A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Christchurch vs. Bergen for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Christchurch or Bergen?

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

Should I visit Christchurch or Bergen? 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.

Christchurch

Christchurch is a adventure-filled, cultural, and outdoorsy city. Christchurch offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Christchurch travel costs.

Bergen

Bergen is a laid back, nostalgic, and friendly city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Bergen travel costs.

Christchurch and Bergen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Christchurch or Bergen?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Christchurch than Bergen, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Christchurch is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Bergen is known for its historical sights and small town charm. Christchurch is popular for its outdoor beauty and relaxing, scenic atmosphere. It is also home to the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. Bergen is popular for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty.

How is Christchurch different from Bergen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Christchurch or Bergen?

Christchurch is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Christchurch offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with street art and local galleries. There's also Canterbury Museum, the International Antarctic Centre, the Arts Centre, and the Riccarton House & Bush.

Bergen is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are some interesting local museums such as the Hanseatic Museum, the Edvard Grieg Museum, and the KODE Museums.

Is the Food Better in Christchurch or Bergen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Christchurch is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Christchurch is an experience not to be missed. There's a mix of cozy cafes and casual eateries around town. You'll also find some fine dining restaurants as well as international flavors.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Bergen. The city's economy has long been centered around the fish trade and even today you'll find cod, shellfish, trout, and salmon on most menus. Sheep and mutton are also popular. Desserts and coffee are also a big part of the local culture.

Is Christchurch or Bergen Better for Nightlife?

Christchurch is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Christchurch has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city has its share of dance clubs, live music venues, and laid back bars. You'll find a number of popular hangout spots around Oxford Terrace or on the historic New Regent Street.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Bergen. It's a small city without a huge nightlife district, but there are bars and clubs in Bryggen and Old Bulls Plass. The city has enough students to keep things lively and fun.

Is Christchurch or Bergen Better for Beaches?

Christchurch is notable for the beach. However, Bergen is not a beach destination.

Christchurch is considered a top beach destination. There are sandy beaches in the area with water sports and various amenities. The summer months are the most popular time for hanging out at the beach, and you'll find local families playing in the sun or enjoying a picnic.

Bergen is not a beach destination.

Is Christchurch or Bergen Better for its Old Town?

Bergen is a popular place for its old town. However, Christchurch does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Bergen to see the old town. The wooden buildings and compact streets have a quaint and nostalgic atmosphere.

Christchurch does not have a historic old town.

Is Christchurch or Bergen Better for Hiking?

Christchurch is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Bergen is not a hiking destination.

Christchurch is a popular spot for hiking. There are many beautiful hikes in the area that take you along the coastline or past local historic sights. The landscape is diverse and you'll find many amazing parks in the area. Hooker Valley Track is one of the best hiking routes nearby.

Bergen is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Christchurch or Bergen?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Bergen and Christchurch.

Christchurch is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There's a mix of boutique shops, outlet malls, and open air markets. Some of the best shopping places include the Tannery and the Colombo.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bergen. The city center is filled with specialty boutiques as well as larger department stores. Shopping has long been a large part of the economy and you'll enjoy exploring the diversity of retail options.

Is Christchurch or Bergen More Beautiful?

Christchurch is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Bergen is not a destination known for its beauty.

Christchurch offers plenty of beauty for visitors. With its many beautiful parks, gardens, and outdoor spaces, this is a very scenic city.

Bergen is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Christchurch or Bergen Better for Families?

Christchurch is very popular for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Christchurch is a very family-friendly destination. The International Antarctic Centre is a thrilling and fun experience. There's also the Orana Wildlife Park or Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. For adrenaline junkies there are the ropes courses at the Adrenalin Forest. There are also many indoor playgrounds and rock climbing facilities.

Bergen is a very family-friendly destination. There are some interesting educational opportunities for kids including the Bergen Aquarium, VilVite Science Centre, and Experience Bryggen. Other fun activities include Vannkanten Waterworld and the Fløibanen Funicular.

Is Christchurch or Bergen Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Christchurch and Bergen make for a high quality place to visit.

