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

Should you visit Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh 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.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a character-filled, vibrant, and gothic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for shopping, museums, and theater.

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.

Edinburgh and Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Bern?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Edinburgh than Bern. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Edinburgh is very popular for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, historical sights, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Bern attracts visitors for its food. Edinburgh is more touristy than Bern and is popular for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. It is also well known for The Edinburgh Castle. Bern is famous for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory.

How is Edinburgh different from Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Edinburgh is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Edinburgh that are not to be missed. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

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 Edinburgh or Bern Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is a well-known place for theatre. However, Bern is not a theatre destination.

While in town, many visitors enjoy seeing a show in Edinburgh. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Bern is not a theatre destination.

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

Bern is a city with good options for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

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.

Edinburgh may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.

Is Edinburgh or Bern Better for Nightlife?

Edinburgh 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.

Edinburgh offers plenty to do in the evening. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.

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

Is Edinburgh or Bern Better for Music?

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

Edinburgh is a world class music destination. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Bern is not a live music destination.

Is Edinburgh or Bern Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh is one of the most recognized in the world. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.

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 Edinburgh or Bern?

Shoppers can find a variety of excellent stores in both Edinburgh and Bern.

Edinburgh is well-known for its shopping. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.

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.

Is Edinburgh or Bern Better for Families?

Both Edinburgh and Bern are excellent to visit with kids.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Edinburgh is very family-friendly. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.

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.

Is Edinburgh or Bern Better for Couples?

Both Edinburgh and Bern are excellent destinations for a couple's getaway.

Edinburgh makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples trip.

Couples visit Bern frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With charming restaurants, a beautiful rose garden, and nice hotels and spas, this town makes a beautiful romantic getaway.

Is Edinburgh or Bern Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is renowned for backpackers. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Edinburgh is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.

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.

Is Edinburgh or Bern Better for Students?

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

Edinburgh is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Bern is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Bern can get you to some places easily. There are trams and buses that run around town.

You'll find some public transit in Edinburgh, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

Is Edinburgh or Bern a more walkable city?

Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh on foot. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

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 Edinburgh Worth Visiting? and Is Bern Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bern or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Bern?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Edinburgh and Bern. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Edinburgh than in Bern. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Edinburgh, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bern.

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

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

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

One day in Edinburgh or Bern?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Edinburgh. 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Bern. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bern has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Edinburgh or Bern?

Edinburgh 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the beautiful destination of Bern. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Edinburgh or Bern?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Edinburgh. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of Bern. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Edinburgh or Bern?

The gothic city of Edinburgh offers museums and theater. 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.

Bern is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, 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 Edinburgh and Bern, we can see that Bern is more expensive. And not only is Edinburgh much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Edinburgh would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh.

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

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Bern?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Bern. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Bern in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Edinburgh is generally cooler than Bern. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 14°C (58°F), and Bern fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bern. In the summer, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Bern. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 250 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in July than Bern. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bern receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Bern in the Autumn?

Both Bern and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Edinburgh in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Bern for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Edinburgh is cooler than Bern in the autumn. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 10°C (49°F) in October, and Bern fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Bern during autumn. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Edinburgh usually receives more rain than Bern. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bern receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Bern in the Winter?

Both Bern and Edinburgh during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months. Also, 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. Edinburgh can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Edinburgh is a little warmer than Bern. Typically, the winter temperatures in Edinburgh in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Bern averages at about 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Bern. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 65 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets more rain in January than Bern. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bern receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Bern in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Bern. The spring months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Bern this time of year.

In April, Edinburgh is generally much colder than Bern. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 7°C (45°F), and Bern fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Bern during spring. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 164 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Bern. Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh