Which place is cheaper, Berlin or Geneva?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Geneva and Berlin. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Geneva is a classy, diverse, and international city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.
Berlin is a cultural, artsy, and creative city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's also known for live music, food, and shopping.
Tourists will generally find more to do in Berlin than Geneva. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Berlin is very popular for its museums, nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Geneva attracts visitors for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Berlin is more touristy than Geneva and is popular for its art scene, cultural activities, and war torn history. It is also well known for the Brandenburg Gate. Geneva is famous for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Berlin and Geneva. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Berlin is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.
Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Berlin that are not to be missed. Famous landmarks include the rebuilt Reichstag, the Berlin Wall Memorial, and Berliner Fernsehturm. Many of the city's oldest and most famous museums are found on Museum Island, where you'll find the Pergamon Museum, the James Simon Gallery, the Altes Museum, and the Neues Museum, among others.
Geneva offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Famous sights and landmarks include the spectacular Water Jet, St Pierre Cathedral, and the Palais des Nations. There are also impressive art and history museums in the city.
Dining out at restaurants in both Geneva and Berlin can be an enjoyable experience.
With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Geneva makes for a great culinary experience. The city has an amazing mix of traditional Swiss restaurants as well as diverse ethnic options. Traditional dishes include fondue and raclette, both of which involve the decadent Swiss cheese.
Berlin has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's a great international food scene, but also all of the traditional favorites like currywurst, spätzle, and schnitzel. You'll find many diverse food halls, street markets, and local restaurants, as well as a large selection of traditional German restaurants that cater to the tourists.
Berlin is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.
The nightlife in Berlin is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The nightlife scene here is legendary. There are club nights that last for days, bars and parties that appeal to every personality, and a diversity of venues that you can choose from. You'll find the classic techno warehouses, but there are also modern dance clubs, bunker parties, and raves.
If you're looking for night time activities Geneva has a few options to choose from. During the day the city is all business, but at night the professionals, interns, students, and NGO workers all come together to enjoy a drink at a bar or dance at one of the city's diverse clubs.
Berlin is an unbeatable place for live music. However, Geneva is not a live music destination.
Berlin is a world class music destination. From the raves to the techno parties, there is a hugely diverse music scene in the city. It is so much more than the stereotypical punk and techno music that Berlin is known for. Rock, pop, and other genres are popular as well.
Geneva is not a live music destination.
Geneva is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, Berlin does not have a historic old town.
Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Geneva. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.
Berlin does not have a historic old town.
Shopping is a popular activity in both Berlin and Geneva.
Geneva is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Famous for its posh shops and luxury brands, this city is a popular shopping destination. From chic boutiques to deluxe toy stores, you'll find something for everyone. In particular, the city is known for its Swiss watches, Swiss Army knives, chocolate, and wine.
Known for shopping, Berlin draws large crowds to its stores. Bookshops, flea markets, luxury boutiques and artisan shops all make up the shopping scene in the city. Kurfürstendamm is one of the most famous shopping districts in the city.
Berlin is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.
Berlin is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of great kid-friendly museums such as the Museum of Natural History and the Computer Games Museum. There's also Legoland, an impressive aquarium, and lots of parks and playgrounds to explore.
Geneva offers lots of family activities. This diverse city has a number of chocolate shops, toy stores, and parks where kids can play. They'll be impressed by the Water Jet and there are few places where you can swim in the lake when the weather is warm.
Geneva and Berlin both nice destinations for a couple.
Geneva is a nice destination for couples. Wandering Old Town, sampling Swiss chocolate, and enjoying one of the many ethnic restaurants around town all make for great date activities. Fondue in a traditional restaurant is also a not to be missed experience.
Berlin makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Romantic activities in the city include wandering through Schloss Charlottenburg gardens and learning to dance at Clärchen’s Ballhaus. For couples who enjoy a night out on the town, there are many great restaurants and nightclubs that you can check out.
Berlin is an unbeatable place for backpackers. However, Geneva is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.
Berlin is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. The city has no shortage of hostels to choose from, many of which organize activities and tours that guests can enjoy.
