Music?

Portland is a popular place for live music. However, Bern is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Portland is active and vibrant. The town has a thriving live music and international folk dancing scene.

Bern is not a live music destination.

Is Bern or Portland Better for its Old Town?

Bern is a very popular place for its historic old town. However, Portland does not have a historic old town.

Bern is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Portland does not have a historic old town.

Is Bern or Portland Better for Hiking?

Portland is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Bern is not a hiking destination.

Portland is a popular spot for hiking. Just outside of town you'll find amazing hikes and stunning natural beauty. In town there are many urban hikes through parks and gardens, but in just a short drive you also have access to Mount Hood and many of the region's most beautiful hikes around the Columbia River Gorge.

Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Portland?

Bern is a very popular place for shopping. Also, Portland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Portland offers some nice shopping areas. To fully experience shopping in town, head to the local vendors and thrift shops. There are many vintage clothing shops, book stores, and independent sellers around town. The city is also full of farmers markets. For some of the most interesting shopping, check out the Pearl District, Pioneer Place, Union Way, and Downtown neighborhoods.

Is Bern or Portland Better for Families?

Bern is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Portland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Bern is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Portland. This is an outdoor city by nature, so families will appreciate the many parks and outdoor recreational activities around town. It's easy to fill a couple of days exploring and having fun with the kids. Kid-friendly activities include the zoo, the aerial tram, and several great museums.

Is Bern or Portland Better for Couples?

Bern is a very popular place for romance. Also, Portland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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.

Portland makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The laid-back, alternative vibe is fun to explore as a couple. There are independent bookstores, nice parks, and plenty of outdoor activities to choose from. Couples who enjoy an eclectic city, breweries, and nature, will find a lot to do in town.

Is Bern or Portland Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Bern and Portland are excellent destinations for backpackers.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

Many backpackers visit Portland. The town has drawn young explorers for years, and backpackers who like to step away from the mainstream will feel right at home here.

Is Bern or Portland Better for Students?

Portland is a popular place for students. However, Bern is not popular with students.

Portland is a good city to visit for students. It's a young and relaxed city that attracts independent thinkers. There are many bookstores and breweries around town. The cost of living can be a bit high though.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Bern is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Portland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

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

You'll find some public transit in Portland, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The town has a bus and light rail system as well the Aerial tram.

Is Bern or Portland a more walkable city?

Bern and Portland both are excellent 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.

Portland is a very walkable city. It is quite walkable, particularly in the tourist areas such as Downtown, Pearl, and Old Town Chinatown.

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

Should I spend more time in Portland or Bern?

How long in Bern or Portland?

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

Families should spend more time in Bern than Portland. 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 Portland. 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 Portland 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 Portland?

The beautiful city of Bern offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Portland. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Portland?

Bern is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bern, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Portland is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Portland?

Bern is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find live music and shopping around the nature-filled destination of Portland. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bern or Portland?

Bern is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

The progressive city of Portland offers shopping and nightlife. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Zurich, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Geneva, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Camping Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Portland?

Portland has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Portland, 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 Portland?

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 Portland in the Summer?

Both Portland and Bern during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bern in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Portland for the hiking, the small town charm, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

In Portland, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Bern. In the summer, Bern often gets less sunshine than Portland. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 338 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets more rain in July than Portland. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Portland receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Portland in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Portland. Most visitors come to Bern for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Portland because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

Bern usually receives less sunshine than Portland during autumn. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies, while Portland receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bern usually receives less rain than Portland. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Portland receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bern or Portland in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bern as well as Portland. The winter months attract visitors to Bern because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Portland this time of year.

It's quite cold in Portland in the winter. The weather in Bern can be very cold. In January, Bern is generally much colder than Portland. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 3°C (37°F), and Portland fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

In the winter, Bern often gets less sunshine than Portland. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 86 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Portland. Bern usually gets less rain in January than Portland. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Portland receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Portland in the Spring?

Both Portland and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Bern this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Portland for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Bern is around the same temperature as Portland in the spring. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Portland fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

It's quite sunny in Portland. Bern usually receives less sunshine than Portland during spring. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Portland receives 231 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bern usually receives around the same amount of rain as Portland. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Portland receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Portland and Bern