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

Should you visit Bern or Tromso?

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

Should I visit Bern or Tromso? 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. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Tromso

Tromso is a spectacular, remote, and one-of-a-kind town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and hiking.

Bern and Tromso: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Tromso?

You'll generally find more things to do in Bern than Tromso. Bern is bigger than Tromso, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Bern is better known for its museums, historical sights, and shopping, while Tromso is more popular for its food, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Tromso is more touristy than Bern and is popular for its stunning nature, beautiful Arctic landscape, and breathtaking fjords. Bern is well known for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory. Also, Bern is famous for The Zytglogge Clock Tower.

How is Bern different from Tromso?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bern is a great city for its historical sights. However, Tromso does not have 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.

Tromso does not have museums and landmarks. You can learn about everything having to do with the Arctic at the museum, Polaria. There's also the the Polar Museum, the Arctic Cathedral, and Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum.

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

Tromso 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, Tromso makes for a great culinary experience. Fish is the staple around town and you'll find local seasonal fish dishes. There are also modern restaurants that serve international cuisines or trendy options.

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 Tromso Better for Nightlife?

Both Bern and Tromso are notable 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 Tromso. There's a good nightlife scene with many bars and clubs that are popular with locals and tourists alike.

Is Bern or Tromso Better for its Old Town?

Bern is a great city for its historic old town charm. However, Tromso 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.

Tromso does not have a historic old town.

Is Bern or Tromso Better for Hiking?

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

Tromso is a popular spot for hiking. The surrounding countryside is filled with fjords, mountains, and pristine wilderness. There are hikes that cater to every level, and a trip to Tromso is not complete without heading into the rural areas.

Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Tromso?

Bern is a great city for its shopping areas. However, Tromso is not known for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Tromso is a good destination for shopping. There are shops sprinkled along the main street, as well as a shopping center or two around town.

Is Bern or Tromso Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Bern or Tromso.

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, Tromso is very family-friendly. Whether you visit during the summer or winter season, there are a number of indoor or outdoor activities around town. Many visitors come during the winter months to see the Northern Lights. There's also the Ice Hotel, Husky Sledding, and fjords cruises. Indoors, you'll find the Science Center, the Arctic University Museum, and the Troll Museum.

Is Bern or Tromso Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Bern and Tromso make for a excellent 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.

Tromso makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. For many couples, seeing the Northern Lights is an iconic romantic experience. The area also has an amazing outdoor setting with fjords and hiking. Indoors, there are art museums and more.

Is Bern or Tromso Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bern is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Tromso is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Tromso. There are hostels as well as camping in the area that make this otherwise expensive area somewhat more affordable.

Is Bern or Tromso Better for Students?

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

Tromso is a good town to visit for students. Although it's a very small city, there are a large number of students and some big city amenities. There are plenty of entertainment options both in town and in the surrounding countryside.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Bern is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Tromso is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Bern. There are trams and buses that run around town.

Tromso has a few public transit options. There's an efficient and reliable bus system in town.

Is Bern or Tromso a more walkable city?

Bern and Tromso 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.

Tromso is a very walkable city. The city is generally walkable but if you want to get into the countryside you'll need to travel by car or bus.

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

Should I spend more time in Tromso or Bern?

How long in Bern or Tromso?

Both Bern and Tromso have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Tromso than in Bern. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bern, and 4-7 days is enough time in Tromso.

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

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bern. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Tromso is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and nightlife. 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 Tromso?

Bern is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Tromso is a fun place to experience. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bern or Tromso?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bern. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Tromso might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. This town 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 Tromso?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Bern. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Even though Tromso is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Norway, and The Best Adventure Tours to Norway.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Tromso?

Bern has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Tromso. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Tromso, 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 Tromso?

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 Tromso in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bern as well as Tromso. Many visitors come to Bern in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Tromso for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Bern is generally much warmer than Tromso. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 21°C (70°F), and Tromso fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tromso. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bern this time of the year. In the summer, Bern often gets more sunshine than Tromso. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tromso receives 205 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets less rain in July than Tromso. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Tromso in the Autumn?

Both Tromso and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 Tromso because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

The weather in Tromso can be very cold. Bern is much warmer than Tromso in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Tromso fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Bern usually receives more sunshine than Tromso during autumn. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies, while Tromso receives 49 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tromso. In October, Bern usually receives less rain than Tromso. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bern or Tromso in the Winter?

Both Tromso and Bern during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Bern because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Tromso this time of year.

It's quite cold in Tromso in the winter. The weather in Bern can be very cold. In the winter, Bern is much warmer than Tromso. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bern in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Tromso averages at about -4°C (25°F).

In the winter, Bern often gets more sunshine than Tromso. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tromso receives 3 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets less rain in January than Tromso. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Tromso in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Tromso. The natural beauty are the main draw to Bern this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Tromso for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Tromso. In April, Bern is generally much warmer than Tromso. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 11°C (52°F), and Tromso fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

Bern usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tromso during spring. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Tromso receives 160 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bern usually receives around the same amount of rain as Tromso. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Tromso and Bern