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

Should you visit Bristol or Bern?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bristol and Bern can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Bristol

Bristol is a cultural, friendly, and authentic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

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.

Bristol and Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bristol or Bern?

You'll generally find more things to do in Bristol than Bern. Bristol is bigger than Bern, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Bristol is better known for its nightlife and big city activities, while Bern is more popular for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Bristol is well known for its laid-back atmosphere and progressive environmental policies. Also, Bristol is famous for The Bristol Harbour. Bern is well known for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory.

How is Bristol different from Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bern and Bristol. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bristol or Bern?

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Bern and Bristol.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Bristol. The city has some great museums and landmarks such as the SS Great Britain, M Shed, the Clifton Suspension Bridge, and Cabot Tower.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Bristol and Bern can be an enjoyable experience.

Bristol is becoming an appealing option for foodies. You'll find all of the classic British specialties such as bangers and mash or fish and chips. There are many restaurants, markets, and pubs where you can grab a relaxing meal and enjoy the British ambiance.

Bern offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city has cozy cafes, high end fine dining, traditional eateries, and modern venues.

Is Bristol or Bern Better for Nightlife?

Bristol 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.

Bristol offers plenty to do in the evening. The nightlife scene is diverse and inclusive. There are huge clubs that host well known DJs. There is also an underground music scene as well as local bars and even traditional speakeasies. Whether your interest is live jazz or upscale cocktail bars, there really is something for everyone.

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

Is Bristol or Bern Better for its Old Town?

Bern is great for its historic old town charm. However, Bristol 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.

Bristol does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bristol or Bern?

If you're looking to go shopping, Bristol and Bern both offer plenty of excellent spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bristol. Head to Clifton Village for the most upscale boutiques or the Bristol Shopping Quarter for a diversity of budgets and brands. Gloucester Street is famous for its independent shops or there are the student neighborhoods of Park Street and the Triangle which have a number of trendy shops.

Bern is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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 Bristol or Bern Better for Families?

Bern is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Bristol is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Bern. 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.

Bristol is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of kid-friendly museums, activities, and playgrounds. For museums, check out the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, the M Shed, or Aerospace Bristol. There are also boat rides and the Bristol Aquarium among other unique activities.

Is Bristol or Bern Better for Couples?

Bern is great for couples. Also, Bristol is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Bern is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. With charming restaurants, a beautiful rose garden, and nice hotels and spas, this town makes a beautiful romantic getaway.

Bristol is a nice destination for couples. There are romantic restaurants, fun bars, and unique museums that make for a variety of different date options.

Is Bristol or Bern Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bern is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Bristol is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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.

Bristol is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Bristol or Bern Better for Students?

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

Bristol is a good city to visit for students. It's a small and friendly city with enough diversity that it stays interesting and dynamic.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

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

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

Bristol has a few public transit options. Metrobus serves the greater Bristol area.

Is Bristol or Bern a more walkable city?

Bristol and Bern are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Bristol is a very walkable destination. The city center is well designed for walking.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Bern or Bristol?

How long in Bristol or Bern?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bristol and Bern. In our opinion, Bern has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Bern than Bristol. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bern than Bristol 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 Bristol or Bern?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Bristol. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

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.

A weekend in Bristol or Bern?

Bristol is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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.

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.

Five days in Bristol or Bern?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Bristol. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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.

A week in Bristol or Bern?

The authentic city of Bristol offers nightlife and food. 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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Historical Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bristol or Bern?

Bristol has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bristol and Bern, 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 Bristol or Bern?

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 Bristol or Bern in the Summer?

Both Bern and Bristol during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bristol for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bern in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bristol is cooler than Bern. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bristol in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Bern averages at about 21°C (70°F).

Bristol usually gets less rain in July than Bern. Bristol gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bern receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bristol or Bern in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bristol and Bern. Many visitors come to Bristol in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bern for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

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

In October, Bristol usually receives more rain than Bern. Bristol gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Bern receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bristol or Bern in the Winter?

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

The weather in Bern can be very cold. Bristol is much warmer than Bern in the winter. The daily temperature in Bristol averages around 6°C (43°F) in January, and Bern fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Bristol usually gets more rain in January than Bern. Bristol gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Bern receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bristol or Bern in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Bristol is cooler than Bern. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bristol in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Bern averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In April, Bristol usually receives less rain than Bern. Bristol gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bern receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bern and Bristol