Geneva is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city is often overlooked by backpackers as it is pretty expensive. Many hotels cater to the business traveler crowd, but there are a few hostels to choose from.
Berlin is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.
Berlin is a very popular place to visit for students. With it's rich culture and eclectic creative side, this city appeals to many international students. There's also a great social scene that is perfect for university students.
Geneva is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The University of Geneva attracts many international students and the city is quite diverse. It feels like a mixing bowl of cultures, so students will feel very welcomed and comfortable here.
You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Geneva and Berlin.
Visitors in Geneva can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.
Berlin has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The transportation system is diverse and includes the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, buses, and trams.
Geneva is a great city for its high level of walkability. Also, Berlin is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.
Geneva is a very walkable city. Most areas where visitors spend their time can be easily explored on foot.
Berlin is a somewhat walkable city. While parts of the city are very walkable, the neighborhoods are spread out and the city covers a large amount of space, so walking isn't always practical.
For even more information, also check out Is Geneva Worth Visiting? and Is Berlin Worth Visiting?.
Both Geneva and Berlin have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Berlin than in Geneva. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Geneva, and 2-7 days is enough time in Berlin.
Families should spend more time in Berlin than Geneva. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Berlin, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Berlin than Geneva. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Berlin that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Berlin than Geneva 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 Berlin.
Geneva is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.
Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the big city destination of Berlin. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
Geneva is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
Berlin 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.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Geneva. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. 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.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Berlin. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the international big city of Geneva. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the diverse big city of Berlin. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland, The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland, The Best Adventure Tours to Germany, and The Best Cultural Tours in Germany.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Geneva is $213, while the average daily cost in Berlin is $149. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Geneva and Berlin in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Geneva or Berlin? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Geneva:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Berlin:
Also for Berlin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Berlin and Geneva change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Geneva.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Berlin:
For Berlin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are a few actual costs in Geneva for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
For Berlin, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Berlin.
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Berlin from other travelers:
Also in Berlin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Geneva and Berlin, we can see that Geneva is more expensive. And not only is Berlin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Berlin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Berlin 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 Geneva would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Geneva than you might in Berlin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Geneva Expensive? and Is Berlin Expensive?.
Berlin has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Geneva. When comparing the sizes of Geneva and Berlin, 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.
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.
Both Berlin and Geneva during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Geneva in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Berlin for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Geneva is a little warmer than Berlin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Geneva in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Berlin averages at about 19°C (66°F).
In Berlin, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Geneva. In the summer, Geneva often gets more sunshine than Berlin. Geneva gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Berlin receives 227 hours of full sun.
Geneva usually gets more rain in July than Berlin. Geneva gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Geneva and Berlin. Most visitors come to Geneva for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Berlin because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
In October, Geneva is generally a little warmer than Berlin. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 14°C (56°F), and Berlin fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
Geneva usually receives more sunshine than Berlin during autumn. Geneva gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Berlin receives 106 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Geneva usually receives more rain than Berlin. Geneva gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Geneva as well as Berlin. The winter months attract visitors to Geneva because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Berlin this time of year.
It's quite cold in Berlin in the winter. The weather in Geneva can be very cold. Geneva is much warmer than Berlin in the winter. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Berlin fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).
In the winter, Geneva often gets more sunshine than Berlin. Geneva gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Berlin receives 42 hours of full sun.
Geneva usually gets more rain in January than Berlin. Geneva gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Berlin and Geneva are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Geneva this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Berlin for the activities around the city.
In the spring, Geneva is a little warmer than Berlin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Geneva in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Berlin averages at about 9°C (47°F).
Geneva usually receives more sunshine than Berlin during spring. Geneva gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Berlin receives 160 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Geneva usually receives more rain than Berlin. Geneva gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Geneva | Berlin | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 55 mm (2.1 in) | -0°C (31°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
Apr | 11°C (53°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
May | 15°C (60°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
Jul | 22°C (71°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
Oct | 14°C (56°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
Nov | 8°C (46°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
Dec | 4°C (40°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |