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

Should you visit Dover or Bern?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dover and Bern can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dover

Dover is a natural, breathtaking, and iconic town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for food, hiking, and museums.

Bern

Bern is a historic, charming, and beautiful city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Dover and Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dover or Bern?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Bern than Dover, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Bern is better known for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Dover is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty. Dover is well known for the famous White Cliffs of Dover as well as the ferry connection to mainland Europe. Bern is well known for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory. Also, Bern is famous for The Zytglogge Clock Tower.

How is Dover different from Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bern is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Dover is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Dover is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Aside from the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, there is the Dover Castle, the South Foreland Lighthouse, and the Grand Shaft.

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

Foodies will find both Dover and Bern both to be notable destinations.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Dover area. The town has a growing food scene that includes waterfront restaurants and local dishes. Find a restaurant with a view to make sure you take full advantage of the setting.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Bern. The city has cozy cafes, high end fine dining, traditional eateries, and modern venues.

Is Dover or Bern Better for Nightlife?

Bern is very good for its evening party scene. However, Dover is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Bern. There are bars, Irish pubs, and clubs around town.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Dover. The nightlife has a relaxed atmosphere with wine bars and microbreweries.

Is Dover or Bern Better for its Old Town?

Bern is a well-known place for its historic old town charm. However, Dover does not have a historic old town.

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.

Dover does not have a historic old town.

Is Dover or Bern Better for Hiking?

Dover is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Bern is not a hiking destination.

Dover is a popular spot for hiking. There are many beautiful countryside walks that take you through the rolling hills and along the iconic white cliffs. Some of the best hikes in the area include The England Coast Path, The North Downs Way Saxon Shore Way.

Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dover or Bern?

Bern is a well-known place for its shopping areas. However, Dover is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Dover is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Dover or Bern Better for Families?

Bern is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Dover is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Bern is known to be 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.

Dover is a family-friendly town. There are a few kid-friendly museums like the Dover Transport Museum and the Dover Castle. Also make sure you check out the South Foreland Lighthouse.

Is Dover or Bern Better for Couples?

Both Dover and Bern are great destinations to visit as a couple.

Dover is a very popular place to visit for couples. The White Cliffs of Dover are an iconic sight and perfect for a romantic trip away. Also make sure you check out St. Margaret's Bay Beach and the Kearsney Abbey Gardens.

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 Dover or Bern Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bern is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Dover is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Bern is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. Like most of Switzerland, prices are a bit high, but there are some hostels and free activities that backpackers and budget travelers can enjoy.

It's common for backpackers to visit Dover. You'll find several nice hostels to choose from in the town.

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

Bern is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Dover is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Dover. There are public buses through the district.

Is Dover or Bern a more walkable city?

Bern is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. Also, Dover is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

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.

Dover is somewhat walkable. You can wander around the countryside, but prepare for rolling hills and great views.

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

Should I spend more time in Bern or Dover?

How long in Dover or Bern?

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

Families should spend more time in Bern than Dover. 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 Dover. 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 Dover 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 Dover or Bern?

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Dover. 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 shopping and museums that this beautiful destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Dover or Bern?

Dover is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bern. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Dover or Bern?

You'll find museums and food around the stunning destination of Dover. This town 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.

Bern is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Bern. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Dover or Bern?

The iconic town of Dover offers food and museums. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the historic destination of Bern. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Bicycle 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 Dover and Bern, we can see that Bern is more expensive. And not only is Dover much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dover would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dover 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 Dover.

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

Which is Bigger, Dover or Bern?

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

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Dover or Bern in the Summer?

Both Bern and Dover are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Dover for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bern because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Dover is cooler than Bern. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dover in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Bern averages at about 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Bern. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dover. Dover usually receives less sunshine than Bern during summer. Dover gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Dover usually receives less rain than Bern. Dover gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bern receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dover or Bern in the Autumn?

Both Bern and Dover during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Dover because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bern this time of year.

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

In the autumn, Dover often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bern. Dover gets 119 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 126 hours of full sun.

Dover usually gets more rain in October than Bern. Dover gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bern receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dover or Bern in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dover and Bern. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Dover this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bern. It's quite cold in Dover in the winter. Dover is much warmer than Bern in the winter. The daily temperature in Dover averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Bern fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Dover usually receives less sunshine than Bern during winter. Dover gets 57 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 65 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Dover usually receives less rain than Bern. Dover gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bern receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dover or Bern in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Dover as well as Bern. Many travelers come to Dover for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Bern in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Dover is cooler than Bern. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dover in April average around 9°C (47°F), and Bern averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Dover often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bern. Dover gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 164 hours of full sun.

Dover usually gets less rain in April than Bern. Dover gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bern receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bern and Dover