A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bern vs. Vienna for Old Town, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Bern or Vienna?

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

Should I visit Bern or Vienna? 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 charming, beautiful, and cultural city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Vienna

Vienna is a traditional, artistic, and musical city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Bern and Vienna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Vienna?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Vienna than Bern. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Vienna is more touristy than Bern and is popular for its strong classical music roots including being home to both Mozart and Beethoven. It is also well known for The Imperial Schönbrunn Palace. Bern is famous for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory.

The Imperial Schönbrunn Palace

How is Bern different from Vienna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Bern and Vienna 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 Vienna specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Filled with palaces, museums, and parks, there are many things to see around town. Make sure you check out the Schönbrunn Palace, Hofburg, and Kunsthistorisches Museum.

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

Vienna 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, Vienna makes for a great culinary experience. The city's cuisine has been influenced by many different flavors. Pastries are ubiquitous so make sure you try the apfelstrudel and kaiserschmarrn. Other common dishes include wiener schnitzel and goulash.

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 Vienna Better for Nightlife?

Both Bern and Vienna 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 Vienna. The music and dance scene is diverse and fun. There are clubs that cater to different crowds and personalities.

Is Bern or Vienna Better for Music?

Vienna is renowned for live music. However, Bern is not a live music destination.

Vienna is a world class music destination. On the surface, the city seems locked in the past, with ballet dancing and classical concerts filling the evenings. But the city also has a famous jazz scene, as well as techno, hip-hop, and rock all having a strong presence.

Bern is not a live music destination.

Is Bern or Vienna Better for its Old Town?

Vienna is renowned for its historic old town. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its old town.

The old town of Vienna is one of the most recognized in the world. Innere Stadt, as it is known, is encircled by Ringstrasse and filled with many shops and cafes. Head to Kärntner Strasse and Graben for popular pedestrian streets.

There is a nice variety of sights 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Vienna?

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

Vienna is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city is filled with pedestrian streets that are lined with designer shops, jewelry stores, and art galleries.

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 Vienna Better for Families?

Bern is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Vienna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Vienna. Families enjoy taking carriage rides or dressing up in costumes at Schönbrunn Palace. The city also has children's museums, parks, and playgrounds where you can let little legs run around.

Is Bern or Vienna Better for Couples?

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

Vienna makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. With it's Baroque architecture and classical concerts, this city is filled with romance. Explore the palaces, take a carriage ride, or enjoy a meal at a nice restaurant.

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 Vienna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bern is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Vienna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Vienna is a good city to visit for backpackers. The city flies under the radar for many backpackers, but those who visit will be rewarded with beautiful buildings, charming cafes, and fun hostels.

Is Bern or Vienna Better for Students?

Vienna is renowned for students. However, Bern is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Vienna. The city is a popular destination for international students who are interested in art, architecture, and music.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Vienna 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.

Vienna has a great public transit system. The system includes buses, trains, trams and underground lines.

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

Is Bern or Vienna a more walkable city?

Vienna 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 Vienna on foot. The city center is particularly walkable with pedestrian areas and low traffic zones.

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 Vienna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Vienna or Bern?

How long in Bern or Vienna?

In either Bern or Vienna, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Vienna than Bern because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bern, and 2-5 days is enough time in Vienna.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Vienna 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 Vienna.

One day in Bern or Vienna?

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.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Vienna. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Vienna?

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.

Vienna is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Vienna?

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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the artistic destination of Vienna. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Vienna?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming 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.

The musical city of Vienna offers shopping and museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 2-Week Tours in Austria, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Vienna?

Vienna has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Vienna, 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 Vienna?

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 Vienna in the Summer?

Both Vienna and Bern during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Vienna in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bern is around the same temperature as Vienna. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bern in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Vienna averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In Vienna, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Bern. In the summer, Bern often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vienna. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vienna receives 255 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Bern or Vienna in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Vienna. Many visitors come to Bern in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Vienna for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Bern is generally around the same temperature as Vienna. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 13°C (55°F), and Vienna fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Bern usually receives less sunshine than Vienna during autumn. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies, while Vienna receives 140 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bern usually receives more rain than Vienna. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bern or Vienna in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bern as well as Vienna. Most visitors come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Vienna because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Vienna can be very cold. Bern can be very cold during winter. Bern is a little warmer than Vienna in the winter. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Vienna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

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

Bern usually gets more rain in January than Vienna. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Vienna in the Spring?

Both Vienna and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Bern because of the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Vienna this time of year.

In the spring, Bern is cooler than Vienna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bern in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Vienna averages at about 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Vienna. Bern usually receives less sunshine than Vienna during spring. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Vienna receives 202 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bern usually receives more rain than Vienna. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Vienna and Bern