A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bern vs. Seattle for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Bern or Seattle?

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

Should I visit Bern or Seattle? 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 historic, charming, and beautiful city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Seattle

Seattle is a cultural, outdoorsy, and laid-back city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Bern and Seattle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Seattle?

You'll generally find more things to do in Seattle than Bern. Seattle is bigger than Bern, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Seattle is better known for its theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, beaches, hiking, and big city activities, while Bern is more popular for its historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Seattle is more touristy than Bern and is known for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies. Also, Seattle is famous for The Space Needle. Bern is well known for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory.

How is Bern different from Seattle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Bern and Seattle have very good landmarks and museums for visitors.

Bern offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Many visitors head to Seattle specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.

Is Bern or Seattle Better for Theater?

Seattle is a popular place for theatre. However, Bern is not a theatre destination.

Seattle offers a number of shows and performances. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

Bern is not a theatre destination.

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

Seattle is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Seattle makes for a great culinary experience. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

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.

Is Bern or Seattle Better for Nightlife?

Seattle is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Seattle offers plenty to do in the evening. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Bern. There are bars, Irish pubs, and clubs around town.

Is Bern or Seattle Better for Music?

Seattle is a well-known place for live music. However, Bern is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Seattle is very popular with diverse venues. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

Bern is not a live music destination.

Is Bern or Seattle Better for Beaches?

Seattle is a popular place for its beaches. However, Bern is not a beach destination.

Seattle is a good option for a beach vacation. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

Bern is not a beach destination.

Is Bern or Seattle Better for its Old Town?

Bern is notable for its historic old town charm. However, Seattle 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.

Seattle does not have a historic old town.

Is Bern or Seattle Better for Hiking?

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

Seattle is a popular spot for hiking. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Seattle?

Bern is notable for its shopping areas. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Seattle. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

Is Bern or Seattle Better for Families?

Bern is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Bern is known to be 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.

Seattle is a family-friendly city. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

Is Bern or Seattle Better for Couples?

Bern is notable for couples. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

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.

Seattle is a nice destination for couples. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

Is Bern or Seattle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bern is notable for backpackers. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Seattle is a good city to visit for backpackers. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.

Is Bern or Seattle Better for Students?

Seattle is a well-known place for students. However, Bern is not popular with students.

Seattle is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Bern is notable for its public transit. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Bern offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are trams and buses that run around town.

Seattle has some public transit options. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.

Is Bern or Seattle a more walkable city?

Bern and Seattle 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.

Seattle is a very walkable city. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

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

Should I spend more time in Seattle or Bern?

How long in Bern or Seattle?

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

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

In Bern, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Seattle is a big city destination where you can fill many days. 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 Seattle?

In Bern, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bern has to offer.

Seattle 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 Seattle?

Bern is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find live music and food around the progressive big city of Seattle. 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 Seattle?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bern. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bern. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

The cultural city of Seattle offers food 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Seattle?

Seattle has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Seattle, 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 Seattle?

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 Seattle in the Summer?

Both Seattle and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Seattle in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bern is generally around the same temperature as Seattle. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 21°C (70°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

It's quite sunny in Seattle. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bern. Bern usually receives less sunshine than Seattle during summer. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bern usually receives more rain than Seattle. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bern or Seattle in the Autumn?

Both Seattle 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Seattle for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Bern is around the same temperature as Seattle in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Seattle fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

In the autumn, Bern often gets less sunshine than Seattle. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets less rain in October than Seattle. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Seattle in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Seattle. Most visitors come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Seattle because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Bern can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Bern is much colder than Seattle. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bern in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Seattle averages at about 42°F (5°C).

Bern usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Seattle during winter. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun in the winter.

Seattle receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Bern usually receives less rain than Seattle. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bern or Seattle in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bern as well as Seattle. The spring months attract visitors to Bern because of the natural beauty. Additionally, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.

In April, Bern is generally around the same temperature as Seattle. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 11°C (52°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Seattle. In the spring, Bern often gets less sunshine than Seattle. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets less rain in April than Seattle. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Seattle and Bern