Couples visit Christchurch frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Punting on the Avon River is one of the most romantic activities in the city. There are also botanical gardens, parks, and natural areas that are fun to explore. Nearby, you can do a wine tour, or there are cocktail bars and charming restaurants in town. The city also has a nice theater and many other date night activities.

Bergen is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There are many romantic activities near town like swimming in the fjords and walking through the parks. There are also spas and music concerts to enjoy.

Is Christchurch or Bergen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Christchurch is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There's no shortage of hostels around town, and many backpackers pass through Christchurch on their epic New Zealand adventure.

Bergen is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few hostels and guesthouses around town where backpackers can meet other travelers.

Is Christchurch or Bergen Better for Students?

Christchurch is notable for students. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Christchurch is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's the largest city on the South Island and there are plenty of activities and nearby trips that you can enjoy.

Plenty of students visit Bergen. It's a very student-friendly city with many activities and a laid back atmosphere. The university facilities are spread out around town and the locals are welcoming and helpful.

Is Christchurch or Bergen Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bergen is well known for its public transit. Also, Christchurch is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Bergen has some very good public transit options. For the areas that are outside of the city center, you can take a local bus or the light rail to access them. These services are operated by Skyss.

While Christchurch offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. While it's not a diverse transit system, the buses are well connected and offer the cheapest way to get around town.

Is Christchurch or Bergen a more walkable city?

Christchurch and Bergen both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Christchurch is a very walkable city. The city center is relatively flat and easy to explore on foot.

Bergen is a very walkable destination. The city center is flat and compact enough that it's fun to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Christchurch Worth Visiting? and Is Bergen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bergen or Christchurch?

How long in Christchurch or Bergen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Christchurch and Bergen. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Christchurch than in Bergen. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Christchurch, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bergen.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Christchurch than Bergen 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 Christchurch.

One day in Christchurch or Bergen?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Christchurch. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Bergen, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this friendly city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

A weekend in Christchurch or Bergen?

Christchurch 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.

Bergen is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Christchurch or Bergen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Christchurch. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the laid back destination of Bergen. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Christchurch or Bergen?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Christchurch. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Bergen is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland, The Best 10-Day Tours in Norway, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Norway.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Christchurch and Bergen, we can see that Bergen is more expensive. And not only is Christchurch much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Christchurch is in Pacific and Bergen is in Europe, 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 Christchurch would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Christchurch 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 Bergen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bergen than you might in Christchurch.

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

Which is Bigger, Christchurch or Bergen?

Christchurch has a larger population, and is about 70% larger than the population of Bergen. When comparing the sizes of Christchurch and Bergen, 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 Christchurch or Bergen?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Christchurch is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Bergen has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Christchurch or Bergen in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Christchurch and Bergen. The summer months attract visitors to Christchurch because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bergen this time of year.

In the summer, Christchurch is a little warmer than Bergen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Christchurch in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Bergen averages at about 15°C (58°F)in July.

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the summer. In January, Christchurch usually receives less rain than Bergenin July. Christchurch gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Christchurch or Bergen in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Christchurch as well as Bergen. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Christchurch this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bergen for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In April, Christchurch is generally a little warmer than Bergenin October. Daily temperatures in Christchurch average around 12°C (54°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. Christchurch usually gets less rain in April than Bergenin October. Christchurch gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Christchurch or Bergen in the Winter?

Both Bergen and Christchurch are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Christchurch for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Bergen in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bergen can get quite cold in the winter. Christchurch is much warmer than Bergen in the winter. The daily temperature in Christchurch averages around 6°C (43°F) in July, and Bergen fluctuates around 2°C (35°F)in January.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. In July, Christchurch usually receives less rain than Bergenin January. Christchurch gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Christchurch or Bergen in the Spring?

Both Bergen and Christchurch during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Christchurch in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bergen for the small town charm during these months.

In the spring, Christchurch is much warmer than Bergen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Christchurch in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Bergen averages at about 6°C (43°F)in April.

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Christchurch usually gets less rain in October than Bergenin April. Christchurch gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bergen and Christchurch