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

Should you visit Bern or Vancouver?

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

Should I visit Bern or Vancouver? 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. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Vancouver

Vancouver is a friendly, outdoorsy, and scenic city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and museums.

Bern and Vancouver: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Vancouver?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Vancouver than Bern, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Vancouver is more popular for its museums & sights, food, nightlife, hiking, shopping, and big city activities, while Bern is known for its historical sights. Vancouver is more touristy than Bern and is popular for its beautiful setting, sweeping views, and welcoming atmosphere. It is also home to Stanley Park. Bern is popular for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory.

How is Bern different from Vancouver?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Vancouver is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Vancouver that are not to be missed. There are tons of museums and sights around town such as the Vancouver Aquarium, the Museum of Anthropology, the Museum of Vancouver, and Science World. Also make sure you take a walk over the Capilano Suspension Bridge.

Many visitors head to Bern specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

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

Vancouver 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, Vancouver makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find diverse restaurants and fresh ingredients. Local seafood is a staple in many restaurants so make sure you try the prawns, salmon, and even sea urchin. Asian food is also excellent around town. Sushi, Japanese hot dogs, and dim sum are all worth sampling.

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 Vancouver Better for Nightlife?

Vancouver 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.

Vancouver offers plenty to do in the evening. The city has a vibrant nightlife scene. Most of the activity is centered around The Granville Entertainment District in the downtown area. It runs along Granville Street between Robson Street and Davie Street. In the area you'll find a high concentration of bars and nightclubs.

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 Vancouver Better for its Old Town?

Bern is great for its historic old town. However, Vancouver 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.

Vancouver does not have a historic old town.

Is Bern or Vancouver Better for Hiking?

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

People visit Vancouver specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The city is surrounded by water and mountains, making it one of the best hiking cities in the world. You don't have to go far to enjoy spectacular vistas, serene rainforests, and rugged coastline. The trails range from casual strolls to more strenuous day long hikes.

Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Vancouver?

Vancouver is renowned for shopping. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Vancouver is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The shopping is as diverse as the city itself. You can enjoy strolling through Chinatown, hitting up a public market, or wandering around a large shopping mall.

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.

Is Bern or Vancouver Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Bern or Vancouver.

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, Vancouver is very family-friendly. There are great kid-friendly museums like the Science Museum, as well as outdoor markets, public parks, and easy access to the nearby nature. A visit to Grouse Mountain is a must for many families. You can see the bears, take a gondola, and see the a lumberjack show.

Is Bern or Vancouver Better for Couples?

Vancouver is renowned for romance. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Vancouver makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Most of the activities take advantage of the beautiful outdoor setting. You can take a carriage ride in Stanley Park or visit the Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden. Eat dim sum in Chinatown and then wander through the diverse neighborhood. End the day with a show at Orpheum Theater.

Bern makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With charming restaurants, a beautiful rose garden, and nice hotels and spas, this town makes a beautiful romantic getaway.

Is Bern or Vancouver Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Bern and Vancouver are superb destinations for backpackers.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

Many backpackers visit Vancouver. It's a favorite city for backpackers who enjoy the many outdoor activities. There are also many hostels available around town.

Is Bern or Vancouver Better for Students?

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

Vancouver is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The cities friendly personality and fun energy make it a great place to study.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

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

Vancouver has a great public transit system. Public transit is efficient and comfortable. The Translink system includes buses, the SeaBus ferry, and the SkyTrain light rail system.

The public transit in Bern can get you around easily. There are trams and buses that run around town.

Is Bern or Vancouver a more walkable city?

Vancouver is renowned for its walkability. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Vancouver on foot. The downtown area is very compact and fun to explore on foot.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Vancouver or Bern?

How long in Bern or Vancouver?

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

Families should spend more time in Vancouver than Bern. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Vancouver, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Vancouver than Bern. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Vancouver that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Vancouver than Bern 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 Vancouver.

One day in Bern or Vancouver?

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.

Vancouver 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 Vancouver?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the beautiful 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.

Vancouver 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 Vancouver?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the charming 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.

Vancouver is a diverse big city where you can fill many days. 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 Vancouver?

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 outdoorsy city of Vancouver offers nightlife and food. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Zurich, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Geneva, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Vancouver?

Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Vancouver, 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 Vancouver?

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 Vancouver in the Summer?

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

Bern is a little warmer than Vancouver in the summer. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Vancouver fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bern this time of the year. In the summer, Bern often gets less sunshine than Vancouver. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets more rain in July than Vancouver. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Vancouver in the Autumn?

Both Vancouver 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 city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Vancouver this time of year.

In the autumn, Bern is a little warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bern in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Vancouver averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Bern usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Vancouver during autumn. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. In October, Bern usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bern or Vancouver in the Winter?

Both Vancouver 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 Vancouver for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Vancouver. It's quite cold in Bern in the winter. In January, Bern is generally much colder than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 3°C (37°F), and Vancouver fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Bern often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun.

Vancouver gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bern usually gets less rain in January than Vancouver. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Vancouver in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Vancouver. Many travelers come to Bern for the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Vancouver in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Bern is a little warmer than Vancouver in the spring. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Vancouver fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

Bern usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Vancouver during spring. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Bern usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Vancouver and Bern