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

Should you visit Christchurch or Bern?

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

Should I visit Christchurch or Bern? 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 cultural, outdoorsy, and adventure-filled city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Bern

Bern is a beautiful, cultural, and historic city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Christchurch and Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Christchurch or Bern?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Christchurch than Bern. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Christchurch is very popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, and hiking, while Bern attracts visitors for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Christchurch is famous for its outdoor beauty and relaxing, scenic atmosphere. It is also well known for the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. Bern is famous for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory.

How is Christchurch different from Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the high quality sights and museums in both Christchurch and Bern.

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.

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 Christchurch or Bern? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Christchurch 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, Christchurch makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

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 Christchurch or Bern Better for Nightlife?

Christchurch 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.

Christchurch offers plenty to do in the evening. 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 Bern. There are bars, Irish pubs, and clubs around town.

Is Christchurch or Bern Better for Beaches?

Christchurch is a well-known place for its beaches. However, Bern 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.

Bern is not a beach destination.

Is Christchurch or Bern Better for its Old Town?

Bern is well known for its old town. However, Christchurch does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting 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.

Christchurch does not have a historic old town.

Is Christchurch or Bern Better for Hiking?

Christchurch is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Bern 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.

Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Christchurch or Bern?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Bern 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 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.

Is Christchurch or Bern Better for Families?

Christchurch is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bern 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.

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.

Is Christchurch or Bern Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Christchurch and Bern 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.

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.

Is Christchurch or Bern Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Christchurch and Bern are high quality places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Christchurch is a great city to visit for backpackers. There's no shortage of hostels around town, and many backpackers pass through Christchurch on their epic New Zealand adventure.

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.

Is Christchurch or Bern Better for Students?

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

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.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Bern 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.

Bern has some very good public transit options. There are trams and buses that run around town.

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 Bern a more walkable city?

Christchurch and Bern 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.

Bern is a very walkable destination. 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 Christchurch Worth Visiting? and Is Bern Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bern or Christchurch?

How long in Christchurch or Bern?

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

Families should spend more time in Christchurch than Bern. 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 Bern. 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 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 Christchurch.

One day in Christchurch or Bern?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Christchurch. 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.

In Bern, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this beautiful city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Bern?

Christchurch is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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.

Bern is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Bern?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the adventure-filled destination of Christchurch. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Bern. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Bern?

The cultural city of Christchurch 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.

Bern is a popular place to visit. 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. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Christchurch and Bern, we can see that Bern 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 Bern 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 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 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 Bern Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Christchurch or Bern?

Christchurch has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Christchurch 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 Christchurch or Bern?

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 Bern has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Christchurch or Bern in the Summer?

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

In January, Christchurch is generally cooler than Bernin July. Daily temperatures in Christchurch average around 18°C (64°F), and Bern fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bern this time of the year. In Christchurch, it's very sunny this time of the year. Christchurch usually receives less sunshine than Bern during summer. Christchurch gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Christchurch usually receives less rain than Bernin July. Christchurch gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bern receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Christchurch or Bern in the Autumn?

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

Christchurch is around the same temperature as Bern in the autumn. The daily temperature in Christchurch averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Bern fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in October.

In the autumn, Christchurch often gets more sunshine than Bernin October. Christchurch gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 126 hours of full sun.

Christchurch usually gets more rain in April than Bernin October. Christchurch gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bern receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Christchurch or Bern in the Winter?

Both Bern 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 Bern in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bern can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Christchurch is much warmer than Bern. Typically, the winter temperatures in Christchurch in July average around 6°C (43°F), and Bern averages at about 3°C (37°F)in January.

Christchurch usually receives more sunshine than Bern during winter. Christchurch gets 122 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 65 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Christchurch usually receives more rain than Bernin January. Christchurch gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Bern receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Christchurch or Bern in the Spring?

Both Bern 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. Also, most visitors come to Bern for the natural beauty during these months.

In October, Christchurch is generally around the same temperature as Bernin April. Daily temperatures in Christchurch average around 12°C (54°F), and Bern fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It's quite sunny in Christchurch. In the spring, Christchurch often gets more sunshine than Bernin April. Christchurch gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 164 hours of full sun.

Christchurch usually gets less rain in October than Bernin April. Christchurch gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bern receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bern and Christchurch