A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bern vs. Reykjavik for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Bern or Reykjavik?

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

Should I visit Bern or Reykjavik? 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.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a clean, green, and safe city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, hiking, and shopping.

Bern and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Reykjavik?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bern. Although Bern and Reykjavik are roughly the same size, Bern has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bern is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and shopping, while Reykjavik is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Reykjavik is more touristy than Bern and is popular for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals. Bern is popular for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory. It is also home to The Zytglogge Clock Tower.

How is Bern different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bern is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Bern can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Bern is a nice place to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in 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 Reykjavik. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).

Is Bern or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

Both Bern and Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

Is Bern or Reykjavik Better for its Old Town?

Bern is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town. However, Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.

Is Bern or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is renowned for the nearby hiking options. However, Bern is not a hiking destination.

People visit Reykjavik specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Reykjavik?

Bern is an excellent place to visit for shopping. Also, Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik offers some nice shopping areas. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

Is Bern or Reykjavik Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Bern or Reykjavik.

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, Reykjavik is very family-friendly. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options for the whole family.

Is Bern or Reykjavik Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Bern and Reykjavik make for a very 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.

Reykjavik makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

Is Bern or Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

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

Reykjavik is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

Is Bern or Reykjavik Better for Students?

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

Reykjavik is a good city to visit for students. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Bern is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Bern. There are trams and buses that run around town.

You'll find some public transit in Reykjavik, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Bern or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

Bern and Reykjavik both are very good 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.

Reykjavik is a very walkable city. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Bern?

How long in Bern or Reykjavik?

In either Bern or Reykjavik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Reykjavik than Bern because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bern, and 1-5 days is enough time in Reykjavik.

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

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Bern. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bern has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Reykjavik. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Bern or Reykjavik?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the charming destination of Bern. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Reykjavik is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the hiking. 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 Reykjavik?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural city of Bern. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the green destination of Reykjavik. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Bern or Reykjavik?

Bern is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The safe city of Reykjavik offers nightlife and shopping. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland, The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

When comparing the travel costs between Bern and Reykjavik, we can see that Bern 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.

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Reykjavik?

Bern has a larger population, and is about 7% larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik?

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 Reykjavik in the Summer?

Both Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Bern is much warmer than Reykjavik in the summer. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It's quite sunny in Bern. In the summer, Bern often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets more rain in July than Reykjavik. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Reykjavik. Many visitors come to Bern in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Reykjavik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Reykjavik can be very cold during autumn. In the autumn, Bern is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bern in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Bern usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during autumn. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bern usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bern or Reykjavik in the Winter?

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

The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. Bern can be very cold during winter. In January, Bern is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 3°C (37°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).

In the winter, Bern often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets less rain in January than Reykjavik. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Reykjavik in the Spring?

Both Reykjavik 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 natural beauty are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.

It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the spring. Bern is much warmer than Reykjavik in the spring. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Bern usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during spring. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bern usually receives around the same amount of rain as Reykjavik. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Bern