A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bern vs. Saint-Etienne for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Bern or Saint-Etienne?

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

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

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a historic, park-filled, and industrial city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, hiking, and museums.

Bern and Saint-Etienne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Saint-Etienne?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Bern than Saint-Etienne. While Saint-Etienne is larger than Bern, Bern has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bern is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Saint-Etienne attracts visitors for its hiking. Bern is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is popular for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory. It is also well known for The Zytglogge Clock Tower. Saint-Etienne is famous for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Bern different from Saint-Etienne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Bern is great for its historical sights. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Saint-Etienne. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

Is the Food Better in Bern or Saint-Etienne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bern is a good destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Bern or Saint-Etienne Better for Nightlife?

Both Bern and Saint-Etienne are nice 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 Saint-Etienne. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Is Bern or Saint-Etienne Better for its Old Town?

Bern is great for its old town. However, Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Bern. 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.

Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Is Bern or Saint-Etienne Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Bern is not a hiking destination.

Saint-Etienne is a good destination for hiking. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Saint-Etienne?

Bern is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Bern is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Bern or Saint-Etienne Better for Families?

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

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Bern is very family-friendly. 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.

Saint-Etienne is a family-friendly place to visit. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

Is Bern or Saint-Etienne Better for Couples?

Bern is great for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

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.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Bern or Saint-Etienne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bern is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination 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.

Saint-Etienne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the backpacker trail, but there are hostels and plenty of activities to enjoy.

Is Bern or Saint-Etienne 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, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Public transit in Bern can get you to some places easily. There are trams and buses that run around town.

Saint-Etienne has a few public transit options. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Is Bern or Saint-Etienne a more walkable city?

Bern is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

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.

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable city. There are several walkable areas in the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Bern Worth Visiting? and Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint-Etienne or Bern?

How long in Bern or Saint-Etienne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bern or Saint-Etienne to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bern than Saint-Etienne because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bern, and 1-2 days is enough time in Saint-Etienne.

Families should spend more time in Bern than Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Bern. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Saint-Etienne. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Bern or Saint-Etienne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bern. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural destination of Bern. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne?

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful city of Bern. 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. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

The authentic city of Saint-Etienne offers nightlife and museums. 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 Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Saint-Etienne?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 45% larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Saint-Etienne, 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 Saint-Etienne?

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 Saint-Etienne in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bern as well as Saint-Etienne. Most visitors come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bern is around the same temperature as Saint-Etienne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bern in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 22°C (71°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint-Etienne. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bern this time of the year. In the summer, Bern often gets less sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 285 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Saint-Etienne. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Saint-Etienne in the Autumn?

Both Saint-Etienne and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Bern because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year.

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

Bern usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint-Etienne during autumn. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bern usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bern or Saint-Etienne in the Winter?

Both Saint-Etienne and Bern during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bern this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint-Etienne. It's quite cold in Bern in the winter. Bern is cooler than Saint-Etienne in the winter. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Bern often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint-Etienne. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 62 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Saint-Etienne. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Saint-Etienne in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Saint-Etienne. Many travelers come to Bern for the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Bern is around the same temperature as Saint-Etienne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bern in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 11°C (53°F).

Bern usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint-Etienne during spring. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bern usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Saint-Etienne and Bern