Which place is cheaper, Saint John's or Bern?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Bern or Saint John's?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Bern or Saint John's? 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 Saint John's?
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.
Saint John's
If you've been to St. John's, Antigua, you were likely on a cruise - which means you likely did not have enough time to truly experience the magic of this tiny island getaway.
St. Johns is the capital of the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Located on Antigua, this tropical city lives up to its status as a tropical paradise. With 365 beaches on the island, you can enjoy the luxury of lounging in the sand every day of the year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland.
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Bern Prices
Switzerland PricesSaint John's Prices
Antigua and Barbuda Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBern $341Saint John's $272
The average daily cost (per person) in Bern is $341, while the average daily cost in Saint John's is $272. 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 Saint John's in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBern $187Saint John's $120
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBern $374Saint John's $240
Compare Hotels in Bern and Saint John's
Looking for a hotel in Bern or Saint John's? 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.
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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bern $39Saint John's $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bern
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bern:
- Private Direct Transfer From Bern to Basel: $251
- Private direct transfer from Bern to Lucerne: $262
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:
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Local Bus$1.52
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Taxi From Airport$6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:
- Round-Trip Transfer between Antigua Airport and Antigua Hotels: $32
- Private Transfer from Antigua Airport (ANU) to St. John's Port: $42
- Antigua&Barbuda Airport (ANU) to Antigua&Barbuda Private Transfer: $46
- Private Transfer from Antigua island hotels to St. John's Port: $57
- Antigua Airport Private Roundtrip Transfer to and from Royalton Antigua Resort: $60
- Private Airport Transfers to Antigua and Barbuda: $60
- Antigua to Antigua V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) - Departure Transfer: $64
- Biggvee Airport Roundtrip Transfer: $70
- VIP Meet and Greet Fast Track on Arrival at Antigua Airport - without Transfers : $77
- Private Round Trip Transfer From Antigua Airport To NonSuch Bay: $84
- Private Antigua Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Hammock Cove: $90
- Antigua V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to Island - Round-Trip Transfer : $93
Is it cheaper to fly into Bern or Saint John's?
Prices for flights to both Saint John's 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
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Food Meals for one dayBern $120Saint John's $117
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bern
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bern.
- Bern Bites Food Tour Culinary Exploration of Bern's Old Town: $154
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint John's
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint John's.
- City Lime Food Tour: Taste our culture on Antigua's only food tour in the city!: $105
- Discover the Flavors of St. Johns Food Tour: $125
- Private Art Tour or Food Tour: $150
- Nicole's Table - Cooking with Rum: $165
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bern $39Saint John's $103
Tours and Activities in Bern
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bern are as follows:
- Self-Guided Audio City Tour in Bern: $6.29
- Self-Guided Reading City Tour in Bern: $6.29
- Self-Guided Audio City Tour in Bern: $6.40
- Bern Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $8.34
- Thun Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.96
- Bern Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.96
- Bern Self-Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
- Bern Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $11
- Zytglogge - Tour through the Clock Tower: $25
- Guided Walking Tour in Bern: $39
- Must-See 2-Hour Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $42
- Bern Food Market: Tour w/o Brunch: $44
Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint John's
Here are a few typical costs in Saint John's for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to the Museum of Antigua & Barbu$3.00
Tours and Activities in Saint John's
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John's for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
- Shore Excursion: City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
- Cultural and Historical Home Tour in The Antiguan Experience : $66
- Half Day Historical Tour in Antigua with Beach: $70
- Glenmon taxi and tours: $70
- Nightlife Tour of Antigua and Barbuda: $80
- SoCoHo Eco Kayak and Snorkel Tour: $85
- Antigua Round Island Tour: $85
- Biggvee Bus Adventure: $90
- Clear Kayak Tour in Mangrove Antigua: $90
- Trek Tours Hiking Experience in Antigua: $90
- Circumnavigate Tour: $95
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBern $31Saint John's $18
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bern and Saint John's, we can see that Bern is more expensive. And not only is Saint John's much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bern is in Europe and Saint John's is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Saint John's would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint John's 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 John's.
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 John's Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bern or Saint John's?
Bern has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Saint John's, 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 John's?
Bern has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John's experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Bern or Saint John's in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Saint John's. The summer months attract visitors to Bern because of the family-friendly experiences. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Bern is cooler than Saint John's. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bern in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Saint John's averages at about 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. In Bern, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bern usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint John's during summer. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Saint John's receives 245 hours of full sun in the summer.
Saint John's receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Bern usually receives less rain than Saint John's. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBern 21°C (70°F)Saint John's 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Bern or Saint John's in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Bern as well as Saint John's. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bern this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year.
In October, Bern is generally much colder than Saint John's. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 13°C (55°F), and Saint John's fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. In the autumn, Bern often gets less sunshine than Saint John's. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint John's receives 217 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Saint John's. Bern usually gets less rain in October than Saint John's. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBern 13°C (55°F)Saint John's 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Bern or Saint John's in the Winter?
Both Saint John's and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John's because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Bern. Bern is much colder than Saint John's in the winter. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Saint John's fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint John's. Bern usually receives less sunshine than Saint John's during winter. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while Saint John's receives 236 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Bern usually receives less rain than Saint John's. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBern 3°C (37°F)Saint John's 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Bern or Saint John's in the Spring?
Both Saint John's and Bern during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bern in the spring for the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round.
In the spring, Bern is much colder than Saint John's. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bern in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Saint John's averages at about 26°C (78°F).
In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Bern often gets less sunshine than Saint John's. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint John's receives 240 hours of full sun.
Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bern usually gets less rain in April than Saint John's. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBern 11°C (52°F)Saint John's 26°C (78°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John's and Bern
| Bern | Saint John's | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (52°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
| May | 15°C (60°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (69°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (38°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.